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CEGL001610 Festuca idahoensis - Carex inops ssp. heliophila Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Idaho Fescue - Sun Sedge Grassland
Colloquial Name: Idaho Fescue - Sedge Mixedgrass Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This grassland association is found in the northern Great Plains on upland plateaus and in open areas surrounded by ponderosa pine forest. It is found on moderate slopes (5-15%) of all aspects at around 1200 m elevation. Soils tend to range from loam to sandy loam. Festuca idahoensis is clearly dominant, and Carex inops ssp. heliophila is constant and abundant. Also usually present are Koeleria macrantha, Artemisia ludoviciana, Symphyotrichum ericoides, and Pascopyrum smithii. Hesperostipa comata is often present but only as a minor component of the vegetation.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This vegetation type was documented on an unglaciated landscape and may not occur on the glaciated portions of the Great Plains. ~Festuca idahoensis - Carex inops ssp. heliophila Grassland (CEGL001610)$$ is separated from Stipa comata - Carex inops ssp. heliophila of Hansen and Hoffman (1988) by the predominance of Festuca idahoensis and by the lack of significant cover of Hesperostipa comata. The Festuca idahoensis - Carex inops ssp. heliophila type also has less forb coverage, less leaf litter and more exposed soil (ibid.).
Several studies have documented Festuca idahoensis types that have Carex spp. as a dominant associate. Generally however, the species of Carex noted as predominant is different. Carex obtusata is listed as a main component for a number of types (Hansen and Hoffman 1988). Mueggler and Stewart (1980) note a Festuca idahoensis - Carex filifolia habitat type.
Several studies have documented Festuca idahoensis types that have Carex spp. as a dominant associate. Generally however, the species of Carex noted as predominant is different. Carex obtusata is listed as a main component for a number of types (Hansen and Hoffman 1988). Mueggler and Stewart (1980) note a Festuca idahoensis - Carex filifolia habitat type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Shrubs and forbs are present, but this type is clearly dominated by graminoids, with Festuca idahoensis being the most prominent species. Carex inops ssp. heliophila (= Carex heliophila) is constant and abundant. Also usually present are Koeleria macrantha (= Koeleria pyramidata), Artemisia ludoviciana, Symphyotrichum ericoides (= Aster ericoides), and Pascopyrum smithii (= Agropyron smithii). Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata) is often present but only as a minor component of the vegetation. There is often some exposed soil.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This herbaceous vegetation type is found on moderate slopes (5-15%) of all aspects at around 1200 m elevation. Soils tend to range from loam to sandy loam.
Geographic Range: This community is found in Montana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689047
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.Nb Central North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D023 | 2.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nb.2 Needle-and-Thread - Western Wheatgrass - Plains Rough Fescue Grassland Macrogroup | M051 | 2.B.2.Nb.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nb.2.b Needle-and-Thread - Blue Grama Dry Mixedgrass Prairie Group | G331 | 2.B.2.Nb.2.b |
| Alliance | A4389 Needle-and-Thread Northern Dry Grassland Alliance | A4389 | 2.B.2.Nb.2.b |
| Association | CEGL001610 Idaho Fescue - Sun Sedge Grassland | CEGL001610 | 2.B.2.Nb.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Festuca idahoensis - Carex filifolia habitat type (Mueggler and Stewart 1980)
= Festuca idahoensis - Carex inops ssp. heliophila type (Hansen and Hoffman 1988) [has less forb coverage, less leaf litter and more exposed soil.]
= Festuca idahoensis - Carex inops ssp. heliophila type (Hansen and Hoffman 1988) [has less forb coverage, less leaf litter and more exposed soil.]
- 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.
- Hansen, P. L. 1985. An ecological study of the vegetation of the Grand River/Cedar River, Sioux, and Ashland districts of the Custer National Forest. Unpublished dissertation, South Dakota State University. 257 pp.
- Hansen, P. L., and G. R. Hoffman. 1988. The vegetation of the Grand River/Cedar River, Sioux, and Ashland districts of the Custer National Forest: A habitat type classification. General Technical Report RM-157. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 68 pp.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Mueggler, W. F., and W. L. Stewart. 1980. Grassland and shrubland habitat types of western Montana. General Technical Report INT-66. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 154 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.