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CEGL008655 Vaccinium cespitosum / Calamagrostis breweri Dwarf-shrub Grassland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Dwarf Bilberry / Shorthair Reedgrass Dwarf-shrub Grassland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: Stands of this dwarf-shrub herbaceous association have been described from the subalpine regions of the central Sierra Nevada near Yosemite. However, they are expected to occur elsewhere at least south to Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. This subalpine and alpine sod grassland occurs on meadows, flats, and gentle slopes from 1280-3810 m (4200-12,500 feet) elevation. Optimal habitats have subsurface moisture. The precipitation regime where this vegetation occurs is strongly seasonal, with most precipitation falling in the winter months as snow. Summers are very dry. This association forms large stands, which often intergrade with other meadow, forest, and woodland types. This alpine/subalpine meadow association contains Calamagrostis breweri as an important or dominant grass in the herbaceous layer, with other graminoids such as Danthonia intermedia important canopy species. Oreostemma alpigenum is the dominant forb, with the subshrub Vaccinium cespitosum present. Other associates may include, Carex spp., Gentiana newberryi, Ptilagrostis kingii, Achnatherum nelsonii, Lupinus lepidus, Potentilla spp., Trisetum spicatum, and/or Antennaria rosea.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association seems to be fairly widespread and secure.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This alpine/subalpine meadow association contains Calamagrostis breweri as an important or dominant grass in the herbaceous layer, with other graminoids such as Danthonia intermedia important canopy species. Oreostemma alpigenum (= Aster alpigenus) is the dominant forb, with the subshrub Vaccinium cespitosum present. Other associates may include, Carex spp., Gentiana newberryi, Ptilagrostis kingii, Achnatherum nelsonii, Lupinus lepidus, Potentilla spp., Trisetum spicatum, and/or Antennaria rosea.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This subalpine and alpine sod grassland occurs on meadows, flats, and gentle slopes from 1280-3810 m (4200-12,500 feet) elevation. Optimal habitats have subsurface moisture. The precipitation regime where this association occurs is strongly seasonal, with most precipitation falling in the winter months as snow. Summers are very dry. This vegetation forms large stands, which often intergrade with other meadow, forest, and woodland types.
Geographic Range: Stands of this association have been described from the subalpine regions of the central Sierra Nevada near Yosemite. However, they are expected to occur elsewhere at least south to Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4?

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.3 Tufted Hairgrass - Licorice-root species - Mountain Muhly Subalpine-High Montane Mesic Meadow Macrogroup M168 2.B.2.Nf.3
Group 2.B.2.Nf.3.b Greenleaf Fescue - Tufted Hairgrass - Licorice-root species Rocky Mountain-Vancouverian Grassland & Meadow Group G271 2.B.2.Nf.3.b
Alliance A3364 Shorthair Reedgrass Mesic Grassland Alliance A3364 2.B.2.Nf.3.b
Association CEGL008655 Dwarf Bilberry / Shorthair Reedgrass Dwarf-shrub Grassland CEGL008655 2.B.2.Nf.3.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Calamagrostis breweri - Vaccinium caespitosum Herbaceous Vegetation (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Vaccinium caespitosum / Calamagrostis breweri Dwarf-shrub Herbaceous Vegetation (Keeler-Wolf 2002)
= Vaccinium cespitosum - Calamagrostis muiriana (Sawyer et al. 2009) [45.405.03]
Concept Author(s): T. Keeler-Wolf (2002)

Author of Description: T. Keeler-Wolf

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-06-10
  • Keeler-Wolf, T. 2002. Classification of the vegetation of Yosemite National Park and surrounding environs in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera and Mono counties, California. NatureServe in cooperation with the California Native Plant Society and California Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA. August 2002.
  • Keeler-Wolf, T., M. Schindel, S. San, P. Moore, and D. Hickson. 2003a. Classification of the vegetation of Yosemite National Park and surrounding environs in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera and Mono counties, California. Unpublished report by NatureServe in cooperation with the California Native Plant Society and California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, Sacramento, CA.
  • Keeler-Wolf, T., P. E. Moore, E. T. Reyes, J. M. Menke, D. N. Johnson, and D. L. Karavidas. 2012. Yosemite National Park vegetation classification and mapping project report. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/YOSE/NRTR--2012/598. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.