Print Report
A3495 Carex spp. - Triglochin maritima - Eleocharis quinqueflora Alkaline Fen Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This herbaceous fen alliance, found in the northwestern Great Plains, occurs where mineral-rich groundwater emerges at the ground''s surface and Carex spp. and short, fine-textured species such as Eleocharis quinqueflora, Lobelia kalmii, Parnassia palustris, and Rhynchospora capillacea are abundant.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sedge species - Seaside Arrow-grass - Few-flower Spikerush Alkaline Fen Alliance
Colloquial Name: Great Plains Marl Fen
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Vegetation of this herbaceous fen alliance is short to medium-tall. Common species include Eleocharis quinqueflora, Lobelia kalmii, Parnassia palustris, and Rhynchospora capillacea. There are also areas of taller vegetation, such as Carex aquatilis, Carex prairea, and Schoenoplectus pungens. This alliance is found in localized areas where mineral-rich groundwater emerges at the ground''s surface. These areas remain saturated throughout the growing season, permitting the development of organic peat. These communities may have small pools which have precipitates of calcium carbonate and other minerals. This alliance is found in the northwestern Great Plains.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by areas where mineral-rich groundwater emerges that are dominated by fen indicators such as Eleocharis quinqueflora, Lobelia kalmii, Parnassia palustris, and Rhynchospora capillacea.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: ~Carex spp. - Typha latifolia - Schoenoplectus pungens Seep Alliance (A3494)$$ is a similar alliance that is distinguished by having more tall graminoids and no marl. This distinction may not be worthy of separation at the alliance level. In South Dakota neither the Carex spp. nor Triglochin maritima may be characteristic. Type concept is restricted to regions west of the tallgrass prairie ecoregion (Bailey''s Province 251), in which ~Carex prairea - Schoenoplectus pungens - Rhynchospora capillacea Fen (CEGL002267)$$ is used.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Open to dense graminoids less than 1 m tall comprise the majority of the vegetation.
Floristics: Common species include Eleocharis quinqueflora (= Eleocharis pauciflora), Lobelia kalmii, Parnassia palustris, and Rhynchospora capillacea. There are also areas of taller vegetation, such as Carex aquatilis, Carex prairea, and Schoenoplectus pungens (= Scirpus pungens).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This alliance is found in localized areas where mineral-rich groundwater emerges at the ground''s surface. These areas remain saturated throughout the growing season, permitting the development of organic peat. These communities may have small pools which have precipitates of calcium carbonate and other minerals.
Geographic Range: This community type is found in seepage areas in the mixedgrass prairie regions of the northwestern Great Plains, particularly in the western Dakotas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT, ND, SD, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899618
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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 | A3495 Sedge species - Seaside Arrow-grass - Few-flower Spikerush Alkaline Fen Alliance | A3495 | 2.C.4.Nd.5.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
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.