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Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Grassland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Grassland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This dry-mesic, mid-height grassland is found in the northwestern Great Plains and mountain and foothill slopes on both sides of the Continental Divide. A disjunct occurrence of the association is reported for the Steens Mountains in southeastern Oregon. It occurs on mesic sites from 900-2100 m (3000-7000 feet) elevation on any aspect, becoming restricted to west- and southwest-facing slopes farther north. Slopes vary from flat to gentle toeslopes and lowslopes, generally less than 30%. Soils are loamy and moderately deep on a variety of soil parent materials. This midgrass community is dominated by <i>Festuca campestris</i> and <i>Festuca idahoensis</i>, but <i>Festuca campestris</i> generally has greater canopy cover and can be more abundant on undisturbed sites. A diverse assemblage of herbaceous species has a combined cover ranging from 30-85%. <i>Carex obtusata</i> may be common, especially on more mesic sites. Other graminoids may also be found, including <i>Danthonia intermedia, Koeleria macrantha, Phleum pratense, Achnatherum nelsonii</i>, and <i>Achnatherum occidentale</i>. Additional forbs may include <i>Achillea millefolium, Galium boreale, Selaginella densa, Lupinus sericeus</i>, and <i>Geum triflorum</i>. Shrubs are typically present, though in low stature and cover, generally &lt;10%. On rare occasions, shrubs may be present with up to 30% cover. However, in all stands native forbs and grasses dominate this herbaceous association. Shrub species that may be present include <i>Artemisia frigida, Artemisia campestris, Rosa arkansana, Amelanchier alnifolia</i>, and <i>Arctostaphylos uva-ursi</i>. Stands of the association are relatively well adapted to periodic wildfire. While natural fire disturbance regimes of this grassland vegetation are not well known, estimates of fire-return intervals range from 10 to 20 years. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34529-{4FA5F81A-FED2-4526-8C87-585DB2191898}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 30-Sep-2004 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.730738 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005875
  Translated: Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue Grassland
  Common: Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue Mixedgrass Prairie
  Scientific: Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Grassland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Herbaceous Vegetation
(similar) Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Herbaceous Vegetation