Name:
Carex elynoides - Carex rupestris - Kobresia myosuroides Rocky Mountain Alpine Turf Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
Vegetation of this alpine turf and meadow alliance is characterized by a moderate to dense herbaceous layer dominated by diagnostic graminoids <i>Carex elynoides, Carex rupestris var. rupestris, Carex rupestris var. drummondiana, Carex scirpoidea</i>, and <i>Kobresia myosuroides</i>. Other high-constancy diagnostic and sometimes abundant species include <i>Antennaria microphylla, Artemisia scopulorum, Carex albonigra, Carex duriuscula, Carex siccata, Euphrasia disjuncta, Festuca brachyphylla, Geum rossii, Lupinus argenteus, Oreoxis alpina, Oreoxis bakeri, Oxytropis sericea, Polemonium viscosum, Polygonum bistortoides, Potentilla diversifolia, Trifolium dasyphyllum, Trisetum spicatum</i>, and <i>Zigadenus elegans</i>. <i>Selaginella densa</i> is commonly found in the fern layer. This alliance occurs above upper treeline throughout the Rocky Mountain cordillera and alpine areas of high plateaus and ranges in the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin. Stands are found on gentle to moderate slopes, flat ridges, valleys, and basins where the soil has become relatively stabilized and the water supply is more-or-less constant. Vegetation in these areas is controlled by snow retention, wind desiccation, permafrost, and a short growing season. Alpine turf sites have deeper, more developed soils than fell-fields, although there may be moderately high cover of cobbles and boulders present.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38443-{6604D40D-308C-4F01-B00D-FC1EC57A0740}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
