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Vaccinium membranaceum / Xerophyllum tenax Shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Vaccinium membranaceum / Xerophyllum tenax Shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This community type is found throughout Glacier National Park in Montana and is also documented from a single record for Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. This dwarf-shrubland occurs in small to large patches at mid to upper subalpine elevations, from 1600 to 2020 m (5250-6630 feet). It is found primarily on steep (to 70%), southeast- through south- to southwest-facing slopes. Topographic situation is variable and includes all slope positions, but upper slopes and slope shoulders are quite commonly represented. It develops on both calcareous and noncalcareous substrates, usually red and green argillites. Soils are moderately to well-drained with loamy textures predominating. The litter layer is nearly continuous. This vegetation type is largely interpreted to be an early-seral expression of burned subalpine forests, usually those potentially dominated by <i>Abies lasiocarpa</i> and <i>Picea engelmannii</i>. Variable combinations of <i>Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii</i>, and <i>Pinus contorta</i> are common in the seedling and sapling size classes. The shrub layer dominant <i>Vaccinium membranaceum</i> averages 35% cover (10-80%). Other shrubs of high constancy include <i>Paxistima myrsinites, Spiraea betulifolia</i>, and <i>Sorbus scopulina</i>; <i>Rubus parviflorus</i> is present in lower elevation plots and low coverage of <i>Vaccinium scoparium</i> (or <i>Vaccinium myrtillus</i>) is characteristic of higher elevation sites. <i>Xerophyllum tenax</i> almost invariably dominates the forb layer, averaging 40% cover. <i>Carex geyeri</i> and <i>Luzula glabrata</i> have high constancy. The remainder of the forb component varies depending on moisture status, with <i>Valeriana sitchensis, Veratrum viride, Erigeron peregrinus</i>, and <i>Eucephalus engelmannii</i> being regularly present in moister sites. Increaser species such as <i>Arnica cordifolia, Arnica latifolia, Chamerion angustifolium</i> and <i>Erythronium grandiflorum</i> are present across the range of sites. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34544-{4E52B771-691F-4C58-8552-437ABE86C820}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 21-Jan-2004 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.728730 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005891
  Translated: Thinleaf Huckleberry / Common Beargrass Shrubland
  Scientific: Vaccinium membranaceum / Xerophyllum tenax Shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Vaccinium membranaceum / Xerophyllum tenax Shrubland
(similar) Vaccinium membranaceum / Xerophyllum tenax Shrubland