Name:
Kalmia microphylla / Carex nigricans Dwarf-shrubland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This association may be widespread throughout the western United States and western Canada. It is currently known from California, Washington, Oregon, Montana, and British Columbia. This is a dwarf-shrubland association found in moist subalpine and alpine meadows, snowbeds, lake margins, and other low-gradient depressions of the northern Rockies and Pacific ranges from 5200-13,000 feet in elevation. These habitats are cold and snowy, with snowfields lingering into June or later. Soils are frigid, derived from bedrock or aggraded alluvium, usually high in organic matter, and strongly acidic. These communities are often associated with hummocky topography, which provides a juxtaposition of saturated and somewhat drained microhabitats. Water tables are often at or near the surface for much of the growing season, and organic decomposition is slow. This association is typified by a dominant dwarf-shrub layer of Kalmia microphylla. Other ericaceous shrubs, including Phyllodoce empetriformis, Phyllodoce breweri, Ledum glandulosum, and Vaccinium spp., are common associates. Dwarf Salix spp. may also be present, such as Salix farriae or Salix arctica. The herbaceous layer is typically dominated by graminoids, of which Carices usually predominate. Carex nigricans is the dominant species, with cover ranging from 10% to well over 50% or more. Carex scopulorum, Carex spectabilis, Carex aquatilis, Carex canescens, and Carex pellita (= Carex lanuginosa) are especially common. Grasses, such as Deschampsia caespitosa, Danthonia intermedia, and Phleum alpinum, may also be locally abundant. Mesic to hygric forbs are usually scattered through the graminoid matrix, including Symphyotrichum spathulatum (= Aster occidentalis), Oreostemma alpigenum (= Aster alpigenus), Pedicularis groenlandica, Caltha leptosepala, Parnassia fimbriata, Trollius laxus, Veronica spp., Gentiana spp., Dodecatheon spp., and Epilobium spp. The moss layer is often virtually continuous but can also be only a few percent.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.23672.KALMIAMICROPHYL
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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