Name:
Calamagrostis rubescens Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This is a small- to large-patch herbaceous association found in northwestern Montana in Glacier National Park. Small to large patches of this type are located on flat benches or east-facing slight slopes at elevations between 1070 and 1220 m (3500-4000 feet) on low slopes. Soil texture ranges from loam to silt loam, derived from argillite glacial till. Soils are moderately to well-drained. Litter covers most of the ground surface at 80%. Downed wood ranges from 4-10%, since both of the sampled stands were intensely burned in the 1980s. Overall, this stand-replacing fire has altered soils (rendering them aquaphobic, severely retarding infiltration rates), altered site potential, mostly totally consumed duff, and caused some soil erosion. This association is montane and grass-dominated, with <i>Calamagrostis rubescens</i> the dominant. Overall herbaceous cover is very high, ranging from 80-100%. Average cover of <i>Calamagrostis rubescens</i> is 45%, twice the cover of any other herbaceous species. <i>Symphyotrichum laeve (= Aster laevis), Lathyrus ochroleucus</i>, and <i>Achillea millefolium</i> are also consistently common. Other high-constancy herbaceous species include native species <i>Packera pseudaurea (= Senecio pseudaureus), Galium boreale</i>, and <i>Fragaria virginiana</i>, and exotic species <i>Poa pratensis</i> and <i>Taraxacum officinale</i>. <i>Vicia americana, Arnica cordifolia, Carex concinnoides</i>, and <i>Carex microptera</i> may be present with conspicuous cover. Shrub cover can be moderate in this association ranging from 5-25%. Short shrubs may be common in some areas, with <i>Symphoricarpos albus, Amelanchier alnifolia</i>, and <i>Rubus parviflorus</i> the most common. <i>Mahonia repens, Rosa woodsii</i>, and <i>Vaccinium caespitosum</i>, may also be present in low amounts. <i>Pinus contorta</i> saplings, averaging 9% cover, are consistently present in this association. In some occurrences, the tree seedling and sapling layers may be quite abundant, up to 30% or more cover. As these trees mature, this association will change over time to become a forested community.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.32191.CEGL005862
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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