Print Report

A4217 Salix spp. - Artemisia cana Ruderal Understory Wet Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: Stands of native willows and/or native Artemisia cana sagebrush with non-native grasses and forbs dominant in the understory, found in western U.S. streams and floodplains.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Willow species - Silver Sagebrush Ruderal Understory Wet Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Ruderal Willow - Silver Sagebrush Wet Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: These riparian shrublands are dominated by native willows such as Salix exigua, Salix monticola, Salix geyeriana, Salix drummondiana, Salix commutata, and others, as well as shrublands dominated by Artemisia cana (ssp. viscidula and ssp. bolanderi) where the understory herbaceous layer has been completely replaced by non-native invasive species such as Bromus tectorum, Poa pratensis, Dactylis glomerata, Bromus inermis, Elymus repens, Medicago sativa, Trifolium repens, Melilotus officinalis, and Phragmites australis. This alliance occurs in relatively moist environments, including riparian areas and alkaline or saline playa lakes of the western U.S.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands lack an abundance of native herbaceous species such as Danthonia intermedia, Deschampsia cespitosa, Eleocharis palustris, Elymus elymoides, Festuca idahoensis, Festuca ovina, Festuca thurberi, Leymus cinereus, Muhlenbergia richardsonis, Poa cusickii, and Poa secunda.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: These riparian shrublands are dominated by native willows such as Salix exigua, Salix monticola, Salix geyeriana, Salix drummondiana, Salix commutata, and others, as well as shrublands dominated by Artemisia cana (ssp. viscidula and ssp. bolanderi) where the understory herbaceous layer has been completely replaced by non-native invasive species such as Bromus tectorum, Poa pratensis, Dactylis glomerata, Bromus inermis, Elymus repens, Medicago sativa, Trifolium repens, Melilotus officinalis, and Phragmites australis.

Dynamics:  Stands have been disturbed by chronic grazing (by native ungulates or livestock), recreational use, or other heavy use that disturbs the soil surface and makes it possible for invasive species to become dominant.
Environmental Description:  This alliance occurs in relatively moist environments, including riparian areas and alkaline or saline playa lakes.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found throughout the western U.S. in riparian areas, especially near populated areas.

Nations: US

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


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

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.90 Western North American Ruderal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M301 2.C.4.Nb.90
Group 2.C.4.Nb.90.a Kentucky Bluegrass - Canadian Horseweed - Canada Thistle Ruderal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Group G524 2.C.4.Nb.90.a
Alliance A4217 Willow species - Silver Sagebrush Ruderal Understory Wet Shrubland Alliance A4217 2.C.4.Nb.90.a
Association CEGL001199 Narrowleaf Willow / Creeping Bentgrass Ruderal Wet Shrubland CEGL001199 2.C.4.Nb.90.a
Association CEGL002988 (Bolander Silver Sagebrush, Mountain Silver Sagebrush) / Kentucky Bluegrass Ruderal Wet Shrubland CEGL002988 2.C.4.Nb.90.a
Association CEGL005623 Narrowleaf Willow / Reed Canarygrass Ruderal Wet Shrubland CEGL005623 2.C.4.Nb.90.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): M. Reid, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2015)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-28-16
  • 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.
  • Manning, M. E., and W. G. Padgett. 1995. Riparian community type classification for Humboldt and Toiyabe national forests, Nevada and eastern California. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region. 306 pp.
  • Padgett, W. G., A. P. Youngblood, and A. H. Winward. 1989. Riparian community type classification of Utah and southeastern Idaho. Research Paper R4-ECOL-89-0. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.