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Abies lasiocarpa - Acer glabrum Shrubland Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Abies lasiocarpa - Acer glabrum Shrubland Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: These shrublands have been described from subalpine avalanche paths in mountains of Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana, but are likely throughout the northern Rocky Mountains. Elevations in northwestern Montana range from 950-2200 m. Stands are located on the lower portions of avalanche tracks and in the runout zones. Slopes range from 15-60%. These communities can occur on any aspect, but are more common where unstable snowpack conditions frequently occur, such as southeastern aspects where snow cornices develop because of prevailing northwesterly winds, and south- to southwest-facing slopes because of suncrust formation. Stands may be more common west of the Continental Divide where snowpack is heavier. Sites are often mesic because avalanche paths are often in stream gullies. Substrate is variable depending on parent materials, but is typically shallow and rocky. Vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense, woody canopy of dwarfed and damaged conifers and small, deciduous trees/shrubs. This canopy is codominated by Abies lasiocarpa and Acer glabrum. Other common woody plants include Paxistima myrsinites, Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata, Alnus incana, Sorbus scopulina, and on drier sites Pseudotsuga menziesii. Where avalanches occur annually or more often, conifers are rare and brushy deciduous trees and shrubs are common. Where avalanches are less frequent, stands dominated by conifers less than 4 m tall develop. The herbaceous layer is moderately dense to dense and composed of a mixture of graminoids, forbs, mosses and ferns. Diagnostic of this alliance is the avalanched-disturbed, tall-shrub layer composed of dwarfed and damaged Abies lasiocarpa and Acer glabrum trees and shrubs.  Accession Code: VB.CC.27173.ABIESLASIOCARPA 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: Abies lasiocarpa - Acer glabrum Shrubland Alliance   Translated: Subalpine Fir - Rocky Mountain Maple Shrubland Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.125733 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.1052