Name:
Betula nana / Carex utriculata Shrubland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This seasonally flooded, cold-deciduous shrubland occurs in marshes in the subalpine and montane riparian zones. Elevations range from 900 m to over 1700 m (990-5580 feet). Stands can occur on beaver ponds, lakes, marshes, seeps, swales, and wet alluvial terraces adjacent to low-gradient meandering streams. They are found in areas where soils are saturated from snowmelt runoff for a significant part of the growing season, often on fens, where the vegetation receives water from seeps and springs. Soils are commonly Histosols, flooded until mid summer and saturated all year in many sites. Quaking mats are typical of many stands. Betula nana (= Betula glandulosa) dominates the canopy with a range of cover from 5% to 60%. The total shrub canopy ranges from sparse to moderate, and there are often large, open spaces between individual shrub clumps. Other shrubs present include Salix planifolia, Salix geyeriana, Salix wolfii, Rhamnus alnifolia, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (= Pentaphylloides floribunda), Cornus sericea, Alnus incana, and Ribes spp. The herbaceous undergrowth has high cover and is found on small hummocks. The dominant graminoid is Carex utriculata (= Carex rostrata); several other species are typically present, in lower abundance and include Calamagrostis stricta, Carex aquatilis, Carex livida, and Carex lasiocarpa. Forb cover is variable, with occasional species being abundant. Forbs commonly present may include Cicuta maculata, Comarum palustre, Mentha arvensis, Galium spp., Ranunculus sceleratus, Sparganium natans (= Sparganium minimum), and Thalictrum alpinum.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.23686.BETULANANACAREX
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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