Print Report
A1078 Empetrum nigrum Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Plant associations in this alliance are typically located just above treeline in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest and characterized by dwarf-shrub communities dominated by Empetrum nigrum with a mixture of forbs and graminoids interspersed.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Crowberry Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Northern Cascades Black Crowberry Alpine Dwarf-shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: These dwarf-shrub communities are dominated by Empetrum nigrum with a mixture of forbs and graminoids interspersed. Phyllodoce glanduliflora, Salix nivalis, and Vaccinium scoparium may also occur in the shrub layer, but are usually not abundant. Lupinus arcticus ssp. subalpinus and Lupinus sellulus var. lobbii are often characteristic forb species, and Carex spectabilis is the most abundant graminoid species. Other common herbaceous associates include Erigeron aureus, Festuca brachyphylla, Luzula spicata, Oreostemma alpigenum, Pedicularis contorta, and Solidago simplex var. spathulata. Adjacent vegetation is usually Tsuga mertensiana- or Abies lasiocarpa-dominated parklands, dry montane grasslands, wet sedge meadows, or rock and ice on higher elevation alpine slopes. Plant associations in this alliance are typically located just above treeline in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest and form distinctive fell-field communities above treeline. The climate is cold with deep snow accumulations, a short growing season, and annual precipitation exceeding 150 (500) cm. Elevations typically range from 1700-2400 m. This alliance occurs on well-drained, moderately steep slopes. Aspects are typically southern or western in the northern Cascades, but tend to be northerly on Mount Rainier. Soils are composed of varied parent materials, but are usually young and poorly developed.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Dwarf-shrublands occurring at high elevations of the Cascade Range in fell-fields dominated by Empetrum nigrum in association with other shrub species.
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: The vegetation is characterized by a discontinuous ground layer of dwarf-shrubs, which form a clumped, heath-like layer up to 0.3 m in height. Upright or cushion-forming forbs are usually abundant and scattered through the dwarf-shrub matrix. Cespitose graminoids may also be common.
Floristics: Plant associations in this alliance form distinctive fell-field communities above treeline. These dwarf-shrub communities are dominated by Empetrum nigrum with a mixture of forbs and graminoids interspersed. Phyllodoce glanduliflora and Vaccinium scoparium may also occur in the shrub layer, but are usually not abundant. Lupinus arcticus ssp. subalpinus and Lupinus sellulus var. lobbii are the most characteristic forb species, and Carex spectabilis is the most abundant graminoid species. Other common herbaceous associates include Erigeron aureus, Festuca brachyphylla, Luzula spicata, Pedicularis contorta, Oreostemma alpigenum (= Aster alpigenus), and Solidago simplex var. spathulata (= Solidago spathulata)..
Dynamics: This vegetation is associated with frigid, wet, nutrient-poor soils that have slow rates of decomposition and that accumulate organic matter. Rapid erosion generally results in young, poorly stratified soils at most sites.
Environmental Description: Plant associations in this alliance are typically located just above treeline in high mountains of the Pacific Northwest. The climate is cold and snowy with deep snow accumulations, a short growing season, and annual precipitation exceeding 150 (500) cm. Elevations typically range from 1700-2400 m (Douglas and Bliss 1977). This alliance occurs on well-drained, moderately steep slopes. Aspects are typically southern or western in the northern Cascades (Douglas and Bliss 1977), but tend to be northerly on Mount Rainier (Hamann 1972). Soils are composed of varied parent materials, but are usually young and poorly developed.
Geographic Range: Vegetation within this alliance is known from the eastern, western and northern Cascade Range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899070
Confidence Level: Low
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.3 Vancouverian Alpine Tundra Macrogroup | M101 | 4.B.1.Nb.3 |
| Group | 4.B.1.Nb.3.a Black Crowberry - Pink Mountain-heath - Western Moss-heather Alpine-Subalpine Dwarf-shrubland & Heath Group | G317 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A1078 Black Crowberry Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A1078 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL001399 Black Crowberry Alpine Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL001399 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL001400 Black Crowberry / Donner Lake Lupine Alpine Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL001400 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.a |
Concept Lineage: A.1078, in part
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Douglas, G. W., and L. C. Bliss. 1977. Alpine and high subalpine plant communities of the North Cascades Range, Washington and British Columbia. Ecological Monographs 47:113-150.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
- Hamann, M. J. 1972. Vegetation of alpine and subalpine meadows of Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Unpublished thesis, Washington State University, Pullman. 120 pp.