Name:
Cassiope mertensiana Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
These communities are typically located in subalpine or low alpine habitats on 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 snow-free period of only 3-4 months. Elevations typically range from 1400-2500 m. These communities occur in areas of level or concave glacial topography, with late-lying snow, and subirrigation from surrounding slopes. In exceptionally wet areas, they may occur on convex slopes with better drainage. Soils are moist, but well-drained, strongly acid, and often with substantial peat layers. Some stands are found on deep deposits of volcanic ash. Within these communities Cassiope mertensiana is the dominant shrub, but Phyllodoce empetriformis is often common. Vaccinium deliciosum, Ledum glandulosum, Phyllodoce glanduliflora, and Kalmia microphylla may also be shrub associates. The herbaceous layer is usually a lush mixture of forbs and graminoids, especially sedges, including, Erigeron spp., Luetkea pectinata, Antennaria lanata, Oreostemma alpigenum (= Aster alpigenus), Pedicularis ornithorhyncha, Castilleja parviflora, Deschampsia caespitosa, Erythronium spp., Juncus parryi, Luzula piperi, Carex spectabilis, Carex nigricans, and Polygonum bistortoides. These communities usually grade into herbaceous meadows dominated by Carex spp. at their wetter margin, and, in stands below treeline, into woodlands of Tsuga mertensiana, Abies lasiocarpa, and/or Pinus albicaulis at their drier margins, and alpine fell-fields, rock, or ice on higher elevation alpine slopes.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.20665.CASSIOPEMERTENS
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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