Print Report

A3752 Salix gooddingii - Salix laevigata Riparian Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of riparian woodlands dominated by Salix gooddingii and/or Salix laevigata, either as single-species stands or as mixed stands. Stands are generally without Populus fremontii. It occurs in California.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Goodding''s Willow - Red Willow Riparian Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Goodding''s Willow - Red Willow Riparian Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of riparian woodlands and forests dominated by Salix gooddingii and/or Salix laevigata, either as single-species stands or as mixed stands. Stands may or may not include Populus fremontii, and if they do, it is a minor component relative to dominant overstory canopy species. Other tree species present include Acer macrophyllum, Alnus rhombifolia, Alnus rubra, Celtis laevigata var. reticulata, Fraxinus velutina, Juglans microcarpa, Platanus racemosa, Populus balsamifera, Prosopis glandulosa, Quercus pungens, Salix hookeriana, Salix sitchensis, Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii, and/or Ungnadia speciosa. These stands occur throughout California riparian areas with deep alluvial soils generally restricted to less than 2000 m in elevation.

Diagnostic Characteristics: One of the three nominals has 30% relative cover or combined have >30% relative cover and Populus fremontii is not present or, if present, then has <5% cover.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: For those stands without cottonwood.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This seasonally flooded/saturated broad-leaved cold-deciduous forest forms a continuous tree canopy less than 15 m in height. Shrubs are sparse below the tree canopy, and the herbaceous layer is variable.

Floristics: These riparian woodland and forest stands are dominated by Salix gooddingii and/or Salix laevigata, either as single-species stands or as mixed stands. They generally are without Populus fremontii, but when present, it is not abundant. Other tree species present include Acer macrophyllum, Alnus rhombifolia, Alnus rubra, Celtis laevigata var. reticulata, Fraxinus velutina, Juglans microcarpa, Platanus racemosa, Populus balsamifera, Populus fremontii, Prosopis glandulosa, Quercus pungens, Salix hookeriana, Salix sitchensis, Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii, and/or Ungnadia speciosa. Shrubs may include Baccharis emoryi, Baccharis salicifolia, Cornus sericea, Rhus trilobata, Salix exigua, and/or Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea (= Sambucus mexicana), as well as other riparian shrubs. The herbaceous layer is highly variable depending on season, length of time since last inundation, and degree of disturbance.

Dynamics:  This alliance requires seasonal inundation or seasonal saturation. Stands occur on low-gradient streamside depositions and in floodplains which receive low-intensity flooding at least every few years.
Environmental Description:  This alliance occurs on floodplains, streamsides, ditches, lake edges, and low-gradient deposits along rivers, that are seasonally flooded or seasonally have saturated soils. Stands occur from sea level to 2700 m elevation. Because of the climate throughout the range of this alliance, flooding can occur throughout the winter and spring. Annual rainfall totals are between 60 and 80 cm.
Geographic Range: This alliance ranges from California to New Mexico.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA, NM, UT


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 1 Forest & Woodland Class C01 1
Subclass 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass S15 1.B
Formation 1.B.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation F026 1.B.3
Division 1.B.3.Nd Western North American Interior Flooded Forest Division D013 1.B.3.Nd
Macrogroup 1.B.3.Nd.2 Interior Warm & Cool Desert Riparian Forest Macrogroup M036 1.B.3.Nd.2
Group 1.B.3.Nd.2.b Western Interior Riparian Forest & Woodland Group G797 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Alliance A3752 Goodding''s Willow - Red Willow Riparian Forest Alliance A3752 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL000950 Red Willow - Velvet Ash Riparian Woodland CEGL000950 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL002874 Red Willow - Arroyo Willow / Mule-fat Riparian Woodland CEGL002874 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL002952 Red Willow Riparian Woodland CEGL002952 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL003778 Goodding''s Willow / Narrowleaf Willow Riparian Woodland CEGL003778 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Association CEGL005316 Red Willow / Douglas'' Sagewort - California Blackberry Riparian Woodland CEGL005316 1.B.3.Nd.2.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Salix gooddingii (Black willow thickets) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [61.211.00]
> Salix gooddingii Alliance (Black willow thickets) (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
? Salix gooddingii Community Type (Szaro 1989)
> Salix gooddingii Woodland Alliance (Evens et al. 2012)
> Salix laevigata (Red willow thickets) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [61.205.00]
> Salix laevigata Temporarily Flooded Woodland Alliance (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
> Salix laevigata Alliance (Red willow thickets) (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
> Salix laevigata Woodland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
> Salix lucida Alliance (Shining willow groves) (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
>< Central Coast Riparian Scrub (#63200) (Holland 1986b)
>< Great Valley Mixed Riparian Forest (#61420) (Holland 1986b)
>< Red Alder Riparian Forest (#61130) (Holland 1986b)
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-17-16
  • Buck-Diaz, J., S. Batiuk, and J. M. Evens. 2012. Vegetation alliances and associations of the Great Valley ecoregion, California. California Native Society, Sacramento, CA. [http://cnps.org/cnps/vegetation/pdf/great_valley_eco-vegclass2012.pdf]
  • Evens, J. M., D. Roach-McIntosh, and D. Stout. 2012. Vegetation descriptions for Joshua Tree National Park. Unpublished report submitted to USDI, National Park Service, Mojave Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
  • Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
  • 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.
  • Keeler-Wolf, T., P. E. Moore, E. T. Reyes, J. M. Menke, D. N. Johnson, and D. L. Karavidas. 2012. Yosemite National Park vegetation classification and mapping project report. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/YOSE/NRTR--2012/598. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • La Doux, T., C. Lea, and E. Babich. 2013. A summary of the Joshua Tree National Park Vegetation Mapping Project: NPS Vegetation Inventory Program. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/JOTR/NRTR--2013/723. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 839 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.
  • Sproul, F., T. Keeler-Wolf, P. Gordon-Reedy, J. Dunn, A. Klein, and K. Harper. 2011. Vegetation classification manual for western San Diego County. AECOM, California Department of Fish and Game, San Diego Area Governments.
  • Stout, D., J. Buck-Diaz, S. Taylor, and J. M. Evens. 2013. Vegetation mapping and accuracy assessment report for Carrizo Plain National Monument. California Native Plant Society, Vegetation Program, Sacramento, CA. 71 pp.
  • Szaro, R. C. 1989. Riparian forest and scrubland community types of Arizona and New Mexico. Desert Plants Special Issue 9(3-4):70-139.
  • VegCAMP and AIS [Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program and Aerial Information Systems, Inc.]. 2013. 2012 California desert vegetation map and accuracy assessment in support of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. Unpublished report to California Department of Fish and Wildlife Renewable Energy Program and the California Energy Commission. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program and Aerial Information Systems, Inc.