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A4069 Schoenoplectus pungens Great Plains Marsh Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alkaline bulrush wetland is dominated by medium-tall graminoids, typically Schoenoplectus pungens but sometimes Scirpus nevadensis, and is found in the central-western Great Plains along lakes or in valleys or basins where water is strongly alkaline.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Common Threesquare Great Plains Marsh Alliance
Colloquial Name: Western Great Plains Alkaline Marsh
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: The vegetation of this alkaline bulrush alliance is dominated by medium-tall graminoids which can tolerate strongly alkaline conditions. The primary species is Schoenoplectus pungens and, in some sites, Scirpus nevadensis is common. In Nebraska, Stuckenia pectinata and Ruppia maritima are present in the deeper parts of the wetland, and mesophytic grasses such as Hordeum jubatum and Puccinellia nuttalliana are common along the periphery. In Kansas, Coreopsis tinctoria, Polygonum pensylvanicum, Sagittaria longiloba, Schoenoplectus acutus, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, and Typha latifolia may also be present. This alliance is found in the central-western Great Plains of the United States. Stands occur in depressions in the bottomlands along rivers and streams and along the margins of moderately to strongly alkaline lakes in basins or valleys with little or no surface outlet and poor subsurface drainage. Water enters the wetlands predominately through precipitation and surface runoff. These sites remain flooded through most of the season. Soils are deep, mineral-rich, poorly drained silt loams or sandy loams with a silty clay subsoil formed in siltstone, calcareous alluvium, or eolian sand.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by sites that are wet for all or most of the growing season and dominated by tall graminoids, especially Schoenoplectus pungens.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type should be compared with other Schoenoplectus pungens associations in the western Great Plains, especially ~Schoenoplectus pungens Marsh (CEGL001587)$$. It is possible this alliance and the Great Plains portion of that association should be merged or at least combined in the same alliance.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance has moderate vegetation cover composed chiefly of medium-tall graminoids <1 m tall.
Floristics: The primary species is Schoenoplectus pungens and, in some sites, Scirpus nevadensis is common. In Nebraska, Stuckenia pectinata and Ruppia maritima are present in the deeper parts of the wetland, and mesophytic grasses such as Hordeum jubatum and Puccinellia nuttalliana are common along the periphery. In Kansas, Coreopsis tinctoria, Polygonum pensylvanicum, Sagittaria longiloba, Schoenoplectus acutus, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, and Typha latifolia may also be present.
Dynamics: Flooding regime and salinity levels are important for maintaining this alliance. Stands in this alliance are flooded or saturated most of the growing season. Salinity levels tend to vary inversely with water levels, becoming lower when high water dilutes the salts and higher when water levels fall. If stands of this alliance are flushed with freshwater due to very heavy rains or snowmelt, salinity can decrease enough to allow other species to spread until salt concentrations build up in several years.
Environmental Description: Stands occur in depressions in the bottomlands along rivers and streams and along the margins of moderately to strongly alkaline lakes in basins or valleys with little or no surface outlet and poor subsurface drainage. Water enters the wetlands predominately through precipitation and surface runoff. These sites remain flooded through most of the season. Soils are deep, mineral-rich, poorly-drained silt loams or sandy loams with a silty clay subsoil formed in siltstone, calcareous alluvium, or eolian sand. Salts are transported into these wetlands by leaching salt-rich soils or, rarely, through seepage of saline groundwater. Because most sites have poor subsurface drainage and few surface outlets, salts accumulate on sites.
Geographic Range: This community is known in western Nebraska in the "closed basin" region of the Sandhills and in the North Platte River valley and also occurs in western Kansas and possibly eastern Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: KS, NE, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.900119
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.5 Salt Marsh Formation | F035 | 2.C.5 |
| Division | 2.C.5.Na North American Great Plains Saline Marsh Division | D033 | 2.C.5.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.5.Na.1 Great Plains Saline Wet Meadow & Marsh Macrogroup | M077 | 2.C.5.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.C.5.Na.1.a Saltgrass - Foxtail Barley - Western Wheatgrass Great Plains Saline Wet Meadow & Marsh Group | G324 | 2.C.5.Na.1.a |
| Alliance | A4069 Common Threesquare Great Plains Marsh Alliance | A4069 | 2.C.5.Na.1.a |
| Association | CEGL002040 Common Threesquare - Pursh Seepweed Alkaline Marsh | CEGL002040 | 2.C.5.Na.1.a |
Concept Lineage: This alliance contains one association from old A.1443.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- Jones, G. P., and G. M. Walford. 1995. Major riparian vegetation types of eastern Wyoming. Submitted to Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Laramie, WY. 245 pp.
- Rolfsmeier, S. B., and G. Steinauer. 2010. Terrestrial ecological systems and natural communities of Nebraska (Version IV - March 9, 2010). Nebraska Natural Heritage Program, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Lincoln, NE. 228 pp.
- Walford, G. M. 1996. Statewide classification of riparian and wetland dominance types and plant communities - Bighorn Basin segment. Report submitted to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Land Quality Division by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database. 185 pp.