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CEGL001127 Rubus parviflorus / Chamerion angustifolium - Heracleum maximum Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Thimbleberry / Fireweed - Common Cow-parsnip Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a subalpine shrubland association currently known from northwestern Montana, and from the northern Cascades of western Washington. It occurs on toeslope, lowslope and midslope landforms with moderately steep to steep grades. It can be found at all aspects, and in northwestern Montana often occupies avalanche chutes and other areas where snow movement prohibits tree establishment or dislodges taller, established specimens. In the Cascades it is reported to occur below the timberline zone, on sites where the snow-free season is long, typically starting in April-May. Slopes are moderately to rapidly well-drained. In Glacier National Park elevations range from 1375-2010 m (4510-6593 feet). Parent material is derived from a variety of glacial substrates. Ground cover is primarily litter, with 1-25% rock of various sizes, and bare soil. This is a diverse, dense, shrubby meadow association. Total cover of the shrub layer ranges from 30% to well over 90%, and the herbaceous layer is equally abundant. The tall shrub Rubus parviflorus is dominant in most of these shrublands, with an average of 30-60% cover. Other tall shrubs can include Spiraea betulifolia, Sorbus scopulina, Symphoricarpos albus, Acer glabrum, Lonicera spp., Ribes spp., Vaccinium spp. Prunus emarginata, and Sorbus sitchensis; one or more of these may have moderate cover in some areas. Stunted, shrubby Abies lasiocarpa, Abies amabilis, or Abies concolor may be present. The forb component is often very diverse, and mesic forbs prevail. Chamerion angustifolium was present in all plots, a good indicator of periodic disturbance that characterizes this association. Other common to abundant species include Heracleum maximum, Pteridium aquilinum, Valeriana sitchensis, Veratrum viride, Thalictrum occidentale, Solidago canadensis, Erythronium grandiflorum, Artemisia ludoviciana, Osmorhiza occidentalis, Angelica arguta, and Galium triflorum.
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 is a diverse, dense, shrubby meadow association. Douglas (1972) reports 70 species as occurring in the Cascadian examples, with an average of 32 per stand. Occurrences in northwestern Montana are equally as diverse and lush. Total cover of the shrub layer ranges from 30% to well over 90%, and the herbaceous layer is equally abundant. The tall shrub Rubus parviflorus is dominant in most of these shrublands, with an average of 30-60% cover. Other tall shrubs can include Spiraea betulifolia, Sorbus scopulina, Symphoricarpos albus, Acer glabrum, Lonicera spp., Ribes spp., Vaccinium spp. Prunus emarginata, and Sorbus sitchensis; one or more of these may have moderate cover in some areas. Stunted, shrubby Abies lasiocarpa, Abies amabilis, or Abies concolor may be present. The forb component is often very diverse, and mesic forbs prevail. Chamerion angustifolium (= Epilobium angustifolium) was present in all plots, a good indicator of periodic disturbance that characterizes this association. Other common to abundant species include Heracleum maximum, Pteridium aquilinum, Valeriana sitchensis, Veratrum viride, Thalictrum occidentale, Solidago canadensis, Erythronium grandiflorum, Artemisia ludoviciana, Osmorhiza occidentalis, Angelica arguta, and Galium triflorum.
Dynamics: This association is characterized by two species well-known to be adapted to recent disturbances, including fire and unstable substrates: Rubus parviflorus and Chamerion angustifolium. The fern Pteridium aquilinum is also common on recently burned sites, and is another indicator that this association is likely an early-successional type.
Environmental Description: This is a subalpine shrubland association occurring on toeslope, lowslope and midslope landforms with moderately steep to steep grades. It can be found at all aspects, and in northwestern Montana often occupies avalanche chutes and other areas where snow movement prohibits tree establishment or dislodges taller, established specimens. In the Cascades it is reported to occur below the timberline zone, on sites where the snow-free season is long, typically starting in April-May (Franklin and Dyrness 1973). Slopes are moderately to rapidly well-drained. In Glacier National Park elevations range from 1375-2010 m (4510-6593 feet). Parent material is derived from a variety of glacial substrates, including till and fluvial deposits, and colluvium. The association has also been documented on weathered-in-place sedimentary limestone. Soils are typically sandy loams or sandy clay loams exhibiting various degrees of development. In the stands sampled in Glacier National Park, most soil contained 30-50% gravel and cobbles. Ground cover is primarily litter, with 1-25% rock of various sizes, and bare soil.
Geographic Range: This shrubby, subalpine meadow association is currently known from northwestern Montana in Glacier National Park, and from the northern Cascades of western Washington. It is likely to occur in subalpine mountainous regions of much of the northern Rocky Mountains.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB?, MT, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685234
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nf Western North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D022 | 2.B.2.Nf |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nf.2 Saskatoon Serviceberry / Idaho Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup | M048 | 2.B.2.Nf.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nf.2.d Blueberry species - Rusty Menziesia / Common Beargrass Central Rocky Mountain-Vancouverian Mesic Shrubland Group | G305 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.d |
| Alliance | A3968 Subalpine Fir - Quaking Aspen / Rocky Mountain Maple Central Rocky Mountain Avalanche Chute Shrubland Alliance | A3968 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.d |
| Association | CEGL001127 Thimbleberry / Fireweed - Common Cow-parsnip Shrubland | CEGL001127 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Rubus parviflorus - Epilobium angustifolium Community (Franklin and Dyrness 1973)
= Rubus parviflorus - Epilobium angustifolium Community (Douglas 1972)
= Rubus parviflorus - Epilobium angustifolium Community (Douglas 1972)
- ANHIC [Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Community database files. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development, Edmonton.
- 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.
- Douglas, G. W. 1972. Subalpine plant communities of the western North Cascades, Washington. Arctic and Alpine Research 4:147-166.
- Franklin, J. F., and C. T. Dyrness. 1973. Natural vegetation of Oregon and Washington. General Technical Report PNW-8. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR. 417 pp.
- Hop, K., M. Reid, J. Dieck, S. Lubinski, and S. Cooper. 2007. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI. 131 pp. plus Appendices A-L.
- Reid, M. S., S. V. Cooper, and G. Kittel. 2004. Vegetation classification of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Final report for USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, International Peace Park Mapping Project. NatureServe, Arlington VA.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.