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Salix planifolia / Carex aquatilis Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Salix planifolia / Carex aquatilis Shrubland Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: In Colorado, this low-statured willow shrubland occurs in wet to saturated soils above 2800 m. It is a common plant association of subalpine glacial valleys. Stands have a deciduous shrub canopy that is dominated by Salix planifolia with an herbaceous layer dominated by Carex aquatilis. Salix planifolia occasionally mixes with Salix brachycarpa or Salix wolfii at higher elevations and grades into taller willow carrs with Salix monticola at lower elevations.Found also high in the Rio Grande watershed of northern New Mexico, this type occurs very close to treeline at an approximate elevation of 3520 m (11,550 feet). Forming small hummocks, this type occurs along small rivulets at the outflow or seeps of alpine and subalpine lakes, and borders wet boggy peatlands in flat, open expanses. Soils are organic Histosols with clayey subsurface horizons below and deep saturated layers of peat that usually overlie bedrock. Water remains perched at the surface for long periods or at least remains close to the surface. Salix planifolia forms a low (rarely exceeds 1 m in height) and open shrub overstory canopy (30% total cover) in association with well-represented Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (= Pentaphylloides floribunda). The understory is dominated by abundant to luxuriant growth of Carex aquatilis along with other sedges such as Carex rostrata and Carex microptera and native grasses such as Glyceria borealis and Calamagrostis canadensis. Common forbs include Pedicularis groenlandica, Caltha leptosepala, and Senecio triangularis. Overall diversity is relatively low, with 35 species reported for the type. Communities susceptible to extensive browsing by elk that may reduce the abundance of willow. Uplands are dominated by Picea engelmannii.  Accession Code: VB.CC.24530.SALIXPLANIFOLIA Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Nov-2014
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Salix planifolia Seasonally Flooded Shrubland Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Translated: Planeleaf Willow / Aquatic Sedge Shrubland   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688313 NatureServe Explorer   Scientific: Salix planifolia / Carex aquatilis Shrubland   Code: CEGL001227 (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Salix planifolia / Carex aquatilis Shrubland