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CEGL002888 Alpine Sparse (on rock & unconsolidated substrates) Nonvascular Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Alpine Sparse (on rock & unconsolidated substrates) Nonvascular Vegetation
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sparsely vegetated association is known from the southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado but likely has a wider distribution because nonvascular-dominated scree and boulderfields and rock outcrops are poorly sampled. Stands occur on rocky scree slopes and boulderfields in the alpine and extend down into the subalpine and montane zones. Vegetation is characterized by sparse to moderately dense cover (to 40%) of nonvascular species (mostly lichens and mosses) on the rocky substrate. Vascular vegetation is absent or sparse, with a few tree, shrub, herbaceous, and moss species growing in rock crevices at some sites with very low coverage in openings between rocks. Species vary with site and size of microsite habitats. Nonvascular cover exceeds vascular plant cover.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association occurs as high-mountain scree and alpine talus slopes and is often quite variable. More survey and analysis of alpine rock outcrop, scree and boulderfield vegetation are needed to fully classify these communities.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is characterized by sparse to moderately dense cover (to 40%) of nonvascular species (mostly lichens and mosses) on the rocky substrate. Vascular vegetation is absent or sparse, with a few tree, shrub, herbaceous, and moss species growing in rock crevices at some sites with very low coverage in openings between rocks. Species vary with site and size of microsite habitats. Nonvascular cover exceeds vascular plant cover.
Dynamics: Alpine rock outcrops and boulderfields provide many microsites which allows for high species diversity (Younkin 1970).
Environmental Description: This sparsely vegetated association is known from the southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado but likely has a wider distribution because nonvascular-dominated scree and boulderfields and rock outcrops are poorly sampled. Stands occur on rocky scree slopes and boulderfields in the alpine and extend down into the subalpine and montane zones. Elevation ranges from 2360 to 4055 m (7730-13,290 feet). Substrates include a variety of rocks such as granite, gneiss, sandstone, etc.
Geographic Range: No Data Available
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.786024
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.c Eight-petal Mountain-avens - Saxifrage species Rocky Mountain Alpine Bedrock & Scree Group | G571 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.c |
| Alliance | A4022 Rocky Mountain Alpine Nonvascular Bedrock & Scree Alliance | A4022 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.c |
| Association | CEGL002888 Alpine Sparse (on rock & unconsolidated substrates) Nonvascular Vegetation | CEGL002888 | 4.B.1.Nb.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Crevice Habitats (Younkin 1970)
- 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.
- Younkin, W. E., Jr. 1970. A study of the vegetation of alpine rock outcrops in northern Colorado. Unpublished thesis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 109 pp.