Print Report

CEGL001811 Carex limosa Fen

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mud Sedge Fen

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is currently reported from the Rocky Mountains west into Utah, California and Washington at mid to high elevations. Stands occur in some of the wettest sites in fens that have formed in glacial kettles, on pond margins, along low-gradient lake inlets or outlets, in association with springs in broad valleys. Soils are typically highly organic and composed of deep fibric peat, with very little decomposition because of saturated conditions. Vegetation is characterized by the dominance of Carex limosa with 50% or greater cover (often occurring as a near monoculture) and may occur as a floating mat. Several other species that are adapted to nutrient-poor conditions, including Drosera spp., Eriophorum spp., Menyanthes trifoliata, and Trichophorum cespitosum, are sometimes present. In addition, Carex aquatilis, Carex rostrata, Carex utriculata, and Comarum palustre may be present. A dense layer of moss that often includes Sphagnum spp. occurs in some stands, and some stands may be codominated by Eleocharis quinqueflora or Carex aquatilis.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association is defined as a PNV vegetation type and has been characterized in numerous studies in the Great Lakes Region, in Canada, northern Europe, and northern Asia (Mattson 1984). It appears closely related to ~Carex aquatilis Wet Meadow (CEGL001802)$$ with which it is commonly associated (Padgett et al. 1989). Hansen et al. (1995) indicate that Carex limosa has indicator priority over Carex lasiocarpa but not Carex aquatilis or Carex utriculata. Mattson''s (1984) Carex limosa series described for the central portion of Yellowstone National Park are included in this broader association. A stand described from Rocky Mountain National Park was codominated by Eleocharis quinqueflora and fits the broader Mattson (1984) concept of Eleocharis quinqueflora phase of the Carex limosa - Carex aquatilis Habitat Type.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Vegetation is characterized by the dominance of Carex limosa with 50% or greater cover (often occurring as a as a near monoculture) and may form floating organic mats held together by long rhizomes and roots of mostly graminoids (Padgett et al. 1989, Cooper 1990). Several other species that are adapted to nutrient-poor conditions, including Drosera linearis, Drosera rotundifolia, Eriophorum scheuchzeri, Eriophorum chamissonis, Menyanthes trifoliata, and Trichophorum cespitosum (= Scirpus cespitosus), are sometimes present. In addition, Carex aquatilis, Carex buxbaumii, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex rostrata, Carex utriculata, and Comarum palustre (= Potentilla palustris) may be present. A dense layer of moss that often includes Sphagnum spp. occurs in some stands. Scattered shrubs of Betula glandulosa, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Salix candida, or Salix planifolia may be present (Hansen et al. 1995).

Dynamics:  Carex limosa is important in primary succession, spreading onto the water and shading out submergent and floating aquatic plants (Cooper 1990). As succession proceeds the species composition likely become more diverse.
Environmental Description:  This association is currently reported from the Rocky Mountains west into Utah, California and Washington at mid to high elevations ranging from 1787-3235 m (5860-10,600 feet). However, one occurrence in Glacier National Park, Montana, is found at 1010 m (3320 feet). Carex limosa is widespread, occurring at mid to high elevations in boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Stands occur in some of the wettest sites in fens that have formed in glacial kettles, on pond margins, along low-gradient lake inlets or outlets, in association with springs in broad valleys. It often occurs as floating organic mats held together by long rhizomes and roots of mostly graminoids (Padgett et al. 1989, Cooper 1990). Soils are typically highly organic and composed of deep fibric peat, with very little decomposition because of saturated conditions (Hansen et al. 1995). If a site get drier from water diversion, etc., Carex aquatilis will become more competitive and abundant (Padgett et al. 1989). Soils are classified as Borofibrists or Cryohemists.
Geographic Range: This association is known from scattered locations across the Rocky Mountains and parts of western North America from western Montana west to Washington and possibly British Columbia, south into California, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. Carex limosa is widespread, occurring at mid to high elevations in boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, so range may be wider yet.

Nations: CA?,US

States/Provinces:  AK?, BC?, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2

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.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation F016 2.C.2
Division 2.C.2.Na North American Bog & Fen Division D029 2.C.2.Na
Macrogroup 2.C.2.Na.2 Shrubby cinquefoil - Woolly-fruit Sedge / Star Campylium Moss Alkaline Fen Macrogroup M877 2.C.2.Na.2
Group 2.C.2.Na.2.c Bellardi Bog Sedge - Buxbaum''s Sedge Alkaline Fen Group G516 2.C.2.Na.2.c
Alliance A3435 Mud Sedge - Buxbaum''s Sedge - Seaside Arrow-grass Alkaline Graminoid Fen Alliance A3435 2.C.2.Na.2.c
Association CEGL001811 Mud Sedge Fen CEGL001811 2.C.2.Na.2.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Carex limosa - Carex aquatilis Habitat Type (Mattson 1984)
> Carex limosa - Carex aquatilis Habitat Type, Carex aquatilis Phase (Mattson 1984)
> Carex limosa - Carex aquatilis Habitat Type, Eleocharis quinqueflora Phase (Mattson 1984)
= Carex limosa (McCain and Christy 2005) [9 plots]
= Carex limosa Association (Christy 2004)
= Carex limosa Association (Kovalchik 1993) [(p.149)]
= Carex limosa Community Type (Cooper 1990)
= Carex limosa Community Type (Padgett et al. 1989)
= Carex limosa Dominance Type (Hansen et al. 1988b)
= Carex limosa Fen (DiPaolo et al. 2018)
= Carex limosa Habitat Type (Hansen et al. 1995)
< Carex limosa Series (Mattson 1984) [described for the central portion of Yellowstone National Park.]
? Mud Sedge-Fewflower Spikerush CT (Muldavin et al. 2000a)
Concept Author(s): M. Jankovsky-Jones

Author of Description: M. Jankovsky-Jones, K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 04-25-07
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