G. Kittel
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ALPINE-MONTANE WET MEADOW
extent exaggerated for display
BETULA NANA SEASONALLY FLOODED SHRUBLAND ALLIANCE
Betula nana / Mesic Forbs - Mesic Graminoids Shrubland
CALAMAGROSTIS CANADENSIS SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Calamagrostis canadensis - Carex scopulorum - Mertensia ciliata Herbaceous Vegetation
Calamagrostis canadensis Western Herbaceous Vegetation
CALTHA LEPTOSEPALA SATURATED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Caltha leptosepala - Rhodiola rhodantha Herbaceous Vegetation
Caltha leptosepala Herbaceous Vegetation
CARDAMINE CORDIFOLIA SATURATED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Cardamine cordifolia - Caltha leptosepala Herbaceous Vegetation
Cardamine cordifolia - Mertensia ciliata Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX (LACHENALII, CAPILLARIS, ILLOTA) SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex capillaris - Polygonum viviparum Herbaceous Vegetation
Carex illota Herbaceous Vegetation
Carex lachenalii Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX (ROSTRATA, UTRICULATA) SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex utriculata Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX AQUATILIS SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex aquatilis - Carex utriculata Herbaceous Vegetation
Carex aquatilis - Pedicularis groenlandica Herbaceous Vegetation
Carex aquatilis Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX ARAPAHOENSIS HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
CAREX DURIUSCULA HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex duriuscula Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX LASIOCARPA SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex lasiocarpa Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX LIMOSA SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex limosa Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX MICROGLOCHIN SATURATED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex microglochin Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX MICROPTERA SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex microptera Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX NEBRASCENSIS SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex nebrascensis - Catabrosa aquatica Herbaceous Vegetation
Carex nebrascensis Herbaceous Vegetation
Carex nebrascensis Slope Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX NIGRICANS SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex nigricans - Juncus drummondii Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX PELLITA SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex pellita Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX PRAEGRACILIS SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex praegracilis - Carex aquatilis Herbaceous Vegetation
Carex praegracilis Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX PYRENAICA HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex pyrenaica Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX SAXATILIS TEMPORARILY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex saxatilis Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX SCOPULORUM SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex scopulorum - Caltha leptosepala Herbaceous Vegetation
Carex scopulorum - Elymus trachycaulus Herbaceous Vegetation
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ALPINE-MONTANE WET MEADOW
REVISED: SEPTEMBER 2005
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CAREX SIMULATA SATURATED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex simulata Herbaceous Vegetation
CAREX VESICARIA SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Carex vesicaria Herbaceous Vegetation
DASIPHORA FRUTICOSA TEMPORARILY FLOODED SHRUBLAND ALLIANCE
Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda / Deschampsia caespitosa Shrubland
DESCHAMPSIA CAESPITOSA SATURATED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Deschampsia caespitosa - Caltha leptosepala Herbaceous Vegetation
DESCHAMPSIA CAESPITOSA SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Deschampsia caespitosa - Carex nebrascensis Herbaceous Vegetation
Deschampsia caespitosa - Ligusticum tenuifolium Herbaceous Vegetation
Deschampsia caespitosa Herbaceous Vegetation
DESCHAMPSIA CAESPITOSA TEMPORARILY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Deschampsia caespitosa - Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis Herbaceous Vegetation
Deschampsia caespitosa - Geum rossii Herbaceous Vegetation
Deschampsia caespitosa - Mertensia ciliata Herbaceous Vegetation
Deschampsia caespitosa - Potentilla diversifolia Herbaceous Vegetation
ELEOCHARIS (QUINQUEFLORA, ROSTELLATA) SATURATED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Eleocharis quinqueflora Herbaceous Vegetation
