Print Report

CEGL002705 Salix (melanopsis, sitchensis) Cobble Bar Wet Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Dusky willow, Sitka Willow) Cobble Bar Wet Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This early-seral association occurs along low- to moderate-gradient mountain rivers and streams in eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, and central Idaho. Rivers and streams vary in size, but most are higher order streams flowing through wide canyons and trough or U-shaped valleys. This association is found at elevations as low as 560 m (1840 feet) in eastern Washington and up to 2134 m (7000 feet) elevation in eastern Oregon and central Idaho. Stands usually form on cobble-rich alluvial bars, with varying amounts of gravel and boulders intermixed, overlain by thin sandy deposits. Sites are point bars, sidebars, and mid-channel bars that are flood-scoured nearly every year, with minimal deposition of sand occurring in microsites with low fluvial energy. This association is typically dominated by Salix melanopsis, varying in size and cover (e.g., ranging from about 10 to 90% cover) depending on the amount of flood scouring and time since establishment. In some areas Salix sitchensis has high constancy and can be dominant, codominant, or subdominant in this association. Other Salix spp., especially Salix exigua, Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra, and Salix lutea are sometimes present but never dominant. Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa or Picea engelmannii seedlings and saplings are sometimes also present.. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse and low in diversity but highly variable across stands. The most common species are tolerant of flood scouring and seasonal desiccation and include "weedy" species adapted to disturbed and open sites (e.g., Achillea millefolium, Anaphalis margaritacea, Cirsium vulgare, Plantago major, Solidago canadensis, and Taraxacum officinale). The most commonly occurring grasses include Agrostis spp., Elymus glaucus or Elymus trachycaulus, but only Agrostis stolonifera has more than 5% cover. Carex lenticularis has moderate constancy and occasionally more than 10% cover. Equisetum arvense is frequently associated and tends to be the most abundant herbaceous species, up to 30% cover. Artemisia ludoviciana, Epilobium spp., and Symphyotrichum spp. also have moderate constancy but low cover.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Prior to recent review of its taxonomy, Salix melanopsis was considered a subspecies of Salix exigua (Hitchcock and Cronquist 1973, Brunsfeld and Johnson 1985). Likely due to use of this older taxonomy, Salix melanopsis associations had not been formally described. Recent classification work in eastern Washington (Kerr 2000, Kovalchik 2001) and eastern Oregon (Crowe et al. 2004) formally described this Salix (melanopsis, sitchensis) cobble bar association. Within the range of Salix melanopsis, stands of this type had probably been lumped within the broader Salix exigua association (e.g., Crowe and Clausnitzer (1997) in Oregon, Hansen et al. (1995) in Montana, and possibly California) and Salix exigua / Barren association in Idaho, Utah (Padgett et al. 1989), or elsewhere (e.g., Wyoming). In central Idaho, several stands codominated by Salix melanopsis were included within the Agrostis scabra-stream bar association of Tuhy and Jensen (1982). On the west side of the Cascades in southern Washington (e.g., Gifford-Pinchot National Forest) and northwestern Oregon (e.g., Mount Hood National Forest and elsewhere) both Diaz and Mellen (1996) and Murray (2000) describe Salix sitchensis types having sparse herbaceous understories that sometimes occur on frequently flooded alluvial bars. Murray (2000) described two such associations, Salix sitchensis / (Equisetum arvense) and Salix sitchensis - Equisetum telmateia associations in northwestern Oregon. Because of their occurrence west of the Cascades, the lack of Salix melanopsis, and differences in composition compared to analogous stands east of the Cascades, these Salix sitchensis-dominated associations are probably not synonymous with ~Salix (melanopsis, sitchensis) Cobble Bar Wet Shrubland (CEGL002705)$$.

