Name:
Alnus incana / Mesic Forbs Shrubland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This shrubland association has a widespread distribution that includes the western states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California and Colorado. Stands occur on streambanks and terraces immediately adjacent to streams with a bedload of boulders, cobble or gravel. Channel type is variable, ranging from high-gradient reaches that support the association as stringers, to more extensive stands on sites with a developed floodplain. Soils typically have a seasonally high water table with mottling in the top 25 cm of the surface. These riparian shrublands are characterized by stands of medium-tall and tall deciduous shrubs and a thick herbaceous undergrowth of forbs and wetland-indicator grasses. <i>Alnus incana</i> clearly dominates the tall-shrub overstory with over 25% cover. Conifers, including <i>Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii</i>, and <i>Pinus contorta</i>, are sometimes present. A low-shrub layer is often present and may include <i>Lonicera involucrata, Cornus sericea</i>, and species of <i>Ribes, Rosa</i>, and <i>Salix</i>. Undisturbed stands have abundant forbs and native grasses. The undergrowth is characterized by a mixed forb cover of <i>Angelica arguta, Heracleum maximum (= Heracleum lanatum), Equisetum arvense, Mertensia</i> spp., <i>Aconitum columbianum, Senecio triangularis</i>, and/or <i>Maianthemum stellatum</i> with over 100% cover in combination. Native graminoids include <i>Cinna latifolia, Carex simulata, Glyceria striata</i>, and <i>Elymus glaucus</i>. Stands disturbed by season-long livestock grazing have reduced forb cover and increased non-native grasses, including <i>Poa pratensis</i> and <i>Agrostis stolonifera</i>. Large stands (>100 square meters), with the native herbaceous undergrowth intact are uncommon.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.34420.CEGL001147
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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