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Vaccinium membranaceum / Xerophyllum tenax Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Vaccinium membranaceum / Xerophyllum tenax Shrubland Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This community type is found throughout Glacier National Park in Montana and is also documented from a single record for Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. This dwarf-shrubland occurs in small to large patches at mid to upper subalpine elevations, from 1600 to 2020 m (5250-6630 feet). It is found primarily on steep (to 70%), southeast- through south- to southwest-facing slopes. Topographic situation is variable and includes all slope positions, but upper slopes and slope shoulders are quite commonly represented. It develops on both calcareous and noncalcareous substrates, usually red and green argillites. Soils are moderately to well-drained with loamy textures predominating. The litter layer is nearly continuous. This vegetation type is largely interpreted to be an early-seral expression of burned subalpine forests, usually those potentially dominated by <i>Abies lasiocarpa</i> and <i>Picea engelmannii</i>. Variable combinations of <i>Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii</i>, and <i>Pinus contorta</i> are common in the seedling and sapling size classes. The shrub layer dominant <i>Vaccinium membranaceum</i> averages 35% cover (10-80%). Other shrubs of high constancy include <i>Paxistima myrsinites, Spiraea betulifolia</i>, and <i>Sorbus scopulina</i>; <i>Rubus parviflorus</i> is present in lower elevation plots and low coverage of <i>Vaccinium scoparium</i> (or <i>Vaccinium myrtillus</i>) is characteristic of higher elevation sites. <i>Xerophyllum tenax</i> almost invariably dominates the forb layer, averaging 40% cover. <i>Carex geyeri</i> and <i>Luzula glabrata</i> have high constancy. The remainder of the forb component varies depending on moisture status, with <i>Valeriana sitchensis, Veratrum viride, Erigeron peregrinus</i>, and <i>Eucephalus engelmannii</i> being regularly present in moister sites. Increaser species such as <i>Arnica cordifolia, Arnica latifolia, Chamerion angustifolium (= Epilobium angustifolium)</i> and <i>Erythronium grandiflorum</i> are present across the range of sites.  Accession Code: VB.CC.32149.CEGL005891 Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 17-Nov-2014 to: 01-May-2019
	status: accepted This Community's Level: association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.728730 NatureServe Explorer   Scientific: Vaccinium membranaceum / Xerophyllum tenax Shrubland   Code: CEGL005891   Translated: Thinleaf Huckleberry / Common Beargrass Shrubland