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Poa arctica Herbaceous Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Poa arctica Herbaceous Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: Vegetation in this alliance occurs in the alpine tundra in the mountains of Colorado. The climate regime is continental, with long, cold winters and short summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Strong westerly winds are common in the winter and spring and distribute snow on the leeward side of the mountains. Large areas of late-lying snowpatches are located on the eastern slope. Stands are found in the upper alpine zone between 3430-3670 m elevation on northwest- to southeast-facing ridges. Stands occur on unstable, moving soils and scree where snow accumulates in the winter and melts relatively late in the summer. Soils are young and poorly developed due to low soil temperature, low soil moisture during the summer, and a short growing season. Soils are classified as Entisols (Cryorthents). The soil profile has one or two thin horizons. The average surface pH is 5.4, slightly acidic possibly due to leaching from late-lying snow. The majority of the ground surface is covered with rock. Poa arctica is the dominant species in the herbaceous canopy. Oxyria digyna, Geum rossii, Polygonum viviparum, Trifolium dasyphyllum, Trifolium parryi, and Festuca brachyphylla are common associates. Polytrichastrum alpinum is the only common moss in the nonvascular plant layer.  Accession Code: VB.CC.20705.POAARCTICAHERBA 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: Poa arctica Herbaceous Alliance   Translated: Arctic Bluegrass Herbaceous Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.126130 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.1311