Print Report
A3434 Betula nana Alkaline Shrub Fen Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance covers shrub-dominated neutral to alkaline pH fens (organic soil wetlands) found at elevations of 1500-3350 m (5000-11,000 feet) within the Rocky Mountains. Betula nana is an indicator for the shrubby growth form on these fens; however, other shrub species may be dominant. There is usually herbaceous cover, and dense mosses cover the ground.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Dwarf Birch Alkaline Shrub Fen Alliance
Colloquial Name: Dwarf Birch Alkaline Shrub Fen
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of shrubby wetlands dominated by several different shrub species, often represented by Betula nana. These wetlands are neutral to alkaline pH fens found at elevations of 1500-3350 m (5000-11,000 feet) within the Rocky Mountains. Betula nana is an indicator for the shrubby growth form on these fens; however, other shrub species may be dominant. There is usually herbaceous cover, and dense mosses cover the ground.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Shrub cover is at least 25% over the shorter canopy of herbaceous growth.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Fens are neutral to alkaline pH, with shrubby growth.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The shrub layer is dominated by a broad-leaved deciduous, low, spreading erect shrub mostly 1-3 m tall. The canopy cover is sparse to moderate while the herbaceous layer cover is high. The fern layer is prominent, with up to 80% cover.
Floristics: Vegetation types within this alliance are described as seasonally flooded, cold-deciduous shrublands. Betula glandulosa dominates the canopy. Other shrubs present include Alnus incana, Cornus sericea, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (= Pentaphylloides floribunda), Rhamnus alnifolia, Salix planifolia, Salix monticola, and Salix wolfii. The herbaceous undergrowth is found on small hummocks and is usually dominated by a dense mixture of mesic forbs and mesic graminoids. Mesic graminoids include Calamagrostis canadensis, Calamagrostis stricta, Carex aquatilis, Carex utriculata, Carex livida, and Deschampsia cespitosa. Forb cover is sparse and may include Caltha leptosepala, Epilobium ciliatum, Ligusticum filicinum, Ranunculus sceleratus, Sparganium natans (= Sparganium minimum), and Thalictrum alpinum. Fern allies present may include Equisetum laevigatum.
Dynamics: As peatland hummocks develop (become more pronounced), they may become more heavily dominated by Salix species (Wendell et al. 1986, as cited in Kittel et al. 1999b). Due to cold temperatures and a short growing season, this process may take several decades to occur (Phillips 1977).
Environmental Description: Elevations range from 900 to 3000 m in the Rocky Mountains. Communities occur on peat soils in seeps, swales, and wet alluvial terraces adjacent to low-gradient meandering streams. They are found in areas where soils are saturated from seeps and springs. Soils are Histosols saturated all year. Quaking mats are typical of many stands.
Geographic Range: Stands of this alliance are found in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. These are likely to occur in Alberta and British Columbia as well.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: AB?, BC?, CO, ID, MT, SD, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899557
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.c Bellardi Bog Sedge - Buxbaum''s Sedge Alkaline Fen Group | G516 | 2.C.2.Na.2.c |
| Alliance | A3434 Dwarf Birch Alkaline Shrub Fen Alliance | A3434 | 2.C.2.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL000229 Farr''s Willow / Few-flower Spikerush Shrub Fen | CEGL000229 | 2.C.2.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL001188 Sageleaf Willow / Northwest Territory Sedge Shrub Fen | CEGL001188 | 2.C.2.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL002700 Resin Birch / Woolly-fruit Sedge Shrub Fen | CEGL002700 | 2.C.2.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL002899 Resin Birch / Peatmoss species Shrub Fen | CEGL002899 | 2.C.2.Na.2.c |
Concept Lineage: A.995, in part
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Betula glandulosa Series (Johnston 1987)
- Carsey, K., D. Cooper, K. Decker, D. Culver, and G. Kittel. 2003b. Statewide wetlands classification and characterization: Wetland plant associations of Colorado. Prepared for Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Denver, by Colorado Natural Heritage Program, College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 79 pp. [http://www.cnhp.colostate.edu/documents/2003/wetland_classification_final_report_2003.pdf]
- Carsey, K., G. Kittel, K. Decker, D. J. Cooper, and D. Culver. 2003a. Field guide to the wetland and riparian plant associations of Colorado. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins, CO.
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