Print Report

A3435 Carex limosa - Carex buxbaumii - Triglochin maritima Alkaline Graminoid Fen Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance covers neutral to alkaline herbaceous fens dominated by one or more Carex species. Some well-documented species include Carex buxbaumii, Carex cusickii, Carex limosa, and Carex saxatilis. Carex aquatilis and Carex utriculata may be present as well. This alliance occurs in the Rocky Mountains. Fens are seasonally or permanently saturated wetlands with an organic substrate that is at least 30 cm thick.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mud Sedge - Buxbaum''s Sedge - Seaside Arrow-grass Alkaline Graminoid Fen Alliance

Colloquial Name: Rocky Mountain Alkaline Sedge Graminoid Fen

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of neutral to alkaline herbaceous fens dominated by one or more Carex species. Some well-documented species include Carex buxbaumii, Carex cusickii, Carex limosa, and Carex saxatilis. Carex aquatilis and Carex utriculata may be present as well. Additional species may include Caltha leptosepala, Deschampsia cespitosa, Drosera spp., Eleocharis quinqueflora, Eriophorum spp., Menyanthes trifoliata, Pedicularis groenlandica, and Trichophorum cespitosum. The source and quality of groundwater determine the nutrient content and pH of these fens, which most often occur as basin or depressional wetlands, but can also occur as slope and alluvial wetlands in terms of their hydrogeomorphic setting. These fens are seasonally or permanently saturated wetlands with an organic substrate that is at least 30 cm thick, and occur in the Rocky Mountains.

Diagnostic Characteristics: These are herbaceous-dominated, neutral to alkaline pH fens with herbaceous cover as the dominant vegetation, usually with a high moss ground cover, but this may be submerged under water during part of the year.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by turf-forming, perennial graminoids. The graminoid stratum is dominated by one or two sedge species. The forb layer is typically present.

Floristics: Dominant species are Carex buxbaumii, Carex cusickii, Carex limosa, and Carex saxatilis, either singly or in various mixes. Common co-associates are Carex aquatilis, Carex canescens, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex livida, Carex utriculata, and Deschampsia cespitosa. Forbs are often present and can have high cover, but stands are usually dominated by their graminoid components. Forb species include Caltha leptosepala, Drosera linearis, Ligusticum tenuifolium, Menyanthes trifoliata, Pedicularis groenlandica, and Trichophorum cespitosum (= Scirpus cespitosus). Other species present may include Scheuchzeria palustris. A dense layer of Sphagnum spp. or other moss genera is typically the ground cover.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Fens occur from 2400-3900 m in elevation and are located in narrow to broad mountain valleys, on organic substrates, with smooth to concave surface topography. Soils are commonly Histosols consisting of deep, fibric peat and are persistently saturated with standing water in the spring. Saturated conditions retard plant decomposition and favor organic matter accumulation.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the mountains of Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico, and likely extends into Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB?, AK?, BC?, CA, CO, ID, MB, MT, NM, OR, UT, 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.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 A3435 Mud Sedge - Buxbaum''s Sedge - Seaside Arrow-grass Alkaline Graminoid Fen Alliance A3435 2.C.2.Na.2.c
Association CEGL000230 Cusick''s Sedge Fen CEGL000230 2.C.2.Na.2.c
Association CEGL001769 Rock Sedge Fen CEGL001769 2.C.2.Na.2.c
Association CEGL001806 Buxbaum''s Sedge Fen CEGL001806 2.C.2.Na.2.c
Association CEGL001811 Mud Sedge Fen CEGL001811 2.C.2.Na.2.c
Association CEGL001877 Few-seeded Bog Sedge Fen CEGL001877 2.C.2.Na.2.c
Association CEGL001995 Seaside Arrow-grass Fen CEGL001995 2.C.2.Na.2.c
Association CEGL002549 Lesser Panicled Sedge Wet Meadow Fen CEGL002549 2.C.2.Na.2.c
Association CEGL002922 Northwest Territory Sedge Perched Wetland Fen CEGL002922 2.C.2.Na.2.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Carex buxbaumii-Carex aquatilis (Mattson 1984)
? Carex buxbaumii-Carex saxatilis (Tuhy 1981)
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
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