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CEGL001938 Aquilegia coerulea - Cirsium scopulorum Scree Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Colorado Blue Columbine - Mountain Thistle Scree Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sparsely vegetated alpine association is known from the northern Front Range of Colorado but likely has a wider distribution because scree, boulderfields and rock outcrops are poorly sampled. Stands occur on rocky scree slopes and boulderfields in the lower alpine. Stands are often found on lee slopes (easterly and southerly) where there is winter-long snow cover, but occur on all aspects, including north and western slopes, where sites are exposed to moderate to high winds that keep these areas generally snow-free during most of the winter. Sites are gentle or moderately steep to sometimes steep, stable scree slopes and boulderfields often found below steep, active slopes that generally lack vegetation. Bedrock outcrops are often present to common. Larger rocks provide some protection from the wind and an increased moisture supply to the vegetation by trapping snow. Precipitation and snowmelt concentrate moisture in the crevices between the rocks creating mesic microsites suitable for the vegetation. Soils are well-drained, young and poorly developed with few and thin soil horizons. The vegetation occurs as patches in mesic microsites between scree, boulders and rock outcrops and is characterized by the dominance of Aquilegia coerulea var. coerulea and/or Cirsium scopulorum. The ferns Cryptogramma acrostichoides and Cystopteris fragilis, and the forbs Chamerion angustifolium, Mertensia ciliata, Oxyria digyna, and Senecio fremontii are characteristic species. Aquilegia saximontana, Carex heteroneura, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca brachyphylla, Mertensia lanceolata, Oreoxis alpina, Trisetum spicatum, and Viola biflora are common associates. Dwarf-shrubs Salix nivalis and Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda may be present in some stands. The cryptogam cover is sparse; Hypnum revolutum is the most common moss species, and Cladonia pyxidata is the most common lichen present.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association occurs as high-mountain scree and alpine talus slopes and is often quite variable. More survey and analysis of alpine rock outcrop, scree and boulderfield vegetation are needed to fully classify these communities.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This sparsely vegetated alpine association occurs as patches in mesic microsites between scree and boulders and is characterized by the dominance of Aquilegia coerulea and/or Cirsium scopulorum. The ferns Cryptogramma acrostichoides and Cystopteris fragilis, and the forbs Chamerion angustifolium, Mertensia ciliata, Oxyria digyna, and Senecio fremontii are characteristic species. Aquilegia saximontana, Carex heteroneura, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca brachyphylla, Mertensia lanceolata, Oreoxis alpina, Trisetum spicatum, and Viola biflora are common associates. Dwarf-shrubs Salix nivalis and Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda may be present in some stands. The cryptogam cover is sparse; Hypnum revolutum is the most common moss species, and Cladonia pyxidata is the most common lichen present (Kiener 1967, Younkin 1970, Komarkova 1976).
Dynamics: Cirsium scopulorum is common in dry to mesic habitats, whereas Aquilegia coerulea is a species of protected habitats near channels and overhanging rock where there is moderate protection from wind and where soil moisture is ample (Younkin 1970). Aquilegia coerulea and Cirsium scopulorum were important species in Younkin''s (1970) Crevice, Mosaic, Overhang and Channel Habitats, but not Open or Deep Overhang Habitats. Alpine rock outcrops and boulderfields provide many microsites which allow for high species diversity (Younkin 1970).
Environmental Description: This sparsely vegetated alpine association is known from the northern Front Range of Colorado between 3325 and 3660 m (10,900-12,000 feet) elevation. It likely has a wider distribution, but scree and boulderfields are poorly sampled. Stands occur on rocky scree slopes and boulderfields in the lower alpine. Stands are often found on lee slopes (easterly and southerly) where there is winter-long snow cover, but occur on all aspects, including north and western slopes, where sites are exposed to moderate to high winds that keep these areas generally snow-free during most of the winter. Sites are gentle or moderately steep to sometimes steep, stable scree slopes and boulderfields often found below steep, active slopes that generally lack vegetation. Bedrock outcrops may often be present to common. Larger rocks provide some protection from the wind and an increased moisture supply to the vegetation by trapping snow. Precipitation and snowmelt concentrate moisture in the crevices between the rocks creating mesic microsites suitable for the vegetation. Soils are well-drained, young and poorly developed with few and thin soil horizons because of low soil temperature, low soil moisture during the summer, and a short growing season; they are classified as Cryorthents (Komarkova 1976). The surface is covered with rocks of talus, small to large boulders (40-90%), which characterizes this association. Snow cover during the winter is variable depending on exposure.
