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Empetrum nigrum Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Empetrum nigrum Dwarf-shrubland Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: Plant associations in this alliance are typically located just above treeline in high mountains of the Pacific Northwest. The climate is cold with deep snow accumulations, a short growing season, and annual precipitation exceeding 150 (500) cm. Elevations typically range from 1700-2400 m in the Cascades. This alliance occurs on well-drained, moderately steep slopes. Aspects are typically southern or western in the northern Cascades, but tend to be northerly on Mount Rainier. Soils are composed of varied parent materials, but are usually young and poorly developed. Plant associations in this alliance form distinctive fell-field communities above treeline. These dwarf-shrub communities are dominated by Empetrum nigrum with a mixture of forbs and graminoids interspersed. Phyllodoce glanduliflora and Vaccinium scoparium may also occur in the shrub layer, but are usually not abundant. Lupinus arcticus ssp. subalpinus is the most characteristic forb species, and Carex spectabilis is the most abundant graminoid species. Other common herbaceous associates include Erigeron aureus, Pedicularis contorta, Oreostemma alpigenum (= Aster alpigenus), Solidago simplex var. spathulata (= Solidago spathulata), Festuca brachyphylla, and Luzula spicata. Adjacent vegetation is usually Tsuga mertensiana- or Abies lasiocarpa-dominated parklands, dry montane grasslands, wet sedge meadows, or rock and ice on higher elevation alpine slopes.  Accession Code: VB.CC.25513.EMPETRUMNIGRUMD 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:   Translated: Black Crowberry Dwarf-shrubland Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.125036 NatureServe Explorer   Scientific: Empetrum nigrum Dwarf-shrubland Alliance   Code: A.1078