Print Report

CEGL001162 Betula occidentalis / Maianthemum stellatum Wet Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Water Birch / Starry False Lily-of-the-Valley Wet Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This plant association occurs within the Intermountain West from Colorado north and west into the Pacific Northwest. It typically forms a tall band of shrubs (1.5-2.5 m [5-8 feet]) lining the channel of first- and second-order streams in the elevational range of 2000-2700 m (6400-8800 feet). At higher elevations, conifer trees on the upper slopes intermix with Betula occidentalis at the streambank. At lower elevations along sunny valley bottoms, well-developed, large occurrences occupy relatively flat stream benches and often extend away from the channel edge. Other shrubs that may be present include Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia, Cornus sericea, Salix exigua, Jamesia americana, Amelanchier utahensis, Prunus virginiana, and Salix monticola. The undergrowth can be a sparse or thick carpet of grasses and forbs. In undisturbed stands, forb species richness can be high, with over 30 species in one stand, and may include species such as Maianthemum stellatum, Heracleum maximum, Thalictrum fendleri, and Rudbeckia laciniata. Graminoid cover is usually low but can include Poa pratensis, Equisetum arvense, Carex utriculata, and others. An abundance of non-native grass species is considered an indication of past or current heavy grazing.

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. Classification for this association is based on 7 stands in Nevada, 5 stands in Utah and southeastern Idaho, 3 stands in southwestern Idaho, and 10 stands in Colorado. Closely related communities include ~Betula occidentalis / Cornus sericea Wet Shrubland (CEGL001161)$$, the Betula occidentalis community type which includes degraded stands with abundant non-native grasses in the undergrowth, ~Alnus incana - Betula occidentalis Wet Shrubland (CEGL001142)$$, and Alnus incana - Betula fontinalis / Salix spp. plant association (not in USNVC). Betula fontinalis is a synonym for Betula occidentalis.

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

Floristics: The tall-shrub canopy in this association is dominated by Betula occidentalis up to 5 m (18 feet) tall and with up to 60% cover. Other shrubs that may be present include Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia (1-40%), Cornus sericea (1-37%), Salix exigua (1-16%), Jamesia americana (5-21%), Amelanchier utahensis (20%), Prunus virginiana (1-17%), Prunus virginiana (1-15%), and Salix monticola (1-14%). The undergrowth can be a sparse or thick carpet of grasses and forbs. In undisturbed stands, forb species richness can be high, with over 30 species in one stand, and may include species such as Maianthemum stellatum (1-40% cover), Heracleum maximum (1-34%), Thalictrum fendleri (1-21%), and Rudbeckia laciniata (1-10%). Graminoid cover is usually low but can include Poa pratensis (1-34%), Equisetum arvense (1-23%), Carex utriculata (1-23%), and others. Stands with a very dense canopy and somewhat dry conditions may have a sparse understory not exceeding 5% cover. Total vegetation cover often exceeds 100%.

Dynamics:  An abundance of non-native grass species is considered an indication of past or current heavy grazing. As stands become isolated from the water table, the more mesic species give way to more upland species such as Heterotheca villosa; Maianthemum stellatum tends to persist in the understory because of its well-developed deep root system.
Environmental Description:  This plant association occurs within the Intermountain West from Colorado north and west into the Pacific Northwest. It typically forms a tall band of shrubs (1.5-5 m [5-18 feet]) lining the channel of first- and second-order streams between 1850-2700 m elevation (6070-8800 feet). At higher elevations, conifer trees intermix with Betula occidentalis on the streambank. At lower elevations along sunny valley bottoms, well-developed, large occurrences occupy relatively flat stream benches and often extend away from the channel edge. In the canyons of the Colorado Plateau, stands are generally linear and may be isolated several meters above the downcutting stream channel. Soils are often coarse-textured and bouldery.
Geographic Range: This plant association occurs in many western states but is restricted to the banks and floodplains of relatively small streams. It is rare on the Colorado Plateau.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA, CO, ID, NV, OR, UT, WA


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4?

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 CEGL001162 Water Birch / Starry False Lily-of-the-Valley Wet Shrubland CEGL001162 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: = Betula occidentalis / Rosa woodsii community type (Crawford 2003) [5 plots]
= Betula occidentalis / Mesic Forb (Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997) [(p.164)]
= Betula occidentalis / Mesic Forbs Community Type (Padgett et al. 1989)
= Betula occidentalis / Mesic Forbs Community Type (Manning and Padgett 1995)
= Betula occidentalis / Mesic Forbs Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003a)
Concept Author(s): J. Thompson and J. Stevens

Author of Description: J. Thompson, J. Stevens, J. Coles

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 02-07-06
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