Print Report
A1350 Calamagrostis stricta - Carex sartwellii - Carex praegracilis Saline Wet Meadow Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This saline wet meadow occurs in the northern tallgrass region of the United States and Canada where moderately saline shallow wetlands are dominated by Calamagrostis stricta, Carex praegracilis, Carex sartwellii, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis, Plantago eriopoda, Bolboschoenus maritimus, and Symphyotrichum lanceolatum.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Slimstem Reedgrass - Sartwell''s Sedge - Clustered Field Sedge Saline Wet Meadow Alliance
Colloquial Name: Northern Saline Wet Meadow
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This saline wet meadow is found in the northern tallgrass region of the United States and adjacent Canada. Vegetation cover is moderately dense to dense. Graminoids of medium and short stature are the dominant lifeform, although forbs are common. Shrubs may invade this community in the absence of fire, especially on less saline sites. The most abundant species are Calamagrostis stricta, Carex praegracilis, Carex sartwellii, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis, Plantago eriopoda, Bolboschoenus maritimus, and Symphyotrichum lanceolatum. Sites are on level ground in depressions where the water table is at or near the surface for part of the year. The soil and water are moderately saline.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Saline wet meadows dominated by Calamagrostis stricta, Carex praegracilis, Carex sartwellii, and other salt-tolerant graminoids.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance has only one association in it currently. It has some floristic similarities to ~Carex spp. - Calamagrostis canadensis Midwest Wet Meadow Alliance (A4105)$$ but is less saline. Distinction between wet meadow and saline wet meadow is unclear in Minnesota (R. Dana pers. comm. 1999). Tallgrass species such as Andropogon gerardii, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Panicum virgatum may be associated with this type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation cover is moderately dense to dense. Graminoids of medium and short stature are the dominant lifeform, although forbs are common. Shrubs may invade this community in the absence of fire, especially on less saline sites.
Floristics: The vegetation cover of this community is moderately dense to dense. Graminoids of medium and short stature are the dominant lifeform. Species diversity may be low, depending on salinity, and forbs may be common or sparse. Shrubs may invade this community in the absence of fire, especially on less saline sites (MNNHP 1993). The most abundant species are Calamagrostis stricta, Carex praegracilis, Carex sartwellii, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus), Plantago eriopoda, Bolboschoenus maritimus (= Schoenoplectus maritimus), and Symphyotrichum lanceolatum. Shay and Shay (1986) also included Hordeum jubatum and Distichlis spicata within the moderately saline wet meadow. Spartina pectinata may be present to common in some stands.
Dynamics: Fire may be important to prevent encroachment of shrubs, especially on less saline sites.
Environmental Description: This community is found on level ground in depressions where the water table is at or near the surface for part of the year. It may occupy the central area of shallower wetland basins and may occur as a peripheral band around deeper wetlands (Stewart and Kantrud 1972). The soil and water are moderately saline.
Geographic Range: This saline wet meadow community is found in the northern tallgrass prairie region of the United States and adjacent Canada, ranging from Minnesota and the Dakotas to Manitoba.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MB, MN, ND, SD
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.926855
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.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D323 | 2.C.4.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nd.2 Broadleaf Cattail - White Snakeroot - Rush species Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup | M069 | 2.C.4.Nd.2 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nd.2.e Prairie Cordgrass - Bluejoint - Sedge species Midwest Wet Prairie, Wet Meadow & Shrub Swamp Group | G770 | 2.C.4.Nd.2.e |
| Alliance | A1350 Slimstem Reedgrass - Sartwell''s Sedge - Clustered Field Sedge Saline Wet Meadow Alliance | A1350 | 2.C.4.Nd.2.e |
| Association | CEGL002255 Slimstem Reedgrass - Sartwell''s Sedge - Clustered Field Sedge - Redwool Plantain Saline Wet Meadow | CEGL002255 | 2.C.4.Nd.2.e |
Concept Lineage: This alliance has one association from old A.1350.
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.
- MNNHP [Minnesota Natural Heritage Program]. 1993. Minnesota''s native vegetation: A key to natural communities. Version 1.5. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, St. Paul, MN. 110 pp.
- Shay, J. M., and C. T. Shay. 1986. Prairie marshes in western Canada, with specific reference to the ecology of five emergent macrophytes. Canadian Journal of Botany 64(2):443-454.
- Stewart, R. E., and H. A. Kantrud. 1972. Vegetation of prairie potholes, North Dakota, in relation to quality of water and other environmental factors. USDI Geologic Survey Professional Paper 585-d. 36 pp.