Print Report
A3589 Salix interior Wet Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This shrubland is found in the Great Plains along streams and rivers where flooding is frequent and Salix interior is the dominant shrub, though other shrubs or saplings are common, including Cornus sericea, Populus deltoides, Salix amygdaloides, Salix eriocephala, Salix lutea, and Salix nigra (in the east).
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sandbar Willow Wet Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Great Plains Sandbar Willow Wet Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance is found in the Great Plains along streams and rivers. Shrubs dominate the alliance. Depending on time since the last major disturbance (usually flooding), the shrubs can be short to tall (0-4 m). Salix interior is the dominant shrub, but other shrubs or saplings are common, including Cornus sericea, Populus deltoides, Salix amygdaloides, Salix eriocephala, Salix lutea, and Salix nigra (in the east). The understory is usually moderate to lush but can be sparse if subject to a recent major flood. The herbaceous layer is typically dominated by mid and tall graminoids such as Carex spp., Pascopyrum smithii, Panicum virgatum, Spartina pectinata, and Schoenoplectus spp. (in wetter areas). Other common herbaceous species include Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Equisetum hyemale, Polygonum spp., and Xanthium strumarium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is composed of riparian shrublands in the Great Plains dominated by Salix interior.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: There is only one association currently in this alliance for the entire Great Plains. It includes recently scoured, low-diversity Salix interior shrublands and older shrublands where floristic diversity may be higher. This may be too broad a concept for a single association. The current alliance includes the Great Plains portions of two former associations, CEGL001203 (now restricted to the Rocky Mountains and west) and CEGL001197 (now subsumed in CEGL001203).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Short to tall deciduous shrubs dominate stands of this alliance. Cover is variable with recently flooded stands having less cover. Stands that have not experienced scouring floods for several years can have a nearly complete shrub canopy. Common shrubs can reach 3-4 m tall but are often kept shorter by flood damage. The herbaceous layer is also variable with stands recently flooded being the most open and filling in with time since the last major flood.
Floristics: Stands in this alliance are typically dominated by Salix interior, but other shrubs or saplings are common, including Cornus sericea, Populus deltoides, Salix amygdaloides, Salix eriocephala, Salix lutea, and Salix nigra (in the east). The herbaceous layer is typically dominated by mid and tall graminoids such as Carex spp., Pascopyrum smithii, Panicum virgatum, Spartina pectinata, and Schoenoplectus spp. (in wetter areas). Other common herbaceous species include Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Equisetum hyemale, Polygonum spp., and Xanthium strumarium.
Dynamics: Flooding affects stands of this alliance frequently. Scouring or deposition from flooding is necessary to maintain stands or create new habitat for this early-successional vegetation type. In the prolonged absence of floods, stands succeed to riparian woodlands or forests.
Environmental Description: Soils are poorly developed or absent. The substrate is typically alluvial sand or gravel, though finer sediments can occur in places.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the central and northern Great Plains from Kansas to southern Saskatchewan and west to southern Alberta, central Montana, and eastern Colorado.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, CO, KS, MT, ND, NE, OK, SD, SK, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899647
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.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 | A3589 Sandbar Willow Wet Shrubland | A3589 | 2.C.4.Nd.5.c |
| Association | CEGL005282 Sandbar Willow - (Narrowleaf Willow) Great Plains Wet Shrubland | CEGL005282 | 2.C.4.Nd.5.c |
Concept Lineage: This alliance was created by taking the Great Plains portion of old A.947. Currently there is a single association.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Sandbar Willow Shrubland (Rolfsmeier and Steinauer 2010) [Nebraska state type includes A3589 and A3646 in Nebraska.]
- 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.
- Rolfsmeier, S. B., and G. Steinauer. 2010. Terrestrial ecological systems and natural communities of Nebraska (Version IV - March 9, 2010). Nebraska Natural Heritage Program, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Lincoln, NE. 228 pp.