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CEGL005936 Salix nivalis / Geum rossii Dwarf-shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Snow Willow / Ross'' Avens Dwarf-shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This alpine dwarf-shrub association occurs on rocky ridges and in boulderfields in the southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Elevations range from 3500 to 3850 m (11,450-12,625 feet). Slopes tend to be gentle to moderate, and the substrate is talus of granitic or metamorphic rocks. The well-drained, coarse soils of this alpine dwarf-willow association mean that there are few or no wetland species present. Total vegetative cover rarely exceeds 50% because of the high cover by rock and bedrock. Salix nivalis is the dominant and most conspicuous species, with a somewhat sparse herbaceous component dominated by Geum rossii. Other herbaceous species present may include Carex rupestris, Silene acaulis, Festuca brachyphylla, Trisetum spicatum, Cirsium scopulorum, and Minuartia obtusiloba. Lichens may also contribute significant cover to the community.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The precise relationship between this association and two closely related associations (~Salix arctica / Geum rossii Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL001430)$$ and ~Salix arctica - Salix nivalis Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL001432)$$) is unclear. This association is being separated from the other two based on the absence of Salix arctica. This type is somewhat drier than the other two and may be distinguished to some degree by the lack of wetland species in the herbaceous layer.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The well-drained, coarse soils of this alpine dwarf-willow association mean that there are few or no wetland species present. Total vegetative cover rarely exceeds 50% because of the high cover by rock and bedrock. Salix nivalis is the dominant and most conspicuous species, with a somewhat sparse herbaceous component dominated by Geum rossii. Other herbaceous species present may include Carex rupestris, Silene acaulis, Festuca brachyphylla, Trisetum spicatum, Cirsium scopulorum, and Minuartia obtusiloba. Lichens may contribute significant cover to the community.
Dynamics: This is the driest of the alpine prostrate willow shrublands.
Environmental Description: This alpine dwarf-shrub association occurs on rocky ridges and in boulderfields in the southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Elevations range from 3500 to 3650 m (11,450-11,960 feet). Slopes tend to be gentle to moderate, and the substrate is granite talus. The unvegetated surface is covered primarily be exposed bedrock or large rocks. Unlike other dwarf-willow shrublands, this type has well-drained soils.
Geographic Range: This association has been described several times from areas in and around Rocky Mountain National Park in northern Colorado and once from the West Elk Mountains of south-central Colorado. It is to be expected in other high mountain ranges in Colorado and possibly in alpine areas in adjacent states.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.735327
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.a Eight-petal Mountain-avens - Mountain-heath species - Arctic Willow Alpine Dwarf-shrubland & Krummholz Group | G316 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.a |
| Alliance | A3176 Arctic Willow - Snow Willow - Netleaf Willow Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A3176 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.a |
| Association | CEGL005936 Snow Willow / Ross'' Avens Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL005936 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Salix nivalis / Geum rossii Dwarf-shrubland (Salas et al. 2005)
= Salix reticulata ssp. nivalis / Acomastylis rossii Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
? Salix reticulata ssp. nivalis / Bistorta vivipara Habitat Type/Association (Komarkova 1986)
= Association Bistorto viviparae - Salicetum reticulatae (Komarkova 1976) (Komarkova 1979)
= Association: Bistorto viviparae - Salicetum reticulatae (Komarkova 1976) (Komarkova 1976)
= Dwarf Salix Community (Baker 1983a)
= Salix reticulata ssp. nivalis / Acomastylis rossii Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
? Salix reticulata ssp. nivalis / Bistorta vivipara Habitat Type/Association (Komarkova 1986)
= Association Bistorto viviparae - Salicetum reticulatae (Komarkova 1976) (Komarkova 1979)
= Association: Bistorto viviparae - Salicetum reticulatae (Komarkova 1976) (Komarkova 1976)
= Dwarf Salix Community (Baker 1983a)
- Baker, W. L. 1983a. Alpine vegetation of Wheeler Peak, New Mexico, USA: Gradient analysis, classification, and biogeography. Arctic and Alpine Research 15(2):223-240.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.
- Komarkova, V. 1976. Alpine vegetation of the Indian Peaks Area, Front Range, Colorado Rocky Mountains. Unpublished dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder. 655 pp.
- Komarkova, V. 1979. Alpine vegetation of the Indian Peaks area, Front Range, Colorado Rocky Mountains. Flora et vegetatio mundi 7, R. Tuxen, editor, 2 volumes, Vaduz: J. Cramer. 591 pp.
- Komarkova, V. 1986. Habitat types on selected parts of the Gunnison and Uncompahgre national forests. Unpublished final report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Fort Collins, CO. 270 pp. plus appendices.
- 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.
- Salas, D., J. Stevens, and K. Schulz. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Technical Memorandum No. 8260-05-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 161 pp. plus Appendices A-L (733 pp.).
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.