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CEGL005869 Festuca campestris - (Festuca idahoensis) - Achnatherum richardsonii Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rough Fescue - (Idaho Fescue ) - Richardson''s Needlegrass Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dry-mesic, mid-height grassland is found in the northwestern Great Plains on mountain and foothill slopes on both sides of the Continental Divide. It occurs on mesic sites from 900-2100 m (3000-7000 feet) elevation on any aspect, becoming restricted to west- and southwest-facing slopes farther north. Slopes vary from flat to gentle toeslopes and lowslopes, generally less than 30%. Soils are loamy and moderately deep on a variety of soil parent materials. It is dominated by a combination of Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, and at least >10% cover of Achnatherum richardsonii. Festuca campestris generally has greater canopy cover than Festuca idahoensis and, where very abundant, indicates undisturbed sites. Herbaceous cover ranges from 60-100% with moderate species diversity and heights less than 0.5 m. Other abundant graminoid species include Carex filifolia, Danthonia intermedia, and Koeleria macrantha. Forb species typically present include Achillea millefolium, Geum triflorum, Antennaria rosea, Eriogonum umbellatum, Penstemon confertus, Galium boreale, Lupinus sericeus, and Geranium viscosissimum. Shrubs can be present, low in stature (<0.5m) and cover (<5%). In general the shrub component is even less abundant than in the similar ~Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Grassland (CEGL005875)$$ and ~Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Geranium viscosissimum Grassland (CEGL005870)$$. Shrub species that may be present include Symphoricarpos albus, Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Rosa arkansana.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Festuca scabrella (rough fescue) is now generally recognized as a complex, consisting of three separate species (Festuca campestris, Festuca altaica and Festuca hallii) (Aiken and Darbyshire 1990). Kartesz (1999) treats Festuca scabrella as Festuca altaica, and Festuca scabrella var. major as Festuca campestris. Of the species within the former Festuca scabrella complex, Festuca campestris is the one most likely to be found with Festuca idahoensis at the western edge of the Great Plains (Aiken et al. 1996, Kartesz 1999). Confirmation is required that Festuca campestris is the species of fescue that occurs in this vegetation type.
Mueggler and Stewart (1980) is the first comprehensive work on the grasslands of western Montana in which this and other Festuca scabrella associations are based. They used Hitchcock et al. (1955, 1959, 1961, 1969) as their taxonomic authority. In the Flora of the Pacific Northwest (Hitchcock et al. 1955, 1959, 1961, 1969), Festuca scabrella Torr. in Hook includes Festuca scabrella var. major and Festuca altaica ssp. scabrella, basically combining both Festuca altaica and Festuca scabrella, if we follow Kartesz (1999). Lesica (2002) also equates Festuca campestris, Festuca altaica ssp. scabrella to Festuca scabrella. Kartesz (1999) equates Festuca scabrella var. major to Festuca campestris, and Festuca scabrella, Festuca altaica ssp. scabrella and Festuca altaica var. scabrella to Festuca altaica. This apparent confusion is cleared up in Festuca of North America by Aiken et al. (1996). Distribution maps clearly show that Festuca altaica occurs well north of the U.S.-Canada line, while Festuca campestris occurs in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, south-central and eastern British Columbia, and in southern Alberta (there is no overlap between these two maps). In addition, none of the U.S. floras for this region (Hitchcock and Cronquist 1973, Cronquist et al. 1977, Dorn 1984, Lesica 2002) list Festuca altaica. In conclusion, we can assume Mueggler and Stewart''s (1980) Festuca scabrella really equals Festuca scabrella var. major, and, therefore, we can follow Kartesz (1999) and call it Festuca campestris. Montana Heritage Ecologist Steve Cooper (pers. comm.) agrees with calling it Festuca campestris.
The dominance of Festuca campestris with a significant cover of Achnatherum richardsonii defines this type. The absence or low cover of Danthonia parryi is also significant. Danthonia parryi is commonly a third codominant in the Alberta foothills, forming a Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi type, usually associated with deeper soils. Danthonia parryi has been noted as occasionally codominant with Festuca scabrella in northern Montana, east of the Continental Divide, but Mueggler and Stewart (1980) did not note enough other differences to define a separate type. Additional work is needed, but these likely should be considered two separate communities, given the extensive occurrence of the Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi type in Alberta.