ELEOCHARIS ACICULARIS SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Eleocharis acicularis Herbaceous Vegetation
ELEOCHARIS PALUSTRIS SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Eleocharis palustris Herbaceous Vegetation
GEUM ROSSII HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Geum rossii - Polygonum bistortoides Herbaceous Vegetation
Geum rossii - Sibbaldia procumbens Herbaceous Vegetation
GLYCERIA (GRANDIS, STRIATA) SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Glyceria grandis Herbaceous Vegetation
GLYCERIA BOREALIS SEMIPERMANENTLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Glyceria borealis Herbaceous Vegetation
JUNCUS BALTICUS SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Juncus balticus Herbaceous Vegetation
JUNCUS DRUMMONDII HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Juncus drummondii - Carex spp. Herbaceous Vegetation
PHIPPSIA ALGIDA SATURATED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Phippsia algida Herbaceous Vegetation
POA GLAUCA TEMPORARILY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Poa glauca Herbaceous Vegetation
PRIMULA PARRYI TEMPORARILY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Primula parryi Herbaceous Vegetation
RHODIOLA RHODANTHA TEMPORARILY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Rhodiola rhodantha Herbaceous Vegetation
RORIPPA ALPINA SATURATED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Rorippa alpina Herbaceous Vegetation
SAXIFRAGA ODONTOLOMA TEMPORARILY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Saxifraga odontoloma Herbaceous Vegetation
SENECIO TRIANGULARIS TEMPORARILY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Senecio triangularis Herbaceous Vegetation
Overview:
The Rocky Mountain Alpine-Montane Wet Meadow system includes high-elevation herbaceousdominated communities found throughout the Rocky Mountain and Intermountain regions. These
communities occur as large meadows in montane or subalpine valleys, as narrow strips bordering
ponds, lakes, and streams, and along toeslope seeps. They are typically found on flat areas or
gentle slopes, but may also occur on sub-irrigated sites with slopes up to 10%. In alpine regions,
sites typically are small depressions located below late-melting snow patches or on snowbeds.
Often alpine dwarf-shrublands, especially those dominated by Salix, are immediately adjacent to
the wet meadows. Wet meadow ecological systems provide important water filtration, flow
attenuation, and animal habitat.
Characteristic
species:
This system often occurs as a mosaic of several plant associations, often dominated by graminoids,
such as Calamagrostis stricta, Carex illota, Carex microptera, Carex nigricans, Carex scopulorum,
Carex utriculata, Carex vernacula, Deschampsia caespitosa, Eleocharis quinqueflora, and Juncus
drummondii. Common forb species include Caltha leptosepala, Cardamine cordifolia, Phippsia
algida, Rorippa alpina, Senecio triangularis, Trifolium parryi, and Trollius laxus. Within the
elevational gradient coverd by this system, some communites are typically confined to the alpine,
while others are usually found only at montane elevations.
Environment:
Occurrences range in elevation from montane to alpine (in Colorado from 7,000 to 11,800 ft;
2,100-3,600 m), and are found on wetter sites with very low-velocity surface and subsurface flows.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ALPINE-MONTANE WET MEADOW
REVISED: SEPTEMBER 2005
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Wet meadows are tightly associated with snowmelt and typically not subjected to high disturbance
events such as flooding. Moisture for these communities comes from groundwater, stream
discharge, overland flow, overbank flow, and on-site precipitation. Salinity and alkalinity are
generally low due to the frequent flushing of moisture through the meadow.
Soils typically possess a high proportion of organic matter, but this may vary considerably
depending on the frequency and magnitude of alluvial deposition (Kittel et. al. 1999). Organic
composition of the soil may include a thin layer near the soil surface or accumulations of highly
sapric material of up to 4 ft (120 cm) thick. Soils may exhibit gleying and/or mottling throughout
the profile.
Dynamics:
Associations in this ecological system are adapted to soils that may be flooded or saturated
throughout the growing season. They may also occur on areas with soils that are only saturated
early in the growing season, or intermittently. Typically these associations are tolerant of
moderate-intensity ground fires and late-season livestock grazing (Kovalchik 1987). Most appear
to be relatively stable types, although in some areas these may be impacted by intensive livestock
grazing.
