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Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Solidago multiradiata Dwarf-shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Solidago multiradiata Dwarf-shrubland
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This is the most widespread Arctostaphylos uva-ursi community in Glacier National Park of Montana. This small-patch type has been documented from the highest subalpine elevations to the lower alpine, from 1700 to 2290 m (5575-7510 feet). It is often associated with dead and dying ridgetop Pinus albicaulis stands or krummholz patches of Abies lasiocarpa and Pinus flexilis. The general aspect is of talus cones and slopes of moderate to steep inclination (18-62%) carpeted with a dark-green heath-dominated mat. The predominantly westerly to southerly exposures coupled with prevailing westerlies (removing most snow cover) and rapidly drained soils produce a xeric microclimate. Parent material is colluvium derived primarily from red and green argillite and in a few cases quartzite and arenite. The slopes have been stabilized and the surfaces compacted with only a few boulders protruding and are generally smooth to gently undulating in reliefDespite the xerophytic nature of the vegetation, it is quite profuse with vascular cover exceeding 80% in more than 75% of the plots. The dwarf-shrub layer is strongly dominant and includes the prostrate Arctostaphylos uva-ursi with cover ranging from slightly more than 10% to in excess of 75%; Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda and Juniperus communis are highly constant but have low cover. The graminoid component is minor with only Calamagrostis koelerioides, Festuca idahoensis, and Festuca campestris approaching 50% constancy and present in only trace amounts. The forb component is relatively diverse, but no one species is diagnostic of, or even exhibits, higher cover in this type; those with high constancy include Solidago multiradiata, Hedysarum sulphurescens, Minuartia obtusiloba (= Arenaria obtusiloba), Potentilla diversifolia, Potentilla diversifolia, Campanula rotundifolia, Galium boreale, Cerastium arvense, Achillea millefolium, Pulsatilla patens ssp. multifida (= Anemone patens), Bupleurum americanum, Sedum lanceolatum, and Antennaria umbrinella. Lichen cover on exposed rocks is generally greater than that of surface bryophytes with both generally comprising less than 3% cover and not exceeding 15%. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.28164.ARCTOSTAPHYLOSU
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 23-Jan-2004 to: 17-Nov-2014
      Names:   Translated: Kinikinnick / Rocky Mountain Goldenrod Dwarf-shrubland
  Scientific: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Solidago multiradiata Dwarf-shrubland
  UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.728773 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005832
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Solidago multiradiata Dwarf-shrubland