Print Report
CEGL005931 Thuja plicata / Carex disperma Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Red-cedar / Softleaf Sedge Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest association is tentative and presently known from the west side of Glacier National Park, Montana. It is found on very wet sites, growing on a flat basin floor over alluvial substrates. The site is very poorly drained; surface ponding is evident throughout the growing season. The ground surface is hummocky, the hummocks about 2-3 dm above the water surface. Soils are peat. Elevation of the one known occurrence was 980 m (3210 feet). This is a swampy, forested association, with near equal dominance of Thuja plicata, Picea engelmannii, and Tsuga heterophylla. Other trees present are Pinus monticola and Betula papyrifera. Subcanopy trees are Thuja plicata and Tsuga heterophylla. The tall-shrub layer is abundant with Alnus incana, Menziesia ferruginea, and Cornus sericea. Other shrubs present are Rhamnus alnifolia, Rosa gymnocarpa, and Vaccinium membranaceum. Thuja plicata, Picea engelmannii, and Tsuga heterophylla saplings also occupy the shrub layer with 2-10% cover. The herbaceous layer is lush and dominated by Carex disperma with 43% cover. Streptopus amplexifolius, Cicuta douglasii, Petasites frigidus var. sagittatus, and Pteridium aquilinum were among the hygrophilous forbs. Several other herbaceous species are present, all indicators of moist to continually wet conditions. These include Glyceria sp., Menyanthes trifoliata, and Athyrium filix-femina.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is a swampy, forested association, with near equal dominance of Thuja plicata, Picea engelmannii, and Tsuga heterophylla. Other trees present are Pinus monticola and Betula papyrifera. Subcanopy trees are Thuja plicata and Tsuga heterophylla. The tall-shrub layer is abundant with Alnus incana, Menziesia ferruginea, and Cornus sericea. Other shrubs present are Rhamnus alnifolia, Rosa gymnocarpa, and Vaccinium membranaceum. Thuja plicata, Picea engelmannii, and Tsuga heterophylla saplings also occupy the shrub layer with 2-10% cover. The herbaceous layer is lush and dominated by Carex disperma with 43% cover. Streptopus amplexifolius, Cicuta douglasii, Petasites frigidus var. sagittatus (= Petasites sagittatus), and Pteridium aquilinum were among the hygrophilous forbs. Several other herbaceous species are present, all indicators of moist to continually wet conditions. These include Glyceria sp., Menyanthes trifoliata, and Athyrium filix-femina.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This forest association is found on very wet sites, growing on a flat basin floor over alluvial substrates. The site is very poorly drained; surface ponding is evident throughout the growing season. The ground surface is hummocky, the hummocks about 2-3 dm above the water surface. Soils are peat. Elevation of the one known occurrence was 980 m (3210 feet).
Geographic Range: This association is tentative and presently known from the west side of Glacier National Park, Montana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.732586
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nc Rocky Mountain-Great Basin Montane Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D195 | 1.B.3.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nc.1 Engelmann Spruce - Narrowleaf Cottonwood / Red-osier Dogwood Riparian & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M034 | 1.B.3.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nc.1.b Western Red-cedar - Engelmann Spruce / American Skunk-cabbage Swamp Forest Group | G505 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.b |
| Alliance | A3776 Western Red-cedar - Western Hemlock Rocky Mountain Swamp Forest Alliance | A3776 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.b |
| Association | CEGL005931 Western Red-cedar / Softleaf Sedge Swamp Forest | CEGL005931 | 1.B.3.Nc.1.b |
Concept Lineage: Upgraded to Standard during screening.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Thuja plicata / Carex disperma Forest [Provisional] (Hop et al. 2007)
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.