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A3586 Artemisia cana ssp. cana Wet Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance, found in the northern Great Plains along streams and intermittent watercourses, has a sparse to dense short-shrub layer dominated by Artemisia cana ssp. cana with Artemisia tridentata, Ericameria spp., and Sarcobatus vermiculatus possibly present to codominant and mixedgrass species in the herbaceous layer.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Plains Silver Sagebrush Wet Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Plains Silver Sagebrush Wet Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance is found in the northern Great Plains along streams and intermittent watercourses and sometimes in upland settings. There is a sparse to dense short-shrub layer 0.5-1 m tall dominated by Artemisia cana ssp. cana. Artemisia tridentata, Ericameria spp., and Sarcobatus vermiculatus may be present to codominant. Medium-tall grasses dominate the sparse to moderate herbaceous layer including Calamovilfa longifolia, Hesperostipa comata, Cryptantha spp., Eriogonum spp., Bouteloua gracilis, Pascopyrum smithii, Andropogon hallii, Pascopyrum smithii, Nassella viridula, and Poa pratensis. Stands are found on sites that receive run-off from higher landscape positions, i.e., ravines, stream valleys, and other intermittent or perennial watercourses and some are flooded periodically. Soils are often fine-textured but some stands occur on sandy sites.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance has a sparse to dense shrub cover of Artemisia cana ssp. cana. Associated species vary but often include Calamovilfa longifolia, Cryptantha spp., Eriogonum spp., Hesperostipa comata, and Pascopyrum smithii.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Many of the herbaceous species common in this alliance are common upland mixedgrass species. Though this alliance generally occurs near permanent or intermittent streams, it is often on the driest margins of what could be considered riparian habitat. The alliance seems to fit this group better than others but it should be recognized that it is on the margins. Two associations in this alliance, ~Artemisia cana ssp. cana / Hesperostipa comata Shrub Wet Meadow (CEGL001553)$$ and ~Artemisia cana ssp. cana / Calamovilfa longifolia Shrub Wet Meadow (CEGL001555)$$, do not occur only in riparian settings. The dominant and some associated species fit this alliance so they are left here for now but should be considered for removal to another group. They are possibly more related to upland dry-mesic prairies. There are currently two closely related associations that should probably be merged. The difference between ~Artemisia cana / Pascopyrum smithii Wet Shrubland (CEGL001072)$$ and ~Artemisia cana ssp. cana / Pascopyrum smithii Shrub Wet Meadow (CEGL001556)$$ appears to be only in the amount of shrub cover, though CEGL001556 allows for varying amounts of shrub. These may be slight physiognomic variations of a single association.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These are microphyllous evergreen shrublands, often with a well-developed grass layer. The grasses may exceed the shrubs in height and total cover. Shrubs are typically 0.5-1.5 m tall. Prostrate and, occasionally, upright forbs are present.

Floristics: Stands in this alliance have an open to moderately closed short-shrub stratum in which Artemisia cana is dominant or codominant. Artemisia tridentata is a common associate. Along intermittent streambeds, other common shrubs include Atriplex canescens, Ericameria nauseosa, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus. Medium-tall and short grasses comprise most of the herbaceous layer and often have more cover than the shrubs. Common grasses include Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, Koeleria macrantha, Nassella viridula, and Pascopyrum smithii. On sandier sites Achnatherum hymenoides, Calamovilfa longifolia, and Hesperostipa comata may be found. Forbs are common but do not contribute substantial cover compared to grasses unless sites are heavily grazed. Typical forbs are Achillea millefolium, Artemisia ludoviciana, Gaura coccinea, Lactuca tatarica var. pulchella, Linum perenne, Sphaeralcea coccinea, and Trifolium spp. Common exotic associates that might be abundant in some stands include Bromus arvensis (= Bromus japonicus), Bromus tectorum, Melilotus officinalis, Poa pratensis, and Taraxacum officinale.

Dynamics:  Vegetation types in this alliance occur on alluvial terrain. They are often grazed by domestic livestock and are strongly preferred during the growing season (Padgett et al. 1989). Prolonged livestock use can cause a decrease in the abundance of native bunch grasses and increases in the cover of shrubs and non-native grass species, such as Poa pratensis. Artemisia cana resprouts vigorously following spring fire, and this method may serve to increase shrub coverage of stands. Conversely, fire in the fall may decrease shrub abundance (Hansen et al. 1995). Sarr (1995) noted that Artemisia cana was associated with higher floodplain terraces of alluvial meadows where the late-summer water table averaged 0.8-1.5 m below the surface. Gully erosion of meadows led to an invasion of this type to formerly wet meadows. Comparisons of grazed and protected floodplain sites showed a tendency for Artemisia cana to occur more commonly in grazed than ungrazed habitats of the similar groundwater hydrology.
Environmental Description:  This alliance is found at elevations from 500-1500 m in the Great Plains. Precipitation is generally 25-50 cm annually. It occurs most frequently on alluvial terraces and fans, intermittent creek bottoms, and sometimes in mesic swales. Soils are deep and usually fine-textured, though some stands are found on sandy soils. Sites may flood in the spring or after heavy rains but do not stay saturated for extended periods. While surface water does not remain for long, sites receive more moisture than the surrounding uplands from runoff.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the northwestern Great Plains from southern Saskatchewan and southern Alberta to Wyoming and western South Dakota.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB, MT, ND, NE, SD, SK, WY


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.c Dogwood species - Chokecherry / Western Wheatgrass Great Plains Riparian Wet Meadow & Shrubland Group G337 2.C.4.Nd.5.c
Alliance A3586 Plains Silver Sagebrush Wet Shrubland Alliance A3586 2.C.4.Nd.5.c
Association CEGL001072 Silver Sagebrush / Western Wheatgrass Wet Shrubland CEGL001072 2.C.4.Nd.5.c
Association CEGL001553 Plains Silver Sagebrush / Needle-and-Thread Shrub Wet Meadow CEGL001553 2.C.4.Nd.5.c
Association CEGL001555 Plains Silver Sagebrush / Prairie Sandreed Shrub Wet Meadow CEGL001555 2.C.4.Nd.5.c
Association CEGL001556 Plains Silver Sagebrush / Western Wheatgrass Shrub Wet Meadow CEGL001556 2.C.4.Nd.5.c
Association CEGL002175 Plains Silver Sagebrush - Greasewood - (Rubber Rabbitbrush) Wet Shrubland CEGL002175 2.C.4.Nd.5.c
Concept Lineage: This alliance contains one association from old A.827 and three from old A.2554.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < SRM Cover Type #408 - Other Sagebrush Types (Shiflet 1994)
Concept Author(s): J. Drake, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: J. Drake

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-08-14
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