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CEGL005900 Athyrium americanum - Cryptogramma acrostichoides Alpine Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Alpine Ladyfern - American Rockbrake Alpine Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a high-elevation forb-dominated association found in northwestern Montana, in Glacier National Park. This community, typifying the gaps of subalpine and alpine (inventoried elevations 2000 to 2200 m [6560-7215 feet]) boulderfields, is often obscured by the very size of the boulders, which are much larger than the rock component of other talus communities, ranging from a couple of decimeters to more than 5 m. The interstices accumulate a fine soil substrate necessary for the establishment of vascular plants. It generally occurs on steep (>55%) slopes with southerly exposures, though it can occur on footslopes with low to moderate slopes. European literature establishes that boulder slopes generate a unique microclimate by impeding and retaining cold air draining downslope within the boulder interstices, where the azonal vegetation typical of colder climates is found. These microsite gaps are buffered from both drying winds and direct solar radiation, thus plants typical of mesic to hygric sites can predominate. The protection afforded by these sites also promotes late snowmelt making them similar to snowbed sites. Rock cover ranges upward from 75% and litter is generally less than 5%. Fine soil occurs in small pockets comprising less than 5% of the surface. Vascular plant diversity is low, and cover ranges between 5% and 25% across the slope, with many of the sites qualifying as sparse vegetation. The pockets of vegetation are dominated by Athyrium americanum and Cryptogramma acrostichoides, which together may comprise 75% or more cover in the patch. The only dwarf-shrub present, Penstemon ellipticus, is highly constant, linking these sites with other fell-field types. Carex phaeocephala, Juncus parryi, and Epilobium anagallidifolium are also highly constant and indicative of the late-persisting snow cover, as are the most abundant bryophytes Polytrichum piliferum and Bryum spp.
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: The pockets of vegetation are dominated by Athyrium americanum and Cryptogramma acrostichoides, which together may comprise 75% or more cover in the patch. The only dwarf-shrub present, Penstemon ellipticus, is highly constant, linking these sites with other fell-field types. Carex phaeocephala, Juncus parryi, and Epilobium anagallidifolium (= Epilobium alpinum) are also highly constant and indicative of the late-persisting snow cover, as are the most abundant bryophytes Polytrichum piliferum and Bryum spp.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community, typifying the gaps of subalpine and alpine (inventoried elevations 2000 to 2200 m [6560-7215 feet]) boulderfields, is often obscured by the very size of the boulders, which are much larger than the rock component of other talus communities, ranging from a couple of decimeters to more than 5 m. The interstices accumulate a fine soil substrate necessary for the establishment of vascular plants. It generally occurs on steep (>55%) slopes with southerly exposures, though it can occur on footslopes with low to moderate slopes. European literature establishes that boulder slopes generate a unique microclimate by impeding and retaining cold air draining downslope within the boulder interstices, where the azonal vegetation typical of colder climates is found. These microsite gaps are buffered from both drying winds and direct solar radiation, thus plants typical of mesic to hygric sites can predominate. The protection afforded by these sites also promotes late snowmelt making them similar to snowbed sites. Rock cover ranges upward from 75% and litter is generally less than 5%. Fine soil occurs in small pockets comprising less than 5% of the surface. Vascular plant diversity is low, and cover ranges between 5% and 25% across the slope, with many of the sites qualifying as sparse vegetation.
Geographic Range: This is a high-elevation forb-dominated association found in northwestern Montana, in Glacier National Park.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: AB?, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.728743
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
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.c Eight-petal Mountain-avens - Saxifrage species Rocky Mountain Alpine Bedrock & Scree Group | G571 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.c |
| Alliance | A4021 Rocky Mountain Alpine Sparse Herb Bedrock & Scree Alliance | A4021 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.c |
| Association | CEGL005900 Alpine Ladyfern - American Rockbrake Alpine Sparse Vegetation | CEGL005900 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Athyrium americanum - Cryptogramma acrostichoides Sparse Vegetation (Hop et al. 2007)
= Athyrium americanum-Cryptogramma acrostichoides Lithomorphic Vegetation (Crawford et al. 2009)
= Cryptogrammo crispae - Athyrietum distentifolii Association (Damm 2001)
= Athyrium americanum-Cryptogramma acrostichoides Lithomorphic Vegetation (Crawford et al. 2009)
= Cryptogrammo crispae - Athyrietum distentifolii Association (Damm 2001)
- Allen, L. 2005. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre Preliminary Plant Community Tracking List. Alberta Community Development, Edmonton, Alberta. 94 pp.
- Allen, L. 2012-2013. Alberta Conservation Information Management System Ecological Community Tracking List. Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Edmonton, AB. [http://tpr.alberta.ca/parks/heritageinfocentre/default.aspx]
- Crawford, R. C., C. B. Chappell, C. C. Thompson, and F. J. Rocchio. 2009. Vegetation classification of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic national parks. Plant association descriptions and identification keys: Appendices A-G. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCCN/NRTR--2009/D-586. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 586 pp.
- Damm, C. 2001. A phytosociological study of Glacier National Park, Montana, U. S. A., with notes on the syntaxonomy of alpine vegetation in western North America. Dissertation from Georg - August University, Germany. 297 pp. plus appendices.
- Hop, K., M. Reid, J. Dieck, S. Lubinski, and S. Cooper. 2007. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI. 131 pp. plus Appendices A-L.
- Komarkova, V. 1976. Alpine vegetation of the Indian Peaks Area, Front Range, Colorado Rocky Mountains. Unpublished dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder. 655 pp.
- Reid, M. S., S. V. Cooper, and G. Kittel. 2004. Vegetation classification of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Final report for USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, International Peace Park Mapping Project. NatureServe, Arlington VA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.