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G544 Nuphar spp. - Potamogeton spp. - Lemna spp. Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Group

Type Concept Sentence: This group consists of freshwater aquatic herbaceous vegetation found throughout the temperate regions of western North America. A variety of rooted or floating aquatic herbaceous species may dominate, including Azolla spp., Nuphar polysepala, Polygonum spp., Potamogeton spp., Ranunculus spp., and Wolffia spp. Submerged vegetation, such as Myriophyllum spp., Ceratophyllum spp., and Elodea spp., is often present.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pond-lily species - Pondweed species - Duckweed species Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Group

Colloquial Name: Western North American Temperate Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation

Hierarchy Level:  Group

Type Concept: This group consists of freshwater aquatic herbaceous vegetation found throughout the temperate regions of western North America. Elevation ranges from near sea level to 2750 m (9000 feet). They generally do not tolerate freezing or drought. They are small patch in size, confined to lakes, ponds, oxbows, and slow-moving portions of rivers and streams that may become mudflats. These waterbodies may be part of large wetland complexes with emergent vegetation, shallow water pools, as well as large deep water areas. In large bodies of water, they are usually restricted to the littoral region where penetration of light is the limiting factor for growth. A variety of rooted or floating aquatic herbaceous species may dominate, including Azolla spp., Nuphar polysepala, Polygonum spp., Potamogeton spp., Ranunculus spp., and Wolffia spp. Submerged vegetation, such as Myriophyllum spp., Ceratophyllum spp., and Elodea spp., is often present. These communities occur in water too deep for emergent vegetation, generally between 2-8 m depth.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Aquatic vegetation floating or suspended in water column (macrophytes).

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Shallow-water-rooted aquatics that are found in marshes (amongst emergent vegetation) are part of ~Arid West Interior Freshwater Marsh Group (G531)$$. How does this compare to eastern and arctic & boreal freshwater aquatic groups (G114 and G543)? Data from western U.S. ponds are needed for more details on community structure, dynamics and environmental parameters. Aquatic vegetation in Alaska in Boreal and Arctic portions of the state are included in ~Boreal Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Macrogroup (M871)$$.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Aquatic herbaceous vegetation, floating, submerged, rooted and suspended.

Floristics: A variety of rooted or floating aquatic herbaceous species may dominate, including Azolla spp., Nuphar polysepala, Polygonum spp., Potamogeton spp., Ranunculus spp., and Wolffia spp. Submerged vegetation, such as Myriophyllum spp., Ceratophyllum spp., and Elodea spp., is often present. These communities occur in water too deep for emergent vegetation. Floristic information compiled from Viereck et al. (1992), Holland and Keil (1995), Shephard (1995), Boggs (2000), and Boggs et al. (2008a).

Dynamics:  Aquatic communities succeed as substrates change with sedimentation and accumulation of organic materials (or the reverse), and the amount of nutrients can shift species completely, such as near effluents. Segmented-leaved species can be more tolerant of wave action than entire-leaved species. Species also have differing tolerances to disturbance of wind and wave action.
Environmental Description:  Climate: Temperate North America, west of the Great Plains. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Small patch in size, confined to lakes, ponds, oxbows, and slow-moving portions of rivers and streams. In large bodies of water, they are usually restricted to the littoral region where penetration of light is the limiting factor for growth. Water depth varies from very shallow to the limit of light penetration, usually <4 m depending on the clarity of the water, but ranges from 2 to 8 m in depth. Species differentiate themselves with different depth tolerances, different substrates and nutrient and pH of the water and of the substrates. The amount and depth of organic matter in the sediment are also important. As sediment accumulates, emergent species may appear which compete directly for space/light/nutrients with floating species and floating-rooted species. The amount of wind and wave disturbance also plays a role in aquatic vegetation composition and structure; stands tend to occur on the leeward side of lakes where waves are minimal. The more sheltered the water surface, the more complex the aquatic vegetation may be. Communities changes with the environment along the shoreline, showing zonation: zones of erosion usually have small rosette forms with species such as Isoetes, Subularia, and Ranunculus. Communities tend to follow the amount and type of sediment rather than the bathymetry. The nutrient status of the lake itself also determines the aquatic vegetation composition. Environmental information compiled from Hutchinson (1975), Viereck et al. (1992), Holland and Keil (1995), Shephard (1995), Boggs (2000), and Boggs et al. (2008a).
Geographic Range: This group consists of freshwater aquatic herbaceous vegetation found throughout the temperate regions of western North America. In Alaska, temperate regions are only the south-central and southeastern coastal areas (aka the non-boreal/non-arctic regions of the state).

Nations: CA,MX?,US

States/Provinces:  AB, AK, AZ, BC, CA, CO, ID, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, SK?, TX, UT, WA, WY


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 5 Aquatic Vegetation Class C05 5
Subclass 5.B Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Subclass S13 5.B
Formation 5.B.2 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Formation F057 5.B.2
Division 5.B.2.Na North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Division D049 5.B.2.Na
Macrogroup 5.B.2.Na.2 Rocky Mountain Pond-lily - Pacific Mosquito Fern - Western Waterweed Western North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Macrogroup M109 5.B.2.Na.2
Group 5.B.2.Na.2.a Pond-lily species - Pondweed species - Duckweed species Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Group G544 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A1741 Pacific Mosquito Fern - Mexican Mosquito Fern Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A1741 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A1746 Quillwort species Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A1746 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A1747 Common Duckweed - Northern Watermeal - Columbian Watermeal Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A1747 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A1761 Short-spike Water-milfoil - Western Water-milfoil Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A1761 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A2508 Gila River Water-hyssop Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A2508 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A2628 Aquatic Moss Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A2628 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A3893 Common Mare''s-tail - Widgeonweed species - Bur-reed species Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A3893 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A3920 Whitewater Crowfoot - Vernal Water-starwort - Greater Water-starwort Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A3920 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A3921 Common Bladderwort - Lesser Bladderwort - Yellowish-white Bladderwort Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A3921 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A3922 Watershield Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A3922 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A3923 Coon''s-tail Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A3923 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A3924 Canadian Waterweed Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A3924 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A3925 Buckbean Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A3925 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A3926 Rocky Mountain Pond-lily Western Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A3926 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A3927 Floating Pondweed - Water Knotweed Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A3927 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A3928 Broadleaf Arrowhead Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A3928 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A3929 Swaying Bulrush Aquatic Vegetation Alliance A3929 5.B.2.Na.2.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Wetlands (217) (Shiflet 1994)
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2011)

Author of Description: G. Kittel, P. Comer, C. Chappell, K. Boggs

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-29-17
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  • Boggs, K., S. C. Klein, J. Grunblatt, G. P. Streveler, and B. Koltun. 2008a. Landcover classes and plant associations of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/KEFJ/NRTR-2008/093. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 255 pp.
  • Christy, J. A. 2004. Native freshwater wetland plant associations of northwestern Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Oregon State University, Portland, OR.
  • 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]
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  • Holland, V. L., and D. J. Keil. 1995. California vegetation. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, IA. 516 pp.
  • Hutchinson, G. E. 1975. A treatise on limnology. Volume 3: Limnological botany. John Wiley & Sons, New York.
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  • Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
  • Shephard, M. E. 1995. Plant community ecology and classification of the Yakutat Foreland, Alaska. R10-TP-56. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region. 213 pp. plus appendices.
  • Shiflet, T. N., editor. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Society for Range Management. Denver, CO. 152 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.