Variation:
Depending on the slope, topography, hydrology, soils and substrate, intermittent, ephemeral, or
permanent pools may be present. These areas may support species more representative of purely
aquatic environments. Standing water may be present during some or all of the growing season,
with water tables typically remaining at or near the soil surface. Fluctuations of the water table
throughout the growing season are not uncommon, however. On drier sites supporting the less
mesic types, the late-season water table may be 3 ft (1m) or more below the surface.
Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, A. McMullen, and J. Sanderson. 1999. A classification of riparian and
wetland plant associations of Colorado: A user's guide to the classification project. Colorado Natural Heritage Program,
Colorado State University, Fort Collins CO. 70 pp. plus appendices.
Kovalchik, B. L. 1987. Riparian zone associations - Deschutes, Ochoco, Fremont, and Winema national forests. USDA Forest
Service Technical Paper 279-87. Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 171 pp.
J. Rocchio
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ALPINE-MONTANE WET MEADOW
REVISED: SEPTEMBER 2005
J. Rocchio
3
Rank:
A
B
C
D
Natural hydrologic regime
Intact.
Nearly intact.
Altered.
Unrestorable.
Alteration due to increased or
decreased drainage, clearing,
mining, excessive livestock
grazing, anthropogenic nutrient
inputs, etc.
No or little evidence of
alteration.
Easily restorable by
ceasing such activities.
Extensive, but potentially
restorable over several
decades.
System remains
fundamentally
compromised despite
restoration of some
processes.
Exotic species
Absent or very few, with
no or little potential for
expansion.
Few present, little
potential for expansion.
Likely to be present.
May be present in
significant numbers.
Native species that increase
with disturbance or changes in
hydrology/nutrients
(e.g. Deschampsia cespitosa,
Carex aquatilis)
Proportions typical of
diverse communities.
Low in abundance, or
restricted to disturbed or
high-nutrient microsites
that represent less than
5% of the total wetland
area.
May be prominent, but
diversity potentially
restorable.
Prominent to dominant.
c CONDITION
d LANDSCAPE CONTEXT
Connectivity and natural
processes
Connectivity of habitats
allows natural processes
and species migration to
occur. There are no
unnatural barriers
present to inhibit
movement of organisms
and materials across
system boundaries.
The landscape has high
connectivity. There are
few unnatural barriers
present between patches
of native vegetation that
would inhibit species
movement. Some
natural processes on the
landscape such as
flooding, grazing, and fire
may have altered
frequencies or intensities.
Limited connectivity
between the occurrence
and important
components of the
surrounding landscape.
Some barriers are
present that inhibit
movement of organisms
and materials across the
landscape. Natural
processes (e.g., fire,
flood) have either been
eliminated or have
greatly altered
frequencies and
intensities.
Connectivity almost
nonexistent and natural
processes severely
altered. Restoration is
not feasible within
reason.
Surrounding land
Uplands or any other
system within the ground
watershed are largely
unaltered by urban or
agricultural uses such as
clearcuts, crop cultivation, land development,
or heavy grazing (>95%
natural).
Uplands within ¼ mile of
the occurrence have
minimal urban or
agricultural alteration
(>90% natural), with no
major barriers to water or
organism movement
across the system
boundaries.
Uplands surrounding
occurrence are
fragmented by urban or
agricultural alteration
(>80% natural). Activities
(development, clearcuts,
heavy grazing, etc.) in
surrounding uplands alter
the hydrologic regime.
Restoration of the
hydrologic regime and
species composition
resembling the historic
composition is feasible.
Uplands surrounding
occurrence are mostly
converted to agricultural
or urban uses.
>25
5-25
0.5-5
< 0.5
e SIZE
Acres
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ALPINE-MONTANE WET MEADOW
REVISED: SEPTEMBER 2005
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