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Cassiope mertensiana / Carex paysonis Dwarf-shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Cassiope mertensiana / Carex paysonis Dwarf-shrubland
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This uncommon association has been documented from only southwestern Montana within the alpine of the Anaconda-Pintlar and Tobacco Root mountains; it is highly likely that it occurs in the East Pioneer Range as well. Documented sites occur at the base of gentle north- or east-facing slope at 2870-2960 m (9400-9700 feet). These landscape positions (snowbed sites) accumulate deep snowdrifts, and the release of this load comes late, with soils remaining saturated well into the growing season. Sites often show signs of frost churning and solifluction, suggesting they receive additional upslope moisture. Soils are derived from acidic parent materials and show a moderately acidic reaction (pH 4.8-6.2). Dwarf-shrub canopy cover averages 60% and is dominated by Cassiope mertensiana and Salix arctica (or Salix reticulata) with Phyllodoce glanduliflora occasionally present. Graminoid cover is highly variable, averaging 23%; Carex paysonis is 100% constant and its cover consistently ranges between 7 and 25%. Other graminoids with the potential to codominate include Carex scirpoidea, Carex nigricans and Poa secunda (= Poa sandbergii) with Poa alpina and Festuca brachyphylla (= Festuca ovina) evidencing just high constancy. Average forb cover is 30% with Potentilla diversifolia and Geum rossii usually dominating this component; other high-constancy forbs include Minuartia obtusiloba, Polygonum bistortoides, Erigeron simplex, and Synthyris pinnatifida. This association constitutes one portion of a common mosaic that can include Juncus drummondii - Antennaria lanata Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL001904), Salix arctica / Polygonum bistortoides Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL001431), Carex scirpoidea - Geum rossii Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL001866), and Carex nigricans Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL001816). 
Accession Code: VB.CC.26434.CASSIOPEMERTENS
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Nov-2014
      Names:   Translated: Western Moss Heather / Payson's Sedge Dwarf-shrubland
  UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688647 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Scientific: Cassiope mertensiana / Carex paysonis Dwarf-shrubland
  Code: CEGL001396
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Cassiope mertensiana / Carex paysonis Dwarf-shrubland