Print Report
A1746 Isoetes spp. Aquatic Vegetation Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance of aquatic submerged beds of herbaceous vegetation is dominated by Isoetes bolanderi, Isoetes tenella, Isoetes howellii, Isoetes nuttallii, or Isoetes occidentalis; these reside in the margins of permanent and/or seasonally wet lakes, ponds and streams.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quillwort species Aquatic Vegetation Alliance
Colloquial Name: Californian Quillwort Aquatic Vegetation
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Vegetation of this aquatic herbaceous alliance of submerged beds is dominated by Isoetes bolanderi, Isoetes tenella, Isoetes howellii, Isoetes nuttallii, or Isoetes occidentalis. Associated species include Torreyochloa erecta. It occurs in mountain lakes and flooded lakes through the cismontane of California, in permanently flooded and seasonally flooded margins of lakes, ponds and streams, generally at <1500 m (5000 feet) elevation.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Aquatic submerged herbaceous graminoid vegetation dominated by Isoetes spp.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: More information is needed about the ecology and distribution of these communities. This is a commonly seen but little sampled alliance.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Aquatic submerged herbaceous graminoid vegetation rooted in mud, <10 cm in height.
Floristics: Stands of this alliance are dominated by Isoetes spp., including Isoetes bolanderi, Isoetes tenella (= Isoetes echinospora), Isoetes howellii, Isoetes nuttallii, or Isoetes occidentalis. The specific species are dependent on elevation and duration of inundation. Lower elevation stands with semipermanent flooding are likely to be dominated by Isoetes howellii and/or Isoetes orcuttii. Montane lakes and ponds are likely to be dominated by Isoetes bolanderi, Isoetes tenella, and/or Isoetes occidentalis. Isoetes nuttallii may occur along stream margins. Quillworts may be the dominant plants on lake and pond bottoms.
Dynamics: Tolerant of drawdown and re-flooding, but more observation and research information is needed (Sawyer et al. 2009).
Environmental Description: This hydromorphic vegetation type occurs in seasonal to permanent, freshwater wetlands. Water is still or slow-moving. Stands of this alliance are found on stream and lake margins, in vernal pools, ponds, and marshes. Elevational ranges vary from sea level to 1500 m. Seasonal or permanent flooding is required to maintain stands of this alliance. In lower elevational stands of the Central Valley, winter precipitation fills vernal ponds, which retain this water through much of the spring. Isoetes spp. form beds on the margins and bottoms of these seasonal wetlands. Permanent waterbodies like streams and lakes support stands along the margins and shallows (Sawyer et al. 2009).
Geographic Range: This alliance is found throughout California, but may occur in other western states and possibly Alberta, Canada.
Nations: CA?,MX?,US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899169
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 5 Aquatic Vegetation Class | C05 | 5 |
| Subclass | 5.B Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Subclass | S13 | 5.B |
| Formation | 5.B.2 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Formation | F057 | 5.B.2 |
| Division | 5.B.2.Na North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Division | D049 | 5.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 5.B.2.Na.2 Rocky Mountain Pond-lily - Pacific Mosquito Fern - Western Waterweed Western North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Macrogroup | M109 | 5.B.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 5.B.2.Na.2.a Pond-lily species - Pondweed species - Duckweed species Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Group | G544 | 5.B.2.Na.2.a |
| Alliance | A1746 Quillwort species Aquatic Vegetation Alliance | A1746 | 5.B.2.Na.2.a |
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.1746
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Isoetes (bolanderi, echinospora, howellii, nuttallii, occidentalis) (Quillwort beds) Provisional Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [52.109.00]
= Isoetes (bolanderi, tenella, occidentalis, nuttallii) Permanently Flooded Herbaceous Alliance (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Isoetes (bolanderi, echinospora, howellii, nuttallii, occidentalis) Provisional Herbaceous Alliance (CNPS 2017) [52.109.00]
>< Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh (#52410) (Holland 1986b)
>< Freshwater Marsh (#52400) (Holland 1986b)
>< Montane Freshwater Marsh (#52430) (Holland 1986b)
= Quillwort series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Transmontane Freshwater Marsh (#52420) (Holland 1986b)
>< Vernal Marsh (#52500) (Holland 1986b)
= Isoetes (bolanderi, tenella, occidentalis, nuttallii) Permanently Flooded Herbaceous Alliance (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Isoetes (bolanderi, echinospora, howellii, nuttallii, occidentalis) Provisional Herbaceous Alliance (CNPS 2017) [52.109.00]
>< Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh (#52410) (Holland 1986b)
>< Freshwater Marsh (#52400) (Holland 1986b)
>< Montane Freshwater Marsh (#52430) (Holland 1986b)
= Quillwort series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Transmontane Freshwater Marsh (#52420) (Holland 1986b)
>< Vernal Marsh (#52500) (Holland 1986b)
- CNPS [California Native Plant Society]. 2015-2017. A manual of California vegetation [online]. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. [http://vegetation.cnps.org/].
- Cheng, S. 2004. Forest Service research natural areas in California. General Technical Paper PSW-GTR-188. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Albany, CA.
- 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.
- Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., P. E. Moore, E. T. Reyes, J. M. Menke, D. N. Johnson, and D. L. Karavidas. 2012. Yosemite National Park vegetation classification and mapping project report. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/YOSE/NRTR--2012/598. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Mason, H. L. 1957. A flora of the marshes of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.