Print Report

A3770 Salix wolfii - Salix brachycarpa - Betula glandulosa Wet Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These are short (<1.5 m) Salix- or Betula-dominated shrublands of Intermountain West and Rocky Mountain high subalpine altitudes dominated by Betula nana, Salix brachycarpa, Salix farriae, Salix planifolia, and/or Salix wolfii. Canopy can be closed to open. Understory is usually fairly dense, graminoid-dominated herbaceous cover and occasionally forb-dominated, including several Carex spp. (e.g., Carex aquatilis, Carex microptera, Carex scopulorum, Carex utriculata), Deschampsia cespitosa, and others. Forb species may include Caltha leptosepala, Fragaria virginiana, Pedicularis groenlandica, Swertia perennis, and others.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Wolf''s Willow - Short-fruit Willow - Resin Birch Wet Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Rocky Mountain Short Willow Wet Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: These are short (<1.5 m) Salix- or Betula-dominated shrublands of Intermountain West and Rocky Mountain high subalpine altitudes dominated by Betula nana, Salix brachycarpa, Salix farriae, Salix planifolia, and/or Salix wolfii. Canopy can be closed to open. Understory is usually fairly dense, graminoid-dominated herbaceous cover and occasionally forb-dominated, including several Carex spp. (e.g., Carex aquatilis, Carex microptera, Carex scopulorum, Carex utriculata), Deschampsia cespitosa, and others. Forb species may include Caltha leptosepala, Fragaria virginiana, Pedicularis groenlandica, Swertia perennis, and others. Communities within this alliance occur in moderately narrow to wide valleys and glacial basins on floodplains with lateral seepage of groundwater. Valley slopes range from 3-7%, and stream channels that run through the valleys vary from deep, narrow, and sinuous to shallow, broad, and gently meandering. Beavers are often active within the stands. Some stands occur on sideslope seeps, which remain wet throughout the growing season. Elevation ranges from 1950-3350 m. Soils are mineral. Soil textures include silty clay loams, silty loams, and sandy clay loams with mottling. Some stands occur on deep sandy clays, often with a high organic content, while other stands occur on shallow silty clays over gravels and rocks.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Short (<1.5 m) willow- or birch-dominated shrublands of high subalpine altitudes dominated by Betula nana, Salix brachycarpa, Salix farriae, Salix planifolia, and/or Salix wolfii.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance covers low-statured (short <1.5 m) shrublands of subalpine altitudes in the Intermountain West and Rocky Mountains. Salix commutata occupies similar habitats but are regionally limited to the Cascade Range and Coast Ranges.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by broad-leaved deciduous shrubs. The canopy consists of short (1-2 m), rounded shrubs that form a dense canopy. The herbaceous layer is dense with graminoids, especially rhizomatous sedges, and has a sparse to moderately dense forb layer.

Floristics: These are cold-deciduous, short-statured shrublands. The shrub layer is typically dominated by Betula nana, Salix brachycarpa, Salix farriae, Salix planifolia, and/or Salix wolfii. Stands can be monotypic, but are more often a mix of at least 2 species. Salix brachycarpa occupies the drier margins or raised hummocks. The herbaceous undergrowth is generally dense and rich, dominated by graminoids such as Carex aquatilis, Carex microptera, Carex nebrascensis, Carex utriculata, or Deschampsia cespitosa, or by forbs that may include Caltha leptosepala, Ligusticum tenuifolium, Pedicularis groenlandica, Swertia perennis, or Thalictrum alpinum.

Dynamics:  Browsing may weaken or eventually eliminate some willow species. With increasing levels of grazing, Deschampsia cespitosa will be replaced by Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis, Poa pratensis, and Taraxacum officinale.
Environmental Description:  Communities within this alliance occur in moderately narrow to wide valleys and glacial basins on floodplains with lateral seepage of groundwater. Valley slopes range from 3-7%, and stream channels that run through the valleys vary from deep, narrow, and sinuous to shallow, broad, and gently meandering. Beavers are often active within the stands. Some stands occur on sideslope seeps, which remain wet throughout the growing season. Elevation ranges from 1950-3350 m. Soils are mineral. Soil textures include silty clay loams, silty loams, and sandy clay loams with mottling. Some stands occur on deep sandy clays, often with a high organic content, while other stands occur on shallow silty clays over gravels and rocks.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the Intermountain West and Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico, extending into eastern Oregon and Washington.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY


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.Nb Western North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D031 2.C.4.Nb
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nb.5 Sitka Alder - Booth''s Willow / Northwest Territory Sedge Montane Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M893 2.C.4.Nb.5
Group 2.C.4.Nb.5.d Willow species - Alder species - Water Birch Riparian & Seep Shrubland Group G527 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Alliance A3770 Wolf''s Willow - Short-fruit Willow - Resin Birch Wet Shrubland Alliance A3770 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001079 Resin Birch / Northwest Territory Sedge Wet Shrubland CEGL001079 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001135 Short-fruit Willow / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland CEGL001135 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001136 Grayleaf Willow Wet Shrubland CEGL001136 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001225 Diamondleaf Willow / Bluejoint Wet Shrubland CEGL001225 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001227 Diamondleaf Willow / Water Sedge Wet Shrubland CEGL001227 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001228 (Farr''s Willow, Diamondleaf Willow) / Northwest Territory Sedge Wet Shrubland CEGL001228 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001229 Diamondleaf Willow / Mountain Sedge Wet Shrubland CEGL001229 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001230 Diamondleaf Willow / Tufted Hairgrass Wet Shrubland CEGL001230 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001234 Wolf''s Willow / Water Sedge Wet Shrubland CEGL001234 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001235 Wolf''s Willow / Small-wing Sedge Wet Shrubland CEGL001235 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001236 Wolf''s Willow / Nebraska Sedge Wet Shrubland CEGL001236 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001237 Wolf''s Willow / Northwest Territory Sedge Wet Shrubland CEGL001237 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001238 Wolf''s Willow / Tufted Hairgrass Wet Shrubland CEGL001238 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001239 Wolf''s Willow / Virginia Strawberry Wet Shrubland CEGL001239 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001240 Wolf''s Willow / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland CEGL001240 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001241 Wolf''s Willow / Fowl Bluegrass Wet Shrubland CEGL001241 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001242 Wolf''s Willow / Felwort - Bull Elephant''s-head Wet Shrubland CEGL001242 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL001244 Short-fruit Willow / Water Sedge Wet Shrubland CEGL001244 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL002064 Wolf''s Willow / Bluejoint Wet Shrubland CEGL002064 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL002653 Resin Birch / Mesic Forbs - Mesic Graminoids Wet Shrubland CEGL002653 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL002665 Diamondleaf Willow / White Marsh-marigold Wet Shrubland CEGL002665 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL005828 Resin Birch / Short-fruit Willow Wet Shrubland CEGL005828 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Association CEGL005887 Resin Birch / Sedge species Wet Shrubland CEGL005887 2.C.4.Nb.5.d
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Salix spp. Series (Johnston 1987)
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
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