Print Report
A3332 Salix cascadensis - Salix nivalis - Salix reticulata Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Dwarf-shrublands of the Cascade Range dominated by Salix cascadensis, Salix nivalis, or Salix reticulata.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Cascade Willow - Snow Willow - Netleaf Willow Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Cascade Willow - Snow Willow - Netleaf Willow Alpine Dwarf-shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Plant associations that occur within this alpine alliance are classified as cold-deciduous, dwarf-shrubland and are dominated by Salix cascadensis, Salix nivalis, or Salix reticulata. The herbaceous layer forms sparse to moderate cover (10-25%). Species include Carex scirpoidea, Erigeron aureus, Festuca brachyphylla, Lupinus lepidus, Minuartia obtusiloba, and Oxytropis campestris. These dwarf-shrublands are known from the northern, eastern and western Cascades. Communities within this alliance are found on rocky slopes in alpine areas on level to moderately steep, exposed, southern slopes. Elevation ranges from 1950 to 2400 m.
Diagnostic Characteristics: These communities are characterized by a dwarf-shrub layer that is dominated by Salix cascadensis, Salix nivalis, or Salix reticulata in a mat-forming, creeping alpine shrub structure that forms continuous cover.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The relationship between the complex of Salix arctica and Salix reticulata dwarf-shrubland alliances needs review. Stands in these alliances can be codominated by the two species of Salix, and in both, the saturated Caltha leptosepala is an important species.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is dominated by dwarf (shorter than 0.5 m), broad-leaved deciduous shrublands. The dwarf-shrub layer forms a dense canopy of less than 60% cover with a mat-forming growth form. The herbaceous layer is characterized by 10-50% graminoids and 10-20% forbs.
Floristics: Plant associations that occur within this alpine alliance are classified as cold-deciduous, dwarf-shrubland and are dominated by Salix cascadensis, Salix nivalis, or Salix reticulata. The herbaceous layer forms sparse to moderate cover (10-25%). Species include Carex scirpoidea, Erigeron aureus, Festuca brachyphylla, Lupinus lepidus, Minuartia obtusiloba (= Arenaria obtusiloba), and Oxytropis campestris.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Communities within this alliance are found on rocky slopes in alpine areas on level to moderately steep, exposed, southern slopes. Elevation ranges from 1900 to 2400 m. The soils are extremely rocky and often show indications of frost action (i.e., unsorted nets, frost-boils). Snowmelt is relatively early, generally occurring between mid May and early June. Information on adjacent plant communities is unavailable.
Geographic Range: This alliance is an alpine vegetation type that has a distribution from the northern, eastern and western Cascades.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: BC?, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899456
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class | C04 | 4 |
| Subclass | 4.B Temperate to Polar Alpine & Tundra Vegetation Subclass | S12 | 4.B |
| Formation | 4.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Alpine Tundra Formation | F037 | 4.B.1 |
| Division | 4.B.1.Nb Western North American Alpine Tundra Division | D043 | 4.B.1.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 4.B.1.Nb.3 Vancouverian Alpine Tundra Macrogroup | M101 | 4.B.1.Nb.3 |
| Group | 4.B.1.Nb.3.a Black Crowberry - Pink Mountain-heath - Western Moss-heather Alpine-Subalpine Dwarf-shrubland & Heath Group | G317 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A3332 Cascade Willow - Snow Willow - Netleaf Willow Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A3332 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL001433 Cascade Willow / Alpine Fescue Alpine Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL001433 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL001434 Snow Willow / Alpine Fescue Alpine Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL001434 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.a |
Concept Lineage: A.1119. A.118
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.