Print Report
G317 Empetrum nigrum - Phyllodoce empetriformis - Cassiope mertensiana Alpine-Subalpine Dwarf-shrubland & Heath Group
Type Concept Sentence: This alpine dwarf-shrubland group occurs in the coastal mountains of the Pacific Northwest north into southeastern Alaska. The vegetation ranges from a sparse to near continuous cover of dwarf-shrubs (alpine heath) or dwarf-shrub-herbaceous meadows.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Crowberry - Pink Mountain-heath - Western Moss-heather Alpine-Subalpine Dwarf-shrubland & Heath Group
Colloquial Name: North Pacific Alpine-Subalpine Dwarf-shrubland & Heath
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This alpine dwarf-shrubland group occurs in the coastal mountains of the Pacific Northwest north into southeastern Alaska. The vegetation ranges from a sparse to near continuous cover of dwarf-shrubs (alpine heath) or dwarf-shrub-herbaceous meadows. Dominant dwarf-shrub species include Cassiope mertensiana, Cassiope tetragona, Empetrum nigrum, Harrimanella stelleriana, Luetkea pectinata, Phyllodoce aleutica, Phyllodoce empetriformis, and Phyllodoce glanduliflora. Other common species may include Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Dryas octopetala, Loiseleuria procumbens, Vaccinium uliginosum, and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Ericaceous species typically dominate, but sites dominated by Salix arctica, Salix nivalis, and Salix reticulata are included in this group. Scattered tall shrubs and dwarf trees may also be present. Common herbaceous species include Aconitum delphiniifolium, Anemone narcissiflora, Artemisia arctica, Carex macrochaeta, Castilleja unalaschcensis, Geranium erianthum, Lupinus nootkatensis, Sanguisorba canadensis, Saxifraga tolmiei, Valeriana sitchensis, and Viola spp. On slopes on the outer coast and also in Kenai Fjords and Prince William Sound, Nephrophyllidium crista-galli is common. This group occurs above 2350 m (7200 feet) in the Klamath Mountains and Cascade Range north into the Coast Mountains of British Columbia where it is confined to the coldest, wind-blown areas above treeline and above the subalpine parkland. It occurs on slopes and depressions where snow lingers, the soil has become relatively stabilized, and the water supply is more-or-less constant, as well as on exposed summits, windswept ridges, and fell-fields that are much drier. Slopes vary from steep to flat. These sites are characterized by harsh environmental conditions.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This Pacific Northwest to Alaskan alpine dwarf-shrubland group is dominated or codominated by Cassiope mertensiana, Cassiope tetragona, Empetrum nigrum, Harrimanella stelleriana, Luetkea pectinata, Phyllodoce aleutica, Phyllodoce empetriformis, and Phyllodoce glanduliflora.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is a wide-ranging and variable alpine-subalpine dwarf-shrubland group.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is characterized by an open to closed dwarf-shrub canopy frequently dominated by Ericaceous species.
Floristics: The vegetation ranges from a sparse to moderately dense dwarf-shrub layer (alpine heath) or herbaceous meadows that may have some heath mixed in; however, in some areas dwarf-shrub cover is continuous. Vegetation is controlled by snow retention, wind desiccation, permafrost, and a short growing season. Dominant dwarf-shrub species include Cassiope mertensiana, Cassiope tetragona, Empetrum nigrum, Harrimanella stelleriana, Luetkea pectinata, Phyllodoce aleutica, Phyllodoce empetriformis, and Phyllodoce glanduliflora. Other common species may include Loiseleuria procumbens, Vaccinium cespitosum, Vaccinium deliciosum, Vaccinium membranaceum, Vaccinium uliginosum, and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Ericaceous species typically dominate, but sites dominated by Salix arctica, Salix nivalis, and Salix reticulata are included in this group. Scattered tall shrubs and dwarf trees may also be present. Common herbaceous species include Aconitum delphiniifolium, Anemone narcissiflora, Artemisia arctica, Carex filifolia, Carex macrochaeta, Castilleja unalaschcensis, Festuca brachyphylla, Geranium erianthum, Lupinus latifolius, Lupinus nootkatensis, Oreostemma alpigenum, Sanguisorba canadensis, Saxifraga tolmiei, Valeriana sitchensis, and Viola spp. On slopes on the outer coast and also in Kenai Fjords and Prince William Sound, Nephrophyllidium crista-galli is common. Dwarf-shrubs that typically occur on exposed summits, windswept ridges, and fell-fields are Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Loiseleuria procumbens, Phyllodoce aleutica, Harrimanella stelleriana, and Luetkea pectinata. Lichens may be common. Total vegetation cover ranges from 10 to 25%. Floristic information was compiled from Franklin and Dyrness (1973), Viereck et al. (1992), DeVelice et al. (1999), Billings (2000), and Boggs et al. (2008a).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This group occurs above the environmental limit of trees, at the highest elevations of the mountain regions of the Pacific Northwest coast north to southeastern, maritime Alaska primarily on alpine and subalpine sites, but it can also be found at lower elevations (e.g., Kenai Fjords and Prince William Sound). It occurs above 2350 m (7200 feet) in the Klamath Mountains and Cascade Range north into the Coast Mountains of British Columbia where it is confined to the coldest, wind-blown areas above treeline and above the subalpine parkland. It occurs on slopes and depressions where snow lingers, the soil has become relatively stabilized, and the water supply is more or less constant. Vegetation in these areas is controlled by snow retention, wind desiccation, permafrost, and a short growing season. In Alaska, stands occur on sideslopes, shoulder slopes, and low summits, and the terrain varies from gently sloping to steep. This group also includes sparsely vegetated alpine stands that occur on exposed summits, windswept ridges, and fell-fields. These sites are characterized by harsh environmental conditions. Slopes vary from moderately sloped to flat.
Geographic Range: This alpine group occurs in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest coast north to southeastern, maritime Alaska primarily on alpine and subalpine sites, but it can also be found at lower elevations (e.g., Kenai Fjords and Prince William Sound).
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AK, BC, CA, ID, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.857338
Confidence Level: Moderate
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: No Data Available
- BCMF [British Columbia Ministry of Forests]. 2006. BEC Master Site Series Database. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Victoria, BC. [http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/becweb/resources/codes-standards/standards-becdb.html]
- Billings, W. D. 2000. Alpine vegetation of North America. Pages 537-572 in: M. G. Barbour and W. D. Billings, editors. North American terrestrial vegetation. Second edition. Cambridge University Press, New York. 434 pp.
- Boggs, K., S. C. Klein, J. Grunblatt, G. P. Streveler, and B. Koltun. 2008a. Landcover classes and plant associations of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/KEFJ/NRTR-2008/093. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 255 pp.
- Boggs, K., S. C. Klein, L. Flagstad, T. Boucher, J. Grunblatt, and B. Koltun. 2008b. Landcover classes, ecosystems and plant associations of Kenai Fjords National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/KEFJ/NRTR-2008/136. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- DeVelice, R. L., C. J. Hubbard, K. Boggs, S. Boudreau, M. Potkin, T. Boucher, and C. Wertheim. 1999. Plant community types of the Chugach National Forest: South-central Alaska. Technical Publication R10-TP-76. USDA Forest Service, Chugach National Forest, Alaska Region. 375 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]
- Franklin, J. F., and C. T. Dyrness. 1973. Natural vegetation of Oregon and Washington. General Technical Report PNW-8. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR. 417 pp.
- Viereck, L. A., C. T. Dyrness, A. R. Batten, and K. J. Wenzlick. 1992. The Alaska vegetation classification. General Technical Report PNW-GTR286. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 278 pp.