Print Report
A1640 Antennaria lanata - Juncus parryi Alpine Meadow Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is characterized by a ground layer of Antennaria lanata and/or Juncus parryi and occurs in snowmelt basins and subalpine meadows of the Cascade Range.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Woolly Pussytoes - Parry''s Rush Alpine Meadow Alliance
Colloquial Name: Woolly Pussytoes - Parry''s Rush Alpine Meadow
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This vegetation is characterized by a ground layer of Antennaria lanata and/or Juncus parryi, herbaceous perennials less than 30 cm in height. Regardless of dominance, the associated herbaceous species are very similar and include Arenaria capillaris, Carex breweri, Carex nigricans, Carex phaeocephala, Carex scirpoidea, Carex spectabilis, Festuca brachyphylla, Hieracium gracile, Juncus drummondii, Luetkea pectinata, Lupinus arcticus ssp. subalpinus, Lupinus latifolius, Luzula piperi, Luzula spicata, Minuartia obtusiloba, Oreostemma alpigenum, Polygonum bistortoides, and Sibbaldia procumbens. Cassiope mertensiana, Phyllodoce empetriformis, and Salix cascadensis may form a very sparse shrub layer. Lichens and bryophyte species are often abundant, including Cetraria islandica, Cladonia pyxidata, Lepraria neglecta, Polytrichum juniperinum, and Polytrichum piliferum. This alliance occurs in snowmelt basins and subalpine meadows of the Cascade Range at 1800-2200 m elevation. These habitats receive abundant precipitation (100-250 cm) and accumulate very heavy snowpacks in winter. These sites are subirrigated by snowmelt during most of the short growing season.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This vegetation is characterized by a ground layer of the herbaceous perennials Antennaria lanata and/or Juncus parryi less than 30 cm in height occurring in snowmelt basins and subalpine meadows of the Cascade Range. Shrubs are sparse and scattered with various ericaceous 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: This vegetation is typically composed of a ground matrix of herbaceous perennial forbs less than 0.5 m in height (and often less than 10 cm in height). Graminoids and shrubs may be scattered through these communities at somewhat moister sites. Lichens and bryophytes often occupy the interstices between the vascular plants, can have very high cover, and can be taxonomically and structurally diverse.
Floristics: This vegetation is characterized by a ground layer of the herbaceous perennials Antennaria lanata and/or Juncus parryi less than 30 cm in height. Associated herbaceous species include Arenaria capillaris, Carex breweri, Carex nigricans, Carex phaeocephala, Carex scirpoidea, Carex spectabilis, Festuca brachyphylla, Hieracium gracile, Juncus drummondii, Luetkea pectinata, Lupinus arcticus ssp. subalpinus, Lupinus latifolius, Luzula piperi, Luzula spicata, Minuartia obtusiloba (= Arenaria obtusiloba), Oreostemma alpigenum, Polygonum bistortoides, and Sibbaldia procumbens. Cassiope mertensiana, Phyllodoce empetriformis, and Salix cascadensis may form a very sparse shrub layer. Lichens and bryophyte species are often abundant, including Cetraria islandica, Cladonia pyxidata, Lepraria neglecta, Polytrichum juniperinum, and Polytrichum piliferum. This vegetation typically occurs in close association with wet meadow communities dominated by Carex spp. and/or Salix cascadensis, but generally occurs at sites where snow melts earlier in the summer season (Douglas and Bliss 1977).
Dynamics: Ecological dynamics of these communities are poorly understood, but Henderson (1973) speculated that these communities represent an intermediate-seral stage in primary or post-fire succession of subalpine snow basins. He described Antennaria lanata herbaceous communities as falling between Carex nigricans communities and Phyllodoce - Vaccinium shrublands as soils develop. The shrublands, in turn, eventually succeed to Tsuga mertensiana - Abies lasiocarpa forests in the absence of disturbance.
Environmental Description: This vegetation occurs in snowmelt basins and subalpine meadows of the Cascade Range at 1800-2200 m elevation. These habitats receive abundant precipitation (100-250 cm) and accumulate very heavy snowpacks in winter. Summer is the driest season, but these sites are subirrigated by snowmelt during most of the short growing season. Environmental stresses include growing-season frost, abrasion from wind-borne snow particles, and late-summer drought. Soils range from skeletal volcanic regolith to well-developed Histosols.
Geographic Range: This alliance has been described primarily from the northern Cascade Range of Washington and southern British Columbia, Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: BC, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899158
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.b Longawn Sedge - Showy Sedge - Spreading Phlox Alpine-Subalpine Tundra Group | G320 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.b |
| Alliance | A1640 Woolly Pussytoes - Parry''s Rush Alpine Meadow Alliance | A1640 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.b |
| Association | CEGL001949 Woolly Pussytoes Alpine Meadow | CEGL001949 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.b |
Concept Lineage: A.1640
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.
- 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.
- Henderson, J. A. 1973. Composition, distribution and succession of subalpine meadows in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Unpublished dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 150 pp.