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CEGL001623 Festuca idahoensis - (Festuca campestris) / Potentilla diversifolia Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Idaho Fescue - (Rough Fescue) / Varileaf Cinquefoil Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is described from alpine slopes of mountains of central Idaho and western Montana. Stands range from 1840-3072 m (6000-10,080 feet), the lower margin of the alpine zone. Soils are derived from granitic, limestone, and calcareous sandstone rocks. The association occurs on moderately steep north-facing slopes, east-facing and southerly exposures with all degrees of slope inclination represented including gently undulating and even depressed glacial moraine surfaces. On north-facing slopes winter snow accumulation is light to moderate and melts early in the growing season. However, on east and south exposures, augmented snow accumulation occurs due to predominantly west and southwest winds. This is a mostly graminoid-dominated type, and cover varies from about 20 to 85% with a modal range being 40 to 60%; i.e., it ranges from sparse vegetation of fell-fields to a nearly continuous grass-dominated turf . Festuca idahoensis dominates relatively lush meadow vegetation, and under these conditions, Potentilla diversifolia is codominant. In more exposed settings, Festuca idahoensis sometimes relinquishes dominance to Festuca campestris. Other graminoids of high constancy are Carex nova, Poa cusickii ssp. epilis, Poa cusickii, Luzula spicata, and Carex phaeocephala. Other graminoids with lower constancy include Calamagrostis purpurascens, Poa alpina, and Carex rupestris. Calamagrostis purpurascens and Carex rupestris have been used as indicators in situations where Festuca idahoensis and/or Festuca campestris cover alone is insufficient to qualify stands as belonging to this type. Forb cover is highly variable, but notable species include Potentilla diversifolia, Astragalus alpinus, Erigeron simplex, Phlox pulvinata, Polemonium viscosum, and Solidago multiradiata.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The association is recognized in central Idaho on the basis of Caicco (1983) and Moseley (1985) but is not identified as an association by either author. This grassland type has been described from Idaho and southwestern Montana as simply Festuca idahoensis / Potentilla diversifolia and exhibits some floristic differences compared to the Glacier National Park occurrences. We feel the name change to ~Festuca idahoensis - (Festuca campestris) / Potentilla diversifolia Grassland (CEGL001623)$$ better captures the essence of the type. In Glacier National Park, Calamagrostis purpurascens and Carex rupestris have been used as indicators to cover situations where Festuca idahoensis and/or Festuca campestris cover alone is insufficient to qualify plots as belonging to this type. This association almost certainly is too broadly defined (as exemplified by the vegetation key developed for Glacier National Park, with a number of alternative indicators beyond the nominal species), but until an intensive analysis can be conducted, incorporating both floristic and abiotic variables, this type will remain as perhaps an amalgamation of several communities.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands from central Idaho and southwestern Montana occur on slightly more protected sites and seem to have higher biomass and greater canopy cover. Sites studied in the alpine region of Glacier National Park are more often sparse, often with very low total canopy coverage, making an average or typical vegetative description difficult. In stands from central Idaho and southwestern Montana, Festuca idahoensis dominates the relatively lush meadow vegetation, and Potentilla diversifolia is codominant. Astragalus alpinus, Carex nova, Erigeron simplex, Phlox pulvinata, Poa cusickii ssp. epilis (= Poa epilis), Polemonium viscosum, and Solidago multiradiata frequently occur with moderate abundance. Deschampsia cespitosa is often present but occurs with low abundance.
In the alpine regions of Glacier National Park, Festuca idahoensis is virtually 100% constant but not always the dominant graminoid, sharing or sometimes relinquishing that standing to Festuca campestris. The only other graminoids of note (high constancy) are Luzula spicata and Carex phaeocephala; other graminoids with constancy between 25 and 50% include Calamagrostis purpurascens, Poa alpina, Poa cusickii, and Carex rupestris. High-consistency forbs include Potentilla diversifolia, Eriogonum flavum, Erigeron simplex, Polygonum bistortoides, Silene parryi, Selaginella densa var. standleyi, and Astragalus bourgovii. An inconsistent and low cover of presence of Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda is also noted. Other forbs are highly constant but have a much broader elevation range including Selaginella densa var. scopulorum, Achillea millefolium, Campanula rotundifolia, Pulsatilla patens ssp. multifida (= Anemone patens), Galium boreale, Sedum lanceolatum, and Pedicularis contorta. Bryophyte cover ranges from none to 30% with over 80% of sites having less than 5% cover; lichen cover ranges from none to 40% with 60% of sites having less than 10% cover.
