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CEGL001903 Ivesia gordonii - Eriogonum caespitosum Alpine Fell-field
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Alpine Mousetail - Matted Buckwheat Alpine Fell-field
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is described from one site located in the Pioneer Mountains of central Idaho and the Grand Teton Mountains of northwestern Wyoming. The association occurs in stabilized talus slopes and rocky benches in the high subalpine zone. The gently to steeply sloped sites occur at approximately 2745 to 3355 m (9000-11,000 feet) elevation. The association consists of a patchy, very low-growing, prostrate mat of herbaceous species and few graminoids. Ivesia gordonii is codominant with Eriogonum caespitosum. Associated species include Achillea millefolium, Agoseris glauca, Festuca ovina, Frasera speciosa, Poa cusickii ssp. epilis, Trisetum spicatum, and Potentilla diversifolia.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association consists of a very low-growing, prostrate mat of forbs and few graminoids. Ivesia gordonii is codominant with Eriogonum caespitosum. Eriogonum caespitosum is sometimes absent from stands in Wyoming. Total vegetation cover may be somewhat sparse (30% or less) because of the high cover of rock. Associated species vary among sites but include Achillea millefolium, Agoseris glauca, Festuca ovina, Frasera speciosa, Poa cusickii ssp. epilis (= Poa epilis), Trisetum spicatum, and Potentilla diversifolia.
Dynamics: This association tends to occur on gravelly and rocky sites that are somewhat dry. In low-alpine situations, Ivesia gordonii has been characterized as an aggressive, early-seral species of gravelly disturbed sites (Ellison 1954). In one of the Grand Teton stands, Pinus albicaulis and Abies lasiocarpa are invading the community.
Environmental Description: This association is described from the Pioneer Mountains of central Idaho (Challis Volcanics ecoregional section) and from limestone shelves, terraces and slopes in the Grand Teton Mountains of northwestern Wyoming. The association occurs in well-drained, low alpine and high subalpine environments, including fell-fields, talus slopes and rocky benches. Stands occur on gentle to steep slopes at approximately 2745 to 3355 m (9000-11,000 feet) elevation. Rock and gravel account for the majority of the unvegetated ground surface.
Geographic Range: The association occurs on the high-elevation mountainous terrain of central Idaho, within the Idaho Batholith and Challis Volcanics ecoregional sections. It also occurs in the upper subalpine of the Grand Teton Mountains of northwestern Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684862
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class | C04 | 4 |
| Subclass | 4.B Temperate to Polar Alpine & Tundra Vegetation Subclass | S12 | 4.B |
| Formation | 4.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Alpine Tundra Formation | F037 | 4.B.1 |
| Division | 4.B.1.Nb Western North American Alpine Tundra Division | D043 | 4.B.1.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 4.B.1.Nb.2 Eight-petal Mountain-avens - Blackroot Sedge - Moss Campion Alpine Tundra Macrogroup | M099 | 4.B.1.Nb.2 |
| Group | 4.B.1.Nb.2.b Blackroot Sedge - Bellardi Bog Sedge - Cushion Phlox Alpine Turf & Fell-field Group | G314 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.b |
| Alliance | A3154 Twin-flower Sandwort - Rocky Mountain Nailwort - Moss Campion Alpine Fell-field Alliance | A3154 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.b |
| Association | CEGL001903 Alpine Mousetail - Matted Buckwheat Alpine Fell-field | CEGL001903 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Ivesia gordonii Fellfield Community Type (Caicco 1983)
< Ivesia Community (Ellison 1954)
< Ivesia Community (Ellison 1954)
- 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.
- Caicco, S. L. 1983. Alpine vegetation of the Copper Basin area, south-central Idaho. Unpublished thesis, University of Idaho, Moscow. 99 pp.
- Cogan, D., K. Varga, and G. Kittel. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Final Project Report 2002-2005 Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-06-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 87 pp. plus Appendixes A-F.
- Ellison, L. 1954. Subalpine vegetation of the Wasatch Plateau, Utah. Ecological Monographs 24(2):89-104.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.