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Home/Ecosystems/ Rocky Mountain Subalpine Streamside Shrubland

Rocky Mountain Subalpine Streamside Shrubland

EVT 9021Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Riparian Shrubland
CES306.832GNRShrubRiparian
View on NatureServe Explorer
Summary
This system is found throughout the Rocky Mountain cordillera from New Mexico north into Montana and northwestern Alberta, and also occurs in mountainous areas of the Intermountain West region and Colorado Plateau. These are montane to subalpine riparian shrublands occurring as narrow bands of shrubs lining streambanks and alluvial terraces in narrow to wide, low-gradient valley bottoms and floodplains with sinuous stream channels. Generally, the system is found at higher elevations, but can be found anywhere from 1500-3475 m, and may occur at even lower elevations in the Canadian Rockies. Occurrences can also be found around seeps, fens, and isolated springs on hillslopes away from valley bottoms. Many of the plant associations found within this system are associated with beaver activity. This system often occurs as a mosaic of multiple communities that are shrub- and herb-dominated and includes above-treeline, willow-dominated, snowmelt-fed basins that feed into streams. The dominant shrubs reflect the large elevational gradient and include Alnus incana, Betula glandulosa, Betula occidentalis, Cornus sericea, Salix bebbiana, Salix boothii, Salix brachycarpa, Salix drummondiana, Salix eriocephala, Salix geyeriana, Salix monticola, Salix planifolia, and Salix wolfii. Generally the upland vegetation surrounding these riparian systems are of either conifer or aspen forests.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system is found throughout the Rocky Mountain cordillera from New Mexico north into Montana and the Canadian Rockies of Alberta and British Columbia (including the isolated "island" mountain ranges of central and eastern Montana), and also occurs in mountainous areas of the Intermountain West and Colorado Plateau.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Ecologically Associated Plant Species

Plant species that characterize this ecosystem type, organized by vegetation stratum. These are species ecologically associated with the ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific area.

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Alnus incana, Betula glandulosa, Betula occidentalis, Cornus sericea, Salix bebbiana, Salix boothii, Salix brachycarpa, Salix drummondiana, Salix eriocephala, Salix geyeriana, Salix monticola, Salix planifolia, Salix wolfii

Herb (field)

Botrychium paradoxum
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (3)

Animal species ecologically associated with this ecosystem type based on NatureServe assessment. These are species whose habitat requirements overlap with this ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific roadless area.

Mammals (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
American BeaverCastor canadensisG5
a dusky shrewSorex obscurusG5

Other (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Western Jumping MouseZapus princepsG5
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (1)

Species with conservation concern that are ecologically associated with this ecosystem type. G-Rank indicates global conservation status: G1 (critically imperiled) through G5 (secure). ESA status indicates U.S. Endangered Species Act listing.

Common NameScientific NameG-RankESA Status
Peculiar MoonwortBotrychium paradoxumG3G4--
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (112)

Plant community associations that occur within this ecological system. Associations are the finest level of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and describe specific, repeating assemblages of plant species. Each association represents a distinct community type that may be found where this ecosystem occurs.

