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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 <i>Arctostaphylos uva-ursi</i> 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 <i>Pinus albicaulis</i> stands or krummholz patches of <i>Abies lasiocarpa</i> and <i>Pinus flexilis</i>. 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 relief<br><br>Despite 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 <i>Arctostaphylos uva-ursi</i> with cover ranging from slightly more than 10% to in excess of 75%; <i>Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda </i>and <i>Juniperus communis</i> are highly constant but have low cover. The graminoid component is minor with only <i>Calamagrostis koelerioides, Festuca idahoensis</i>, and <i>Festuca campestris</i> 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 <i>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</i>, and <i>Antennaria umbrinella</i>. 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.32219.CEGL005832 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.2.728773 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Kinnikinnick / Rocky Mountain Goldenrod Dwarf-shrubland   Scientific: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Solidago multiradiata Dwarf-shrubland   Code: CEGL005832