Print Report
G273 Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis - Pseudoroegneria spicata Central Rocky Mountain Foothill Grassland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This wide-ranging lower montane, foothill and valley grassland group is found in the central Rocky Mountains and extends north onto the Okanagan and Fraser plateaus, the valleys around the Fraser, Nicola, and Similkameen rivers in British Columbia, and foothills in Alberta and is dominated by cool-season perennial bunchgrasses, such as Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, and Pseudoroegneria spicata with diverse forbs (>25% cover) and sometimes a sparse (<10% cover) shrub layer.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Central Rocky Mountain Foothill Grassland Group
Colloquial Name: Central Rocky Mountain Lower Montane, Foothill & Valley Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: These grasslands of the northern Rocky Mountains are found at lower montane to foothill elevations in the mountains and large valleys of northwestern Wyoming and western Montana, west through Idaho into the Blue Mountains of Oregon, and north into the Okanagan and Fraser plateaus of British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies. They also occur to the east in the central Montana mountain "islands" foothills, as well as the Rocky Mountain Front and Big and Little Belt ranges. They also extend along the eastern slopes of the Alberta Rockies. The most important species are cool-season perennial bunchgrasses and forbs (>25% cover), sometimes with a sparse (<10% cover) shrub layer. Festuca campestris and Festuca idahoensis are dominants, and Pseudoroegneria spicata occurs as a codominant, as well as a diversity of other native grasses. To the north, Danthonia parryi becomes codominant. Forb diversity is typically high in both mesic and dry aspects of this group. A soil crust of lichen covers almost all open soil between clumps of grasses; Cladonia and Peltigera species are the most common lichens. Unvegetated mineral soil is commonly found between clumps of grass and the lichen cover. Festuca campestris is easily eliminated by grazing and does not occur in all areas of this group.
This group also includes grasslands commonly known as "Palouse Prairie." These northern lower montane and valley grasslands represent a shift in the precipitation regime from summer monsoons and cold snowy winters found in the Southern Rockies to predominantly dry summers and winter precipitation. The Palouse region is characterized by rolling topography composed of loess hills and plains over basalt plains. The climate of this region has warm-hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Annual precipitation is high, 38-76 cm (15-30 inches). The soils are typically deep, well-developed, and old.
Outside of the Palouse Prairie region, these grasslands are influenced by shorter summers, colder winters, and young soils derived from recent glacial and alluvial material. In the eastern portion of its range in Montana, winter precipitation is replaced by a huge spring peak in precipitation. Elevations range from 300 to 1650 m, ranging from small meadows to large open parks surrounded by conifers in the lower montane, to extensive foothill and valley grasslands below the lower treeline. Many of these valleys may have been primarily sage-steppe with patches of grassland in the past, but because of land-use history post-settlement (herbicide, grazing, fire suppression, pasturing, etc.), they have been converted to grassland-dominated areas. Soils are relatively deep, fine-textured, often with coarse fragments, and non-saline, often with a microphytic crust.
In Alberta, this group occurs along the lower and eastern flanks of the Foothills Geologic Belt, primarily in the Foothills Fescue Grassland and Foothills Parkland Natural subregions. Glaciation and bedrock topography in combination result in a complex physiography from sloping lower foothills to hummocky to rolling uplands, mainly on glacial till, with significant lacustrine materials in valleys. Elevation ranges from 500 to 1525 m. At upper elevations, stands may be small-patch grasslands on southern slopes between Populus tremuloides woodlands or Salix bebbiana shrublands becoming quite extensive on moister sites at lower elevation. Soils are deep, usually Black Chernozems.
This group also includes grasslands commonly known as "Palouse Prairie." These northern lower montane and valley grasslands represent a shift in the precipitation regime from summer monsoons and cold snowy winters found in the Southern Rockies to predominantly dry summers and winter precipitation. The Palouse region is characterized by rolling topography composed of loess hills and plains over basalt plains. The climate of this region has warm-hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Annual precipitation is high, 38-76 cm (15-30 inches). The soils are typically deep, well-developed, and old.
Outside of the Palouse Prairie region, these grasslands are influenced by shorter summers, colder winters, and young soils derived from recent glacial and alluvial material. In the eastern portion of its range in Montana, winter precipitation is replaced by a huge spring peak in precipitation. Elevations range from 300 to 1650 m, ranging from small meadows to large open parks surrounded by conifers in the lower montane, to extensive foothill and valley grasslands below the lower treeline. Many of these valleys may have been primarily sage-steppe with patches of grassland in the past, but because of land-use history post-settlement (herbicide, grazing, fire suppression, pasturing, etc.), they have been converted to grassland-dominated areas. Soils are relatively deep, fine-textured, often with coarse fragments, and non-saline, often with a microphytic crust.
