Name:
Salix (melanopsis, sitchensis) Cobble Bar Shrubland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This early-seral association occurs along low- to moderate-gradient mountain rivers and streams in eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, and central Idaho. Rivers and streams vary in size, but most are higher order streams flowing through wide canyons and trough or U-shaped valleys. This association is found at elevations as low as 560 m (1840 feet) in eastern Washington and up to 2134 m (7000 feet) elevation in eastern Oregon and central Idaho. Stands usually form on cobble-rich alluvial bars, with varying amounts of gravel and boulders intermixed, overlain by thin sandy deposits. Sites are point bars, sidebars, and mid-channel bars that are flood-scoured nearly every year, with minimal deposition of sand occurring in microsites with low fluvial energy. This association is typically dominated by Salix melanopsis, varying in size and cover (e.g., ranging from about 10 to 90% cover) depending on the amount of flood scouring and time since establishment. In some areas Salix sitchensis has high constancy and can be dominant, codominant, or subdominant in this association. Other Salix spp., especially Salix exigua, Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra (= Salix lasiandra), and Salix lutea are sometimes present but never dominant. Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa or Picea engelmannii seedlings and saplings are sometimes also present.. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse and low in diversity but highly variable across stands. The most common species are tolerant of flood scouring and seasonal desiccation and include "weedy" species adapted to disturbed and open sites (e.g., Achillea millefolium, Anaphalis margaritacea, Cirsium vulgare, Plantago major, Solidago canadensis, and Taraxacum officinale). The most commonly occurring grasses include Agrostis spp., Elymus glaucus or E. trachycaulus, but only Agrostis stolonifera has more than 5% cover. Carex lenticularis has moderate constancy and occasionally more than 10% cover. Equisetum arvense is frequently associated and tends to be the most abundant herbaceous species, up to 30% cover. Artemisia ludoviciana, Epilobium spp. , and Symphyotrichum spp. also have moderate constancy but low cover.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.27892.SALIXMELANOPSIS
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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