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Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Solidago multiradiata Dwarf-shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Solidago multiradiata Dwarf-shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This is the most widespread <i>Arctostaphylos uva-ursi</i> community in Glacier National Park of Montana. This small-patch type has been documented from the highest subalpine elevations to the lower alpine, from 1700 to 2290 m (5575-7510 feet). It is often associated with dead and dying ridgetop <i>Pinus albicaulis</i> stands or krummholz patches of <i>Abies lasiocarpa</i> and <i>Pinus flexilis</i>. The general aspect is of talus cones and slopes of moderate to steep inclination (18-62%) carpeted with a dark-green heath-dominated mat. The predominantly westerly to southerly exposures coupled with prevailing westerlies (removing most snow cover) and rapidly drained soils produce a xeric microclimate. Parent material is colluvium derived primarily from red and green argillite and in a few cases quartzite and arenite. The slopes have been stabilized and the surfaces compacted with only a few boulders protruding and are generally smooth to gently undulating in relief.<br /><br />Despite the xerophytic nature of the vegetation, it is quite profuse with vascular cover exceeding 80% in more than 75% of the plots. The dwarf-shrub layer is strongly dominant and includes the prostrate <i>Arctostaphylos uva-ursi</i> with cover ranging from slightly more than 10% to in excess of 75%; <i>Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda </i>and <i>Juniperus communis</i> are highly constant but have low cover. The graminoid component is minor with only <i>Calamagrostis koelerioides, Festuca idahoensis</i>, and <i>Festuca campestris</i> approaching 50% constancy and present in only trace amounts. The forb component is relatively diverse, but no one species is diagnostic of, or even exhibits, higher cover in this type; those with high constancy include <i>Solidago multiradiata, Hedysarum sulphurescens, Minuartia obtusiloba, Potentilla diversifolia, Potentilla diversifolia, Campanula rotundifolia, Galium boreale, Cerastium arvense, Achillea millefolium, Pulsatilla patens ssp. multifida, Bupleurum americanum, Sedum lanceolatum</i>, and <i>Antennaria umbrinella</i>. Lichen cover on exposed rocks is generally greater than that of surface bryophytes with both generally comprising less than 3% cover and not exceeding 15%. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34488-{12E8764F-DC51-473F-9DB1-B90DA2CD1A8D}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 22-Jan-2004 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.728773 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005832
  Translated: Kinnikinnick / Rocky Mountain Goldenrod Dwarf-shrubland
  Scientific: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Solidago multiradiata Dwarf-shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Solidago multiradiata Dwarf-shrubland
(similar) Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Solidago multiradiata Dwarf-shrubland