NameG-Rank
Acer glabrum Drainage Bottom Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Alnus incana / Athyrium filix-femina Wet ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Alnus incana - Betula occidentalis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Alnus incana / Calamagrostis canadensis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Alnus incana / Carex (aquatilis, lenticularis, luzulina, pellita) Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Alnus incana / Carex scopulorum var. prionophylla Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Alnus incana / Cornus sericea Wet ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Alnus incana / Equisetum arvense Wet ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Alnus incana / Glyceria striata Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Alnus incana / Lysichiton americanus Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Alnus incana / Mesic Forbs Wet ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Alnus incana / Mesic Graminoids Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Alnus incana / Ribes (inerme, hudsonianum, lacustre) Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Alnus incana - Salix drummondiana Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Alnus incana - Salix (monticola, lucida, ligulifolia) Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Alnus incana / Scirpus microcarpus Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Alnus incana / Spiraea douglasii Wet ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia - Salix irrorata Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Alnus incana / Symphoricarpos albus Wet ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Alnus incana Wet ShrublandGNR NatureServe
Alnus oblongifolia / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Flooded Forest NatureServe
Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata / Athyrium filix-femina - Cinna latifolia Wet ShrublandG4 NatureServe
Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata Shrub Swamp
Betula glandulosa / Mesic Forbs - Mesic Graminoids Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Betula occidentalis / Cornus sericea Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Betula occidentalis - Dasiphora fruticosa Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Betula occidentalis / Maianthemum stellatum Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Betula occidentalis / Mesic Graminoids Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Betula occidentalis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Cornus sericea / Galium triflorum Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Cornus sericea / Heracleum maximum Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Cornus sericea Rocky Mountain Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Corylus cornuta Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Dasiphora fruticosa / Deschampsia cespitosa Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Elymus repens Ruderal GrasslandGNA NatureServe
Fraxinus anomala Riparian Woodland NatureServe
Ribes lacustre / Mertensia ciliata Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Ribes lacustre - Ribes hudsonianum / Cinna latifolia Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Ribes lacustre - Ribes hudsonianum / Glyceria striata Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix bebbiana / Mesic Graminoids Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix bebbiana Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix boothii / Calamagrostis canadensis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix boothii / Carex nebrascensis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix boothii / Carex utriculata Wet ShrublandG4 NatureServe
Salix boothii / Deschampsia cespitosa - Geum rossii Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix boothii / Equisetum arvense Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix (boothii, geyeriana) / Carex aquatilis Wet ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Salix boothii / Maianthemum stellatum Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix boothii / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix boothii / Mesic Graminoids Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix boothii / Poa palustris Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix boothii - Salix eastwoodiae / Carex nigricans Wet ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Salix boothii - Salix geyeriana / Carex angustata Wet ShrublandG2 NatureServe
Salix boothii - Salix geyeriana Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix boothii - Salix lemmonii Wet ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Salix brachycarpa / Carex aquatilis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix brachycarpa / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix candida / Carex utriculata Shrub Fen NatureServe
Salix commutata / Carex scopulorum Wet ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Salix commutata / Mesic Graminoid Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix drummondiana / Calamagrostis canadensis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix drummondiana / Carex scopulorum var. prionophylla Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix drummondiana / Carex utriculata Wet ShrublandG4 NatureServe
Salix drummondiana / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix drummondiana Wet Shrubland [Placeholder]
Salix eriocephala / Ribes aureum - Rosa woodsii Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix geyeriana / Calamagrostis canadensis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix geyeriana / Carex aquatilis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix geyeriana / Carex utriculata Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix geyeriana / Deschampsia cespitosa Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix geyeriana / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix geyeriana / Mesic Graminoids Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix geyeriana / Poa palustris Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix geyeriana - Salix eriocephala Wet ShrublandGU NatureServe
Salix geyeriana - Salix lemmonii / Carex aquatilis var. dives Wet ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Salix geyeriana - Salix monticola / Calamagrostis canadensis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix geyeriana - Salix monticola / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix glauca / Deschampsia cespitosa Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix lemmonii / Mesic-Tall Forbs Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix lemmonii / Rosa woodsii Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix ligulifolia / Carex utriculata Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix ligulifolia Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix lucida ssp. caudata / Rosa woodsii Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix lucida ssp. caudata Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix lutea / Calamagrostis canadensis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix lutea / Carex utriculata Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix lutea / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix lutea / Rosa woodsii Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix monticola / Angelica ampla Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix monticola / Calamagrostis canadensis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix monticola / Carex aquatilis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix monticola / Carex utriculata Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix monticola / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix monticola / Mesic Graminoids Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix monticola Thicket Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix planifolia / Calamagrostis canadensis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix planifolia / Caltha leptosepala Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix planifolia / Carex aquatilis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix planifolia / Carex scopulorum Shrub Fen NatureServe
Salix planifolia / Deschampsia cespitosa Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix planifolia / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix planifolia Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix wolfii / Carex aquatilis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix wolfii / Carex microptera Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix wolfii / Carex nebrascensis Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix wolfii / Carex utriculata Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix wolfii / Deschampsia cespitosa Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix wolfii / Fragaria virginiana Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix wolfii / Mesic Forbs Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix wolfii / Poa palustris Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Salix wolfii / Swertia perennis - Pedicularis groenlandica Wet Shrubland NatureServe
Vaccinium cespitosum - (Salix farriae) / Danthonia intermedia Wet Shrubland NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (11)

