Print Report
A3598 Californian Acidic Graminoid Fen Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of herbaceous acidic fens dominated by Carex aquatilis, Carex lenticularis, Carex utriculata, or Schoenoplectus species and have characteristic plant species that include Carex californica, Darlingtonia californica, Deschampsia cespitosa, Drosera rotundifolia, Eleocharis quinqueflora, and Calliscirpus criniger. Shrubs and stunted trees may be present, but these with <25% cover. These wetlands have organic soil of peat at least 30 cm thick, with soil/water pH of <5.5. It occurs in extreme southern Oregon and throughout northern California.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Californian Acidic Graminoid Fen Alliance
Colloquial Name: Californian Acidic Graminoid Fen
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of herbaceous acidic fens dominated by Carex aquatilis, Carex lenticularis, Carex utriculata, Darlingtonia californica, and/or Schoenoplectus species. Other characteristic plant species present may include Carex californica, Deschampsia cespitosa, Drosera rotundifolia, Eleocharis quinqueflora, and Calliscirpus criniger. Shrubs and stunted trees may be present, but these with <25% cover. This alliance occurs at low to moderate elevations (0-1400 m) in extreme southern Oregon and throughout northern California, in regions of heavy precipitation (100-250 cm/year) and/or groundwater seepage. These sites remain moist or wet throughout the year and may have substantial Sphagnum accumulation. They are seeps or fens maintained by groundwater discharge. These wetlands have organic soil of peat at least 30 cm thick, with soil/water pH of <5.5. Soils are highly acidic and often composed of ultrabasic parent materials. The acidity and nutrient-poor substrates produce severe nitrogen-deficiency which favors insectivorous plants.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Wetlands that are saturated year-round with at least 30 cm deep organic soil, and the predominant cover of vascular plant is herbaceous.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance includes nutrient-poor, low pH (<5.5) fens.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by graminoids and low-statured forbs. A moss layer of Sphagnum may or may not be present. Scattered ericaceous shrubs or needle-leaved evergreen trees may be present with less than 10% cover.
Floristics: These herbaceous fens are dominated by Carex aquatilis, Carex lenticularis, Carex utriculata, Darlingtonia californica and/or Schoenoplectus species. Other characteristic plant species present may include Carex californica, Deschampsia cespitosa, Drosera rotundifolia, Eleocharis quinqueflora, and Calliscirpus criniger (= Eriophorum crinigerum). Other species present may include Cypripedium californicum, Rudbeckia californica, and Parnassia palustris. There are occasional scattered emergent trees or shrubs, including Rhododendron occidentale, Ledum glandulosum, and Chamaecyparis lawsoniana. Sphagnum spp. may form a thick moss layer on the ground surface.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This alliance occurs at low to moderate elevations (0-1400 m) of the central Pacific ranges, in regions of heavy precipitation (100-250 cm/year) and/or groundwater seepage. These sites remain moist or wet throughout the year and may have substantial Sphagnum accumulation. They are seeps or fens maintained by groundwater discharge. Soils are highly acidic and often composed of ultrabasic parent materials. The acidity and nutrient-poor substrates produce severe nitrogen-deficiency which favors insectivorous plants.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in extreme southern Oregon and throughout northern California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899656
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.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation | F016 | 2.C.2 |
| Division | 2.C.2.Na North American Bog & Fen Division | D029 | 2.C.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.2.Na.3 Beach Pine / Bog Labrador-tea / Cusick''s Sedge North Pacific Bog & Fen Macrogroup | M063 | 2.C.2.Na.3 |
| Group | 2.C.2.Na.3.b North Pacific Acidic Open Bog & Fen Group | G284 | 2.C.2.Na.3.b |
| Alliance | A3598 Californian Acidic Graminoid Fen Alliance | A3598 | 2.C.2.Na.3.b |
| Association | CEGL003046 California Pitcherplant Fen | CEGL003046 | 2.C.2.Na.3.b |
Concept Lineage: A.1687
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Darlingtonia californica (California pitcher plant fens) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [51.200.00]
? Sphagnum subsecundum - Kalmia polifolia community (Cooper and Wolf 2006a)
? Sphagnum subsecundum - Kalmia polifolia community (Cooper and Wolf 2006a)
- Barbour, M. G., and J. Major, editors. 1977. Terrestrial vegetation of California. John Wiley and Sons, New York. 1002 pp.
- Cooper, D., and E. C. Wolf. 2006a. Fens of the Sierra Nevada, California. Unpublished report. Department of Forest, Rangeland and Watershed stewardship, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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.
- Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.