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G517 Deschampsia beringensis - Argentina egedii - Carex obnupta Vancouverian Freshwater Coastal Marsh & Wet Meadow Group
Type Concept Sentence: These coastal freshwater herbaceous or shrubby wetlands are dominated by a wide variety of species that are found in dune complexes, behind deltas, in coastal upper marshes, and can be influenced by tides and inland freshwater pulses. They are found from southern California to the northern Aleutian Islands of Alaska.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bering''s Tufted Hairgrass - Pacific Silverweed - Slough Sedge Vancouverian Freshwater Coastal Marsh & Wet Meadow Group
Colloquial Name: Vancouverian Freshwater Wet Meadow & Marsh
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: These coastal freshwater wet meadows and marshes range from southern California to the northern Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Wet meadows are dominated by a wide variety of graminoids and forbs, including Achillea millefolium var. borealis, Angelica lucida, Argentina anserina, Argentina egedii, Carex lyngbyei, Carex mackenziei, Carex obnupta, Castilleja spp., Deschampsia beringensis, Equisetum variegatum, Euthamia occidentalis, Festuca rubra, Heracleum maximum, Hydrocotyle umbellata, Juncus lesueurii, Juncus nevadensis, Juncus spp., Lathyrus japonicus var. maritimus, Leymus mollis, Lupinus nootkatensis, Parnassia palustris, and Sparganium species. Shrubs include Myrica gale, Salix commutata, Salix hookeriana, and Salix sitchensis. Coastal freshwater wetlands are found in interdunal areas, on delta deposits, uplifted marshes, or beach deposits. They occur inland of tidal marshes and are common along sloughs and levees. Within dune areas, freshwater wetlands are often part of larger active and stabilized coastal barrier islands, spits, and coastal dunes, where they can be referred to as "slack dune ponds" when associated with larger and deeper water or "coastal dune swales" when water is shallow. They typically occur behind active foredunes, especially where the base of the dunes are at or near groundwater levels.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Freshwater herbaceous or shrubby wetlands in dune complexes, behind deltas and coastal upper marshes, influenced by tides and inland freshwater pulses.
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: Low-statured herbaceous wetlands dominated by graminoid with some low shrubs, usually fringing or surrounding small freshwater ponds within sand dunes.
Floristics: The floristics of this group have a gradual overlapping gradation from south to north, resulting in complete species replacement. Carex obnupta and Argentina anserina occur in California and overlap with Oregon and Washington and southern British Columbia stands. Before these species drop out, Argentina egedii, Carex lyngbyei, and Leymus mollis begin to overlap and continue through the northern extent of the range. In Alaska, slacks between dunes are colonized by Equisetum variegatum and other herbaceous species. Shrubs such as Myrica gale, Salix commutata, and Salix sitchensis can invade as sites become less wet due to isostatic rebound or burial by sand deposits. Organic mats may be present. Wet meadows are dominated by a wide variety of graminoids and forbs, including Achillea millefolium var. borealis (= Achillea borealis), Angelica lucida, Argentina anserina (= Potentilla anserina), Argentina egedii (= Potentilla egedii), Carex mackenziei, Castilleja spp., Deschampsia beringensis, Festuca rubra, Heracleum maximum, Lathyrus japonicus var. maritimus, Lupinus nootkatensis, and Parnassia palustris. Leymus mollis and Lupinus nootkatensis are common on levees, and Carex lyngbyei often dominates in sloughs and wet depressions. Dune slacks in Oregon and Washington are colonized by Argentina egedii, Carex obnupta, Juncus lesueurii, Juncus nevadensis, Salix hookeriana, and various other emergent species. In the south from southern Oregon to San Luis Obispo County, California, common plant species include Argentina anserina (= Potentilla anserina), Carex obnupta, Euthamia occidentalis, Hydrocotyle umbellata, Juncus spp., and Sparganium spp. Floristic information compiled from Sparks et al. (1977), Barbour and Major (1988), Viereck et al. (1992), Stone (1993), Shiflet (1994), Holland and Keil (1995), Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf (1995), and Boggs (2000).
Dynamics: This group is subject to flooding, burial by sand, scour by wind, and tidal pluses of freshwater.
Environmental Description: Climate: Winter precipitation elevates the water table and inundates some communities to a depth of 1 m (3 feet). Soil/substrate/hydrology: In Oregon and Washington, habitat ranges from small interdunal depressions to extensive deflation plains behind stabilized foredunes. The seasonal rise in water table also causes vernal pools to form in forested sites on old deflation plains. These pools are teeming with invertebrates and are temporary sources of food and breeding grounds for amphibians and waterfowl. Some wetlands are perched on an iron-cemented duripan, and groundwater may be charged with iron. pH ranges from 5.0-6.3 (6.9), with low conductivity. Moist and wet meadows associated with delta deposits, uplifted marshes, or beach deposits occur inland of tidal marshes and are also common along sloughs and levees. Environmental information compiled from Sparks et al. (1977), Barbour and Major (1988), Viereck et al. (1992), Stone (1993), Shiflet (1994), Holland and Keil (1995), Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf (1995), and Boggs (2000).
Geographic Range: This group occurs along the coast from San Luis Obispo County, California, north through Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska, including Kodiak Island, and continues to the northernmost Aleutian Islands.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AK, BC, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.848795
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: G523 merged into G517 (GK 7-16-13).
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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- Stone, C. S. 1993. Vegetation of coastal marshes near Juneau, Alaska. Northwest Science 67(4):215-230.
- 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.