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Deschampsia caespitosa Herbaceous Vegetation | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Deschampsia caespitosa Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This herbaceous vegetation is dominated by a circumboreal species which is common in alpine wet meadows and wetland margin habitats. Stands are found in moist, low-gradient valley bottoms and along streams throughout the mountainous areas of the western U.S. at elevations ranging from 800 to 3550 m (2625-11,650 feet). Typically, these communities occur in areas of abundant snowfall where snowmelt saturates soils from late spring through early summer. In the alpine tundra, this association is commonly found in snowmelt basins and around the edges of alpine wetlands. At lower elevations, the communities are typically wetlands, requiring wet or moist soils throughout most of the growing season. Soils are variable. Fine-textured soils retain soil moisture longer in areas of seasonal drought, and coarse substrates allow aeration in areas with perennial high water tables. This vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to dense herbaceous layer dominated by the perennial bunchgrass <i>Deschampsia caespitosa</i>. Commonly associated graminoid species include <i>Agrostis scabra, Carex aquatilis, Carex nebrascensis, Carex microptera, Carex utriculata, Carex vesicaria, Danthonia intermedia, Elymus trachycaulus, Juncus balticus, Juncus alpinoarticulatus, Phleum alpinum, Poa</i> spp., <i>Trisetum spicatum</i>, and <i>Trisetum wolfii</i>. Common forbs include <i>Geum rossii, Ligusticum tenuifolium, Polygonum bistortoides, Ranunculus flammula</i>, and low cover of <i>Caltha leptosepala</i>. Diagnostic of this herbaceous association is the dominance or codominance of <i>Deschampsia caespitosa</i> and the presence of surface water for extended periods during the growing season. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.33799.CEGL001599
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.2.689048 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Tufted Hairgrass Herbaceous Vegetation
  Scientific: Deschampsia caespitosa Herbaceous Vegetation
  Code: CEGL001599
  Common: Tufted Hairgrass Meadow