Login | Datasets | Logout
Jump to... Home PLOT search PLANT search COMMUNITY search Simple search Manage datasets Tutorial About FAQ ------- Site map VegBranch Data dictionary ERD

stdcommconcept5220752207

View Community Concepts - Detail

Rhizocarpon geographicum - Carex bigelowii - Carex scirpoidea Alpine Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group | NatureServe Biotics 2019
click to update datacart
Name: Rhizocarpon geographicum - Carex bigelowii - Carex scirpoidea Alpine Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019 Description: This group encompasses lithomorphic sparse or nonvascular vegetation above treeline in alpine areas of Eastern North America. It includes lichen-dominated expanses known as felsenmeer ("sea of rocks") as well as alpine cliffs where the near-vertical exposure prevents much vegetation growth. On flat or gently-sloped tablelands and ridgelines, felsenmeer develops where freeze-thaw cycles have broken rocks into variously-sized fragments. Crustose, umbilicate, and foliose lichens dominate. Scattered vascular plants such as <i>Juncus trifidus, Minuartia groenlandica</i>, and <i>Carex bigelowii</i> occur where patches of soil have accumulated. On alpine cliffs, the patchy vegetation is concentrated in areas kept wet by runoff and is dominated by bryophytes and certain alpine vascular plants. Some plants on the cliffs, such as <i>Juncus trifidus, Minuartia groenlandica, Vaccinium uliginosum, Ledum groenlandicum</i>, and <i>Agrostis mertensii</i>, can be found in other types of northeastern alpine vegetation. Others are more-or-less restricted to these alpine cliffs: these include <i>Polygonum viviparum, Festuca rubra, Saxifraga cernua, Saxifraga paniculata, Cardamine bellidifolia, Carex scirpoidea, Pinguicula vulgaris</i>, and <i>Phleum alpinum</i>.  Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:39860-{6D91B6EB-956D-487A-8857-4864A82A50C2} Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 06-May-2015 to: ongoing
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Eastern North American Alpine Tundra Macrogroup This Community's Level: Group This Community's Children: Show/Hide   Northern Appalachian Alpine Cliff Alliance   Rhizocarpon geographicum - Umbilicaria hyperborea Eastern Alpine Fell-field Alliance		Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.857675 NatureServe Explorer   Code: G108   Scientific: Rhizocarpon geographicum - Carex bigelowii - Carex scirpoidea Alpine Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group