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CEGL001084 Betula occidentalis / Purshia tridentata / Hesperostipa comata Wet Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Water Birch / Antelope Bitterbrush / Needle-and-Thread Wet Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association has been described from extreme southeastern Idaho, in Caribou County, in the Soda Springs valley. The only stand is known from Formation Springs Preserve. It occurs in the foothills of a small mountain range in a semi-arid region. This region is characterized by thrust faulting, with north/south-trending ranges and intervening broad, gentle valleys. The climate is semi-arid. Summers are warm and winters cold. This association occurs on a gently sloping valley-side at approximately 1873 m (6140 feet) elevation. Formation Spring emanates from the base of the Aspen Range and flows across the valley floor for about 1 mile, where it then sinks into the porous substrate. The water of the spring is supersaturated with very pure calcium carbonate (CaCO2), and extensive deposits of travertine have precipitated out of solution along the course of the spring water. The direction of waterflow has been continuously changed by damming action resulting from the travertine deposition. This process has occurred over thousands of years and has resulted in many features, including active and inactive (dry) rimmed pools that have built up to a depth of 3.7 m (12 feet), and level barren plains. This plant association occurs somewhat away from the creek, but the presence and dominance of Betula occidentalis implies a permanent, subsurface water source. This association is otherwise poorly defined and described. The broad-leaved deciduous tall (8-12 m) shrub Betula occidentalis occurs within a matrix of the shorter (1-2 m tall) broad-leaved deciduous shrub Purshia tridentata. The understory apparently has an unusual assemblage of herbaceous species, with the perennial bunchgrass Hesperostipa comata the most common species.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is poorly defined and described. The broad-leaved deciduous tall (8-12 m) shrub Betula occidentalis occurs within a matrix of the shorter (1-2 m tall) broad-leaved deciduous shrub Purshia tridentata. The understory apparently has an unusual assemblage of herbaceous species, with the perennial bunchgrass Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata) the most common species. No other information is available on plant species cover or composition.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association occurs in the foothills of a small mountain range in a semi-arid region. This region is characterized by thrust faulting, with north/south-trending ranges and intervening broad, gentle valleys. The climate is semi-arid, averaging 50.8 cm (20 inches) of annual precipitation, with summer months receiving slightly less than the remainder of the year. Summers are warm and winters cold, but can occasionally be moderated by incursions of Pacific maritime air masses. This association occurs on a gently sloping valley-side at approximately 1873 m (6140 feet) elevation. Formation Spring emanates from the base of the Aspen Range and flows across the valley floor for about 1 mile, where it then sinks into the porous substrate. The water of the spring is supersaturated with very pure calcium carbonate (CaCO2), and extensive deposits of travertine have precipitated out of solution along the course of the spring water. The direction of waterflow has been continuously changed by damming action resulting from the travertine deposition. This process has occurred over thousands of years and has resulted in many features, including active and inactive (dry) rimmed pools that have built up to a depth of 3.7 m (12 feet), and level barren plains. No information is available on soils that have developed from these highly calcareous substrates. This plant association occurs somewhat away from the creek, but the presence and dominance of Betula occidentalis implies a permanent, subsurface water source.
Geographic Range: This association has been described from extreme southeastern Idaho, in Caribou County, in the Soda Springs valley. The only stand is known from Formation Springs Preserve.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689098
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass | S44 | 2.C |
| Formation | 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Nb Western North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D031 | 2.C.4.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nb.5 Sitka Alder - Booth''s Willow / Northwest Territory Sedge Montane Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup | M893 | 2.C.4.Nb.5 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nb.5.d Willow species - Alder species - Water Birch Riparian & Seep Shrubland Group | G527 | 2.C.4.Nb.5.d |
| Alliance | A3772 Water Birch Wet Shrubland Alliance | A3772 | 2.C.4.Nb.5.d |
| Association | CEGL001084 Water Birch / Antelope Bitterbrush / Needle-and-Thread Wet Shrubland | CEGL001084 | 2.C.4.Nb.5.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
- IDCDC [Idaho Conservation Data Center]. 2005. Wetland and riparian plant associations in Idaho. Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise. [http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/tech/CDC/ecology/wetland_riparian_assoc.cfm] (accessed 14 June 2005).
- Moseley, R. K. 1987c. Idaho preserve design package: Formation Spring, Caribou County, Idaho. Unpublished report prepared by The Nature Conservancy, Idaho Field Office, Ketchum, ID. 9 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.