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CEGL001902 Ivesia gordonii - Minuartia obtusiloba Alpine Fell-field
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Alpine Mousetail - Twin-flower Sandwort Alpine Fell-field
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is described from sites located in the White Knob and Pioneer mountains of central Idaho and possibly the Sweetwater Mountains of California. The association occurs in well-drained alpine environments, including fell-fields and sandy ridgetops. The gently sloped sites occur at approximately 3172 to 3355 m (10,400-11,000 feet) elevation. The association consists of a very low-growing, patchy mat of forbs and a few graminoids. Ivesia gordonii is dominant and associated with Minuartia obtusiloba, Phlox pulvinata, Smelowskia calycina, Selaginella densa, and Oxytropis parryi.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: A closely related alpine fell-field association dominated by Ivesia gordonii and Phlox pulvinata has been reported from the Sweetwater Mountains of eastern California (Major and Taylor 1977).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The association consists of a very low-growing, prostrate mat of herbaceous species and few graminoids. Total vegetation cover ranges up to 50% in this alpine community. Ivesia gordonii is dominant and is associated with a combination of Minuartia obtusiloba (= Arenaria obtusiloba), Phlox pulvinata, Smelowskia calycina, Selaginella densa, and Oxytropis parryi.
Dynamics: This association tends to occur on gravelly exposed sites that are somewhat dry. In low-alpine situations, Ivesia gordonii has been characterized as an aggressive, early-seral species of gravelly disturbed sites (Ellison 1954).
Environmental Description: This association is described from sites located in the White Knob and Pioneer mountains of central Idaho (Challis Volcanics ecoregional section) and possibly the Sweetwater Mountains of California. The association occurs in dry alpine sites with coarse substrates, including sandy ridgecrests and fell-fields. The gently sloped sites occur between approximately 3172 and 3355 m (10,400-11,000 feet) elevation. Bare soil, rock and gravel cover most of the unvegetated ground surface.
Geographic Range: The association occurs on the high-elevation mountainous terrain of central Idaho, within the Idaho Batholith and Challis Volcanics ecoregional sections. It may occur in the Sierra Nevada of California as well.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA?, ID, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688677
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
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 | CEGL001902 Alpine Mousetail - Twin-flower Sandwort Alpine Fell-field | CEGL001902 | 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: = Ivesia gordonii Fellfield Community Type (Caicco 1983)
< Ivesia Community (Ellison 1954)
>< Phlox pulvinata - Ivesia gordonii Community Type (Major and Taylor 1977)
< Ivesia Community (Ellison 1954)
>< Phlox pulvinata - Ivesia gordonii Community Type (Major and Taylor 1977)
- 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.
- Ellison, L. 1954. Subalpine vegetation of the Wasatch Plateau, Utah. Ecological Monographs 24(2):89-104.
- Major, J., and D. W. Taylor. 1977. Alpine. Pages 601-675 in: Barbour, M. G. and J. Major, eds. 1977. Terrestrial vegetation of California. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.