In Alberta, this group occurs along the lower and eastern flanks of the Foothills Geologic Belt, primarily in the Foothills Fescue Grassland and Foothills Parkland Natural subregions. Glaciation and bedrock topography in combination result in a complex physiography from sloping lower foothills to hummocky to rolling uplands, mainly on glacial till, with significant lacustrine materials in valleys. Elevation ranges from 500 to 1525 m. At upper elevations, stands may be small-patch grasslands on southern slopes between Populus tremuloides woodlands or Salix bebbiana shrublands becoming quite extensive on moister sites at lower elevation. Soils are deep, usually Black Chernozems.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Herbaceous communities dominated by cool-season bunchgrasses, found in the lower montane and foothill zones of the northern Rocky Mountains and in the inter-montane valleys. These are typically extensive grasslands, not grass-dominated patches within the sagebrush shrub-steppe group. Festuca campestris, Pseudoroegneria spicata, and Festuca idahoensis are the major grasses, although a number of other species occur, including Hesperostipa comata, Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum occidentale, Achnatherum richardsonii, Achnatherum scribneri, Danthonia species, Elymus lanceolatus, Leymus condensatus, Leymus cinereus, Koeleria macrantha, Pascopyrum smithii, or Poa secunda.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is the same as the Interior Plateau Grassland also called "Northern Plateau Grassland" of the Okanagan Ecoregional Plan. In Wyoming, this is distinguished from northwestern Great Plains mixedgrass prairies by the presence of Festuca idahoensis or Carex rossii, the lack of Bouteloua gracilis (which is common in mixedgrass prairie), or the presence of Artemisia nova or Artemisia tripartita ssp. rupicola, neither of which occur in mixedgrass prairie. This group is also similar to ~Central Rocky Mountain Montane Grassland Group (G267)$$ in that some of the dominant grasses are shared between the lower and higher elevation grasslands, but the associated forbs shift, as do some of the other graminoid taxa.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Herbaceous communities dominated by cool-season bunchgrasses, generally less than 1 m in height, and often dense in cover. Forb diversity is typically high in both mesic and dry aspects of this group. On slightly more mesic or protected sites (north slopes, toeslopes, swales), scattered or even dense patches of deciduous, broadleaf shrubs can occur (when the patches are large enough they can form associations that are included in one of the shrubland groups). A soil crust of lichen covers almost all open soil between clumps of grasses; Cladonia and Peltigera species are the most common lichens. Unvegetated mineral soil is commonly found between clumps of grass and the lichen cover.
Floristics: On pristine moist sites, Festuca campestris can form a nearly continuous cover and is interspersed with Festuca idahoensis and the rhizomatous ecotype of Pseudoroegneria spicata. Danthonia parryi becomes codominant moving north into the Alberta foothills. Other graminoids include Achnatherum occidentale, Achnatherum richardsonii, Danthonia spp., Koeleria macrantha, Poa secunda, Pascopyrum smithii, Elymus lanceolatus, and Leymus cinereus. These moister sites support a forb-rich community that includes species such as Balsamorhiza sagittata, Achillea millefolium, Lupinus sericeus, Geranium viscosissimum, Lomatium triternatum, Potentilla glandulosa, Potentilla gracilis, Penstemon confertus, Delphinium bicolor, Oxytropis spp., Gentiana affinis, Fragaria virginiana, and Castilleja spp. Endemic rare species such as Silene spaldingii inhabit the moister aspects of this group.
On drier sites dominated by Festuca idahoensis and the bunchgrass ecotype of Pseudoroegneria spicata, common forbs include Achillea millefolium, Gaillardia aristata, Galium boreale, Geum triflorum, Arnica sororia, Antennaria microphylla, Potentilla gracilis, Lupinus argenteus, Lupinus sericeus, Lomatium macrocarpum, Phlox alyssifolia, Phlox hoodii, Liatris punctata, Lithospermum ruderale, Eriogonum spp., Penstemon eriantherus, Solidago missouriensis, Oxytropis spp., Heuchera spp., Pulsatilla patens, Opuntia fragilis, Artemisia ludoviciana, Artemisia frigida, and Erigeron spp. Endemic species in the northwestern Great Plains, such as Douglasia montana, Penstemon nitidus, and Penstemon albertinus, are common in the drier, rocky sites of this group. Other graminoids present within this drier community include Achnatherum scribneri, Achnatherum hymenoides, Danthonia intermedia, Koeleria macrantha, Poa secunda, Carex geyeri, Carex filifolia, and Carex petasata. On pristine sites, Selaginella densa and a soil crust of lichen covers almost all open soil between clumps of grasses. Cladonia and Peltigera spp. are the most common lichens present. Important exotic grasses include Phleum pratense, Bromus inermis, and Poa pratensis.
