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Aquilegia caerulea - Cirsium scopulorum Scree Sparse Vegetation | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Aquilegia caerulea - Cirsium scopulorum Scree Sparse Vegetation Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This sparsely vegetated alpine association is known from the northern Front Range of Colorado but likely has a wider distribution because scree, boulderfields and rock outcrops are poorly sampled. Stands occur on rocky scree slopes and boulderfields in the lower alpine. Stands are often found on lee slopes (easterly and southerly) where there is winter-long snow cover, but occur on all aspects, including north and western slopes, where sites are exposed to moderate to high winds that keep these areas generally snow-free during most of the winter. Sites are gentle or moderately steep to sometimes steep, stable scree slopes and boulderfields often found below steep, active slopes that generally lack vegetation. Bedrock outcrops are often present to common. Larger rocks provide some protection from the wind and an increased moisture supply to the vegetation by trapping snow. Precipitation and snowmelt concentrate moisture in the crevices between the rocks creating mesic microsites suitable for the vegetation. Soils are well-drained, young and poorly developed with few and thin soil horizons. The vegetation occurs as patches in mesic microsites between scree, boulders and rock outcrops and is characterized by the dominance of <i>Aquilegia caerulea var. caerulea</i> and/or <i>Cirsium scopulorum</i>. The ferns <i>Cryptogramma acrostichoides</i> and <i>Cystopteris fragilis</i>, and the forbs <i>Chamerion angustifolium, Mertensia ciliata, Oxyria digyna</i>, and <i>Senecio fremontii</i> are characteristic species. <i>Aquilegia saximontana, Carex heteroneura, Deschampsia caespitosa, Festuca brachyphylla, Mertensia lanceolata, Oreoxis alpina, Trisetum spicatum</i>, and <i>Viola biflora</i> are common associates. Dwarf-shrubs <i>Salix nivalis</i> and <i>Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda</i> may be present in some stands. The cryptogam cover is sparse; <i>Hypnum revolutum</i> is the most common moss species, and <i>Cladonia pyxidata</i> is the most common lichen present.  Accession Code: VB.CC.32165.CEGL001938 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.2.685163 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Colorado Blue Columbine - Mountain Thistle Scree Sparse Vegetation   Scientific: Aquilegia caerulea - Cirsium scopulorum Scree Sparse Vegetation   Code: CEGL001938