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CEGL002633 Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Alder / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This deciduous shrubland is located in moderate to high-elevation (1200-3000 m) riparian habitats of the northern Rocky Mountains and Cascade Range where deep snow accumulations are common. They usually occur in low-gradient creek drainages, on midslope avalanche chutes, in cirque basins, and in relatively steep drainages, all of which flood from spring snowmelt or summer rainstorms. The wet soils and frequent fluvial disturbance act to discourage colonization by coniferous trees and allow full sunlight to reach the ground at these sites. Soils are often well-drained colluvial or glacial-fluvial deposits, generally sandy loam to clay loam over sorted gravels and sands. A dense tall-shrub cover of Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata characterizes this vegetation. Acer circinatum, Alnus incana, Sambucus racemosa, or Salix drummondiana may be codominant in the tall-shrub layer. Acer glabrum, Ribes lacustre, Sorbus scopulina, and Menziesia ferruginea may also be present. In the northern Rocky Mountains, Abies lasiocarpa colonizes these communities, and scattered seedlings or saplings may be present. Low cold-deciduous or ericaceous shrubs may be abundant, including Rubus spectabilis, Rubus parviflorus, Sambucus racemosa, Paxistima myrsinites, and Vaccinium spp. A lush herbaceous layer is usually present, characterized by a high diversity of low-abundance tall mesic forbs, including Aconitum columbianum, Achillea millefolium, Heracleum maximum, Veratrum viride, Senecio triangularis, Prosartes spp., Urtica dioica, and Osmorhiza berteroi. Graminoids are generally uncommon.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: There appears to be very little, if any, environmental distinction between Alnus viridis / Athyrium filix-femina and Alnus viridis / Mesic Forbs and only the slightest compositional distinction, mostly Athyrium filix-femina present with modest cover or not; this may be the case for trying to adopt a type defined elsewhere to local circumstances; recognizing both types does no real "harm," but it is probably an inconsequential distinction.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: A dense tall-shrub cover of Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata characterizes this vegetation. Acer circinatum, Alnus incana, Sambucus racemosa, or Salix drummondiana may be codominant in the tall-shrub layer. Acer glabrum, Ribes lacustre, Sorbus scopulina, and Menziesia ferruginea may also be present. In the northern Rocky Mountains, Abies lasiocarpa colonizes these communities, and scattered seedlings or saplings may be present. Low cold-deciduous or ericaceous shrubs may be abundant, including Rubus spectabilis, Rubus parviflorus, Sambucus racemosa, Paxistima myrsinites, and Vaccinium spp. A lush herbaceous layer is usually present, characterized by a high diversity of low-abundance tall mesic forbs, including Aconitum columbianum, Achillea millefolium, Heracleum maximum (= Heracleum lanatum), Veratrum viride, Senecio triangularis, Prosartes spp. (= Disporum spp.), Urtica dioica, and Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis). Graminoids are generally uncommon.
Dynamics: This association usually occurs at sites that are too wet or frequently disturbed for coniferous forest to establish. Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata is highly shade-intolerant and persists largely in forest openings with abundant light. It colonizes quickly, has rapid growth, and resprouts following fire or flood, making it an important species on wet, disturbed sites.
Environmental Description: This deciduous shrubland is located in moderate to high-elevation (1200-3000 m) riparian habitats of the northern Rocky Mountains and Cascade Range where deep snow accumulations are common. They usually occur in low-gradient creek drainages, on midslope avalanche chutes, in cirque basins, and in relatively steep drainages, all of which flood from spring snowmelt or summer rainstorms. The wet soils and frequent fluvial disturbance act to discourage colonization by coniferous trees and allow full sunlight to reach the ground at these sites. Soils are often well-drained colluvial or glacial-fluvial deposits, generally sandy loam to clay loam over sorted gravels and sands.
Geographic Range: This deciduous shrubland is located in moderate to high-elevation (1200-3000 m) riparian and avalanche chute habitats of the northern Rocky Mountains of Montana and Alberta, as well as the Cascade Range of Washington.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB?, ID?, MT, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.690016
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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 | CEGL002633 Sitka Alder / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland | CEGL002633 | 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 sinuata / Mesic Forb (Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997)
= Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland (DiPaolo et al. 2018)
= Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland (DiPaolo et al. 2018)
- ANHIC [Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Community database files. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development, Edmonton.
- 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.
- Crowe, E. A., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 1997. Mid-montane wetland plant associations of the Malheur, Umatilla, and Wallowa-Whitman national forests. Technical Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-22-97. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.
- DiPaolo, D. A., D. C. Odion, K. M. Rolih, P. Adamus, and D. A. Sarr. 2018. Vegetation classification and mapping: Crater Lake National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/CRLA/NRR--2018/1663. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 550 pp.
- Erixson, J., D. Cogan, and J. Von Loh. 2011b. Vegetation inventory project report: Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Report NPS/UCBN/NRR--2011/434 National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Hop, K., M. Reid, J. Dieck, S. Lubinski, and S. Cooper. 2007. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI. 131 pp. plus Appendices A-L.
- 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).
- Kovalchik, B. L. 1993. Riparian plant associations on the national forests of eastern Washington - Draft version 1. USDA Forest Service, Colville National Forest, Colville, WA. 203 pp.
- Reid, M. S., S. V. Cooper, and G. Kittel. 2004. Vegetation classification of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Final report for USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, International Peace Park Mapping Project. NatureServe, Arlington VA.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.