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CEGL005875 Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue Grassland
Colloquial Name: Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue Mixedgrass Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dry-mesic, mid-height grassland is found in the northwestern Great Plains and mountain and foothill slopes on both sides of the Continental Divide. A disjunct occurrence of the association is reported for the Steens Mountains in southeastern Oregon. 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. This midgrass community is dominated by Festuca campestris and Festuca idahoensis, but Festuca campestris generally has greater canopy cover and can be more abundant on undisturbed sites. A diverse assemblage of herbaceous species has a combined cover ranging from 30-85%. Carex obtusata may be common, especially on more mesic sites. Other graminoids may also be found, including Danthonia intermedia, Koeleria macrantha, Phleum pratense, Achnatherum nelsonii, and Achnatherum occidentale. Additional forbs may include Achillea millefolium, Galium boreale, Selaginella densa, Lupinus sericeus, and Geum triflorum. Shrubs are typically present, though in low stature and cover, generally <10%. On rare occasions, shrubs may be present with up to 30% cover. However, in all stands native forbs and grasses dominate this herbaceous association. Shrub species that may be present include Artemisia frigida, Artemisia campestris, Rosa arkansana, Amelanchier alnifolia, and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Stands of the association are relatively well adapted to periodic wildfire. While natural fire disturbance regimes of this grassland vegetation are not well known, estimates of fire-return intervals range from 10 to 20 years.
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. 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 (ibid., Aiken et al. 1996). Confirmation is required that Festuca campestris is the species of fescue that occurs in this vegetation type.
In the Flora of the Pacific Northwest (Hitchcock et al. 1977a), 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 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 (from which this association was originally based) really equals Festuca scabrella var. major, and, therefore, we can follow Kartesz (1999) and call it Festuca campestris. Montana Natural Heritage Ecologist Steve Cooper (pers. comm.) agrees with calling it Festuca campestris.
The dominance of Festuca campestris with a significant cover of Festuca idahoensis 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. Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi has been described by a number of other 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. 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) recognized two phases of the Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis 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 recognized as a National Vegetation Classification association, ~Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Geranium viscosissimum Grassland (CEGL005870)$$, based on recent data (1994, 1999-2002) from Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. The Achnatherum richardsonii (= Stipa richardsonii) phase is found on moist sites. It is similar to the Geranium viscosissimum phase but with conspicuous cover of Achnatherum richardsonii and substantial Carex filifolia and Danthonia intermedia. This phase has also been elevated to a USNVC association, ~Festuca campestris - (Festuca idahoensis) - Achnatherum richardsonii Grassland (CEGL005869)$$, based on recent data (1994, 1999-2002) from Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
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, this association appears to be similar to ~Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Grassland (CEGL005875)$$. Lynch notes similarities with other Festuca scabrella types in Alberta, Washington and Idaho.
Tisdale (1982) compared the plant communities documented in the Pacific Northwest Bunchgrass region. He found the Festuca scabrella / Festuca idahoensis types reported in Montana (Mueggler and Stewart 1980) and in Idaho (Tisdale 1979) to be similar; however, a subsequent study (Tisdale and Bramble-Brodahl 1983) did not note a Festuca scabrella - Festuca idahoensis type. Tisdale (1982) suggests that the relationship is unclear between similar types reported for British Columbia, Oregon and Washington.
In the Flora of the Pacific Northwest (Hitchcock et al. 1977a), 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 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 (from which this association was originally based) really equals Festuca scabrella var. major, and, therefore, we can follow Kartesz (1999) and call it Festuca campestris. Montana Natural Heritage Ecologist Steve Cooper (pers. comm.) agrees with calling it Festuca campestris.
The dominance of Festuca campestris with a significant cover of Festuca idahoensis 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. Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi has been described by a number of other 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. 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) recognized two phases of the Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis 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 recognized as a National Vegetation Classification 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 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 has also been elevated to a USNVC association, ~Festuca campestris - (Festuca idahoensis) - Achnatherum richardsonii Grassland (CEGL005869)$$, based on recent data (1994, 1999-2002) from Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park.
Koterba and Habeck (1971) looked at grasslands along the North Fork Valley, Glacier National Park, Montana. They found stands in which Festuca scabrella was a common associate with Festuca idahoensis but concluded that these grasslands in general represent a mixture of Great Plains and Intermountain elements, making them floristically unusual. The Festucetum scabrella association of Lynch (1955) in Glacier County, Montana, is dominated by Festuca scabrella with Festuca ovina and Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei (= Stipa columbiana) also significant. As Lynch considers Festuca idahoensis to be an intergrading variety of Festuca ovina, this association appears to be similar to ~Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Grassland (CEGL005875)$$. Lynch notes similarities with other Festuca scabrella types in Alberta, Washington and Idaho.
Tisdale (1982) compared the plant communities documented in the Pacific Northwest Bunchgrass region. He found the Festuca scabrella / Festuca idahoensis types reported in Montana (Mueggler and Stewart 1980) and in Idaho (Tisdale 1979) to be similar; however, a subsequent study (Tisdale and Bramble-Brodahl 1983) did not note a Festuca scabrella - Festuca idahoensis type. Tisdale (1982) suggests that the relationship is unclear between similar types reported for British Columbia, Oregon and Washington.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Although rich in forbs, this is a grassland community clearly dominated by Festuca campestris and Festuca idahoensis. Tussocks of the bunchgrass Festuca campestris are a prominent component with culms that may be taller than 75 cm. Festuca campestris generally has greater canopy cover and is even more abundant on undisturbed sites. Carex obtusata may be common, especially on more mesic sites. Other graminoids may also be found, including Danthonia intermedia, Koeleria macrantha, Phleum pratense, Achnatherum nelsonii, and Achnatherum occidentale (= Stipa occidentalis). Additional forbs may include Achillea millefolium, Galium boreale, Selaginella densa, Lupinus sericeus, and Geum triflorum. Total shrub cover is usually less than 10%. On rare occasions, shrubs may be present with up to 30% cover. In these cases, the herbaceous cover is high and stands are clearly grasslands. Shrub species that may be present include Artemisia frigida, Artemisia campestris, Rosa arkansana, Amelanchier alnifolia, and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi.
Dynamics: Periodic fire may have been an important factor in the maintenance of these grasslands. Stands of the association appear to be relatively well adapted to periodic wildfire. Natural fire disturbance regimes of this grassland vegetation are not well known, but estimates of fire return intervals range from 10 to 20 years. This highly productive grassland provides important forage for wild ungulates and domestic livestock. The association is adversely effected by intensive livestock grazing and under severe livestock use, Festuca campestris, a highly palatable species, may be eliminated from stands.
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. Litter dominates the ground surface.
Geographic Range: This community is found in Montana, north of 46°N latitude, as well as uncommonly in Idaho, Washington and Oregon, and into southwestern Alberta, Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, ID, MT, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.730738
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.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 | CEGL005875 Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue Grassland | CEGL005875 | 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 - Danthonia parryi (Willoughby et al. 1998) [(p.37) (possibly another association).]
< Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi (Jaques 1976) [(possibly another association)]
= Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Herbaceous Vegetation (Hop et al. 2007)
< Festuca campestris / Festuca idahoensis Habitat Type (Mueggler and Stewart 1980)
= Festucetum scabrella association (Lynch 1955)
< Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Danthonia parryi (Jaques 1976) [(possibly another association)]
= Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Herbaceous Vegetation (Hop et al. 2007)
< Festuca campestris / Festuca idahoensis Habitat Type (Mueggler and Stewart 1980)
= Festucetum scabrella association (Lynch 1955)
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