Mueggler and Stewart (1980) recognize two phases of their Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis habitat type. The Geranium viscosissimum phase is characterized by the presence of Geranium viscosissimum and Potentilla gracilis, with a greater abundance of Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis) and Pseudoroegneria spicata than generally present in the rest of the type. This phase is now an association, ~Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Geranium viscosissimum Grassland (CEGL005870)$$, based on recent data (1994, 1999-2002) from Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. The Achnatherum richardsonii (= Stipa richardsonii) phase (e.g., this association) is found on moist sites. It is similar to the Geranium viscosissimum phase, but with conspicuous cover of Achnatherum richardsonii and substantial Carex filifolia and Danthonia intermedia. This phase is now recognized as an association, based on recent data (1994, 1999-2002) from Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi has been described by a number of authors (e.g., Jaques 1976, Willoughby et al. 1998). It is considered the "modal grassland community type in Black Chernozemic soils in the foothills of southern Alberta" (Willoughby et al. 1998). Although Festuca campestris remains clearly dominant, it is separated from the Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis type by the prominence of Danthonia parryi. Koterba and Habeck (1971) looked at grasslands along the North Fork Valley, Glacier National Park, Montana. They found stands in which Festuca scabrella was a common associate with Festuca idahoensis, but concluded that these grasslands in general represent a mixture of Great Plains and Intermountain elements, making them floristically unusual. The Festucetum scabrella association of Lynch (1955) in Glacier County, Montana, is dominated by Festuca scabrella with Festuca ovina and Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei (= Stipa columbiana) also significant. As Lynch considers Festuca idahoensis to be an intergrading variety of Festuca ovina, his association appears to be similar to this community (CEGL005869). Lynch notes similarities with other Festuca scabrella types in Alberta, Washington and Idaho.
Mueggler and Stewart (1980) is the first comprehensive work on the grasslands of western Montana in which this and other Festuca scabrella associations are based. They used Hitchcock et al. (1955, 1959, 1961, 1969) as their taxonomic authority. In the Flora of the Pacific Northwest (Hitchcock et al. 1955, 1959, 1961, 1969), Festuca scabrella Torr. in Hook includes Festuca scabrella var. major and Festuca altaica ssp. scabrella, basically combining both Festuca altaica and Festuca scabrella, if we follow Kartesz (1999). Lesica (2002) also equates Festuca campestris, Festuca altaica ssp. scabrella to Festuca scabrella. Kartesz (1999) equates Festuca scabrella var. major to Festuca campestris, and Festuca scabrella, Festuca altaica ssp. scabrella and Festuca altaica var. scabrella to Festuca altaica. This apparent confusion is cleared up in Festuca of North America by Aiken et al. (1996). Distribution maps clearly show that Festuca altaica occurs well north of the U.S.-Canada line, while Festuca campestris occurs in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, south-central and eastern British Columbia, and in southern Alberta (there is no overlap between these two maps). In addition, none of the U.S. floras for this region (Hitchcock and Cronquist 1973, Cronquist et al. 1977, Dorn 1984, Lesica 2002) list Festuca altaica. In conclusion, we can assume Mueggler and Stewart''s (1980) Festuca scabrella really equals Festuca scabrella var. major, and, therefore, we can follow Kartesz (1999) and call it Festuca campestris. Montana Heritage Ecologist Steve Cooper (pers. comm.) agrees with calling it Festuca campestris.
The dominance of Festuca campestris with a significant cover of Achnatherum richardsonii defines this type. The absence or low cover of Danthonia parryi is also significant. Danthonia parryi is commonly a third codominant in the Alberta foothills, forming a Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi type, usually associated with deeper soils. Danthonia parryi has been noted as occasionally codominant with Festuca scabrella in northern Montana, east of the Continental Divide, but Mueggler and Stewart (1980) did not note enough other differences to define a separate type. Additional work is needed, but these likely should be considered two separate communities, given the extensive occurrence of the Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi type in Alberta.
Mueggler and Stewart (1980) recognize two phases of their Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis habitat type. The Geranium viscosissimum phase is characterized by the presence of Geranium viscosissimum and Potentilla gracilis, with a greater abundance of Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis) and Pseudoroegneria spicata than generally present in the rest of the type. This phase is now an association, ~Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Geranium viscosissimum Grassland (CEGL005870)$$, based on recent data (1994, 1999-2002) from Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. The Achnatherum richardsonii (= Stipa richardsonii) phase (e.g., this association) is found on moist sites. It is similar to the Geranium viscosissimum phase, but with conspicuous cover of Achnatherum richardsonii and substantial Carex filifolia and Danthonia intermedia. This phase is now recognized as an association, based on recent data (1994, 1999-2002) from Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi has been described by a number of authors (e.g., Jaques 1976, Willoughby et al. 1998). It is considered the "modal grassland community type in Black Chernozemic soils in the foothills of southern Alberta" (Willoughby et al. 1998). Although Festuca campestris remains clearly dominant, it is separated from the Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis type by the prominence of Danthonia parryi. Koterba and Habeck (1971) looked at grasslands along the North Fork Valley, Glacier National Park, Montana. They found stands in which Festuca scabrella was a common associate with Festuca idahoensis, but concluded that these grasslands in general represent a mixture of Great Plains and Intermountain elements, making them floristically unusual. The Festucetum scabrella association of Lynch (1955) in Glacier County, Montana, is dominated by Festuca scabrella with Festuca ovina and Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei (= Stipa columbiana) also significant. As Lynch considers Festuca idahoensis to be an intergrading variety of Festuca ovina, his association appears to be similar to this community (CEGL005869). Lynch notes similarities with other Festuca scabrella types in Alberta, Washington and Idaho.