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Diapensia lapponica Dwarf-shrubland | Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Diapensia lapponica Dwarf-shrubland
Reference: Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description: These alpine barrens are found on extremely exposed areas above treeline on the highest peaks of the northern Appalachian Mountains. They occur on relatively flat, windswept areas where snow cover is slight or absent, at elevations of 4000-5500 feet. The soils are minimally developed, well-drained gravels, where frost heaving and winter freezing is characteristic. Dwarf-shrub cushion plants are the dominant feature of the vegetation, which is often less than 10 cm high; herbs and lichens are sparse. Between the plants, the ground cover is bare gravel. The dominant shrub is Diapensia lapponica forming low domes. Associated shrubs, in compact mats, include Vaccinium uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum, and, at the higher elevations, Rhododendron lapponicum, Loiseleuria procumbens, and Arctostaphylos alpina. Herbs include Juncus trifidus, Carex bigelowii, Solidago multiradiata, Minuartia groenlandica, and Agrostis mertensii. This association is differentiated from co-occurring alpine vegetation (primarily Vaccinium uliginosum - Rhododendron lapponicum / Juncus trifidus Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL006298)) by the greater dominance of Diapensia, which in most cases has higher cover than any other shrub species. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.20768.DIAPENSIALAPPON
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Nov-2014
      Names:   Scientific: Diapensia lapponica Dwarf-shrubland
  Translated: Northern Diapensia Dwarf-shrubland
  UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685539 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL006322
  Common: Windswept Alpine Ridge
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Diapensia lapponica Dwarf-shrubland