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G520 Caltha leptosepala - Carex nigricans - Kalmia microphylla Subalpine-Alpine Snowbed, Wet Meadow & Dwarf-shrubland Group
Type Concept Sentence: These alpine herbaceous and dwarf-shrub communities are found on wet sites throughout the western U.S. and Canada in high mountainous regions. They are dominated by graminoids such as Carex illota, Carex lachenalii, Carex nigricans, Carex vernacula, Deschampsia cespitosa, Juncus drummondii, or forbs Caltha leptosepala, Trollius laxus, Phippsia algida, Rorippa alpina, Sibbaldia procumbens, and Trifolium parryi, as well as dwarf-shrubs that may also be scattered to moderately dense, including Dasiphora, Kalmia, Salix or Vaccinium species.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Marsh-marigold - Black Alpine Sedge - Alpine Laurel Subalpine-Alpine Snowbed, Wet Meadow & Dwarf-shrubland Group
Colloquial Name: Vancouverian-Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Alpine Snowbed, Wet Meadow & Dwarf-shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: These are high-elevation communities found throughout the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West regions, dominated by herbaceous species found on wetter sites with very low-velocity surface and subsurface flows. They range in elevation from upper subalpine to alpine (1500-3600 m) depending on latitude. These types occur as large meadows in subalpine valleys, as narrow strips bordering ponds, lakes and streams, and along toeslope seeps. They are typically found on flat areas or gentle slopes, but may also occur on subirrigated sites with slopes up to 10%. In alpine regions, sites typically are small depressions located below late-melting snow patches or on snowbeds. Soils of this group are mineral or with a thin (<40 cm) organic layer over mineral layers (aka not peatland). Soils show hydric soil characteristics, including high organic content and/or low chroma and redoximorphic features. This group often occurs as a mosaic of several plant associations, often dominated by graminoids such as Carex illota, Carex lachenalii, Carex nigricans, Carex vernacula, Deschampsia cespitosa, Juncus drummondii, and forbs Caltha leptosepala, Trollius laxus, Phippsia algida, Rorippa alpina, Sibbaldia procumbens, and Trifolium parryi. Often scattered to moderately dense dwarf-shrubs are present, especially Dasiphora, Kalmia, Salix or Vaccinium, which when present form alpine dwarf-shrublands. Wet meadows are tightly associated with snowmelt and typically not subjected to high disturbance events such as flooding.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This group includes open to closed-canopy herbaceous stands dominated by Rocky Mountain alpine wetland species as well as open to closed dwarf-shrublands. Wetland graminoids may include Carex illota, Carex lachenalii, Carex nigricans, Carex vernacula, Deschampsia cespitosa, Juncus drummondii, and Juncus mertensianus; forbs include Caltha leptosepala, Trollius laxus, Parnassia fimbriata, Phippsia algida, Polygonum bistortoides, Rorippa alpina, Sibbaldia procumbens, and Trifolium parryi. Scattered to moderately dense dwarf-shrubs may also be present, especially Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda and Kalmia microphylla, which form alpine dwarf-shrublands.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This group includes sparsely vegetated alpine areas that nonetheless have lush wet meadows and dwarf-shrublands are included together in one group because the alpine mesic floristic composition is more diagnostic than vegetation structure. This might be confusing with ~Rocky Mountain-Sierran Alpine Dwarf-shrubland & Krummholz Group (G316)$$ because it includes mesic dwarf-shrublands; however, this group includes the true wetland associations.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is variable structurally and includes open to closed-canopy, graminoid- and forb-dominated herbaceous stands as well as stands dominated by dwarf-shrublands. Sometimes rings of different plant communities form around a late-melting snowbed because of different soil moisture requirements (drier turf species on outside edges, wetland species near the middle and sometimes a sparsely vegetated center because of the extremely short growing season).