Shrub species may be scattered or patchy, including Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Rosa nutkana, Rosa woodsii, Rosa arkansana, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Symphoricarpos spp., Artemisia tridentata, Juniperus communis, and in Wyoming Artemisia tripartita ssp. rupicola. Several species of Eriogonum are also common. Amelanchier alnifolia, Crataegus douglasii, and Prunus virginiana often occur as patches on north-facing slopes of foothills where snow persists longer into the growing season. Salix bebbiana copses form a unique groveland area in Alberta.
On drier sites dominated by Festuca idahoensis and the bunchgrass ecotype of Pseudoroegneria spicata, common forbs include Achillea millefolium, Gaillardia aristata, Galium boreale, Geum triflorum, Arnica sororia, Antennaria microphylla, Potentilla gracilis, Lupinus argenteus, Lupinus sericeus, Lomatium macrocarpum, Phlox alyssifolia, Phlox hoodii, Liatris punctata, Lithospermum ruderale, Eriogonum spp., Penstemon eriantherus, Solidago missouriensis, Oxytropis spp., Heuchera spp., Pulsatilla patens, Opuntia fragilis, Artemisia ludoviciana, Artemisia frigida, and Erigeron spp. Endemic species in the northwestern Great Plains, such as Douglasia montana, Penstemon nitidus, and Penstemon albertinus, are common in the drier, rocky sites of this group. Other graminoids present within this drier community include Achnatherum scribneri, Achnatherum hymenoides, Danthonia intermedia, Koeleria macrantha, Poa secunda, Carex geyeri, Carex filifolia, and Carex petasata. On pristine sites, Selaginella densa and a soil crust of lichen covers almost all open soil between clumps of grasses. Cladonia and Peltigera spp. are the most common lichens present. Important exotic grasses include Phleum pratense, Bromus inermis, and Poa pratensis.
Shrub species may be scattered or patchy, including Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Rosa nutkana, Rosa woodsii, Rosa arkansana, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Symphoricarpos spp., Artemisia tridentata, Juniperus communis, and in Wyoming Artemisia tripartita ssp. rupicola. Several species of Eriogonum are also common. Amelanchier alnifolia, Crataegus douglasii, and Prunus virginiana often occur as patches on north-facing slopes of foothills where snow persists longer into the growing season. Salix bebbiana copses form a unique groveland area in Alberta.
Dynamics: The natural fire regime of this group likely maintains patchy distribution of shrubs, so the general aspect of the vegetation is a grassland. The fire regime of this group maintains a grassland due to rapid fire return that retards shrub invasion or landscape isolation and fragmentation that limits seed dispersal of native shrub species. Fire frequency is presumed to be less than 20 years. These are extensive grasslands, not grass-dominated patches within the sagebrush shrub steppe group. Shrubs may increase following heavy grazing and/or with fire suppression. Microphytic crust is very important in this group. Summer overgrazing for 2 to 3 years can result in the loss of Festuca campestris, which is very grazing sensitive. Long-term heavy grazing on moister sites can result in a shift to a Poa pratensis - Phleum pratense type. Pseudoroegneria spicata shows an inconsistent reaction to grazing, increasing on some grazed sites while decreasing on others. It seems to recover more quickly from overgrazing than Festuca campestris, tolerates dormant-period grazing well but is sensitive to defoliation during the growing season. Light spring use or fall grazing can help retain plant vigor. Exotic species threatening this group through invasion and potential complete replacement of native species include Bromus arvensis, Potentilla recta, Euphorbia esula, and all manner of knapweed, especially Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos. In the Palouse Prairie, excessive grazing, past land use and invasion by introduced annual species have resulted in a massive conversion to agriculture or shrub-steppe and annual grasslands dominated by Artemisia spp. and Bromus tectorum or Poa pratensis. Remnant grasslands are now typically associated with steep and rocky sites or small and isolated sites within an agricultural landscape.
