Name:
Pinus albicaulis - (Abies lasiocarpa) / Carex geyeri Woodland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This central and northern Rocky Mountain woodland association occurs in northwestern Wyoming, western Montana, Idaho and northeastern Oregon. Stands are found in the upper subalpine zone at 2040 to 2865 m (6685-9400 feet) elevation on dry sites that are typically on steep, upper slopes with southerly or westerly aspects or on ridgetops. It also occurs on less exposed, gentle slopes and benches. Substrates are often rocky coarse-textured soils derived from volcanic (pumice), sedimentary, granitic or granitic-gneiss parent materials. The vegetation is characterized by an open tree canopy of <i>Pinus albicaulis</i> that is typically multi-stemmed (and stunted) on exposed, high-elevation sites, sometimes with occasional <i>Pinus flexilis</i> trees. On less exposed sites, the upper canopy may include scattered <i>Pinus contorta</i>, or <i>Abies lasiocarpa</i> may be present with <i>Abies lasiocarpa</i> or <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> present in the subcanopy and understory. The understory is characterized by a relatively sparse to moderately dense (15-60% cover) herbaceous layer that is typically dominated by <i>Carex geyeri</i>. Other common graminoids include <i>Achnatherum occidentale, Carex rossii, Elymus glaucus, Festuca idahoensis, Poa nervosa</i>, and <i>Trisetum spicatum</i>. Associated forbs, such as <i>Achillea millefolium, Antennaria</i> spp., <i>Arnica cordifolia, Campanula rotundifolia, Erigeron</i> spp., <i>Geum triflorum, Lupinus argenteus, Pedicularis racemosa, Solidago multiradiata, Valeriana dioica</i>, or <i>Xerophyllum tenax</i>, are often present with relatively low cover. Shrubs do occur in this type but typically have low cover. Occasional species include <i>Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Penstemon fruticosus, Symphoricarpos</i> spp., or <i>Spiraea</i> spp.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:29663-{EF35A21E-D0A6-4433-B2C6-46E102973E70}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
1
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