Print Report
A1468 Carex aperta - Carex exsiccata Wet Meadow Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This herbaceous wetland alliance occurs on lakeshores, river floodplains, and the tidally influenced overflow plain of the Columbia River in western Oregon and Washington where the vegetation is nearly pure stands of the perennial graminoid Carex aperta.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Columbian Sedge - Western Inflated Sedge Wet Meadow Alliance
Colloquial Name: Columbian Sedge Wet Meadow
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This herbaceous alliance occupies low-elevation floodplains of eastern Oregon and Washington. The vegetation is characterized by nearly pure stands of the perennial graminoid Carex aperta with lesser amounts of Agrostis spp., Argentina anserina, Bidens cernua, Bidens frondosa, Erysimum cheiranthoides, Ludwigia palustris, Poa palustris, and Polygonum amphibium. Elevations extend just above the tidal influence zone in coastal habitats. Stands occur in low-lying areas with prolonged seasonal flooding that maintain saturated soils throughout the growing season. This herbaceous wetland alliance occurs on lakeshores, river floodplains, and tidally influenced overflow plain of the Columbia River in western Oregon and Washington. Soils are heavy-textured, often with a thick organic layer, and are derived from alluvium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Coastal and lowland wetlands dominated by Carex aperta.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Includes the coastal and lowland occurrences of Carex aperta.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Dense herbaceous layer up to 1 m tall that is dominated by perennial graminoids. Some perennial forbs may also be present.
Floristics: It is characterized by a herbaceous layer of nearly pure stands of the perennial graminoid Carex aperta (70-90% cover) with lesser amounts of Agrostis spp., Argentina anserina, Bidens cernua, Bidens frondosa, Erysimum cheiranthoides, Ludwigia palustris, Poa palustris, and Polygonum amphibium .
Dynamics: The range of this herbaceous wetland has been much reduced by grazing and invasion of the exotic grass Phalaris arundinacea in Washington (Kunze 1994). Carex aperta is still common in many wetlands, but nearly pure stands are rare in the Pacific Northwest (Kunze 1994).
Environmental Description: This wetland occurs on lakeshores, river floodplains, and in wet meadows, and the tidally influenced overflow plain of the Columbia River in western Washington. Elevations extend just above the tidal influence zone in western Oregon and Washington. Stands occur in low-lying areas with prolonged seasonal flooding that support a hydrology that maintains saturated soils throughout the growing season. Soils are heavy-textured, often with a thick organic layer, and are derived from alluvium.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs along the Columbia River in western Oregon and Washington.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: BC?, ID?, MT, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899139
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.4 Vancouverian Lowland Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup | M073 | 2.C.4.Nb.4 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nb.4.b Bering''s Tufted Hairgrass - Pacific Silverweed - Slough Sedge Vancouverian Freshwater Coastal Marsh & Wet Meadow Group | G517 | 2.C.4.Nb.4.b |
| Alliance | A1468 Columbian Sedge - Western Inflated Sedge Wet Meadow Alliance | A1468 | 2.C.4.Nb.4.b |
| Association | CEGL001801 Columbian Sedge Lowland Wet Meadow | CEGL001801 | 2.C.4.Nb.4.b |
| Association | CEGL003312 Western Inflated Sedge Wet Meadow | CEGL003312 | 2.C.4.Nb.4.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- Kunze, L. M. 1994. Preliminary classification of native, low elevation, freshwater wetland vegetation in western Washington. Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program. 120 pp.