Environmental Description: These grasslands of the northern Rocky Mountains are found at lower montane to foothill elevations along the mountain flanks, in the mountains and in large intermountain valleys. This group also includes grasslands commonly known as Palouse Prairie. These northern lower montane and valley grasslands reflect a shift in the precipitation regime from summer monsoons and cold snowy winters found in the Southern Rockies to predominantly dry, cool summers and winter precipitation. The Palouse region is characterized by rolling topography composed of loess hills and plains over basalt plains. The climate of this region has warm-hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Annual precipitation is high, 38-76 cm (15-30 inches). The soils are typically deep, well-developed, and old. Outside of the Palouse Prairie region, these grasslands are influenced by shorter cooler summers, colder winters, and young soils derived from recent glacial and alluvial material. In the eastern portion of its range in Montana, winter precipitation is replaced by a huge spring peak in precipitation. Elevations range from 300 to 1650 m, ranging from small meadows to large open parks surrounded by conifers in the lower montane, to extensive foothill and valley grasslands below the lower treeline.
Climate: These northern lower montane and valley grasslands reflect a shift in the precipitation regime from summer monsoons and cold snowy winters found in the southern Rockies to predominantly dry summers and winter precipitation. In the Palouse region the climate has warm-hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Annual precipitation is high, 38-76 cm (15-30 inches). Outside of the Palouse Prairie region, these grasslands are influenced by shorter summers and colder winters. In the eastern portion of its range in Montana, winter precipitation is replaced by a huge spring peak in precipitation. Soil/substrate/hydrology: The Palouse region is characterized by rolling topography composed of loess hills and plains over basalt plains. The soils are typically deep, well-developed, and old. Outside of the Palouse Prairie region, these grasslands occur on young soils derived from recent glacial and alluvial material. Soils are relatively deep, fine-textured, often with coarse fragments, and non-saline, often with a microphytic crust.
Climate: These northern lower montane and valley grasslands reflect a shift in the precipitation regime from summer monsoons and cold snowy winters found in the southern Rockies to predominantly dry summers and winter precipitation. In the Palouse region the climate has warm-hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Annual precipitation is high, 38-76 cm (15-30 inches). Outside of the Palouse Prairie region, these grasslands are influenced by shorter summers and colder winters. In the eastern portion of its range in Montana, winter precipitation is replaced by a huge spring peak in precipitation. Soil/substrate/hydrology: The Palouse region is characterized by rolling topography composed of loess hills and plains over basalt plains. The soils are typically deep, well-developed, and old. Outside of the Palouse Prairie region, these grasslands occur on young soils derived from recent glacial and alluvial material. Soils are relatively deep, fine-textured, often with coarse fragments, and non-saline, often with a microphytic crust.
Geographic Range: This lower montane, foothill and valley grassland group occurs throughout the southern interior and southern portion of the Fraser Plateau, as well as the valleys around the Fraser River in the Pavilion Ranges, the Nicola River and the Similkameen River in British Columbia. It includes high-elevation grasslands along the eastern mountain slopes down to rolling valleys in Alberta. It also occurs in the mountains and large valleys of northwestern Wyoming and western Montana, east to the central Montana Rocky Mountain Front and mountain "island" ranges, west through Idaho into the Blue Mountains of Oregon, mountains in northeastern California, and central Washington.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, AZ, BC, CA, CO, ID, MT, ND, NV, OR, SK, UT, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.836914
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Idaho Fescue - Western Wheatgrass (309) (Shiflet 1994)
> Rough Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass (311) (Shiflet 1994)
> Rough Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass (311) (Shiflet 1994)
- Daubenmire, R. 1988. Steppe vegetation of Washington. Washington State University Cooperative Extension Service Publication EB1446. (Revised from and replaces Washington Agricultural Experiment Station Publication XT0062.) 131 pp.
- Ecosystems Working Group. 1998. Standards for broad terrestrial ecosystem classification and mapping for British Columbia. Prepared by the Ecosystems Working Group, Terrestrial Ecosystem Task Force, Resources Inventory Committee, for the Province of British Columbia. 174 pp. plus appendices. [http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/risc/pubs/teecolo/tem/indextem.htm]
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
- 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.
- Natural Regions Committee. 2006. Natural regions and subregions of Alberta. Compiled by D. J. Downing and W. W. Pettapiece. Publication No. T/852. Government of Alberta.
- Shiflet, T. N., editor. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Society for Range Management. Denver, CO. 152 pp.
- Steen, O. A., and R. A. Coupé. 1997. A field guide to forest site identification and interpretation for the Cariboo Forest Region. Land Management Handbook No. 39. Parts 1 and 2. British Columbia Ministry of Forests Research Program, Victoria, BC.
- Tisdale, E. W. 1982. Grasslands of western North America: The Pacific Northwest bunchgrass. Pages 223-245 in: A. C. Nicholson, A. Mclean, and T. E. Baker, editors. Grassland Ecology and Classification Symposium, Kamloops, BC.