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CEGL002651 Alnus incana - Salix (monticola, lucida, ligulifolia) Wet Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gray Alder - (Park Willow, Shining Willow, Strapleaf Willow) Wet Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This broadly defined riparian shrubland association occurs widely from 2200-2700 m elevation in the southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado and likely occurs in adjacent New Mexico and possibly southern Wyoming. Sites include poorly developed soils on cobble point bars, islands, flat alluvial benches, and large alluvial floodplains along moderately steep streams. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to often continuous tall-shrub layer (50-90% total cover). The shrub canopy is dominated by Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia (15-100% cover) and codominated by one or more other willow species, including Salix monticola, Salix lucida ssp. caudata, and Salix ligulifolia with up to 50% cover. Other willow species occurring with less frequency include Salix bebbiana, Salix exigua, Salix lutea, and Salix geyeriana. Salix drummondiana may be present but does not codominate. Other shrub associates may include Amelanchier alnifolia, Ribes inerme, Rubus idaeus, Rosa woodsii, and Acer glabrum. Tree cover is generally sparse but can include scattered individuals of Picea engelmannii, Picea pungens, Populus tremuloides, or Populus angustifolia that total <25% canopy cover. The herbaceous undergrowth is variable and ranges from a sparse to dense mixture of graminoids (10-50%) and forbs (10-80%). Associated species include Equisetum arvense, Heracleum maximum, Mertensia ciliata, Calamagrostis canadensis, Cardamine cordifolia, and Carex utriculata. The abundance of other shrubs may indicate that the association occupies a transition in the physical setting, for example, from a broad floodplain dominated by Salix spp. to a narrow valley bottom and channel lined with only Alnus incana. Beaver are noted to be an important influence on the association. Diagnostic of this riparian shrubland association is the codominance of Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia and Salix spp. Shrub diversity is typically high.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is based on 21 quantitative plots across the western slope of Colorado and the mountains of the Front Range. Sixteen element occurrence records occur mainly in and around the San Juan Mountains. This association is a more general type than other Alnus incana types. This association is characterized by a high diversity of associated shrub species, unlike the nearly pure stands of alder found in other Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia-dominated plant associations.
The type was reported for northern New Mexico by Muldavin (1991). In Colorado, Kittel and Lederer (1993) and Kittel et al. (1994, 1995) report an Alnus incana - Salix (monticola, lucida, and ligulifolia) Shrubland from southwestern Colorado that is probably synonymous with this type. It is synonymous with the Alnus incana - Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra shrubland in New Mexico found in the Little Colorado watershed, Little Water Creek and Bowl Canyon in the Chuska Mountains, and the Rio Nutria watershed in the Zuni Mountains (Muldavin et al. 2000a).
The type was reported for northern New Mexico by Muldavin (1991). In Colorado, Kittel and Lederer (1993) and Kittel et al. (1994, 1995) report an Alnus incana - Salix (monticola, lucida, and ligulifolia) Shrubland from southwestern Colorado that is probably synonymous with this type. It is synonymous with the Alnus incana - Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra shrubland in New Mexico found in the Little Colorado watershed, Little Water Creek and Bowl Canyon in the Chuska Mountains, and the Rio Nutria watershed in the Zuni Mountains (Muldavin et al. 2000a).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This broadly defined vegetation association is characterized by a moderately dense to dense, mixed-species tall-shrub layer (50-90% total cover) that is dominated by Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia (15-100% cover) and codominated by one or more other willow species such as Salix monticola, Salix lucida ssp. caudata, and Salix ligulifolia, with up to 50% cover. Other willow species occurring with less frequency include Salix bebbiana, Salix exigua, Salix lutea, and Salix geyeriana. Salix drummondiana may be present but does not codominate. Other shrub associates may include Amelanchier alnifolia, Betula occidentalis, Ribes inerme, Rubus idaeus, Rosa woodsii, and Acer glabrum. Tree cover is generally sparse but can include scattered individuals of Picea engelmannii, Picea pungens, Populus tremuloides, or Populus angustifolia that total <25% canopy cover. The herbaceous undergrowth is variable and ranges from a sparse to dense mixture of wet to mesic graminoids (10-50%) and forbs (10-80%). Associated species include Calamagrostis canadensis, Cardamine cordifolia, Carex utriculata, Dodecatheon pulchellum, Equisetum arvense, Heracleum maximum, Maianthemum stellatum, Mertensia ciliata, and Rudbeckia laciniata (Kittel et al. 1999b, Muldavin et al. 2000a, Carsey et al. 2003a, 2003b). The abundance of other shrubs may indicate that the association occupies a transition in the physical setting, for example, from a broad floodplain dominated by Salix spp. to a narrow valley bottom and channel lined with only Alnus incana. Beaver are noted to be an important influence on the association. Stands disturbed by heavy grazing often have high cover of introduced herbaceous species such as Agrostis gigantea, Dactylis glomerata, Phleum pratense, Poa palustris, Poa pratensis, Taraxacum officinale, and Trifolium repens.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This riparian shrubland association occurs widely in the southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado, adjacent New Mexico and possibly southern Wyoming. Stands occur on poorly developed soils on cobble point bars, islands, flat alluvial benches, and large alluvial floodplains along narrow, moderately steep streams. This foothill to subalpine shrubland association occurs along narrow (10-20 m), moderately steep (3-10%) streams in moderately wide to wide river valleys between 1700 and 2930 m (5600-9600 feet) elevation. Stands are frequently found where recent changes in riparian environments have occurred, such as abandoned beaver dams, and in transition zones between broad floodplains and narrow valley bottoms where channel banks are scoured by faster water. Stream channels are steep and narrow (Rosgen''s Channel Type: A3), moderately steep and wide (Rosgen''s Channel Type: B3, B4, B6), or wide and sinuous (Rosgen''s Channel Type: C3, C4) (Rosgen 1996, Kittel et al. 1997b, Muldavin et al. 2000a, Carsey et al. 2003a, 2003b). Substrates are typically well-drained, poorly developed soils with loamy sands, sands, sandy loams, and silt loams over coarse alluvium. Large and small rock typically contribute a significant portion of ground cover (Kittel et al. 1999b, Muldavin et al. 2000a, Carsey et al. 2003a, 2003b).
