Print Report
G747 Eriophorum vaginatum - Polygonum bistorta Alpine Meadow Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group consists of boreal alpine mesic grasslands and meadows of North America dominated mostly by grasses and sedges, including Arctagrostis latifolia, Carex aquatilis, Carex bigelowii, Carex macrochaeta, Festuca altaica, Festuca rubra, Anthoxanthum monticola ssp. alpinum, and/or Poa arctica.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Tussock Cottongrass - Meadow Bistort Alpine Meadow Group
Colloquial Name: Western Boreal Alpine Acidic Mesic Meadow
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group consists of alpine mesic grasslands and meadows found in boreal climates of North America. They are dominated mostly by grasses and sedges, including Arctagrostis latifolia, Carex aquatilis, Carex bigelowii, Carex microchaeta, Carex podocarpa, Festuca altaica, Festuca rubra, Anthoxanthum monticola ssp. alpinum, Poa arctica, Poa eminens, and Trisetum spicatum. Other forbs that can be abundant include Anemone spp., Bupleurum triradiatum, Erigeron peregrinus, Eriogonum flavum, Geranium erianthum, Pedicularis spp., Polygonum spp., and Saxifraga spp. These are mesic sites found in the alpine, on sheltered well-drained, south-facing mesic alpine slopes and protected alpine swales. Soils are on well-developed to thin, often silt loams, and soil pH tends to be neutral to acidic. Permafrost, if present, is at least 36 cm below the surface or deeper.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands are dominated mostly by grasses and sedges, including Arctagrostis latifolia, Carex aquatilis, Carex bigelowii, Carex microchaeta, Carex podocarpa, Festuca altaica, Festuca rubra, Anthoxanthum monticola ssp. alpinum (= Hierochloe alpina), Poa arctica, Poa eminens, and Trisetum spicatum. Other forbs that can be abundant include Anemone spp., Bupleurum triradiatum, Erigeron peregrinus, Eriogonum flavum, Geranium erianthum, Pedicularis spp., Polygonum spp., and Saxifraga spp.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These are mesic alpine sites found in the boreal climates of North America, on sheltered well-drained, south-facing slopes and protected alpine swales. Soils are on well-developed to thin, often silt loams, and soil pH tends to be neutral to acidic. Permafrost, if present, is at least 36 cm below the surface or deeper.
Geographic Range: This group is known from boreal Alaska, British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: AK, BC?, YT?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.885532
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.4 Altai Fescue - White Arctic Mountain-heather Boreal Alpine Tundra Macrogroup | M404 | 4.B.1.Nb.4 |
| Group | 4.B.1.Nb.4.b Tussock Cottongrass - Meadow Bistort Alpine Meadow Group | G747 | 4.B.1.Nb.4.b |
| Alliance | A4320 Tussock Cottongrass - Tealeaf Willow - Meadow Bistort Alpine Meadow Alliance | A4320 | 4.B.1.Nb.4.b |
| Alliance | A4321 Bigelow''s Sedge - Entireleaf Mountain-avens Alpine Meadow Alliance | A4321 | 4.B.1.Nb.4.b |
| Alliance | A4322 Bigelow''s Sedge - Tall Cottongrass - Tealeaf Willow Alpine Meadow Alliance | A4322 | 4.B.1.Nb.4.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? III.A.1.d. Midgrass-Herb (Viereck et al. 1992) [Festuca altaica, Festuca rubra, Poa eminens, Alpine meadows.]
? III.A.2.e. Mesic Sedge-Grass Meadow Tundra (Viereck et al. 1992) [alpine tundra of well-drained sites, Carex microchaeta, Carex podovarpa, Carex bigelowii, Carex aquatilis.]
? III.A.2.f. Mesic Sedge-Herb Meadow Tundra (Viereck et al. 1992) [Carex macrochaeta, Geranium erianthum, Erigeron perfrinus.]
? III.A.2.e. Mesic Sedge-Grass Meadow Tundra (Viereck et al. 1992) [alpine tundra of well-drained sites, Carex microchaeta, Carex podovarpa, Carex bigelowii, Carex aquatilis.]
? III.A.2.f. Mesic Sedge-Herb Meadow Tundra (Viereck et al. 1992) [Carex macrochaeta, Geranium erianthum, Erigeron perfrinus.]
- 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]
- 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.