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Saxifraga mertensiana Cliff Crevice Sparse Vegetation | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Saxifraga mertensiana Cliff Crevice Sparse Vegetation Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This community has been described throughout the alpine zone of Glacier National Park, Montana; it is virtually certain to occur throughout alpine Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, because there is abundant habitat. This is a community of a common environment, large and moist crevices occurring in subalpine to more often alpine cliff faces and overhangs. These crevices vary in depth from a few decimeters to more than a meter and exhibit a unique, cool, moist and shaded microclimate. This type was documented from 1600 to 2400 m (5250-7870 feet) on primarily southwest- to west-facing exposures with very steep slopes, ranging from 55% to overhanging cliffs (angle &gt;90°). There is a gradient of decreasing vegetation from openings to deeper within crevices that corresponds to the attenuation of sunlight. At least in their inner reaches these protected sites are at least moist, and some tend to be wet at the time of snowmelt and for long periods thereafter, being supplied with percolating seepage. Plants grow within pockets of trapped fine-textured soil; extensive bryophyte cushions develop which in turn promote the formation of organic-rich soil. Parent materials include primarily red and green argillite and igneous diorite. Three species of <i>Saxifraga, Saxifraga mertensiana, Saxifraga cernua</i>, and <i>Saxifraga rivularis (= Saxifraga debilis)</i>, are strongly associated with this unique habitat and define its extent. <i>Cryptogramma stelleri</i> and <i>Cerastium beeringianum</i> are optimally represented in these sites; other forbs present and indicative of these hygric to hydric sites, including <i>Epilobium anagallidifolium (= Epilobium alpinum), Saxifraga occidentalis</i>, and <i>Deschampsia caespitosa</i>, are also found in other wet-site vegetation types. Bryophytes are an important component and, though generally attaining high cover in excess of 50%, also have as little as 5% cover; the main taxa, all of which are common in other types of wet sites, are <i>Philonotis fontana var. americana, Brachythecium</i> spp., and <i>Bryum</i> spp. Lichens are mostly found on rock surfaces, amounts ranging from nil to 50%.  Accession Code: VB.CC.32223.CEGL005903 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.2.728757 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Wood Saxifrage Cliff Crevice Sparse Vegetation   Scientific: Saxifraga mertensiana Cliff Crevice Sparse Vegetation   Code: CEGL005903