Print Report

A1374 Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis - Juncus mexicanus Wet Meadow Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of wet meadows are dominated by Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis or Juncus mexicanus. It is very common and widespread throughout the western U.S. and western Canada and can occur in many physical settings where it can occur naturally as a native community, but is more commonly encountered because of heavy prolonged grazing by livestock.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Baltic Rush - Mexican Rush Wet Meadow Alliance

Colloquial Name: Western Baltic Rush - Mexico Rush Wet Meadow

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: These wet meadows are dominated by Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis or Juncus mexicanus. The graminoid layer is dense with up to 98% cover and dominated by Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis, a creeping, often sod-forming, rhizomatous perennial. Other graminoid cover is minor but can include Carex aquatilis, Carex canescens, Carex pellita, Deschampsia cespitosa, Hordeum jubatum, Leymus cinereus, Sporobolus airoides, and many others. Forb cover is typically minor and may include Achillea millefolium, Iris missouriensis, or Geum macrophyllum, among many others. This alliance covers montane stands of California, the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, and Great Basin at 1000-3600 m (3300-11,800 feet) elevation and excludes lower elevation and coastal-influenced areas. This alliance is very widespread and can occur in many types of wet meadows. It can occur naturally as a native community, but is more commonly encountered because of heavy prolonged grazing by livestock.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Montane wet or dry meadows dominated by Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance is limited to montane elevations (about 1000-3600 m) and excludes low-elevation coastal and other maritime-influenced sites, as well as boreal climate areas.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by a creeping, often sod forming rhizomatous perennial.

Floristics: This alliance covers meadows dominated by Juncus mexicanus or Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus var. littoralis), a facultative wetland species. Other graminoid cover is minor, but can include Carex aquatilis, Carex canescens, Carex pellita (= Carex lanuginosa), Deschampsia cespitosa, Hordeum jubatum, Leymus cinereus, or Sporobolus airoides. Forb cover is typically minor and may include Achillea millefolium, Iris missouriensis, or Geum macrophyllum. Stands often contain adventive species, e.g., Poa pratensis and Phleum pratense.

Dynamics:  In low-disturbance areas, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis plant associations appear to be stable, climax communities (Kittel and Lederer 1993). However, in some areas, this alliance is considered grazing-induced as Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis is considered an increaser due to its low forage value and high tolerance to grazing (USFS 1937, Padgett et al. 1989, Hansen et al. 1995). It usually increases in abundance on sites formerly dominated by Deschampsia cespitosa or Calamagrostis canadensis. Nearly pure stands of Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis may indicate that the site has been heavily grazed in the past. Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis is listed as a facultative wetland species.
Environmental Description:  Plant associations within this alliance occur at montane elevations (1000-3600 m [3300-11,800 feet]) on alluvial terraces, floodplains, overflow channels, seeps, meadows, and near springs. On the Channel Islands of California, it is found from sea level to 170 m in elevation. Sites are typically gentle (1-3%) slope on all aspects. Soils are mineral with dark surface horizons containing large amounts of well-decomposed organic matter (Tuhy and Jensen 1982). Soil texture ranges from silt to sandy loam. Water tables are often at or near the soil surface in early summer but may drop below 50 cm by late August. Soil reaction ranges from neutral to mildly alkaline (pH 7.0-8.0) (Hansen et al. 1995).
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs at montane altitudes in California, the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, and Great Basin.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB, AZ, BC, CA, CO, ID, MT, NE, NM, NV, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5

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.b Sedge species - Reedgrass species Montane Wet Meadow & Marsh Group G521 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Alliance A1374 Baltic Rush - Mexican Rush Wet Meadow Alliance A1374 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Association CEGL001838 Baltic Rush Wet Meadow CEGL001838 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Association CEGL003486 Baltic Rush - (Mexican Rush) Wet Meadow CEGL003486 2.C.4.Nb.5.b
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.1374

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Juncus (balticus, mexicanus) Herbaceous Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
= Juncus arcticus (var. balticus, mexicanus) (Baltic and Mexican rush marshes) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [45.562.00]
= Juncus arcticus (var. balticus, mexicanus) Alliance (Baltic and Mexican rush marshes) (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
= Juncus balticus - Juncus mexicanus Herbaceous Alliance (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
= Juncus arcticus (var. balticus, mexicanus) Herbaceous Alliance (CNPS 2017) [45.562.00]
>< Juncus spp. Series (Johnston 1987)
>< Cismontane Alkali Marsh (#52310) (Holland 1986b)
>< Coastal Brackish Marsh (#52200) (Holland 1986b)
>< Coastal and Valley Freshwater Marsh (#52410) (Holland 1986b)
>< Low Elevation Minerotrophic Wetlands-Permanently Flooded Series (Kunze 1994)
>< Montane, Plains, and Great Basin Marshlands (Brown 1982a)
< Saltgrass series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Wet Montane Meadow (#45110) (Holland 1986b)
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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