Print Report
G361 Dasiphora fruticosa - Carex lasiocarpa Western Boreal Alkaline Fen Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group extends across the western boreal regions of North America and consists of alkaline fens with graminoid-dominated or shrub-dominated vegetation, or a patchwork of both where Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda is a common diagnostic shrub.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Shrubby-cinquefoil - Woolly-fruit Sedge Boreal Alkaline Fen Group
Colloquial Name: Western North American Boreal Alkaline Fen
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group extends across the western boreal regions of North America, with occurrences in inland British Columbia, east into western Alberta, and north into Alaska and Yukon Territory. These fens, distributed across glaciated western and central Canada, develop in open basins where bedrock or other substrate influence creates circumneutral to calcareous conditions. They are most abundant in areas of limestone bedrock, and widely scattered in areas where calcareous substrates are scarce. Shore fens, which are peatlands that are occasionally flooded along streams and lakeshores, are also included here because flooding tends to create moderately alkaline conditions. Fens are nutrient-rich and have a thick peat layer that may be floating or submerged. Standing water is usually present. The edge of the basin may be shallow to deep peat over a sloping substrate, where seepage waters provide nutrients. The vegetation may be graminoid-dominated, shrub-dominated, or a patchwork of the two. Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda is a common diagnostic shrub, along with Betula pumila, Betula glandulosa, Betula nana, Myrica gale, Salix barclayi, Salix candida, Salix maccalliana, Vaccinium macrocarpon, and Larix laricina. The herbaceous flora is usually species-rich and includes calciphilic graminoids and forbs. Species may include Carex lasiocarpa, Carex diandra, Menyanthes trifoliata, Equisetum fluviatile, Comarum palustre, Calla palustris, Eriophorum angustifolium, Trichophorum cespitosum, and Carex aquatilis.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This group represents calciphitic shrub and herb vegetation occupying western North American boreal alkaline fens. Strong diagnostic species that separate eastern from western alkaline peatlands are not currently known. Diagnostics separating these fens from either North Pacific (Vancouverian) or Rocky Mountain alkaline fens is needed. A diagnostic species for the western boreal alkaline fens may be Salix barclayi, which is generally absent (?) from eastern boreal fens.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Strong diagnostic species that separate eastern from western alkaline peatlands are not currently known.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is defined as a broad-leaved deciduous shrubland and graminoid- or forb-dominated herbaceous vegetation.
Floristics: Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda is a common diagnostic shrub, along with Betula pumila, Betula glandulosa, Betula nana, Myrica gale, Salix barclayi, Salix candida, Salix maccalliana, Vaccinium macrocarpon, and Larix laricina. The herbaceous flora is usually species-rich and includes calciphilic graminoids and forbs. Species may include Carex lasiocarpa, Carex diandra, Menyanthes trifoliata, Equisetum fluviatile, Comarum palustre, Calla palustris, Eriophorum angustifolium, Trichophorum cespitosum, and Carex aquatilis.
Dynamics: In boreal wetlands the general successional trend is from marsh to fen to treed bog; however, succession is not necessarily directional, and environmental conditions, such as nutrient content and abundance of groundwater, may prevent fens from developing into bogs (Zoltai et al. 1988). Succession begins in ponds or low-lying wetlands formed by processes such as glacial recession and floodplain dynamics (oxbows). An organic root mat typically develops and is either anchored to the mineral soil or floating on water such as a pond''s edge. Over time, peat-forming mosses and sedges may fill in the basin. As the peat layer develops, low and/or dwarf-shrubs become established. Dwarf-trees may establish on the well-developed peat and also around the margin of the peatland.
Many peatlands on the Kenai Lowland formed in kettles after remnant glacial ice melted. In this region, there is a trend toward peatlands drying and ponds shrinking and filling in (Klein et al. 2005). In the boreal region, fens are often associated with thermokarst processes.
Many peatlands on the Kenai Lowland formed in kettles after remnant glacial ice melted. In this region, there is a trend toward peatlands drying and ponds shrinking and filling in (Klein et al. 2005). In the boreal region, fens are often associated with thermokarst processes.
Environmental Description: This group occurs in shallow depressions and basins, pond margins, and thermokarst pits with an open hydrologic regime. Fens are nutrient-rich and have a thick peat layer that may be floating or submerged. Standing water is usually present. They are most abundant in areas of limestone bedrock, and widely scattered in areas where calcareous substrates are scarce.
Geographic Range: This group extends across the western boreal regions of North America, with occurrences in inland British Columbia, east into western Alberta, and north into Alaska and Yukon Territory.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, AK, BC, MB, NT, NU, SK, YT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860767
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation | F016 | 2.C.2 |
| Division | 2.C.2.Na North American Bog & Fen Division | D029 | 2.C.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.2.Na.2 Shrubby cinquefoil - Woolly-fruit Sedge / Star Campylium Moss Alkaline Fen Macrogroup | M877 | 2.C.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 2.C.2.Na.2.d Shrubby-cinquefoil - Woolly-fruit Sedge Boreal Alkaline Fen Group | G361 | 2.C.2.Na.2.d |
| Alliance | A4301 Buckbean / Northwest Territory Sedge Alkaline Fen Alliance | A4301 | 2.C.2.Na.2.d |
| Alliance | A4302 Sweetgale Alkaline Fen Alliance | A4302 | 2.C.2.Na.2.d |
| Alliance | A4303 Water Sedge - Mixed Sedge Alkaline Fen Alliance | A4303 | 2.C.2.Na.2.d |
| Alliance | A4304 Tufted Bulrush Southern Alaskan Alkaline Fen Alliance | A4304 | 2.C.2.Na.2.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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