Subnational conservation status ranks (S-ranks) assigned by Natural Heritage Programs in each state where this ecosystem occurs. S1 indicates critically imperiled at the state level, S2 imperiled, S3 vulnerable, S4 apparently secure, and S5 secure. An ecosystem may be globally secure but imperiled in specific states at the edge of its range.

StateS-Rank
AZSNR
COSNR
IDSNR
MTSNR
NMSNR
NVSNR
ORSNR
SDSNR
UTSNR
WASNR
WYSNR
Roadless Areas (27)

Inventoried Roadless Areas where this ecosystem is present, identified from LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type spatial analysis. Coverage indicates the proportion of each area occupied by this ecosystem type.

Montana (8)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Lone ButteBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest2.2%119.97
Black ButteBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest1.0%160.92
Freezeout MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest0.6%248.31
Snowcrest MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest0.6%230.85
Cabin Creek Wildlife Management Area OcdGallatin National Forest0.5%75.06
Garfield MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest0.4%69.93
West PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest0.3%280.35
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest0.2%327.87

Utah (2)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
418042Uinta National Forest1.0%29.16
High Uintas (UT)Wasatch-Cache National Forest0.3%124.56

Wyoming (17)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Riley RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest1.9%36.9
Castle RockShoshone National Forest1.8%35.1
Illinois CreekMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest1.4%39.24
Beartooth Proposed WildernessShoshone National Forest1.4%97.92
Mosquito Lake - Seven LakesBridger-Teton National Forest1.2%245.34
North MountainBridger-Teton National Forest1.1%44.73
Telephone DrawShoshone National Forest0.9%80.55
West Slope WindsBridger-Teton National Forest0.7%385.65
Nugent Park - Hams Fork RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest0.6%51.93
South Beartooth HighwayShoshone National Forest0.5%229.86
Gros Ventre MountainsBridger-Teton National Forest0.5%221.49
Spread Creek - Gros Ventre RiverBridger-Teton National Forest0.5%332.1
Lake Alice - Commissary RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest0.4%283.5
Cloud Peak ContiguousBighorn National Forest0.4%187.29
Grayback RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest0.4%418.59
Franc's PeakShoshone National Forest0.3%94.77
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest0.3%279.81
Methodology and Data Sources

Ecosystem classification: Ecosystems are classified using the LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) layer, mapped to NatureServe Terrestrial Ecological Systems via a curated crosswalk. Each EVT is linked to the USNVC (U.S. National Vegetation Classification) hierarchy through pixel-level co-occurrence analysis of LANDFIRE EVT and NatureServe IVC Group rasters across all roadless areas.

Vegetation coverage: Coverage percentages and hectares are derived from zonal statistics of the LANDFIRE 2024 EVT raster intersected with roadless area boundaries.

Ecosystem narratives and community species: Sourced from the NatureServe Explorer API, representing professional ecological assessments of vegetation composition, environmental setting, dynamics, threats, and characteristic species assemblages.

IVC hierarchy: The International Vegetation Classification hierarchy is sourced from the USNVC v3.0 Catalog, providing the full classification from Biome through Association levels.

Component associations: Plant community associations listed as components of each NatureServe Ecological System. Association data from the NatureServe Explorer API.

State ranks: Conservation status ranks assigned by NatureServe member programs in each state where the ecosystem occurs.