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Cassiope mertensiana / Carex paysonis Dwarf-shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Cassiope mertensiana / Carex paysonis Dwarf-shrubland
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This uncommon association has been documented from only southwestern Montana within the alpine of the Anaconda-Pintlar and Tobacco Root mountains; it is highly likely that it occurs in the East Pioneer Range as well. Documented sites occur at the base of gentle north- or east-facing slope at 2870-2960 m (9400-9700 feet). These landscape positions (snowbed sites) accumulate deep snowdrifts, and the release of this load comes late, with soils remaining saturated well into the growing season. Sites often show signs of frost churning and solifluction, suggesting they receive additional upslope moisture. Soils are derived from acidic parent materials and show a moderately acidic reaction (pH 4.8-6.2). Dwarf-shrub canopy cover averages 60% and is dominated by <i>Cassiope mertensiana</i> and <i>Salix arctica</i> (or <i>Salix reticulata</i>) with <i>Phyllodoce glanduliflora</i> occasionally present. Graminoid cover is highly variable, averaging 23%; <i>Carex paysonis</i> is 100% constant and its cover consistently ranges between 7 and 25%. Other graminoids with the potential to codominate include <i>Carex scirpoidea, Carex nigricans</i> and <i>Poa secunda (= Poa sandbergii</i>) with <i>Poa alpina</i> and <i>Festuca brachyphylla (= Festuca ovina)</i> evidencing just high constancy. Average forb cover is 30% with <i>Potentilla diversifolia</i> and <i>Geum rossii</i> usually dominating this component; other high-constancy forbs include <i>Minuartia obtusiloba, Polygonum bistortoides, Erigeron simplex</i>, and <i>Synthyris pinnatifida</i>. This association constitutes one portion of a common mosaic that can include <i>~Juncus drummondii - Antennaria lanata</i> Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL001904)$$, <i>~Salix arctica - (Salix petrophila, Salix nivalis) / Polygonum bistortoides</i> Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL001431)$$, <i>~Carex scirpoidea - Geum rossii</i> Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL001866)$$, and <i>~Carex nigricans</i> Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL001816)$$. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.34026.CEGL001396
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.2.688647 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Western Moss-heather / Payson's Sedge Dwarf-shrubland
  Scientific: Cassiope mertensiana / Carex paysonis Dwarf-shrubland
  Code: CEGL001396