Name:
Salix arctica - Salix nivalis - Salix reticulata Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
The vegetation is characterized by an open to moderately dense dwarf-shrub layer dominated by <i>Salix arctica, Salix nivalis, Salix petrophila</i>, or <i>Salix reticulata</i>. The sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer is variable. Associated species include taxa from moist uplands such as <i>Carex albonigra, Carex phaeocephala, Carex nova, Erigeron peregrinus, Hypericum scouleri, Geum rossii, Packera streptanthifolia, Polygonum bistortoides</i>; wet species such as <i>Caltha leptosepala, Carex nigricans, Parnassia fimbriata, Triantha glutinosa, Trollius laxus, Veronica wormskjoldii</i>; and snowbed indicator species <i>Sibbaldia procumbens</i>. This alliance occurs in the alpine zone of the Rocky Mountains and the high plateaus and mountain ranges in the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin. Stands occur on gentle to steep rocky or gravelly slopes and range in elevation from 2900-4000 m. Landforms that support these communities are typically of gentle topography, with northerly aspects. They occur where snow lingers into the spring and summer, in places such as lees of cliffs and boulders, secondary slopes, and shallow depressions. Some stands also occur on moist gravel slopes and terraces or along stony margins of streams or lakes, thriving among coarse rock margins with almost no soil.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38464-{BA3CC6CA-20B9-4E4B-8E72-0BA9C86CC84D}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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