Print Report

A3591 Sporobolus cryptandrus - Artemisia campestris Wet Meadow Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This riverine gravel flats alliance is found in the central Great Plains of the United States where gravel bars and terraces of rivers have a short, sparse herbaceous stratum of annual grasses and forbs.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sand Dropseed - Field Sagewort Wet Meadow Alliance

Colloquial Name: Great Plains Riverine Gravel Flats

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This riverine gravel flats alliance is found in the central Great Plains of the United States. Vegetation is sparse and often consists of nearly equal cover of annual grasses, perennial grasses, and annual or biennial forbs under 1 m tall. Sporobolus cryptandrus and Artemisia campestris ssp. caudata are conspicuous. In some sites, Populus deltoides may be scattered to woodland-like in structure. Shrubs are also scattered and uncommon, with Amorpha fruticosa the most frequent. Other herbaceous species that can occur include Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Chamaesyce glyptosperma, Chamaesyce serpyllifolia, Froelichia gracilis, Helianthus petiolaris, Opuntia macrorhiza, and Triplasis purpurea. Stands occur along major rivers where gravel has been deposited on the first terraces of rivers. The substrate consists of a mixture of gravel and some sand, and soils are poorly developed or absent. Sites can occasionally be flooded in spring.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Gravel flats formed by flooding and scouring in Great Plains rivers. Vegetation cover is usually low and dominated by herbaceous species. Abundant species vary but Sporobolus cryptandrus and Artemisia campestris are among the most common.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The description of this alliance is based on the Nebraska state type. Rangewide review of the alliance is needed.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is typified by low to moderate cover of annual and perennial grasses and annual forbs. Most species are <1 m tall. Shrubs are uncommon.

Floristics: Sporobolus cryptandrus and Artemisia campestris ssp. caudata are conspicuous. In some sites, Populus deltoides may be scattered to woodland-like in structure. Shrubs are also scattered and uncommon, with Amorpha fruticosa the most frequent. Other herbaceous species that can occur include Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Chamaesyce glyptosperma, Chamaesyce serpyllifolia, Froelichia gracilis, Helianthus petiolaris, Opuntia macrorhiza, and Triplasis purpurea.

Dynamics:  Periodic flooding followed by longer stretches of dry conditions maintain this alliance.
Environmental Description:  Stands occur along major rivers where gravel has been deposited on the first terraces of rivers. The substrate consists of a mixture of gravel and some sand, and soils are poorly developed or absent. Sites can occasionally be flooded in spring.
Geographic Range: This alliance is described from Nebraska but very likely occurs throughout the central Great Plains.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  NE


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.d Sandbar Willow / Sand Dropseed - Field Sagewort Riverscour Group G568 2.C.4.Nd.5.d
Alliance A3591 Sand Dropseed - Field Sagewort Wet Meadow Alliance A3591 2.C.4.Nd.5.d
Association CEGL005223 Great Plains Riverine Gravel Flats Sparse Vegetation CEGL005223 2.C.4.Nd.5.d
Concept Lineage: This alliance is composed of one association from old A.1850.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): J. Drake, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: J. Drake

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • 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.