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Carex bigelowii Alpine Meadow | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Carex bigelowii Alpine Meadow
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: These alpine meadows are restricted to the highest elevations of the Northern Appalachians. Low temperatures, heavy fog and high winds result in an unusually severe climate. These meadows are typically found at the highest elevations, generally over 1460 m (4800 feet), on north and west slopes, where there is both high moisture intercept (from precipitation or fog) and lower snow cover than in some other alpine habitats. The soils are typically thin, acidic and have a low moisture-holding capacity, consisting of organic turf over stone, gravel or coarse sediment. The ground cover is graminoid litter. Graminoids, almost entirely <i>Carex bigelowii</i>, dominate the vegetation. Associated species include <i>Minuartia groenlandica, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata</i>, and minor amounts of <i>Vaccinium vitis-idaea</i> or other heaths. This association may grade into the more widespread alpine sedge-rush-heath association, ~<i>Vaccinium uliginosum - Rhododendron lapponicum / Juncus trifidus</i> Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL006298)$$, but is distinguished by the greater abundance of <i>Carex bigelowii</i> than of all other species combined. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34730-{F25AF074-94A6-4240-B0BE-969354016867}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687539 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL006081
  Translated: Bigelow's Sedge Alpine Meadow
  Common: Bigelow's Sedge Alpine Meadow
  Scientific: Carex bigelowii Alpine Meadow
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) CEGL006081
(similar) Carex bigelowii Herbaceous Vegetation
(similar) Carex bigelowii Herbaceous Vegetation