In the alpine regions of Glacier National Park, Festuca idahoensis is virtually 100% constant but not always the dominant graminoid, sharing or sometimes relinquishing that standing to Festuca campestris. The only other graminoids of note (high constancy) are Luzula spicata and Carex phaeocephala; other graminoids with constancy between 25 and 50% include Calamagrostis purpurascens, Poa alpina, Poa cusickii, and Carex rupestris. High-consistency forbs include Potentilla diversifolia, Eriogonum flavum, Erigeron simplex, Polygonum bistortoides, Silene parryi, Selaginella densa var. standleyi, and Astragalus bourgovii. An inconsistent and low cover of presence of Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda is also noted. Other forbs are highly constant but have a much broader elevation range including Selaginella densa var. scopulorum, Achillea millefolium, Campanula rotundifolia, Pulsatilla patens ssp. multifida (= Anemone patens), Galium boreale, Sedum lanceolatum, and Pedicularis contorta. Bryophyte cover ranges from none to 30% with over 80% of sites having less than 5% cover; lichen cover ranges from none to 40% with 60% of sites having less than 10% cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association is described from alpine slopes of mountains of central Idaho and western Montana. Stands range from 1840-3072 m (6000-10,080 feet). The association occurs at the lower margin of the alpine zone on moderately steep north-facing slopes, east-facing and southerly exposures with all degrees of slope inclination represented including gently undulating and even depressed glacial moraine surfaces. West-facing slopes are conspicuously unrepresented. In general it is assumed that prevailing winds are westerly to southwesterly where lee slope positions have augmented snow accumulations. In addition, this community occurs in the lee of wind-barriers such as convex relief-forms, krummholz patches, and bedrock terraces. Micro-relief of the soil surface is likely frost- and gravity-induced soil creep; given the saturated soils of early summer, gelifluction is likely one of the surface-configuring processes. Slopes are composed of frost-structured rubble rather than unconsolidated or unstable colluvium. Soils are derived from granitic, limestone, and calcareous sandstone rocks. Winter snow accumulation is light to moderate and melts early in the growing season.
Geographic Range: The association is reported only from the alpine habitats of western Montana and central Idaho.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: AB?, ID, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685640
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.a Downy Ryegrass - Idaho Fescue - Spike Fescue Grassland Group | G267 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.a |
| Alliance | A3965 Idaho Fescue - Northern Single-spike Sedge - Timber Oatgrass Central Rocky Mountain Subalpine Dry Grassland Alliance | A3965 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.a |
| Association | CEGL001623 Idaho Fescue - (Rough Fescue) / Varileaf Cinquefoil Grassland | CEGL001623 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Arenario capillaris - Festucetum idahoensis Association (Damm 2001)
= Festuca idahoensis - Potentilla diversifolia Community Type (Caicco 1983)
= Festuca idahoensis / Potentilla diversifolia Community Type (Cooper and Lesica 1992)
= Festuca idahoensis/Potentilla diversifolia c.t. (Cooper et al. 1997)
>< Oxytropido campestris - Bupleuretum americani Association (Damm 2001)
>< Polytricho piliferi - Arenarietum capillaris Association (Damm 2001)
= Fellfield and Turf (Moseley 1985)
= Fellfield and Turf (Moseley 1987a)
= Festuca idahoensis - Potentilla diversifolia Community Type (Caicco 1983)
= Festuca idahoensis / Potentilla diversifolia Community Type (Cooper and Lesica 1992)
= Festuca idahoensis/Potentilla diversifolia c.t. (Cooper et al. 1997)
>< Oxytropido campestris - Bupleuretum americani Association (Damm 2001)
>< Polytricho piliferi - Arenarietum capillaris Association (Damm 2001)
= Fellfield and Turf (Moseley 1985)
= Fellfield and Turf (Moseley 1987a)
- 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.
- Caicco, S. L. 1983. Alpine vegetation of the Copper Basin area, south-central Idaho. Unpublished thesis, University of Idaho, Moscow. 99 pp.
- Cooper, S. V., P. Lesica, and D. Page-Dumroese. 1997. Plant community classification for alpine vegetation on Beaverhead National Forest, Montana. Report INT-GTR-362. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 61 pp.
- Cooper, S. V., and P. Lesica. 1992. Plant community classification for alpine vegetation on Beaverhead National Forest, Montana. Conservation Biology Research, Helena, MT. 80 pp.
- Damm, C. 2001. A phytosociological study of Glacier National Park, Montana, U. S. A., with notes on the syntaxonomy of alpine vegetation in western North America. Dissertation from Georg - August University, Germany. 297 pp. plus appendices.
- 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.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Moseley, R. K. 1985. Synecological relationships of alpine spike-fescue grasslands in east-central Idaho. Unpublished thesis, University of Idaho, Moscow. 70 pp.
- Moseley, R. K. 1987a. Synecological relationships of alpine spike-fescue (Leucopoa kingii (Wats.) Weber) grasslands in eastcentral Idaho, U.S.A. Unpublished manuscript prepared for Arctic and Alpine Research. 33 pp.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.