Name:
Carex elynoides Alpine Turf
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This high-elevation herbaceous association is found in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, Colorado, New Mexico and possibly Wyoming. This description is based on information from Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado. Additional global information will be added as it becomes available. This is a common association of alpine fell-fields found on mid to high colluvial slopes, benches, and ridges at 3530 to 3905 m elevation. Slopes are moderately steep to very steep (12-45°) and aspect is variable. Nonvegetative cover includes bare soil, litter and duff, gravel, and rock. There is extensive elk use within the majority of sampled areas. Herbaceous cover for this association is typically 50% or more, but occasionally lower. Graminoid cover is usually slightly higher than forb cover. <i>Carex elynoides</i> is the characteristic dominant graminoid. Other common graminoid species include <i>Calamagrostis purpurascens, Carex rupestris var. drummondiana, Elymus trachycaulus, Festuca brachyphylla, Luzula spicata, Poa glauca ssp. rupicola</i>, and <i>Trisetum spicatum</i>. Common forb species include <i>Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis, Arenaria fendleri, Castilleja</i> spp., <i>Geum rossii var. turbinatum, Heuchera parvifolia, Minuartia obtusiloba</i>, and <i>Trifolium dasyphyllum</i>. In some stands, a dwarf-shrub layer is present that may include <i>Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Picea engelmannii, Salix planifolia</i>, or <i>Pinus aristata</i> with up to 10% cover.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:30761-{1751C2E3-975E-4C32-9AF3-A7A71D7AF92D}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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