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Deschampsia caespitosa Herbaceous Vegetation | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Deschampsia caespitosa Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This herbaceous vegetation is dominated by a circumboreal species, which is common in alpine wet meadows and wetland margin habitats. Stands are found in moist, low-gradient valley bottoms and along streams throughout the mountainous areas of the western U.S. at elevations ranging from 800-3500 m (2625-11,485 feet). Typically, these communities occur in areas of abundant snowfall where snowmelt saturates soils from late spring through early summer. In the alpine tundra this association is commonly found in snowmelt basins and around the edges of alpine wetlands. At lower elevations, the communities are typically wetlands, requiring wet or moist soils throughout most of the growing season. Soils are variable. Fine-textured soils retain soil moisture longer in areas of seasonal drought, and coarse substrates allow aeration in areas with perennial high water tables. This vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to dense herbaceous layer dominated by the perennial bunchgrass Deschampsia caespitosa. Commonly associated graminoid species include Carex nebrascensis, Carex microptera, Carex aquatilis, Juncus balticus, Phleum alpinum, Danthonia intermedia, and Agrostis scabra. Common forbs include Geum rossii, Ligusticum tenuifolium, Polygonum bistortoides, and Caltha leptosepala. Diagnostic of this herbaceous association is the dominance or codominance of Deschampsia caespitosa and the presence of surface water for extended periods during the growing season. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.26936.DESCHAMPSIACAES
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Nov-2014
      Names:   Translated: Tufted Hairgrass Herbaceous Vegetation
  UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689048 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Scientific: Deschampsia caespitosa Herbaceous Vegetation
  Common: Tufted Hairgrass Meadow
  Code: CEGL001599
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Deschampsia caespitosa Herbaceous Vegetation