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CEGL005902 Saxifraga bronchialis Scree Slope Alpine Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Yellow-spot Saxifrage Scree Slope Alpine Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This subalpine to alpine community has been found across the north-south extent of Glacier National Park, Montana, and also is found in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. This small-patch scree community occurs predominantly on steep to very steep (36 to 70%) talus slopes of all aspects; however, less frequently it has been noted on fell-fields of level ridges, reflecting a highly variable degree of substrate stability. Unconsolidated, unvegetated and actively moving scree mantles the slope between the vertically elongated vegetation patches. Disturbance, mass wasting on the steep slopes and congeliturbation on level summits and ridgetops, is the primary driver of structural and floristic composition. This type has been noted between 1500 and 2380 m (4920-7810 feet), occurring on red and green argillites. Exposed rock is mostly greater than 75%, and the rest of the ground surface is composed of litter (about 10% average cover) and moss/lichen (averaging about 15% cover); mineral soil is present in slightly greater than trace amounts. Soil development is minimal; what little organic and inorganic matter that accumulates does so under the protective mat of Saxifraga bronchialis. The indicator species for this community, Saxifraga bronchialis, has a highly variable cover, from trace amounts in exceedingly rocky expressions to approaching 20%. It consistently has the greatest cover of any vascular species, establishing in dense mats that act to block the movement of scree, which lodges upslope against the stout cushions. Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda is regularly present as a trace subshrub. Some forbs are broadly distributed (in trace amounts) across the type, including Sedum lanceolatum, Achillea millefolium, Cerastium arvense, Poa secunda, and Eriogonum ovalifolium. Other herbs appear to be elevationally stratified; those of lower elevations being Woodsia scopulina, Penstemon albertinus, Selaginella wallacei, Pseudoroegneria spicata, and Artemisia michauxiana, whereas at higher elevations (mostly above 2000 m) are found Potentilla diversifolia, Poa alpina, Solidago multiradiata, Festuca brachyphylla, Penstemon ellipticus, and Sibbaldia procumbens. Lichens and mosses generally comprise less than 10% combined cover, with no species particularly indicative of this environment.
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: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: No Data Available
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, CO, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.728752
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
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 | CEGL005902 Yellow-spot Saxifrage Scree Slope Alpine Sparse Vegetation | CEGL005902 | 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: = Saxifraga bronchialis scree slope community (Damm 2001)
= Saxifraga bronchialis Scree Slope Sparse Vegetation (Hop et al. 2007)
= Saxifraga bronchialis Scree Slope Sparse Vegetation (Hop et al. 2007)
- 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]
- 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.
- 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.
- Salas, D. E., J. Stevens, K. Schulz, M. Artmann, B. Friesen, S. Blauer, E. W. Schweiger, and A. Valdez. 2010b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Natural Resource Report NPS/ROMN/NRR--2010/179. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.