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A1003 Salix commutata Wet Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These are short-statured (<1.5 m) willow-dominated communities found at subalpine elevations. Salix commutata dominates the shrub canopy with cover of >25%. Stands are confined to narrow riparian zones along upper reaches of streams and to elongated openings in higher elevation forests. Stands are typically found at moderate to high elevations between 2065 and 2220 m in British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, western Montana and just into northern California and possibly as far east as Wyoming.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Undergreen Willow Wet Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Cascadian Undergreen Willow Wet Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: These are short-statured (<1.5 m) willow-dominated communities found at subalpine elevations. Stands within this alliance are classified as seasonally flooded, cold-deciduous shrublands. Salix commutata dominates the shrub canopy with cover of >25%. Salix planifolia and Lonicera caerulea may also be present. Carex scopulorum dominates the herbaceous layer with Calamagrostis canadensis. Galium trifidum has high constancy, and some stands contain a complement of wet-site forbs such as Aconitum columbianum and Caltha leptosepala ssp. howellii. Adjacent communities may be herbaceous bogs dominated by Eleocharis quinqueflora. In some stands, a fringe of Vaccinium uliginosum separates the bog from the willow stands. Stands are confined to narrow riparian zones along upper reaches of streams and to elongated openings in higher elevation forests. Stands are typically found at moderate to high elevations between 2065 and 2220 m in British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, western Montana and just into northern California and possibly as far east as Wyoming. Microtopography is usually hummocky to undulating. Slopes range from 2-4%. Soils in Idaho stands are wet to saturated at the surface by flowing groundwater for most or all of the growing season. Soils are poorly to very poorly drained due to accumulation of organic material.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Greater than 5% relative cover of Salix commutata.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This is the short shrub of higher elevations in the Cascades and Rocky Mountains that does not tend to overlap with other short-statured willows.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is dominated by short, 1- to 2-m tall, broad-leaved deciduous shrublands. Canopy cover is continuous with 60-100% cover. The herbaceous layer is dominated by graminoids (60-100% cover) and a sparse forb layer.

Floristics: Stands within this alliance are classified as seasonally flooded, cold-deciduous shrublands. Salix commutata dominates the shrub canopy with cover of >25%. Salix planifolia and Lonicera caerulea may also be present. Carex scopulorum dominates the herbaceous layer with Calamagrostis canadensis. Galium trifidum has high constancy, and some stands contain a complement of wet-site forbs such as Aconitum columbianum and Caltha leptosepala ssp. howellii (= Caltha biflora).

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Communities found within this alliance are found in the subalpine zone. Stands are confined to narrow riparian zones along upper reaches of streams and to elongated openings in higher elevation forests. Stands are typically found at moderate to high elevations between 2065 and 2220 m. Microtopography is usually hummocky to undulating. Slopes range from 2-4%. Soils in Idaho stands are wet to saturated to the surface by flowing groundwater for most or all of the growing season. Soils are poorly to very poorly drained due to accumulation of organic material.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in British Columbia, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, western Montana and just into northern California and possibly as far east as Wyoming.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  BC, CA, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY?


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.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 A1003 Undergreen Willow Wet Shrubland Alliance A1003 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001189 Undergreen Willow / Mountain Sedge Wet Shrubland CEGL001189 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL003497 Undergreen Willow / Mesic Graminoid Wet Shrubland CEGL003497 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.1003 with edits

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): D. Culver, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • Dorn, R. D. 1984. Vascular plants of Montana. Mountain West Publishing, Cheyenne, WY. 276 pp.
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
  • Hickman, J. C. 1993. The Jepson manual: Higher plants of California. University of California Press, Ltd., Berkeley, CA. 1400 pp.
  • Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J. W. Thompson. 1964. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part 2: Salicaeae to Saxifragaceae. University of Washington Press, Seattle. 597 pp.
  • Tuhy, J. S., and S. Jensen. 1982. Riparian classification for the Upper Salmon and Middle Fork Salmon River drainages, Idaho. Unpublished report prepared for the USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region by White Horse Associates, Smithfield, UT. 183 pp.