Print Report
G359 Juniperus communis - Juniperus horizontalis / Carex spp. Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group consists of shrub, shrub-steppe and grasslands in boreal and boreal transition Alaska and western Canada on well-drained soil where permafrost is absent and dominated by low-statured Juniperus spp. or other shrubs and/or Carex spp. or other graminoid species.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Common Juniper - Creeping Juniper / Sedge species Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group
Colloquial Name: Western Boreal Dry Shrubland & Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This grassland, shrubland and shrub-steppe group occurs throughout the boreal and boreal transition regions of Alaska and western Canada including Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alberta and probably Saskatchewan. Soils are well-drained to excessively-drained and permafrost is absent. Physiognomy is variable and may be dominated by shrubs, grasses or both. Common shrubs may include Juniperus communis, Juniperus horizontalis, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Shepherdia canadensis, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, or Rosa acicularis. More mesic dips or swales might have Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Amelanchier alnifolia, Prunus spp., or Elaeagnus commutata. Common herbaceous species may include Carex spp., Koeleria macrantha, Hesperostipa comata, Hesperostipa spartea, Festuca altaica, Festuca rubra, Calamagrostis purpurascens, Leymus innovatus, and Hesperostipa curtiseta.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This group is characterized by shrub-, herbaceous- or shrub-steppe-dominated vegetation. Shrub cover is typically less than 25% and composition is highly variable.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This group overlaps with ~Alaskan Boreal Dry Aspen Forest Group (G349)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is defined as shrubland, grassland or shrub-steppe dominated by broad-leaved deciduous shrubs, graminoids and forbs.
Floristics: Common shrubs may include Juniperus communis, Juniperus horizontalis, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Shepherdia canadensis, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (= Pentaphylloides floribunda), Vaccinium vitis-idaea, or Rosa acicularis. More mesic dips or swales might have Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Amelanchier alnifolia, Prunus spp., or Elaeagnus commutata. Common herbaceous species may include Carex spp., Koeleria macrantha, Hesperostipa comata, Hesperostipa spartea, Festuca altaica, Festuca rubra, Calamagrostis purpurascens, Leymus innovatus, and Hesperostipa curtiseta.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This grassland, shrubland and shrub-steppe group occurs throughout the boreal and boreal transition regions of Alaska and western Canada including Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alberta and probably Saskatchewan. Soils are well-drained to excessively-drained and permafrost is absent.
Geographic Range: This grassland, shrubland and shrub-steppe group occurs throughout the boreal and boreal transition regions of Alaska and western Canada including Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alberta and probably Saskatchewan.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, AK, BC, SK, YT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860878
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.3 Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F028 | 2.B.3 |
| Division | 2.B.3.Na North American Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Division | D025 | 2.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.3.Na.1 North American Boreal Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M055 | 2.B.3.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.B.3.Na.1.a Common Juniper - Creeping Juniper / Sedge species Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group | G359 | 2.B.3.Na.1.a |
| Alliance | A4269 Prairie Sagewort - Purple Reedgrass Dry Shrub Grassland Alliance | A4269 | 2.B.3.Na.1.a |
| Alliance | A4270 Silverberry - Russet Buffaloberry Dry Shrubland Alliance | A4270 | 2.B.3.Na.1.a |
| Alliance | A4271 Slender Wheatgrass - Alpine Fescue Dry Riverine Grassland Alliance | A4271 | 2.B.3.Na.1.a |
| Alliance | A4272 Drummond''s Mountain-avens Dry Montane Riverine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A4272 | 2.B.3.Na.1.a |
| Alliance | A4273 Dwarf Birch Dry Montane Shrubland Alliance | A4273 | 2.B.3.Na.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Banner, A., W. MacKenzie, S. Haeussler, S. Thomson, J. Pojar, and R. Trowbridge. 1993. A field guide to site identification and interpretation for the Prince Rupert Forest Region. Ministry of Forests Research Program. Victoria, BC. Parts 1 and 2. Land Management Handbook Number 26.
- Comer, P., D. Faber-Langendoen, R. Evans, S. Gawler, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, K. Snow, J. Teague, and R. White. 2003-present. Ecological systems of the United States: A working classification of U.S. terrestrial systems. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
- DeLong, C. 2000. A field guide for site identification and interpretation of ecosystems of the northwest portion of the Prince George Forest Region. Draft field guide insert. British Columbia Ministry of Forests Research Branch, Victoria, BC. [update for LMH 21]
- 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]
- Lane, C. T., M. G. Willoughby, and M. A. Alexander. 2000. Range plant community types and carrying capacities for the Lower Foothills subregion of Alberta: Third approximation. Publication No. T/532. Alberta Environment, Land and Forest Service.
- 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.
- Stone, C., M. G. Willoughby, and A. Rosendal. 2007. Guide to range plant community types and carrying capacity for the Peace River Parkland subregion in Alberta: First approximation. Publication No. T/143. Sustainable Resource Development, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Edmonton. 143 pp. ISBN: 978-0-7785-6500 [online edition].
- 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.
- Willoughby, M. G. 2007. Range plant communities and carrying capacity for the Upper Foothills subregion: Sixth Approximation (a revision of the fourth and fifth approximations: Publication Nos. T/003 and T/068). Publication No. T/138. Sustainable Resource Development, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Edmonton. 182 pp. ISBN:978-0-7785-6484 [online edition].