Print Report
A3600 Californian Acidic Shrub Fen Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of acidic fens dominated by shrubs such as Kalmia polifolia, Ledum glandulosum, Lonicera caerulea var. cauriana, Spiraea douglasii, and Vaccinium uliginosum. Ground is generally covered in Sphagnum mosses. Herbaceous plants include Carex spp. and others. These shrubby wetlands of California mountains have peaty organic soils at least 40 cm thick. Shrub growth is usually dwarf (<3 m tall) and has at least 25% cover.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Californian Acidic Shrub Fen Alliance
Colloquial Name: Californian Acidic Shrub Fen
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance covers acidic fens dominated by shrub species are Kalmia polifolia, Ledum glandulosum, Lonicera caerulea var. cauriana, Spiraea douglasii, and/or Vaccinium uliginosum. Ground is generally covered in Sphagnum mosses. Herbaceous plants include Carex spp. and others. These shrubby wetlands of California mountains have peaty organic soils at least 40 cm thick. Shrub growth is usually dwarf (<3 m tall) and has at least 25% cover. Soil and water pH is limited to only acidic fens with <5.5 pH.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Dwarf scrub (>25% cover) acidic (pH <5.5) fens (peat >40 cm thick).
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance includes nutrient-poor, shrubby fens pH (<5.5). May want to merge this California-based alliance with ~Ledum glandulosum - Ledum groenlandicum Shrub Bog & Acidic Fen Alliance (A2514)$$; however, it remains separate as it has different floristics than those to the north.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Low-growth (<2 m) deciduous shrub and herbaceous.
Floristics: Shrub species include Kalmia polifolia, Ledum glandulosum, Lonicera caerulea var. cauriana (= Lonicera cauriana), Spiraea douglasii, and/or Vaccinium uliginosum. Ground is generally covered in Sphagnum mosses. Herbaceous plants include Carex spp. and others.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These wetlands have deep organic soils and are saturated year-round.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the mountains of California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899658
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.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 | A3600 Californian Acidic Shrub Fen Alliance | A3600 | 2.C.2.Na.3.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.