Print Report
CEGL005860 Achnatherum nelsonii - Lupinus sericeus Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Columbia Needlegrass - Silky Lupine Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This montane, mesic to subxeric, herbaceous association is uncommon in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, and on the west side of Glacier National Park, Montana. It occurs at elevations between 1090 and 1360 m (3580-4460 feet) under a broad range of environmental conditions, on flat to somewhat steep slopes from the basin floor to high slopes at various aspects. Soil texture ranges from moderately well-drained to rapidly drained silt loam or clay. These are generally moderately to well-developed, medium- to coarse-textured soils that have developed on fluvial, morainal, and sometimes eolian landforms. These landforms include alluvial terraces, benches, fluvial fans, and ground moraines. Litter and small rock dominate the ground surface. One of the sampled areas in Glacier National Park burned in the 1988 Red Bench fire. This association is dominated by Achnatherum nelsonii with 1-90% cover, Lupinus sericeus with 5-15% cover, and Koeleria macrantha with 10-20% cover. Overall herbaceous cover ranges from 90-100% with moderate species diversity and heights less than 0.5 m. Other moderate- to high-constancy species with average cover ranging from 1-5% include Galium boreale, Achillea millefolium, Festuca idahoensis, Gaillardia aristata, Arnica sororia, Antennaria parvifolia, Zigadenus elegans, Anemone multifida, Castilleja lutescens, Lithospermum ruderale, and Potentilla gracilis. Low-constancy herbaceous species that may have conspicuous cover in certain areas are Pseudoroegneria spicata, Danthonia parryi, Fragaria virginiana, Selaginella densa, Monarda fistulosa, Poa nemoralis ssp. interior, Carex petasata, Apocynum androsaemifolium, and Elymus trachycaulus. Poa pratensis and Phleum pratense may also be present with low to moderate cover in disturbed areas. Shrubs may be present in certain areas with low cover. Common shrubs may include Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Rosa acicularis. Nonvascular cover averages 5%.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type has apparently been identified on the Kootenai National Forest (to the west of Glacier National Park, bordering northern Idaho) (Cooper 2003) as a minor type of shallow soil openings in montane forests.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is dominated by Achnatherum nelsonii with 1-90% cover, Lupinus sericeus with 5-15% cover, and Koeleria macrantha with 10-20% cover. Overall herbaceous cover ranges from 90-100% with moderate species diversity and heights less than 0.5 m. Other moderate- to high-constancy species with average cover ranging from 1-5% include Galium boreale, Achillea millefolium, Festuca idahoensis, Gaillardia aristata, Arnica sororia, Antennaria parvifolia, Zigadenus elegans, Anemone multifida, Castilleja lutescens, Lithospermum ruderale, and Potentilla gracilis. Low-constancy herbaceous species that may have conspicuous cover in certain areas are Pseudoroegneria spicata, Danthonia parryi, Fragaria virginiana, Selaginella densa, Monarda fistulosa, Poa nemoralis ssp. interior (= Poa interior), Carex petasata, Apocynum androsaemifolium, and Elymus trachycaulus. Poa pratensis and Phleum pratense may also be present with low to moderate cover in disturbed areas. Shrubs may be present in certain areas with low cover. Common shrubs may include Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Rosa acicularis. Nonvascular cover averages 5%.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This montane, mesic to subxeric, herbaceous association is uncommon in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, and on the west side of Glacier National Park, Montana. It occurs at elevations between 1090 and 1360 m (3580-4460 feet) under a broad range of environmental conditions, on flat to somewhat steep slopes from the basin floor to high slopes at various aspects. Soil texture ranges from moderately well-drained to rapidly drained silt loam or clay. These are generally moderately to well-developed, medium- to coarse-textured soils that have developed on fluvial, morainal, and sometimes eolian landforms. These landforms include alluvial terraces, benches, fluvial fans, and ground moraines. Litter and small rock dominate the ground surface. One of the sampled areas in Glacier National Park burned in the 1988 Red Bench fire.
Geographic Range: This association is know from Idaho, Montana and Alberta, Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, ID, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.728846
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
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.2 Saskatoon Serviceberry / Idaho Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup | M048 | 2.B.2.Nf.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nf.2.a Downy Ryegrass - Idaho Fescue - Spike Fescue Grassland Group | G267 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.a |
| Alliance | A3966 Idaho Fescue - Pinegrass - Columbia Needlegrass Central Rocky Mountain Montane Mesic Grassland Alliance | A3966 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.a |
| Association | CEGL005860 Columbia Needlegrass - Silky Lupine Grassland | CEGL005860 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Achnatherum nelsonii - Lupinus sericeus Herbaceous Vegetation (Hop et al. 2007)
= Achnatherum nelsonii - Lupinus sericeus Vegetation Type (Cooper 2003)
= Achnatherum nelsonii - Lupinus sericeus Vegetation Type (Cooper 2003)
- 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]
- Cooper, S. V. 2003. Assessment of Kootenai National Forest vegetation types with potential for Silene spaldingii in the Tobacco Plains, Rexford Bench and Salish Range foothills. Unpublished report to Kootenai National Forest, Supervisor''s Office. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 33 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.
- 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.
- 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.