Print Report

G527 Salix spp. - Alnus spp. - Betula occidentalis Riparian & Seep Shrubland Group

Type Concept Sentence: These are montane to subalpine riparian shrublands ranging from short to tall (0.5-15 m) that occur in steep and narrow to wide, low-gradient valley bottoms and floodplains as well as steep moist avalanche chutes. They are generally dominated by any or a mix of the following: Alnus incana, Alnus oblongifolia, Alnus viridis, Betula occidentalis, Betula glandulosa, Betula occidentalis, Cornus sericea, Salix bebbiana, Salix boothii, Salix brachycarpa, Salix drummondiana, Salix eriocephala, Salix geyeriana, Salix monticola, Salix planifolia, and/or Salix wolfii.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Willow species - Alder species - Water Birch Riparian & Seep Shrubland Group

Colloquial Name: Western Montane-Subalpine Riparian & Seep Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Group

Type Concept: These are montane to subalpine riparian shrublands occurring as narrow bands or broad shrublands and are found throughout the Rocky Mountain cordillera from New Mexico north into Montana and northwestern Alberta. They also occur in mountainous areas of the interior Intermountain West and on the Colorado Plateau. This group often occurs as part of a mosaic of multiple communities that are shrub- and herb-dominated and includes above-treeline, willow-dominated, snowmelt-fed basins that feed into streams. Shrubs range from short to tall (0.5-15 m). The shrub species that can be dominant reflect the large elevational gradient of this group and include Alnus incana, Alnus oblongifolia, Alnus viridis, Betula occidentalis, Betula glandulosa, Betula occidentalis, Cornus sericea, Salix bebbiana, Salix boothii, Salix brachycarpa, Salix drummondiana, Salix eriocephala, Salix geyeriana, Salix monticola, Salix planifolia, and Salix wolfii. Generally the upland vegetation surrounding these wet shrublands is either conifer or aspen forest. Stands occur on streambanks, stream benches and alluvial terraces in steep narrow to wide, low-gradient valley bottoms and floodplains with sinuous stream channels, as well as steep moist avalanche chutes. This group is generally found at higher elevations, but can be found anywhere from 1500-3475 m, and may occur at even lower elevations in the Canadian Rockies. Occurrences can also be found around seeps, fens, and isolated springs on hillslopes away from valley bottoms. Many of the plant associations found within this group are associated with beaver activity.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Montane wet shrublands of the Rocky Mountains of Canada and the U.S., and mountain ranges in the Intermountain West. These shrublands line streams and valley bottoms and are often associated with beaver activity.

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: Montane wetlands dominated by short to tall (0.5-15 m) cold-deciduous shrubs with multiple stems, occurring as narrow bands of shrubs lining streambanks and alluvial terraces in narrow to wide, low-gradient valley bottoms and floodplains with sinuous stream channels.

Floristics: The dominant shrubs reflect the large elevational gradient and include Alnus incana, Betula glandulosa, Betula occidentalis, Cornus sericea, Salix bebbiana, Salix boothii, Salix brachycarpa, Salix drummondiana, Salix eriocephala, Salix geyeriana, Salix monticola, Salix planifolia, and Salix wolfii. Generally the upland vegetation surrounding these riparian systems is either conifer or aspen forest. Floristic information was compiled from Padgett (1982), Kovalchik (1987, 1993, 2001), Baker (1988, 1989a, 1989b, 1990), Padgett et al. (1988a, 1988b), Kittel (1993, 1994), Manning and Padgett (1995), Kittel et al. (1996, 1999a, 1999b), Walford (1996), Crowe and Clausnitzer (1997), Steen and Coupe (1997), and Muldavin et al. (2000a).

Dynamics:  These shrublands are very tolerant of soil saturation, flooding and flooding disturbance. They require moist to saturated soils throughout the growing season, and regrow quickly after damage to tissue from flood and debris flows or avalanches.
Environmental Description:  Soil/substrate/hydrology: These are montane to subalpine riparian shrublands occurring as narrow bands lining streambanks and alluvial terraces in narrow to wide, low-gradient valley bottoms and floodplains with sinuous stream channels. Generally, the group is found at higher elevations, but can be found anywhere from 1500-3475 m, and may occur at even lower elevations in the Canadian Rockies. Occurrences can also be found around seeps, fens, and isolated springs on hillslopes away from valley bottoms. They occur on mineral soils or, if on organic soil, these are not deep (not >30-40 cm). Environmental information was compiled from Padgett (1982), Kovalchik (1987, 1993, 2001), Baker (1988, 1989a, 1989b, 1990), Padgett et al. (1988a, 1988b), Kittel (1993, 1994), Manning and Padgett (1995), Kittel et al. (1996, 1999a, 1999b), Walford (1996), Crowe and Clausnitzer (1997), Steen and Coupe (1997), and Muldavin et al. (2000a).
Geographic Range: This group is found throughout the Rocky Mountain cordillera from New Mexico north into Montana and the Canadian Rockies of Alberta and British Columbia (including the isolated "island" mountain ranges of central and eastern Montana), and in mountainous areas of the Intermountain West and on the Colorado Plateau.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB, AZ, BC, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, 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 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.5 Sitka Alder - Booth''s Willow / Northwest Territory Sedge Montane Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M893 2.C.4.Nb.5
Group 2.C.4.Nb.5.d Willow species - Alder species - Water Birch Riparian & Seep Shrubland Group G527 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A0977 Arroyo Willow Wet Shrubland Alliance A0977 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A0981 Park Willow Wet Shrubland Alliance A0981 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A1003 Undergreen Willow Wet Shrubland Alliance A1003 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A2563 Sierra Willow Wet Shrubland Alliance A2563 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A3769 Booth''s Willow - Geyer''s Willow - Yellow Willow Montane Wet Shrubland Alliance A3769 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A3770 Wolf''s Willow - Short-fruit Willow - Resin Birch Wet Shrubland Alliance A3770 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A3771 Gray Alder - Green Alder Wet Shrubland Alliance A3771 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A3772 Water Birch Wet Shrubland Alliance A3772 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A3773 Red-osier Dogwood - Shrubby-cinquefoil - Currant species Wet Shrubland Alliance A3773 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A3774 Mountain Willow - Lemmon''s Willow Wet Shrubland Alliance A3774 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A3973 Netleaf Hackberry / Lewis'' Mock Orange Wet Scrub Alliance A3973 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A3974 Black Hawthorn / Common Snowberry Wet Shrubland Alliance A3974 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Concept Lineage: G275 archived and alliances moved to G527 (A3973 & A3974) or G305 (A3975) (KAS 8-20-14); G504 merged into G527 (GK 5-7-13)

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Riparian (422) (Shiflet 1994)
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2011)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-02-15
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