Print Report
CEGL001782 (Balsamorhiza serrata) - Poa secunda Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Serrate Balsamroot) - Sandberg Bluegrass Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a sparse grassland, found on shallow, cobbly soils in the Columbia Basin of Oregon and the Grand Teton Mountains of northwestern Wyoming. Most sites are fairly flat (less than 20% slope), but include all aspects, with elevations ranging from 670 to 1465 m (2200-4800 feet) in elevation. The type is considered an herbaceous grassland, although bare or lichen-covered rock occupies almost 40% of the total cover, and in some sites, forb species may have higher cover than graminoids. Poa secunda in its dwarf, scabland form (generally only 2 dm tall, blooming very early in the spring) dominates the vegetation. Balsamorhiza serrata or Balsamorhiza sagittata is always present, although often at low cover. The association has both perennial forbs (Trifolium macrocephalum, Eriogonum umbellatum, Phlox longifolia, Lomatium bicolor var. leptocarpum) and annual forbs (Blepharipappus scaber, Idahoa scapigera, Holosteum umbellatum, Polygonum spp.). This association is similar to ~Lomatium cous - Poa secunda Grassland (CEGL001790)$$ and various Poa secunda - Eriogonum low shrubland associations, but is fairly easily distinguished by the presence of Balsamorhiza spp. and the lack of Eriogonum spp. or Lomatium cous.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is similar to ~Lomatium cous - Poa secunda Grassland (CEGL001790)$$ and various Poa secunda - Eriogonum low shrubland associations, but is fairly easily distinguished by the presence of Balsamorhiza serrata and the lack of Eriogonum spp. or Lomatium cous. Balsamorhiza sagittata takes the place of Balsamorhiza serrata in Grand Teton National Park stands.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The type is considered an herbaceous grassland, although bare or lichen-covered rock may occupy almost 40% of the ground surface, and in a few sites, forb species may actually have higher cover than graminoids. Poa secunda (= Poa sandbergii) usually dominates the vegetation with 25-50% cover. Other graminoids present include Festuca idahoensis, Achnatherum nelsonii, and Pseudoroegneria spicata. Balsamorhiza serrata is always present in Oregon stands, but is replaced by Balsamorhiza sagittata in Wyoming. Cover is often low (1-25% cover) for both species of balsamroot. The association also supports a mix of perennial forbs (Trifolium macrocephalum, Eriogonum niveum, Eriogonum nudum, Eriogonum umbellatum, Perideridia gairdneri, Geranium viscosissimum, Phlox longifolia, Lomatium bicolor var. leptocarpum, Symphyotrichum campestre) and annual forbs (Blepharipappus scaber, Idahoa scapigera, Holosteum umbellatum, Polygonum spp.).
Dynamics: This association has drier, coarser, shallower soils than adjacent Artemisia-dominated shrublands.
Environmental Description: This is a sparse grassland, found on shallow, cobbly soils in the Columbia Basin of Oregon and the Grand Teton Mountains of northwestern Wyoming. Most sites are level to moderately sloping (less than 20% slope) and include valley floors and toeslopes. Stands may be oriented to any aspect, with elevations ranging from 670 to 1460 m (2200-4800 feet) in Oregon to around 2135 m (7000 feet) in Wyoming. Soils are well-drained and may be derived from alluvium or colluvium. Bare ground, gravel and rock may cover up to 70% of the unvegetated surface.
Geographic Range: The range of this type is currently the southern edge of the Columbia Basin in Oregon, although similar habitat occurs in southeastern Washington.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: OR, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688226
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.c Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Central Rocky Mountain Foothill Grassland Group | G273 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
| Alliance | A3987 Idaho Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass - Sandberg Bluegrass Dry Grassland Alliance | A3987 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
| Association | CEGL001782 (Serrate Balsamroot) - Sandberg Bluegrass Grassland | CEGL001782 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Poa - Eriogonum Habitat Type (Poulton 1955)
- 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.
- Cogan, D., K. Varga, and G. Kittel. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Final Project Report 2002-2005 Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-06-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 87 pp. plus Appendixes A-F.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- Poulton, C. E. 1955. Ecology of the non-forested vegetation in Umatilla and Morrow counties, Oregon. Unpublished dissertation. State College of Washington, Pullman. 166 pp.
- 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.