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CEGL001611 Festuca idahoensis - Carex obtusata Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Idaho Fescue - Obtuse Sedge Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dry meadow vegetation type has been described from the Bighorn Mountain of north-central Wyoming and may extend north into Montana on the Bighorns. Stands occur on a variety of soil types on upland slopes and broad ridgetops. The composition of the vegetation depends in part on soil type; graminoid cover reaches its maximum in stands on coarse-textured soils derived from granitic bedrock, and forb cover reaches its maximum in stands on finer-textured soils derived from sedimentary bedrock. Festuca idahoensis dominates most stands. Carex obtusata is the codominant or major subdominant species on coarse-textured soils derived from granitic bedrock, while Lupinus sericeus codominates or is subdominant on finer-textured soils derived from sedimentary bedrock. Other common species are Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus, Koeleria macrantha, Poa secunda, Achillea millefolium, Agoseris glauca, Galium boreale, and Geum triflorum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The description of this type is based in part on a summary table derived from sampling plots at 9 locations. The relationship between this association and ~Festuca idahoensis - Elymus trachycaulus Grassland (CEGL001614)$$ is unclear. The latter is a common meadow vegetation type in the northern U.S. Rocky Mountains. In the Absaroka Mountains of northwestern Wyoming, it shares many species with this association (including Carex obtusata). Analysis of stand data is needed to clarify this relationship and to help indicate whether this association should be considered a separate type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Festuca idahoensis dominates most stands. Carex obtusata is the codominant or major subdominant species on coarse-textured soils derived from granitic bedrock, while Lupinus sericeus codominates or is subdominant on finer-textured soils derived from sedimentary bedrock. Other common species are Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus, Koeleria macrantha, Poa secunda, Achillea millefolium, Agoseris glauca, Galium boreale, and Geum triflorum.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands occur on a variety of soil types on upland slopes and broad ridgetops. The composition of the vegetation depends in part on soil type; graminoid cover reaches its maximum in stands on coarse-textured soils derived from granitic bedrock, and forb cover reaches its maximum in stands on finer-textured soils derived from sedimentary bedrock.
Geographic Range: This association has been described only from the Bighorn Mountains of north-central Wyoming. It may extend northward on the Bighorns into Montana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT?, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685985
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3Q
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 | CEGL001611 Idaho Fescue - Obtuse Sedge Grassland | CEGL001611 | 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: = Festuca idahoensis - Carex obtusata (Jones and Ogle 2000)
- 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.
- Hurd, R. M. 1961. Grassland vegetation in the Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming. Ecology 42(3):459-467.
- Jones, G., and S. Ogle. 2000. Characterization abstracts for vegetation types on the Bighorn, Medicine Bow, and Shoshone national forests. Prepared for USDA Forest Service, Region 2 by the Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Terwilliger, C., Jr., K. Hess, and C. H. Wasser. 1979b. The habitat types of Region II. USDA Forest Service: A preliminary list and description. Unpublished initial progress report for Habitat Type Classification, Region 2, USDA Forest Service.
- Terwilliger, C., K. Hess, and C. Wasser. 1979a. Key to the preliminary habitat types of Region 2. Addendum to initial progress report for habitat type classification. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Fort Collins, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.