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CEGL001862 Carex rupestris - Potentilla ovina Alpine Fell-field
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Curly Sedge - Sheep Cinquefoil Alpine Fell-field
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association has been reported from only southwestern Montana on the Beaverhead, Madison, East Pioneer and Tendoy mountain ranges. Occurring mostly as small to infrequently large patches, this vegetation is strictly an alpine community (documented elevation range from 2900-3170 m [9500-10,400 feet]). Stands occupy the most exposed and wind-swept upper slopes, saddles and ridgetops, and sites are most probably blown snow-free in winter. This association has been found only on calcareous parent materials. Wind deflation often results in a gravelly pavement with sites having an average of more than 65% exposed substrate. Structurally, this association is predominantly an alpine cushion plant community that can grade to alpine turf community on more protected sites. Graminoid cover averages 11%; species with 50% or greater constancy include Carex rupestris, Carex obtusata, Carex elynoides, Leucopoa kingii, Festuca brachyphylla, and Elymus scribneri. Only the first two graminoid species noted are diagnostic for the type. Cushion plants form the dominant aspect for this community (29% canopy cover); primary among which are Phlox pulvinata, Potentilla ovina, Minuartia obtusiloba, Oxytropis campestris, Erigeron compositus, and Eritrichium nanum (only the first two species noted have been recognized as diagnostic for the type). A very stunted form of Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda was the only shrub, sporadically noted. Lichen and mosses constitute less than 2% canopy cover on average. This type is usually noted to grade to ~Carex elynoides Alpine Turf (CEGL001852)$$, a dry turf type, or ~Carex scirpoidea - Potentilla diversifolia Alpine Turf (CEGL001867)$$, a moist turf association, both of which occur on relatively more protected sites, ostensibly having a more favorable moisture regime.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: A community very similar in environmental parameters, composition and cover has been identified for calcareous substrates in the Lemhi Range of Idaho; it has been characterized as simply Carex rupestris (Urbanczyk and Henderson 1994). Though not formally crosswalked or examined in depth, communities at least superficially similar have been described for Idaho (Moseley 1985, Urbanczyk and Henderson 1994), Colorado (Willard 1979) and New Mexico (Baker 1983a), thus increasing the possibility that this is a very broadly distributed type as well.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Structurally, this association is predominantly an alpine cushion plant community that can grade to alpine turf community on more protected sites. Graminoid cover averages 11%; species with 50% or greater constancy include Carex rupestris, Carex obtusata, Carex elynoides, Leucopoa kingii (= Festuca kingii), Festuca brachyphylla, and Elymus scribneri (= Agropyron scribneri). Only the first two graminoid species noted are diagnostic for the type. Cushion plants form the dominant aspect for this community (29% canopy cover); primary among which are Phlox pulvinata, Potentilla ovina, Minuartia obtusiloba (= Arenaria obtusiloba), Oxytropis campestris, Erigeron compositus, and Eritrichium nanum (only the first two species noted have been recognized as diagnostic for the type). A very stunted form of Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (= Pentaphylloides floribunda) was the only shrub, sporadically noted. Lichen and mosses constitute less than 2% canopy cover on average.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Occurring mostly as small to infrequently large patches, this vegetation is strictly an alpine community (documented elevation range from 2900-3170 m [9500-10,400 feet]). Stands occupy the most exposed and wind-swept upper slopes, saddles and ridgetops, and sites are most probably blown snow-free in winter. This association has been found only on calcareous parent materials. Wind deflation often results in a gravelly pavement with sites having an average of more than 65% exposed substrate.
Geographic Range: This association has been reported from only southwestern Montana on the Beaverhead, Madison, East Pioneer and Tendoy mountain ranges.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685897
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
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 | CEGL001862 Curly Sedge - Sheep Cinquefoil Alpine Fell-field | CEGL001862 | 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: = Carex rupestris - Potentilla ovina Herbaceous Vegetation (Cooper et al. 1999)
= Carex rupestris/Potentilla ovina c.t. (Cooper et al. 1997)
? Carex rupestris (Urbanczyk and Henderson 1994)
>< Carex rupestris / Cushion Community (Baker 1983a)
= Carex rupestris/Potentilla ovina c.t. (Cooper et al. 1997)
? Carex rupestris (Urbanczyk and Henderson 1994)
>< Carex rupestris / Cushion Community (Baker 1983a)
- Baker, W. L. 1983a. Alpine vegetation of Wheeler Peak, New Mexico, USA: Gradient analysis, classification, and biogeography. Arctic and Alpine Research 15(2):223-240.
- 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., C. Jean, and B. L. Heidel. 1999. Plant associations and related botanical inventory of the Beaverhead Mountains Section, Montana. Unpublished report to the Bureau of Land Management. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena. 235 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.
- 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.
- Urbanczyk, S. M., and D. M. Henderson. 1994. Classification and ordination of alpine plant communities, Sheep Mountain, Lemhi County, Idaho. Madrono 41(3):205-223.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Willard, B. E. 1979. Plant sociology of alpine tundra, Trail Ridge, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Colorado School of Mines Quarterly 74(4):1-119.