Geographic Range: This sparsely vegetated scree field association is known from the northern Front Range of Colorado. It likely has a wider distribution, because scree and boulderfields are poorly sampled.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685163
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GU
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class | C06 | 6 |
| Subclass | 6.B Temperate & Boreal Open Rock Vegetation Subclass | S04 | 6.B |
| Formation | 6.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation | F034 | 6.B.1 |
| Division | 6.B.1.Nb Western North American Temperate Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division | D052 | 6.B.1.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 6.B.1.Nb.1 Douglas-fir - Ponderosa Pine / Moss Western North American Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M887 | 6.B.1.Nb.1 |
| Group | 6.B.1.Nb.1.b Nonvascular Rocky Mountain Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group | G565 | 6.B.1.Nb.1.b |
| Alliance | A3740 Rocky Mountain Indian-parsley - Rockspirea - American Red Raspberry Cliff, Scree & Rock Alliance | A3740 | 6.B.1.Nb.1.b |
| Association | CEGL001938 Colorado Blue Columbine - Mountain Thistle Scree Sparse Vegetation | CEGL001938 | 6.B.1.Nb.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cirsium scopulorum / Aquilegia coerulea Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Cirsiumetum scopulorentis Rock Slope Association (Kiener 1967)
= Alliance: Aquilegio-Cirsium scopulorum (Komarkova 1976)
= Association Cirsium scopulorum / Aquilegia coerulea (Kiener 1939) (Komarkova 1979)
>< Channel Habitat (Younkin 1970) [Aquilegia coerulea and Cirsium scopulorum were important species at Stations #1 and #15.]
>< Crevice Habitat (Younkin 1970) [Aquilegia coerulea and Cirsium scopulorum were important species at Stations #1 and #15.]
>< Mosaic Habitat (Younkin 1970) [Aquilegia coerulea and Cirsium scopulorum were important species at Stations #1 and #15.]
>< Overhang Habitat (Younkin 1970) [Aquilegia coerulea and Cirsium scopulorum were important species at Stations #1 and #15.]
= Cirsiumetum scopulorentis Rock Slope Association (Kiener 1967)
= Alliance: Aquilegio-Cirsium scopulorum (Komarkova 1976)
= Association Cirsium scopulorum / Aquilegia coerulea (Kiener 1939) (Komarkova 1979)
>< Channel Habitat (Younkin 1970) [Aquilegia coerulea and Cirsium scopulorum were important species at Stations #1 and #15.]
>< Crevice Habitat (Younkin 1970) [Aquilegia coerulea and Cirsium scopulorum were important species at Stations #1 and #15.]
>< Mosaic Habitat (Younkin 1970) [Aquilegia coerulea and Cirsium scopulorum were important species at Stations #1 and #15.]
>< Overhang Habitat (Younkin 1970) [Aquilegia coerulea and Cirsium scopulorum were important species at Stations #1 and #15.]
- 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.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.
- Kiener, W. 1967. Sociological studies of the alpine vegetation on Longs Peak. University of Nebraska Studies: New Series 34. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE.
- Komarkova, V. 1976. Alpine vegetation of the Indian Peaks Area, Front Range, Colorado Rocky Mountains. Unpublished dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder. 655 pp.
- Komarkova, V. 1979. Alpine vegetation of the Indian Peaks area, Front Range, Colorado Rocky Mountains. Flora et vegetatio mundi 7, R. Tuxen, editor, 2 volumes, Vaduz: J. Cramer. 591 pp.
- Salas, D. E., J. Stevens, K. Schulz, M. Artmann, B. Friesen, S. Blauer, E. W. Schweiger, and A. Valdez. 2010b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Natural Resource Report NPS/ROMN/NRR--2010/179. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Salas, D., J. Stevens, and K. Schulz. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Technical Memorandum No. 8260-05-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 161 pp. plus Appendices A-L (733 pp.).
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Younkin, W. E., Jr. 1970. A study of the vegetation of alpine rock outcrops in northern Colorado. Unpublished thesis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 109 pp.