Print Report
CEGL003497 Salix commutata / Mesic Graminoid Wet Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Undergreen Willow / Mesic Graminoid Wet Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association is distributed in moist sites at high elevation on both sides of the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park. This small-patch shrubland association occurs on subirrigated gentle slopes and flat terraces along high-elevation streams and ponds. The association also occupies shallow swales where water accumulates from snowmelt and remains until early summer. Species composition is indicative of sites retaining snow cover longer than the adjacent landscape. Sampled elevations range from 1920-2000 m (6298-6560 feet), the uppermost portion of subalpine environments. Parent material is derived from glacio-fluvial deposits and soils vary from poorly drained clay loams to well-drained loamy sand. Ground cover is primarily litter. Salix commutata is the dominant and virtually the only shrub contributing to a canopy cover of 40-90%. Dwarf-shrubs Kalmia microphylla and Salix arctica are sporadically represented, and small, stunted Picea engelmannii may be present. The herbaceous layer has 20-30% cover, contributed by a variety of moist-site, high-elevation sedges and forbs. The presence and occasionally modest coverage of Carex nigricans, Juncus mertensianus, Juncus drummondii, and Sibbaldia procumbens is indicative of sites retaining snowpack well into the growing season. Arnica latifolia and/or Hypericum scouleri ssp. nortoniae may be present with covers ranging from 10-20%. Other species characteristic of a high moisture status include Senecio triangularis, Parnassia fimbriata, Erigeron peregrinus, and Veronica wormskjoldii; typically their cover is quite low.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Hansen et al. (1995) reported three stands dominated by Salix commutata. These are included in the Salix planifolia / Carex aquatilis Habitat Type, as the authors consider Salix commutata to be an ecological equivalent to Salix planifolia at high altitudes. The understory of Salix commutata stands may or may not be similar to the stands from Glacier National Park. Tuhy and Jensen (1982) describe a Salix commutata / Carex scopulorum riparian association that may be similar. Viereck et al. (1992) note a Salix commutata / Carex aquatilis / Calliergon giganteum by Streveler et al. (1973) as part of the Open Low Willow-Graminoid Bog.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Salix commutata is the dominant and virtually the only shrub contributing to a canopy cover of 40-90%. Dwarf-shrubs Kalmia microphylla and Salix arctica are sporadically represented, and small, stunted Picea engelmannii may be present. The herbaceous layer has 20-30% cover, contributed by a variety of moist-site, high-elevation sedges and forbs. The presence and occasionally modest coverage of Carex nigricans, Juncus mertensianus, Juncus drummondii, and Sibbaldia procumbens is indicative of sites retaining snowpack well into the growing season. Arnica latifolia and/or Hypericum scouleri ssp. nortoniae (= Hypericum formosum var. nortoniae) may be present with covers ranging from 10-20%. Other species characteristic of a high moisture status include Senecio triangularis, Parnassia fimbriata, Erigeron peregrinus, and Veronica wormskjoldii; typically their cover is quite low.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This shrubland association is distributed in moist sites at high elevation on both sides of the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park. This small-patch shrubland association occurs on subirrigated gentle slopes and flat terraces along high-elevation streams and ponds. The association also occupies shallow swales where water accumulates from snowmelt and remains until early summer. Species composition is indicative of sites retaining snow cover longer than the adjacent landscape. Sampled elevations range from 1920-2000 m (6298-6560 feet), the uppermost portion of subalpine environments. Parent material is derived from glacio-fluvial deposits and soils vary from poorly drained clay loams to well-drained loamy sand. Ground cover is primarily litter.
Geographic Range: This association is known only from western Montana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.728482
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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 | A1003 Undergreen Willow Wet Shrubland Alliance | A1003 | 2.C.4.Nb.5.d |
| Association | CEGL003497 Undergreen Willow / Mesic Graminoid Wet Shrubland | CEGL003497 | 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: = Salix commutata / Mesic Graminoid Shrubland (Hop et al. 2007)
- Hansen, P. L., R. D. Pfister, K. Boggs, B. J. Cook, J. Joy, and D. K. Hinckley. 1995. Classification and management of Montana''s riparian and wetland sites. Miscellaneous Publication No. 54. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana. 646 pp. plus posters.
- 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.
- 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.
- Streveler, G. P., I. A. Worley, C. J. Terry, and R. J. Gordon. 1973. Dixon Harbor biological survey: Final report on the summer phase of 1973 research. Unpublished report on file with Institute of Northern Forestry, Fairbanks, AK. 241 pp.
- Tuhy, J. S., and S. Jensen. 1982. Riparian classification for the Upper Salmon and Middle Fork Salmon River drainages, Idaho. Unpublished report prepared for the USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region by White Horse Associates, Smithfield, UT. 183 pp.
- Viereck, L. A., C. T. Dyrness, A. R. Batten, and K. J. Wenzlick. 1992. The Alaska vegetation classification. General Technical Report PNW-GTR286. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 278 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.