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

Floristics: This association is typically dominated by Salix melanopsis, varying in size and cover (e.g., ranging from about 10 to 90% cover) depending on the amount of flood scouring and time since establishment. In some areas, such as north-central and northeastern Washington, Salix sitchensis has high constancy and can be dominant, codominant, or subdominant in this association. Other Salix spp., especially Salix exigua (and possible Salix exigua x Salix melanopsis hybrids), Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra (= Salix lasiandra), and Salix lutea are sometimes present but never dominant. Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa seedlings and saplings are sometimes also present, and occasionally there are young Picea engelmannii or other conifers sprouting on the well-drained sand and gravel. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse and low in diversity but highly variable across stands. The most common species are tolerant of flood scouring and seasonal desiccation and include "weedy" species adapted to disturbed and open sites (e.g., Achillea millefolium, Anaphalis margaritacea, Cirsium vulgare, Plantago major, Solidago canadensis, and Taraxacum officinale). Agrostis spp. (e.g., Agrostis exarata, Agrostis scabra, Agrostis stolonifera) are the most commonly occurring grasses, but only Agrostis stolonifera has more than 5% cover. Elymus spp. (e.g., Elymus glaucus and Elymus trachycaulus) also commonly occur but with low cover. Carex lenticularis has moderate constancy and occasionally more than 10% cover. Equisetum arvense is frequently associated and is also the most abundant herbaceous species (occasionally with up to 30% cover). Artemisia ludoviciana, Epilobium spp. (e.g., Epilobium ciliatum, Epilobium suffruticosum), and Symphyotrichum spp. (e.g., Symphyotrichum eatonii, Symphyotrichum foliaceum) also have moderate constancy but low cover.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This early-seral association occurs along low- to moderate-gradient mountain rivers and streams in eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, and central Idaho. Rivers and streams vary in size, but most are higher order streams flowing through wide canyons and trough or U-shaped valleys. Typically found between 915 and 1524 m (3000-5000 feet) elevation, stands are known from as low as 560 m (1840 feet) in eastern Washington and up to 2134 m (7000 feet) elevation in eastern Oregon and central Idaho. Stands usually form on cobble-rich alluvial bars, with varying amounts of gravel and boulders intermixed, overlain by thin sandy deposits. Sites are point bars, sidebars, and mid-channel bars that are flood-scoured nearly every year, with minimal deposition of sand occurring in microsites with low fluvial energy.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the east slope of the Cascades in north-central Washington (Kerr 2000) and northeastern Washington (Kovalchik 2001). It also occurs in the Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon, in Lake County of south-central Oregon, and possibly on the east slope of the Cascades (Crowe et al. 2004). In Idaho, it is known along the larger headwater tributaries to the Middle Fork Salmon River in central Idaho (Tuhy and Jensen 1982), as well as on the forks of the Boise and Payette river systems. The association has been observed elsewhere in Idaho, such as on the Little Wood River (Rust et al. 2003). It is suspected to occur in suitable habitat throughout the range of Salix melanopsis, including California, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  ID, MT?, OR, WA


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

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.4 Vancouverian Lowland Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M073 2.C.4.Nb.4
Group 2.C.4.Nb.4.c Alder species - Willow species - Meadowsweet species Wet Shrubland Group G322 2.C.4.Nb.4.c
Alliance A3835 Dune Willow - Sitka Willow - Rose Spirea Wet Shrubland Alliance A3835 2.C.4.Nb.4.c
Association CEGL002705 (Dusky willow, Sitka Willow) Cobble Bar Wet Shrubland CEGL002705 2.C.4.Nb.4.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Agrostis scabra-stream bar Community Type (Tuhy and Jensen 1982)
>< Salix exigua (Crowe and Clausnitzer 1997)
= Salix melanopsis Association (Crowe et al. 2004)
= Salix melanopsis Community Type (Kerr 2000)
= Salix sitchensis Plant Community (Diaz and Mellen 1996)
= Salix / Alluvial Bar Association (Kovalchik 2001)
Concept Author(s): C. Murphy

Author of Description: C. Murphy and M.S. Reid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-30-04
  • Brunsfeld, S. J., and F. D. Johnson. 1985. Field guide to the willows of east-central Idaho. Bulletin No. 39. Forest, Wildlife & Range Experimental Station, University of Idaho, Moscow. 95 pp.
  • Crowe, E. A., B. L. Kovalchik, and M. J. Kerr. 2004. Riparian and wetland vegetation of central and eastern Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Institute for Natural Resources, Oregon State University, Portland. 473 pp. [http://oregonstate.edu/ornhic/ publications.html]
  • 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.
  • Diaz, N. M., and T. K. Mellen. 1996. Riparian ecological types, Gifford Pinchot and Mt. Hood national forests, and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Technical Report R6-NR-TP-10-96. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 203 pp. plus appendices.
  • Hitchcock, L. C. and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle. 730 pp.
  • Kerr, M. J. J. 2000. Classification of active floodplain plant communities on a portion of the Twist River, Okanogan County, Washington. MS thesis, Washington State University, Pullman.
  • Kovalchik, B. L. 2001. Classification and management of aquatic, riparian and wetland sites on the national forests of eastern Washington. Part 1: The series descriptions. 429 pp. plus appendix. [http://www.reo.gov/col/wetland_classification/wetland_classification.pdf]
  • Murray, M. P. 2000. Wetland plant associations of the western hemlock zone in the central coastal and westslope Cascade Mountains. Unpublished report, Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Portland, OR. 82 pp. [http://www.natureserve.org/nhp/us/or/nw_or_wetlands.pdf]
  • Rust, S., C. Murphy, J. Miller, and C. Coulter. 2003. Inventory and assessment of vegetation of the Pioneer Mountain Foothills: Fish Creek, West Fork Fish Creek, Friedman Creek, and Little Wood River. Unpublished draft report prepared for Bureau of Land Management, Shoshone Field Office; The Nature Conservancy; and Lava Lake Land and Livestock LLC by Idaho Conservation Data Center, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise. 173 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.
  • 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.