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CEGL001558 Agrostis (gigantea, stolonifera) Ruderal Marsh

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Redtop, Creeping Bentgrass) Ruderal Marsh

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This semi-natural herbaceous association is typically found in more mesic areas such as riparian floodplains and seasonally flooded wetlands in the semi-arid western U.S. where Agrostis spp. have escaped from cultivation. Sites are typically flat to gently sloping or undulating. Elevations range from 854-2671 m (2800-8760 feet). Stands occur along low- to medium-gradient streams, often in broad, relatively flat, wet or irrigated meadows. Soil moisture ranges from dry to seasonally wet with stream and groundwater present. Substrates are variable. This type grows best on moist to temporarily wet soils, but it will tolerate poorly drained soils with high water tables and some flooding. Soil textures range from coarse alluvial sand and colluvium to fine clay, but it does best on clay loam and loam soils. The vegetation is characterized by a moderate to dense perennial graminoid layer dominated by introduced forage species Agrostis gigantea or Agrostis stolonifera. Other herbaceous species may occur as well, but they are generally less than 10% cover. Occasional shrubs or saplings may be present such as Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia, Populus angustifolia, Rosa woodsii, or species of Salix. Common native species include graminoids Carex spp., Deschampsia elongata, Eleocharis quinqueflora, Hordeum jubatum, Juncus spp., Muhlenbergia asperifolia, and forbs Achillea millefolium, Argentina anserina, Artemisia ludoviciana, Equisetum spp., Iris missouriensis, and Thermopsis montana. Other introduced species are common, such as Bromus inermis, Cirsium arvense, Dactylis glomerata, Schedonorus pratensis, Melilotus officinalis, Phalaris arundinacea, Phleum pratense, Plantago lanceolata, Poa pratensis, Rumex crispus, Taraxacum officinale, Trifolium spp., and others.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The concept of this association was broadened to include dominance by Agrostis gigantea, a species closely related to Agrostis stolonifera and also a commonly planted forage species.

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

Floristics: This association is characterized by a moderate to dense perennial graminoid layer dominated by introduced forage species Agrostis gigantea or Agrostis stolonifera. Other herbaceous species may occur as well, but they are generally less than 10% cover. Occasional shrubs or saplings may be present such as Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia, Populus angustifolia, Rosa woodsii, or species of Salix. Common native species include graminoids Carex microptera, Carex nebrascensis, Carex pellita, Carex simulata, Carex utriculata, Deschampsia elongata, Eleocharis quinqueflora (= Eleocharis pauciflora), Hordeum jubatum, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus), Juncus longistylis, Muhlenbergia asperifolia, and forbs Achillea millefolium, Argentina anserina, Artemisia ludoviciana, Equisetum hyemale, Equisetum laevigatum, Iris missouriensis, and Thermopsis montana (Hansen et al. 1995, Manning and Padgett 1995, Hall and Hansen 1997, Carsey et al. 2003a). Other introduced species are common, such as Bromus inermis, Cirsium arvense, Dactylis glomerata, Schedonorus pratensis (= Festuca pratensis), Melilotus officinalis, Phalaris arundinacea, Phleum pratense, Plantago lanceolata, Poa pratensis, Rumex crispus, Taraxacum officinale, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, and others.

Dynamics:  Agrostis gigantea and Agrostis stolonifera are pasture grasses of Eurasian origin that are widely cultivated as hay. This type produces moderate to high amounts of forage, which is moderately palatable to livestock and possibly elk. The dense network of roots and rhizomes makes this type highly effective for stabilizing streams (Kittel et al. 1999b). Where grazing is intense or persistent along streambanks, soils may be compacted or streambanks eroded (Hansen et al. 1995). It has moderate tolerance of drought and flooding, but low tolerance for salinity and shade (Kittel et al. 1999b).
Environmental Description:  This semi-natural herbaceous association is typically found in more mesic areas such as riparian floodplains and seasonally flooded wetlands in the semi-arid western U.S. where Agrostis spp. have escaped from cultivation. Sites are typically flat to gently sloping or undulating. Elevations range from 854-2671 m (2800-8760 feet). Stands occur along low- to medium-gradient streams, often in broad, relatively flat, wet or irrigated meadows (Carsey et al. 2003a). Soil moisture ranges from dry to seasonally wet with stream and groundwater present. Substrates are variable. It grows best on moist to temporarily wet soils, but it will tolerate poorly drained soils with high water tables and some flooding. Soil textures range from coarse alluvial sand and colluvium to fine clay, but it does best on clay loam and loam soils (Hansen et al. 1995, Manning and Padgett 1995).
Geographic Range: This semi-natural hay meadow type occurs widely across the western U.S. and is typically restricted to mesic areas such as riparian floodplains and seasonally flooded wetlands in semi-arid climates.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, ID, MT, NV


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

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.90 Western North American Ruderal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M301 2.C.4.Nb.90
Group 2.C.4.Nb.90.a Kentucky Bluegrass - Canadian Horseweed - Canada Thistle Ruderal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Group G524 2.C.4.Nb.90.a
Alliance A3848 Kentucky Bluegrass - Redtop - Creeping Bentgrass Ruderal Marsh Alliance A3848 2.C.4.Nb.90.a
Association CEGL001558 (Redtop, Creeping Bentgrass) Ruderal Marsh CEGL001558 2.C.4.Nb.90.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Agrostis gigantea Herbaceous Vegetation (Carsey et al. 2003a)
= Agrostis gigantea Herbaceous Vegetation (Kittel et al. 1999b)
? Agrostis stolonifera (Sawyer et al. 2009) [45.106.02]
= Agrostis stolonifera Community Type (Manning and Padgett 1995)
= Agrostis stolonifera Community Type (Hall and Hansen 1997)
= Agrostis stolonifera Community Type (Hansen et al. 1995)
Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 02-21-06
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