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Picea engelmannii Sparsely Vegetated Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Picea engelmannii Sparsely Vegetated Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: These wooded scree communities occur on steep slopes of any exposure in the southern Rocky Mountains of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico. Elevations are upper montane to subalpine, ranging from about 3000 m to 3600 m. Winter snowfall comprises the major portion of annual precipitation in this region. Melting snow can be held within the rocky matrix of these scree slopes, providing greater moisture-holding capacity than at first appearance. Slopes of these screes are typically greater than 50%. Greater than 80% of the substrate is composed of coarse rock fragments, with mineral soils confined to pockets. Differences in rock size and rates of movement cause heterogeneity in the development of vegetation. These wooded screes are characterized by Picea engelmannii as the dominant mature tree species. The trees are typically widely spaced and rarely reach over 20% cover. A few other trees can occur, usually as seedlings and saplings, including Abies lasiocarpa, Pinus flexilis, or Populus tremuloides. The shrub layer, also very sparse, can include Jamesia americana, Juniperus communis, Ribes montigenum, and Ribes wolfii. The herbaceous component is nearly unnoticeable, as these species typically are found only in crevices in the talus where small amounts of soil may have accumulated. Species can include Carex rossii, Festuca brachyphylla, Koeleria macrantha, Saxifraga bronchialis, Senecio atratus, and Sedum lanceolatum.  Accession Code: VB.CC.25981.PICEAENGELMANNI 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: Picea engelmannii Sparsely Vegetated Alliance   Translated: Engelmann Spruce Sparsely Vegetated Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.126018 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.556