Print Report

CEGL005871 Juncus parryi / Sibbaldia procumbens Alpine Snowbed

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Parry''s Rush / Creeping Sibbaldia Alpine Snowbed

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This alpine association has been described from northwestern Montana in Glacier National Park and adjacent Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Grand Teton National Park in northwestern Wyoming, and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado in high subalpine and low alpine zones. It occurs predominantly on gently rolling to moderately steep glaciated terrain, often associated with depressions and broad saddles. Where it occurs on moderate to steep slopes, it is associated with areas where snow collects during the winter (lee slopes). Moderately well-drained to rapidly drained soils are derived from a wide variety of sedimentary parent materials. Ground cover is variable, with northern Rocky Mountain stands being mostly rock-free with an average of about 4% exposed soil, and litter cover varies widely with a modal value around 45 to 50%. Lichen and bryophyte cover is also highly variable, ranging from nil to 85%. Central and southern Rocky Mountain stands are mostly open and rocky, with exposed bare soil accounting for 5-20% of the ground surface and an additional 15-30% covered with large and small rock. Moss and lichen, when present, can cover up to 15% of the ground surface. The vegetation cover is characterized by a moderately dense to dense herbaceous layer dominated by Juncus parryi and Sibbaldia procumbens. Other important species include Antennaria parvifolia, Carex paysonis, Carex rupestris var. drummondiana, Danthonia intermedia, Poa cusickii ssp. epilis, and Viola labradorica, though none of these species is consistently found with high cover.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Plots used to validate this type have come from three of C. Damm''s (2001) associations: Sibbaldio - Juncetum parryi, Polytricho piliferi - Arenarietum capillaris, and Leprario caesioalbae - Salicetum arcticae. This type is environmentally very similar to both ~Juncus parryi - Erigeron ursinus Alpine Snowbed (CEGL001906)$$ and ~Juncus drummondii - Antennaria lanata Alpine Snowbed (CEGL001904)$$ of southwestern Montana (Cooper et al. 1997, 1999) but has a somewhat unique floristic composition for which it has been recognized in this treatment. Plots from Rocky Mountain and Grand Teton national parks do not contain Erigeron ursinus but do contain Sibbaldia procumbens as a codominant and seem to fit well with the concept of this type described from the northern Rocky Mountains. Central and southern stands lack a few of the northern species, and Juncus drummondii and Festuca idahoensis appear to more important in northern stands. Relatively little is known about this type, and more alpine survey and classification work are needed to improve classification confidence.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This high subalpine / low alpine association is characterized by a moderately dense to dense herbaceous layer dominated by Juncus parryi. Sibbaldia procumbens is often codominant. Other important species are Antennaria parvifolia, Carex paysonis, Carex nigricans, Carex microptera, Carex rupestris var. drummondiana, Danthonia intermedia, Deschampsia cespitosa, Phleum alpinum, Poa cusickii ssp. epilis, or Viola labradorica, though none of these species is consistently found with high cover. Constant species with low cover include Antennaria alpina, Antennaria rosea, Arenaria capillaris, Erigeron peregrinus, Hieracium gracile, Packera streptanthifolia (= Senecio cymbalarioides), Phleum alpinum, Polygonum bistortoides, Potentilla diversifolia, or Trifolium parryi. Short shrubs and dwarf-shrubs are generally absent but can include Vaccinium cespitosum, Artemisia arctica ssp. arctica, Phyllodoce empetriformis, and Salix petrophila in low densities. Low cover of moss and lichen is also common.

Dynamics:  This community is restricted to areas kept moist by melting snowbanks.
Environmental Description:  This snowfield-supported wetland association has been described from northwestern Montana and north-central Colorado in high subalpine and alpine zones. Elevation ranges from 2010 to 2350 m (6590-7710 feet) in the northern part of the range and 3240-3480 m (10,640-11,420 feet) in the south. Central Rocky Mountain stands occur at intermediate elevations, between 2652 and 3063 m (8700-10,050 feet). It occurs predominantly on gentle to moderately steep glaciated terrain, on slopes, depressions and broad saddles. Stands occurring on moderate to steep slopes (to 50%) are in positions that collect wind-driven snow. Moderately well-drained to rapidly drained soils are derived from a wide variety of sedimentary parent materials. Northern Rocky Mountain stands have a ground surface that is mostly rock-free with an average of about 4% exposed soil, and litter cover varies widely, from 10 to 85%, with a modal value around 45 to 50%. Lichen and bryophyte cover is also highly variable, ranging from nil to 85%. Central and southern Rocky Mountain stands are open and rocky, with exposed bare soil accounting for 5-20% of the ground surface and an additional 10-30% covered with large and small rock. Moss and lichen, when present, can cover up to 15% of the ground surface.
Geographic Range: This alpine association has been described from northwestern Montana in Glacier National Park and adjacent Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, and Rocky Mountain Park in Colorado. More survey and classification work are needed to determine the full range of distribution.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB, CO, MT, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4

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.b Blackroot Sedge - Bellardi Bog Sedge - Cushion Phlox Alpine Turf & Fell-field Group G314 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Alliance A3172 Drummond''s Rush - Parry''s Rush - Creeping Sibbaldia Rocky Mountain Alpine Snowbed Alliance A3172 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL005871 Parry''s Rush / Creeping Sibbaldia Alpine Snowbed CEGL005871 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Juncus parryi / Sibbaldia procumbens Herbaceous Vegetation (Cooper et al. 1999)
= Juncus parryi / Sibbaldia procumbens Herbaceous Vegetation (Hop et al. 2007)
? Juncus parryi (Holway and Ward 1963) [Juncus parryi and Sibbaldia procumbens were reported from some of their snowbed quadrats.]
>< Leprario caesioalbae - Salicetum arcticae Association (Damm 2001)
>< Polytricho piliferi - Arenarietum capillaris Association (Damm 2001)
>< Sibbaldio - Juncetum parryi Association (Damm 2001)
< Association Juncetum drummondii (Willard 1963) (Komarkova 1979)
< Association Juncetum drummondii (Willard 1963) (Willard 1979) [Juncus parryi was classified as Juncus drummondii var. parryi and included in this association. Sibbaldia procumbens had high constancy.]
< Association: Juncetum drummondii (Willard 1963) (Willard 1963)
< Association: Juncetum drummondii (Willard 1963) (Komarkova 1976)
Concept Author(s): Hop et al. (2007)

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz and J. Coles

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 08-16-05
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