Login | Datasets | Logout
 

View Community Concepts - Detail

Saxifraga (chrysantha, mertensiana) Sparsely Vegetated Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
  click to update datacart
Name: Saxifraga (chrysantha, mertensiana) Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This alliance occurs in the alpine tundra in the Colorado Front Range. Stands are located primarily in the subnival zone, the area just below permanent snow and ice, on rock faces and summits of high peaks between 3650 and 3760 m elevation. Stands occur at the upper elevational limit for vascular plants; only nonvascular mosses, lichens, and algae survive at higher altitudes. Stands are found on cold, moist microsites on ledges and in sheltered rock crevices on northwest- to northeast-facing cliff faces that are snow-covered in winter. Soils are young and poorly developed, with only one thin horizon. The majority of the ground surface is covered with rock. A number of species occur, but in low abundance. Saxifraga chrysantha is the dominant species in the herbaceous canopy. Besseya alpina, Ranunculus pygmaeus, Saxifraga caespitosa ssp. delicatula, Poa lettermanii, Festuca brachyphylla, and Luzula spicata are common associates. The moss layer may have a greater cover than the herbaceous; Hypnum revolutum and Pohlia sp. are constant bryophyte species. Racomitrium sudeticum and Schistidium apocarpum are unique to this alliance. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.27133.SAXIFRAGACHRYSA
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: Saxifraga (chrysantha, mertensiana) Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
  Translated: (Golden Saxifrage, Wood Saxifrage Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
  UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.124516 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: A.1632