Geographic Range: The association is documented throughout the mid-elevations of the southern Rocky Mountains in northwestern New Mexico and southwestern and north-central Colorado and is expected to occur in Wyoming but is currently undocumented there. In New Mexico it is found in the Chuska Mountains and Zuni Mountains.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NM, WY?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689806
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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 | A3771 Gray Alder - Green Alder Wet Shrubland Alliance | A3771 | 2.C.4.Nb.5.d |
| Association | CEGL002651 Gray Alder - (Park Willow, Shining Willow, Strapleaf Willow) Wet Shrubland | CEGL002651 | 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: = Alnus incana - Salix (monticola, lucida, and ligulifolia) Shrubland (Kittel and Lederer 1993)
= Alnus incana - Salix (monticola, lucida, and ligulifolia) Shrubland (Kittel et al. 1994)
= Alnus incana - Salix (monticola, lucida, and ligulifolia) Shrubland (Kittel et al. 1995)
= Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia - Salix (monticola, lucida, ligulifolia) Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003a)
= Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia - Salix (monticola, lucida, ligulifolia) Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003b)
= Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia-mixed Salix species (Kittel et al. 1999b)
? Thinleaf Alder-Pacific Willow CT (Muldavin et al. 2000a)
= Thinleaf alder-mixed willow species (Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia-mixed Salix species) Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1999a)
= Alnus incana - Salix (monticola, lucida, and ligulifolia) Shrubland (Kittel et al. 1994)
= Alnus incana - Salix (monticola, lucida, and ligulifolia) Shrubland (Kittel et al. 1995)
= Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia - Salix (monticola, lucida, ligulifolia) Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003a)
= Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia - Salix (monticola, lucida, ligulifolia) Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003b)
= Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia-mixed Salix species (Kittel et al. 1999b)
? Thinleaf Alder-Pacific Willow CT (Muldavin et al. 2000a)
= Thinleaf alder-mixed willow species (Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia-mixed Salix species) Plant Association (Kittel et al. 1999a)
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- Carsey, K., D. Cooper, K. Decker, D. Culver, and G. Kittel. 2003b. Statewide wetlands classification and characterization: Wetland plant associations of Colorado. Prepared for Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Denver, by Colorado Natural Heritage Program, College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 79 pp. [http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/documents/2003/wetland_classification_final_report_2003.pdf]
- Carsey, K., G. Kittel, K. Decker, D. J. Cooper, and D. Culver. 2003a. Field guide to the wetland and riparian plant associations of Colorado. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins, CO.
- Kittel, G. M., and N. D. Lederer. 1993. A preliminary classification of the riparian vegetation of the Yampa and San Miguel/Dolores river basins. Unpublished report prepared for Colorado Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency by The Nature Conservancy, Colorado Field Office, Boulder.
- Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, A. McMullen, and J. Sanderson. 1999b. A classification of riparian and wetland plant associations of Colorado: A user''s guide to the classification project. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO. 70 pp. plus appendices.
- Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, and J. Sanderson. 1999a. A classification of the riparian plant associations of the Rio Grande and Closed Basin watersheds, Colorado. Unpublished report prepared by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
- Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, and M. Damm. 1997b. Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera / Symphoricarpos occidentalis Community Characterization Abstract-Subnational Basic, draft March 12, 1997. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins, CO.
- Kittel, G., R. Rondeau, N. Lederer, and D. Randolph. 1994. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the White and Colorado River basins, Colorado. Final report submitted to Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Boulder. 166 pp.
- Kittel, G., R. Rondeau, and S. Kettler. 1995. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the Gunnison River Basin, Colorado. Submitted to Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency. Prepared by Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins. 114 pp.
- Muldavin, E. 1991. Riparian and wetlands survey, Pecos National Historic Park. Unpublished report prepared for the National Park Service, New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 30 pp.
- Muldavin, E., P. Durkin, M. Bradley, M. Stuever, and P. Mehlhop. 2000a. Handbook of wetland vegetation communities of New Mexico. Volume I: Classification and community descriptions. Final report to the New Mexico Environment Department and the Environmental Protection Agency prepared by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
- Richard, C., G. Kittel, and S. Kettler. 1996. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the San Juan National Forest. Draft 1 report. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
- Rosgen, D. 1996. Applied river morphology. Wildland Hydrology, Pagosa Springs, CO.
- Salas, D., J. Stevens, and K. Schulz. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Technical Memorandum No. 8260-05-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 161 pp. plus Appendices A-L (733 pp.).
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.