Floristics: This group often occurs as a mosaic of several plant associations, often dominated by graminoids, including Carex illota, Carex lachenalii, Carex nigricans, Carex vernacula, Deschampsia cespitosa, Juncus drummondii, Juncus mertensianus, and forbs Caltha leptosepala, Trollius laxus, Parnassia fimbriata, Phippsia algida, Polygonum bistortoides, Rorippa alpina, Sibbaldia procumbens, and Trifolium parryi. Often scattered to moderately dense dwarf-shrubs are present, especially Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Kalmia microphylla, or Vaccinium uliginosum, which form alpine dwarf-shrublands. Wet meadows are tightly associated with snowmelt and typically not subjected to high disturbance events such as flooding. Floristic information was compiled from Willard (1963), Komarkova (1976, 1986), Nachlinger (1985), Cooper (1986b), Kovalchik (1987, 1993), Padgett et al. (1988a), Reed (1988), Meidinger and Pojar (1991), Shiflet (1994), Manning and Padgett (1995), Sanderson and Kettler (1996), Zwinger and Willard (1996), Cooper et al. (1997), Crowe and Clausnitzer (1997), and Kittel et al. (1999b).
Dynamics: Associations in this group are adapted to soils that may be flooded or saturated throughout the growing season. They may also occur on areas with soils that are only saturated early in the growing season or intermittently. Typically these associations are tolerant of moderate-intensity surface fires and late-season livestock grazing (Kovalchik 1987). Most appear to be relatively stable types, although in some areas these may be impacted by intensive livestock grazing.
Environmental Description: These are high-elevation communities found throughout the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West regions, dominated by herbaceous species found on wetter sites with very low-velocity surface and subsurface flows. They range in elevation from upper subalpine to alpine (1500-3600 m) depending on latitude. These types occur as large meadows in subalpine valleys, as narrow strips bordering ponds, lakes and streams, and along toeslope seeps. They are typically found on flat areas or gentle slopes, but may also occur on subirrigated sites with slopes up to 10%. In alpine regions, sites typically are small depressions located below late-melting snow patches or on snowbeds. Soils of this group are mineral or with a thin (<40 cm) organic layer over mineral layers (aka not peatland).
Moisture for these wet meadow community types is acquired from groundwater, stream discharge, overland flow, overbank flow, and on-site precipitation. Salinity and alkalinity are generally low due to the frequent flushing of moisture through the meadow. Depending on the slope, topography, hydrology, soils and substrate, intermittent, ephemeral or permanent pools may be present. These areas may support species more representative of purely aquatic environments. Standing water may be present during some or all of the growing season, with water tables typically remaining at or near the soil surface. Fluctuations of the water table throughout the growing season are not uncommon, however. On drier sites supporting the less mesic types, the late-season water table may be 1 m or more below the surface.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Soils typically possess a high proportion of organic matter, but this may vary considerably depending on the frequency and magnitude of alluvial deposition (Kittel et. al. 1999b). Organic composition of the soil may include a thin layer near the soil surface or accumulations of highly sapric material up to 30 cm thick (aka not peatland). Soils may exhibit gleying and/or mottling throughout the profile. Wet meadow ecological systems provide important water filtration, flow attenuation, and wildlife habitat functions. Environmental information was compiled from Willard (1963), Komarkova (1976, 1986), Nachlinger (1985), Cooper (1986b), Kovalchik (1987, 1993), Padgett et al. (1988a), Reed (1988), Meidinger and Pojar (1991), Shiflet (1994), Manning and Padgett (1995), Sanderson and Kettler (1996), Zwinger and Willard (1996), Cooper et al. (1997), Crowe and Clausnitzer (1997), and Kittel et al. (1999b).
Moisture for these wet meadow community types is acquired from groundwater, stream discharge, overland flow, overbank flow, and on-site precipitation. Salinity and alkalinity are generally low due to the frequent flushing of moisture through the meadow. Depending on the slope, topography, hydrology, soils and substrate, intermittent, ephemeral or permanent pools may be present. These areas may support species more representative of purely aquatic environments. Standing water may be present during some or all of the growing season, with water tables typically remaining at or near the soil surface. Fluctuations of the water table throughout the growing season are not uncommon, however. On drier sites supporting the less mesic types, the late-season water table may be 1 m or more below the surface.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Soils typically possess a high proportion of organic matter, but this may vary considerably depending on the frequency and magnitude of alluvial deposition (Kittel et. al. 1999b). Organic composition of the soil may include a thin layer near the soil surface or accumulations of highly sapric material up to 30 cm thick (aka not peatland). Soils may exhibit gleying and/or mottling throughout the profile. Wet meadow ecological systems provide important water filtration, flow attenuation, and wildlife habitat functions. Environmental information was compiled from Willard (1963), Komarkova (1976, 1986), Nachlinger (1985), Cooper (1986b), Kovalchik (1987, 1993), Padgett et al. (1988a), Reed (1988), Meidinger and Pojar (1991), Shiflet (1994), Manning and Padgett (1995), Sanderson and Kettler (1996), Zwinger and Willard (1996), Cooper et al. (1997), Crowe and Clausnitzer (1997), and Kittel et al. (1999b).
