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CEGL001494 Purshia tridentata / Festuca campestris Shrub Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Antelope Bitterbrush / Rough Fescue Shrub Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association has been documented from Montana west of the Continental Divide and north of 47°N latitude; it has not been described from adjacent states or Canadian provinces. Stands occur in the 30-50 cm precipitation zone at elevations ranging 915-1525 m (3000-5000 feet), on confined granitic substrates with steep (>35%), south- through east-facing slopes. This type occurs primarily as small patches to approaching large patch status, the dominant aspect of which is robust bunchgrasses. Shrub cover, contributed almost wholly by Purshia tridentata, generally does not exceed 20% and may be considerably less (approaching 5%) where browsing pressure from both domestic stock and wild ungulates has been intensive. Pseudoroegneria spicata and Festuca idahoensis are the dominant graminoids. Festuca campestris is also well represented and diagnostic for the type, indicative of the favorable moisture conditions which set this type apart from ~Purshia tridentata / Pseudoroegneria spicata Shrub Grassland (CEGL001495)$$ and ~Purshia tridentata / Festuca idahoensis Shrub Grassland (CEGL002674)$$, which typically occur on drier sites (or outside the geographic range of Festuca campestris). The forb component is dominated by Balsamorhiza sagittata. Achillea millefolium, Collinsia parviflora, Lithospermum ruderale and Lomatium triternatum are regularly present with lesser canopy cover.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Since its identification in 1980 based on four plots, this plant association has not been sampled or inventoried in adjacent states or Canadian provinces. In the intervening time it has become clear that Festuca campestris is not only a highly palatable species to cattle and wildlife, but it is very sensitive to grazing pressure and can be easily eliminated from communities. Always sparingly represented in the landscape, undoubtedly some of this type has been lost to overgrazing and development and is under continuing threats from these sources so that the G2 rank is merited.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This type occurs primarily as small patches to approaching large patch status, the dominant aspect of which is robust bunchgrasses. Shrub cover, contributed almost wholly by Purshia tridentata, generally does not exceed 20% and may be considerably less (approaching 5%) where browsing pressure from both domestic stock and wild ungulates has been intensive. Pseudoroegneria spicata and Festuca idahoensis are the dominant graminoids. Festuca campestris is also well represented and diagnostic for the type, indicative of the favorable moisture conditions which set this type apart from others. The forb component is dominated by Balsamorhiza sagittata. Achillea millefolium, Collinsia parviflora, Lithospermum ruderale and Lomatium triternatum are regularly present with lesser canopy cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands occur in the 30-50 cm precipitation zone at elevations ranging 915-1525 m (3000-5000 feet), on confined granitic substrates with steep (>35%), south- through east-facing slopes.
Geographic Range: This association has been documented from Montana west of the Continental Divide and north of 47°N latitude; it has not been described from adjacent states or Canadian provinces.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684484
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.B Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S11 | 3.B |
| Formation | 3.B.1 Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F033 | 3.B.1 |
| Division | 3.B.1.Ne Western North American Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D040 | 3.B.1.Ne |
| Macrogroup | 3.B.1.Ne.3 Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M169 | 3.B.1.Ne.3 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.3.b Basin Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G302 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.b |
| Alliance | A3179 Antelope Bitterbrush - Big Sagebrush Mesic Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3179 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.b |
| Association | CEGL001494 Antelope Bitterbrush / Rough Fescue Shrub Grassland | CEGL001494 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Purshia tridentata / Festuca campestris Vegetation Type (Cooper 2003)
= Purshia tridentata / Festuca scabrella Habitat Type (Mueggler and Stewart 1980)
= Purshia tridentata / Festuca scabrella Habitat Type (Mueggler and Stewart 1980)
- Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
- Cooper, S. V. 2003. Assessment of Kootenai National Forest vegetation types with potential for Silene spaldingii in the Tobacco Plains, Rexford Bench and Salish Range foothills. Unpublished report to Kootenai National Forest, Supervisor''s Office. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 33 pp. plus appendices.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Mueggler, W. F., and W. L. Stewart. 1980. Grassland and shrubland habitat types of western Montana. General Technical Report INT-66. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 154 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.