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CEGL001982 Potentilla sierrae-blancae Alpine Fell-field
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sierra Blanca Cinquefoil Alpine Fell-field
Colloquial Name: Sierra Blanca Cinquefoil Alpine Fell-field
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This alpine fell-field association is found only on the upper slopes of the Sacramento Mountains in the vicinity of Sierra Blanca Peak, Otero County, New Mexico. Stands occur at high elevations between 3200-3600 m (10,500-11,800 feet) on open, windswept slopes that can be characterized as alpine tundra. The sites are above timberline and typically cold and dry, due to constant winds which maintain snowfree slopes. Soils are thin, lithosolic, extremely cobbly and excessively drained. Most plant species are of cushion plant growth form, an adaptation to the harsh, windy environment. This is an open association, dominated by low-growing, herbaceous perennials. Most of these species have the characteristic cushion plant growth form found in tundra plants and are less than 5 inches in height. Total cover varies from 30% to over 60%. Potentilla sierrae-blancae is the dominant species, averaging 20-35% cover. Other common species include Minuartia obtusiloba, Primula rusbyi, Pseudocymopterus montanus, and Zigadenus elegans. Graminoid species are not abundant. Lichens are very common. This is the southernmost example of tundra fell-field in the United States. It has floristic and physiognomic affinities with tundra communities of Colorado, but is relatively depauperate due to its more southerly latitude.
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 an open association, dominated by low-growing, herbaceous perennials. Most of these species have the characteristic cushion plant growth form found in tundra plants and are less than 5 inches in height. Total cover varies from 30% to over 60%. The New Mexico endemic Potentilla sierrae-blancae is the dominant species, averaging 20-35% cover. Other common species include Minuartia obtusiloba, Primula rusbyi (= Primula ellisiae), Pseudocymopterus montanus, and Zigadenus elegans. Graminoid species are not abundant. Lichens are very common.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association occurs in a mountainous region in southern New Mexico. These mountains are the result of a massive uplift, and have a steep escarpment on the western slope. Annual precipitation in the forested elevations of these mountains is between 510 and 760 mm (20-30 inches), with a summer peak and dry spring and fall months. This association occurs in the highest precipitation zone, much of which is snowfall. This association is found at high elevations (between 3200-3600 m [10,500-11,800 feet]) on open, windswept slopes that can be characterized as alpine tundra. The sites are above timberline and typically cold and dry, due to constant winds which maintain snow-free slopes. Soils are thin, lithosolic, extremely cobbly and excessively drained. Most plant species are of cushion plant growth form, an adaptation to the harsh, windy environment.
Geographic Range: This tundra/fell-field association is found only on the upper slopes of the Sacramento Mountains in the vicinity of Sierra Blanca Peak, Otero County, New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688118
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
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 | CEGL001982 Sierra Blanca Cinquefoil Alpine Fell-field | CEGL001982 | 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: = Potentilla sierrae-blancae Herbaceous Vegetation (Reid et al. 1994)
= Potentilla sierrae-blancae dominated community (Moir and Smith 1970)
= Potentilla sierrae-blancae dominated community (Moir and Smith 1970)
- 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.
- Moir, W. H., and H. M. Smith. 1970. Occurrence of an American salamander, Aneides hardyi (Taylor), in tundra habitat. Arctic and Alpine Research 2(2):155-156.
- Reid, M. S., L. S. Engelking, and P. S. Bourgeron. 1994. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States, Western Region. Pages 305-620 in: D. H. Grossman, K. L. Goodin, and C. L. Reuss, editors. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States, an initial survey. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.