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Carex spectabilis Herbaceous Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Carex spectabilis Herbaceous Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: These vegetation types are typically located at or slightly below the upper treeline in high mountains of the Pacific Northwest, often in association with subalpine parkland. The climate is cold and snowy with annual precipitation exceeding 150 cm and a short growing season. Elevations typically range from 1400 m in the Olympic Mountains to over 2000 m in the Cascades. These communities occur on well-drained, moderately steep to steep slopes which are clear of snow by early summer. Soils are comprised of varied parent materials, but are usually young and poorly developed. This alliance often forms part of a subalpine parkland mosaic just below upper treeline. These are lush herbaceous communities with a mixture of forbs and graminoids. Carex spectabilis is the dominant species in terms of cover and constancy. Forbs also have high constancy, especially Polygonum bistortoides and Lupinus arcticus ssp. subalpinus. Castilleja parviflora, Potentilla flabellifolia, Pulsatilla occidentalis (= Anemone occidentalis), Valeriana sitchensis, and Erigeron peregrinus are locally abundant forb species. Carex nigricans and Festuca idahoensis are occasional graminoid species. Adjacent vegetation is usually Tsuga mertensiana or Abies lasiocarpa parkland or dry montane grasslands, with alpine fell-fields, rock, or ice on higher elevation alpine slopes.  Accession Code: VB.CC.18063.CAREXSPECTABILI Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 01-May-2019
	status: accepted This Community's Level: Alliance This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Scientific: Carex spectabilis Herbaceous Alliance   Translated: Northwestern Showy Sedge Herbaceous Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.125796 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.1300