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Larix lyallii / Vaccinium membranaceum / Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii Woodland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Larix lyallii / Vaccinium membranaceum / Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii Woodland Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This association has been described from only the northern Rocky Mountains of Montana and their continuation into Alberta (as the Canadian Rockies). It occurs on mesic to hygric sites at the highest extents of the subalpine zone (6660-7300 feet) on slopes of all degrees of inclination, with moderate to steep (30-70%) lee slopes (east- and north-facing) predominating. Colluvial landforms with well-drained soils are the norm. These sites are hypothesized to be snow-accumulation positions and because of their cool aspects melt-off of the deep snowpack occurs late in the growing season. Stand structure is generally quite open, with the upper tree canopy cover varying from 15% to slightly greater than 50% and tree heights generally not exceeding 40 feet. Larix lyallii is the dominant tree and sometimes only tree represented (considered diagnostic at 5% or greater cover), though common associates are Abies lasiocarpa and Picea engelmannii; in the subcanopy Abies lasiocarpa may often have greater cover than Larix lyallii. Vaccinium membranaceum is highly constant, though its cover and stature are much reduced from that recorded from lower subalpine sites; it is sufficiently diminutive to be confused with Vaccinium myrtillus, which is only about 20% constant with around 5% average cover. The cover of the undergrowth diagnostic Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii ranges widely, 10-70%, and it is generally the undergrowth dominant as well; its high cover is indicative of deep and late-persisting snowpack. A number of herbaceous species associated with mesic to hygric moisture regimes have relatively high constancy, including Senecio triangularis, Erigeron peregrinus, Mitella breweri, Veratrum viride, and Valeriana sitchensis. Arnica X diversifolia and Pedicularis bracteosa are also commonly occurring forbs. Bryophytes and lichen are generally sparse both on the ground and as epiphytes.  Accession Code: VB.CC.28136.LARIXLYALLIIVAC Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 15-Jan-2004 to: 17-Nov-2014
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Larix lyallii Woodland Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Translated: Subalpine Larch / Square-twig Blueberry / Hitchcock's Smooth Woodrush Woodland   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.728669 NatureServe Explorer   Scientific: Larix lyallii / Vaccinium membranaceum / Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii Woodland   Code: CEGL005884 (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Larix lyallii / Vaccinium membranaceum / Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii Woodland