Print Report
A3437 Carex lasiocarpa - Carex livida - Dulichium arundinaceum Acidic Graminoid Fen Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance covers herbaceous-dominated wetlands dominated by Carex species such as Carex livida, Carex lasiocarpa, and/or Carex aquatilis. Mosses, including Sphagnum spp., cover the ground and sites are acidic (<5.5 pH) fens with organic soils at least 30 cm deep.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Woolly-fruit Sedge - Livid Sedge - Threeway Sedge Acidic Graminoid Fen Alliance
Colloquial Name: Acidic Sedge Graminoid Fen
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance covers herbaceous-dominated wetlands dominated by Carex species such as Carex livida, Carex lasiocarpa, and/or Carex aquatilis. Other species dominant to codominant species include Trichophorum cespitosum and Dulichium arundinaceum. Other herbaceous species commonly present are Carex muricata, Gentiana calycosa, Packera streptanthifolia, Spiranthes romanzoffiana, and Swertia perennis. Mosses, including Sphagnum spp., cover the ground. Sites are acidic (<5.5 pH) fens with organic soils at least 30-40 cm deep that are seasonally flooded or saturated. This alliance is found in the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, eastern Washington, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Herbaceous-dominated acidic fens; genera include Carex, Dulichium, and Trichophorum.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: If shrubs are present, they offer <25% cover.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is dominated by rhizomatous, perennial graminoids that range in height from 1 to 4 dm tall.
Floristics: Carex aquatilis, Carex canescens, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex livida, Carex utriculata, and Trichophorum cespitosum can be present. Forbs can be up to 40% cover. Species include Argentina anserina (= Potentilla anserina), Carex muricata, Comarum palustre (= Potentilla palustris), Equisetum arvense, Gentiana calycosa, Packera streptanthifolia (= Senecio cymbalarioides), Spiranthes romanzoffiana, Swertia perennis, and Symphyotrichum spathulatum (= Aster occidentalis). Mosses, including Sphagnum spp., may be prevalent on the ground surface. Small hummocks usually support stunted low shrubs, including Vaccinium uliginosum (= Vaccinium occidentale) and Lonicera caerulea shrubs.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands occur in meadows, basins, glacial kettle ponds, and lake margins on deep organic soils. Elevations range from 1380 to 2900 m. Soils are usually Histosols with thick accumulations of partially decomposed sedges. Types occur on poorly drained organic mats. Sites are often flooded into the growing season with water tables remaining within the root zone. The wettest communities are organic mats floating on water or muck. Slightly drier sites have organic mats overlying saturated mineral layers, with large rocks that may protrude into shrubby hummocks.
Geographic Range: The alliance occurs in the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, eastern Washington, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, AK?, BC, CA, CO, ID, MT, OR, UT, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899560
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.1 Leatherleaf - Small Cranberry - Few-seed Sedge Bog & Acidic Fen Macrogroup | M876 | 2.C.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.C.2.Na.1.c Water Sedge - Woolly-fruit Sedge - Peatmoss species Rocky Mountain Acidic Fen Group | G515 | 2.C.2.Na.1.c |
| Alliance | A3437 Woolly-fruit Sedge - Livid Sedge - Threeway Sedge Acidic Graminoid Fen Alliance | A3437 | 2.C.2.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL001810 Woolly-fruit Sedge Fen | CEGL001810 | 2.C.2.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL001831 Threeway Sedge Shore Fen | CEGL001831 | 2.C.2.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL001842 Tufted Bulrush - Livid Sedge Fen | CEGL001842 | 2.C.2.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL002898 Water Sedge - Peatmoss species Fen | CEGL002898 | 2.C.2.Na.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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