Print Report
A3492 Panicum virgatum - Pascopyrum smithii Wet Meadow Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This central Great Plains alliance is found in basins and drainages with moderate to heavy grass cover dominated by Panicum virgatum, sometimes with Pascopyrum smithii as a codominant or local dominant.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Switchgrass - Western Wheatgrass Wet Meadow Alliance
Colloquial Name: Great Plains Switchgrass Wet Meadow
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Medium-tall grasses dominate the moderate to dense vegetation cover. Panicum virgatum is usually dominant, though some stands may have Pascopyrum smithii as a codominant or local dominant. Other grasses can be common, including Sporobolus airoides, Sporobolus compositus, and Distichlis spicata (on more saline sites). Schizachyrium scoparium and Calamovilfa longifolia become more common on the upland edge of this alliance. This alliance is found in drainages and basins in the central and southern Great Plains. Stands occur on sites flooded for brief periods during the growing season, whether in basins that collect sufficient runoff or along drainages that flood after snowmelt or heavy rains. Soils can be fine- to coarse-textured.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands in the western Great Plains dominated by Panicum virgatum, often with Pascopyrum smithii as an associate or even codominant.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance and its component associations are defined largely by the abundance of Panicum virgatum, often in combination with Pascopyrum smithii in a basin or riparian setting. Rangewide review is lacking.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Stands are dominated by graminoids, the tallest of which rarely reach 1 m. Most of the vegetation is 0.6 m tall or shorter. Shrubs and trees are rare or absent.
Floristics: Panicum virgatum is usually dominant, though some stands may have Pascopyrum smithii as a codominant or local dominant. Other grasses can be common, including Sporobolus airoides, Sporobolus compositus, and Distichlis spicata (on more saline sites). Schizachyrium scoparium and Calamovilfa longifolia become more common on the upland edge of this alliance. Pascopyrum smithii is rhizomatous and is tolerant of moderate grazing. If severely overgrazed, Pascopyrum smithii will decline and may be replaced by less desirable warm-season grasses and exotic species such as Poa pratensis.
Dynamics: Brief flooding in the spring and after heavy rains is common in stands of this alliance. The water table is usually not far below the surface.
Environmental Description: Stands occur on sites flooded for brief periods during the growing season, whether in basins that collect sufficient runoff or along drainages that flood after snowmelt or heavy rains. Soils can be fine- to coarse-textured.
Geographic Range: This alliance has been identified in western South Dakota. It likely occurs elsewhere in the central western Great Plains.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MT, ND, SD, SK, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899615
Confidence Level: Low
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.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D323 | 2.C.4.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nd.5 Prairie Cordgrass - Cattail species - Bulrush species Great Plains Marsh, Wet Meadow, Shrubland & Playa Macrogroup | M071 | 2.C.4.Nd.5 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nd.5.b Prairie Cordgrass - Slimstem Reedgrass - Sedge species Great Plains Wet Prairie, Wet Meadow & Seepage Fen Group | G336 | 2.C.4.Nd.5.b |
| Alliance | A3492 Switchgrass - Western Wheatgrass Wet Meadow Alliance | A3492 | 2.C.4.Nd.5.b |
| Association | CEGL001484 Switchgrass - (Western Wheatgrass) Wet Meadow | CEGL001484 | 2.C.4.Nd.5.b |
| Association | CEGL002239 Western Wheatgrass - (Slender Wheatgrass) Clay Pan Wet Meadow | CEGL002239 | 2.C.4.Nd.5.b |
Concept Lineage: This alliance contains one association each from old A.1232 and A.1354.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 pp.
- 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.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.