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A.1632 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.1632
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: This alliance occurs in the alpine tundra in the Colorado Front Range. Stands are located primarily in the subnival zone, the area just below permanent snow and ice, on rock faces and summits of high peaks between 3650 and 3760 m elevation. Stands occur at the upper elevational limit for vascular plants; only nonvascular mosses, lichens, and algae survive at higher altitudes. Stands are found on cold, moist microsites on ledges and in sheltered rock crevices on northwest- to northeast-facing cliff faces that are snow-covered in winter. Soils are young and poorly developed, with only one thin horizon. The majority of the ground surface is covered with rock. A number of species occur, but in low abundance. ~Saxifraga chrysantha$ is the dominant species in the herbaceous canopy. ~Besseya alpina, Ranunculus pygmaeus, Saxifraga caespitosa ssp. delicatula, Poa lettermanii, Festuca brachyphylla$, and ~Luzula spicata$ are common associates. The moss layer may have a greater cover than the herbaceous; ~Hypnum revolutum$ and ~Pohlia$ sp. are constant bryophyte species. ~Racomitrium sudeticum$ and ~Schistidium apocarpum$ are unique to this alliance. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.1386.A1632
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Mar-2005
     
  • status: accepted
  • Community's Parent: V.B.2.N.b
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: SAXIFRAGA CHRYSANTHA HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
  Code: A.1632
  Common: Golden Saxifrage Herbaceous Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Saxifraga (chrysantha, mertensiana) Sparsely Vegetated Alliance