Geographic Range: This group is found throughout the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest and Intermountain West regions, ranging in elevation from upper subalpine to alpine (1500-3600 m) depending on latitude.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, AZ, BC, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.857258
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Alpine Rangeland (410) (Shiflet 1994) [Alpine wet meadows are included in this SRM type.]
>< Tall Forb (409) (Shiflet 1994) [Forb-dominated wet meadows are included in this group.]
>< Tufted Hairgrass - Sedge (313) (Shiflet 1994) [Wetter portions of this SRM type overlap with this group.]
>< Tall Forb (409) (Shiflet 1994) [Forb-dominated wet meadows are included in this group.]
>< Tufted Hairgrass - Sedge (313) (Shiflet 1994) [Wetter portions of this SRM type overlap with this group.]
- Cooper, D. J. 1986b. Community structure and classification of Rocky Mountain wetland ecosystems. Pages 66-147 in: J. T. Windell, et al. An ecological characterization of Rocky Mountain montane and subalpine wetlands. USDI Fish & Wildlife Service Biological Report 86(11). 298 pp.
- Cooper, S. V., P. Lesica, and D. Page-Dumroese. 1997. Plant community classification for alpine vegetation on Beaverhead National Forest, Montana. Report INT-GTR-362. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 61 pp.
- 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.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
- Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, A. McMullen, and J. Sanderson. 1999b. A classification of riparian and wetland plant associations of Colorado: A user''s guide to the classification project. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO. 70 pp. plus appendices.
- Komarkova, V. 1976. Alpine vegetation of the Indian Peaks Area, Front Range, Colorado Rocky Mountains. Unpublished dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder. 655 pp.
- Komarkova, V. 1986. Habitat types on selected parts of the Gunnison and Uncompahgre national forests. Unpublished final report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Fort Collins, CO. 270 pp. plus appendices.
- Kovalchik, B. L. 1987. Riparian zone associations - Deschutes, Ochoco, Fremont, and Winema national forests. Technical Paper 279-87. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 171 pp.
- Kovalchik, B. L. 1993. Riparian plant associations on the national forests of eastern Washington - Draft version 1. USDA Forest Service, Colville National Forest, Colville, WA. 203 pp.
- Manning, M. E., and W. G. Padgett. 1995. Riparian community type classification for Humboldt and Toiyabe national forests, Nevada and eastern California. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region. 306 pp.
- Meidinger, D., and J. Pojar, editors. 1991. Ecosystems of British Columbia. British Columbia Ministry of Forests Special Report Series No. 6. Victoria, BC. 330 pp.
- Nachlinger, J. L. 1985. The ecology of subalpine meadows in the Lake Tahoe region, California and Nevada. Unpublished thesis, University of Nevada, Reno. 151 pp.
- Padgett, W. G., A. P. Youngblood, and A. H. Winward. 1988a. Riparian community type classification of Utah and southeastern Idaho. Research Paper R4-ECOL-89-0. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.
- Reed, P. B., Jr. 1988. National list of plant species that occur in wetlands: 1988 national summary. USDI Fish & Wildlife Service. Biological Report 88(24).
- Sanderson, J., and S. Kettler. 1996. A preliminary wetland vegetation classification for a portion of Colorado''s west slope. Report prepared for Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Denver, CO, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII, Denver, CO. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins, CO. 243 pp.
- Shiflet, T. N., editor. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Society for Range Management. Denver, CO. 152 pp.
- Willard, B. E. 1963. Phytosociology of the alpine tundra of Trail Ridge, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Unpublished dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder.
- Zwinger, A. H., and B. E. Willard. 1996. Land above the trees: A guide to American alpine tundra. Johnson Books, Boulder, CO. 425 pp.