Comm #13081
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Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana Shrubland Alliance
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accession code: VB.CC.17819.ARTEMISIATRIDEN
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Western Ecology Working Group of... |
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This alliance is widespread in mountainous areas across the western U.S. The alliance forms large, continuous stands on mid-elevation mountain slopes and foothills, and can extend above the lower treeline as patches within montane or subalpine coniferous forests. Sites are variable and range from flats to steep slopes to ridgetops with deep to shallow rocky soil. The vegetation included in this alliance is characterized by a moderate to dense shrub layer in which Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana is either dominant or contributes >40% to the total sagebrush shrub cover. Other shrub species present may include Artemisia rigida, Artemisia arbuscula, Chrysothamnus spp., Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Purshia tridentata, Ribes cereum, Rosa woodsii, Ceanothus velutinus, and Amelanchier alnifolia. Perennial graminoids typically dominate the herbaceous layer, but their total cover is generally <20%. Total herbaceous cover can be higher, depending on the density of the shrub layer and environmental factors. The most widespread species are Pseudoroegneria spicata and Festuca idahoensis, which occur from the Columbia Basin to the northern Rockies, although they may not be the most abundant species in individual stands. Other locally important species may include Leymus cinereus, Leucopoa kingii (= Festuca kingii), Festuca thurberi, Festuca viridula, Pascopyrum smithii, Bromus carinatus, Elymus trachycaulus, Koeleria macrantha, Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis), Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda, and Bouteloua gracilis. The forb layer is variable and can be very diverse. Species of Castilleja, Potentilla, Erigeron, Phlox, Astragalus, Geum, Lupinus, and Eriogonum are characteristic. Other common forbs include Balsamorhiza sagittata, Achillea millefolium, Antennaria rosea, and Eriogonum umbellatum. Diagnostic of this shrubland alliance is the Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana dominating the shrub layer or with >40% relative cover, and total perennial graminoid cover typically less than 20%. |
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