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This mid-grassland is dominated by a combination of Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, and at least >10% cover of Achnatherum richardsonii (= Stipa richardsonii). Festuca campestris generally has greater canopy cover than Festuca idahoensis and, where very abundant, indicates undisturbed sites. Herbaceous cover ranges from 60-100% with moderate species diversity and heights less than 0.5 m. Other abundant graminoid species include Carex filifolia, Danthonia intermedia, and Koeleria macrantha. Forb species typically present include Achillea millefolium, Geum triflorum, Antennaria rosea, Eriogonum umbellatum, Penstemon confertus, Galium boreale, Lupinus sericeus, and Geranium viscosissimum. Shrubs can be present, low in stature (<0.5m) and cover (<5%). In general the shrub component is even less abundant than in the similar ~Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Grassland (CEGL005875)$$ and ~Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Geranium viscosissimum Grassland (CEGL005870)$$. Shrub species that may be present include Symphoricarpos albus, Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Rosa arkansana.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community is found on moderate to steep mountain and foothill slopes on both sides of the Continental Divide. It occurs on mesic sites, mostly on flat to gentle toeslopes and lowslopes (<30%) from 900 to 2100 m (3000-7000 feet) elevation on any aspect, becoming restricted to west- and southwest-facing slopes farther north. Soils are loamy and moderately deep on a variety of soil parent materials. In Glacier National Park, soils are moderately well-drained sandy loams, silt loams or sandy clay loams. Parent material is coarse quartzite and argillite developed on morainal and glaciofluvial landforms. One stand occurred on organic deposits with clay soil texture. Litter dominates the ground surface.
Geographic Range: This association is known from Montana and southern Alberta and is expected to occur in British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: ID?, MT, OR?, WA?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.730731
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.c Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Central Rocky Mountain Foothill Grassland Group | G273 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
| Alliance | A3986 Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue Mesic Grassland Alliance | A3986 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
| Association | CEGL005869 Rough Fescue - (Idaho Fescue ) - Richardson''s Needlegrass Grassland | CEGL005869 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
Concept Lineage: This type was split into 3 new types.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Festuca campestris - (Festuca idahoensis) - Achnatherum richardsonii Herbaceous Vegetation (Hop et al. 2007)
= Festuca scabrella/Festuca idahoensis Habitat Type, Stipa richardsonii Phase (Mueggler and Stewart 1980) [(p.28)]
= Festuca scabrella/Festuca idahoensis Habitat Type, Stipa richardsonii Phase (Mueggler and Stewart 1980) [(p.28)]
- Aiken, S. G., M. J. Dallwitz, C. L. McJannet, and L. L. Consaul. 1996 et seq. Festuca of North America: Descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval. Version: 2 April 1998. [http://biodiversity.uno.edu/delta/]
- Aiken, S. G., and S. J. Darbyshire. 1990. Fescue grasses of Canada. Agriculture Canada Publication 1844/E.
- Cronquist, A., A. H. Holmgren, N. H. Holmgren, J. L. Reveal, and P. K. Holmgren. 1977. Intermountain flora: Vascular plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. Volume 6: The Monocotyledons. Columbia University Press, New York. 584 pp.
- Dorn, R. D. 1984. Vascular plants of Montana. Mountain West Publishing, Cheyenne, WY. 276 pp.
- Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J. W. Thompson. 1955. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part 5: Compositae. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA. 343 pp.
- Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J. W. Thompson. 1959. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest Part 4: Ericaceae through Campanulaceae. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA. 510 pp.
- Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J. W. Thompson. 1961. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part 3: Saxifragaceae to Ericaceae. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA. 614 pp.
- Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J. W. Thompson. 1969. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part 1: Vascular cryptogams, gymnosperms, and monocotyledons. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA. 914 pp.
- Hitchcock, C. L., A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey, and J. W. Thompson. 1977a. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part 1: Vascular Cryptogams, Gymnosperms, and Monocotyledons. University of Washington Press, Seattle. 914 pp.
- Hitchcock, L. C. and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, Seattle. 730 pp.
- 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.
- Jaques, D. R. 1976. Winter alpine-subalpine wildlife habitat in the southern Rocky Mountains of Alberta. Kananaskis Center for Environmental Research, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta. 113 pp.
- Kartesz, J. T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: J. T. Kartesz and C. A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, NC.
- Koterba, W. D., and J. R. Habeck. 1971. Grasslands of the North Fork Valley, Glacier National Park, Montana. Canadian Journal of Botany 49:1627-1636.
- Lesica, P. 2002. A flora of Glacier National Park, Montana. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis. 512 pp.
- Lynch, D. 1955. Ecology of the aspen groveland in Glacier County, Montana. Ecological Monographs 25:321-344.
- 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.
- 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.
- Willoughby, M. G., M. J. Alexander, and K. M. Sundquist. 1998. Range plant community types and carrying capacity for the montane subregion. Environmental Protection, Lands and Forest Services, Edmonton, Alberta. Publication #T/433. 156 pp.