Physiognomy and Structure: The vegetation is characterized by dense stands of vigorous mid-height (approximately 20-40 cm) bunchgrasses, predominantly Festuca hallii. On well-drained hilltops and south-facing aspects, stands are often codominated by Festuca hallii and Hesperostipa curtiseta. Forbs and shrubs may be interspersed within stands, but the fescue tussocks can be so dense that few other species are present. The persistent, upright leaf litter of Festuca hallii adds to the density of stands. Grazing or fire can result in more open grass stands with a greater proportion of forb cover. In the Parkland CNVC vegetation zone of Alberta and Saskatchewan, rough fescue prairie forms the grassland patches between groves of Populus tremuloides.

Floristics: Natural stands are dense, mid-height (approximately 20-40 cm tall), and strongly dominated by Festuca hallii (= Festuca altaica ssp. hallii). Other common graminoids include Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus lanceolatus, Elymus trachycaulus, Avenula hookeri, Hesperostipa comata, Hesperostipa curtiseta, Koeleria macrantha, Muhlenbergia richardsonis, Pascopyrum smithii, and upland sedges such as Carex obtusata, Carex duriuscula, Carex inops, and others. Calamovilfa longifolia may also be important on sandy soils. Forbs and dwarf-shrubs tend to be somewhat limited in occurrence but may include Achillea millefolium, Pulsatilla patens (= Anemone patens), Antennaria spp., Artemisia frigida, Artemisia ludoviciana, Cerastium arvense, Galium boreale, Geum triflorum, and Symphyotrichum falcatum. Symphoricarpos occidentalis and Rosa arkansana are common shrub species but may not be readily visible in the dense grass stands. Other shrubs that may be present include Rosa woodsii, Elaeagnus commutata, and Amelanchier alnifolia. Species abundance can shift dramatically with grazing impacts, changes in fire regime or invasion by exotic species.

Dynamics:  Historically, fires occurred frequently (perhaps every 2-5 years) in northern fescue prairie, but have been greatly reduced with agricultural settlement. Where stands occur in the parkland landscape, proportions of forest/woodland and grassland fluctuated over the years in a dynamic balance. Compared to other mixedgrass prairie types, this type occurs in a moister climate that is more conducive to woody encroachment and invasion by exotic plant species. In the prolonged absence of fire, shrubs such as Symphoricarpos occidentalis, and trees such as Populus tremuloides tend to encroach into patches of northern fescue prairie from adjacent forest or woodland groves. If this is not checked by fire or land management practices, grassland may be converted to forest or woodland (e.g., ~Great Plains Forest & Woodland Macrogroup (M151)$$). Stands that are exposed to seed sources of exotic plant species (e.g., hayfields, roadsides) are often invaded by species such as Poa pratensis and Bromus inermis. Invasion of these exotics is fostered by disturbance (e.g., grazing), and these species are persistent once established.

Prior to agricultural settlement, intermittent grazing by native herbivores was an important aspect of prairie grassland dynamics. Bison, elk and other animals grazed an area and then moved elsewhere. In the process, they fertilized stands, dispersed seeds and restricted the spread of woody species into the grasslands. Currently, ungrazed to lightly grazed stands show the high density and dominance of Festuca hallii that characterize this type. Although tolerant of winter grazing, Festuca hallii is sensitive to grazing during the growing season, and decreases in abundance with increased spring and summer grazing pressure. This decrease is accompanied by an increase in Hesperostipa curtiseta, Hesperostipa comata, Elymus lanceolatus, Pascopyrum smithii, Koeleria macrantha, Carex spp., and Artemisia frigida. As a result, these stands become more similar to the mixedgrass prairie of drier climates to the south. Along with grazing impacts and fire suppression, conversion to agriculture has reduced the extent and range of natural occurrences of this type.