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A3155 Carex elynoides - Carex rupestris - Kobresia myosuroides Rocky Mountain Alpine Turf Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This Rocky Mountain alpine dry turf and meadow alliance is characterized by a moderate to dense herbaceous layer dominated by diagnostic graminoids Carex elynoides, Carex rupestris var. rupestris, Carex rupestris var. drummondiana, Carex scirpoidea, and Kobresia myosuroides with many other high-constancy diagnostic and sometimes abundant forb species, including Antennaria microphylla, Artemisia scopulorum, Euphrasia disjuncta, Festuca brachyphylla, Geum rossii, Lupinus argenteus, Oreoxis spp., Oxytropis sericea, Polemonium viscosum, Polygonum bistortoides, Potentilla diversifolia, Trifolium dasyphyllum, Trisetum spicatum, and Zigadenus elegans.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Blackroot Sedge - Curly Sedge - Bellardi Bog Sedge Rocky Mountain Alpine Turf Alliance

Colloquial Name: Rocky Mountain Alpine Sedge Turf

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Vegetation of this alpine turf and meadow alliance is characterized by a moderate to dense herbaceous layer dominated by diagnostic graminoids Carex elynoides, Carex rupestris var. rupestris, Carex rupestris var. drummondiana, Carex scirpoidea, and Kobresia myosuroides. Other high-constancy diagnostic and sometimes abundant species include Antennaria microphylla, Artemisia scopulorum, Carex albonigra, Carex duriuscula, Carex siccata, Euphrasia disjuncta, Festuca brachyphylla, Geum rossii, Lupinus argenteus, Oreoxis alpina, Oreoxis bakeri, Oxytropis sericea, Polemonium viscosum, Polygonum bistortoides, Potentilla diversifolia, Trifolium dasyphyllum, Trisetum spicatum, and Zigadenus elegans. Selaginella densa is commonly found in the fern layer. This alliance occurs above upper treeline throughout the Rocky Mountain cordillera and alpine areas of high plateaus and ranges in the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin. Stands are found on gentle to moderate slopes, flat ridges, valleys, and basins where 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. Alpine turf sites have deeper, more developed soils than fell-fields, although there may be moderately high cover of cobbles and boulders present.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alpine dry turf and meadow alliance is characterized by diagnostic and often dominant graminoids Carex elynoides, Carex rupestris var. rupestris, Carex rupestris var. drummondiana, Carex scirpoidea, and Kobresia myosuroides. Other high-constancy diagnostic and sometimes abundant species include Antennaria microphylla, Artemisia scopulorum, Carex albonigra, Carex duriuscula, Carex siccata, Euphrasia disjuncta, Festuca brachyphylla, Geum rossii, Lupinus argenteus, Oreoxis alpina, Oreoxis bakeri, Oxytropis sericea, Polemonium viscosum, Polygonum bistortoides, Potentilla diversifolia, Trisetum spicatum, Trifolium dasyphyllum, Trisetum spicatum, and Zigadenus elegans.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Some associations included in this alliance need more review and possibly splitting: ~Carex ebenea - Trifolium parryi Alpine Snowbed (CEGL001873)$$, ~Carex haydeniana Alpine Turf (CEGL001875)$$, ~Carex spp. - Geum rossii Alpine Turf (CEGL001870)$$, ~Trifolium dasyphyllum Alpine Fell-field (CEGL001935)$$, and ~Geum rossii - Trifolium spp. Alpine Turf (CEGL001970)$$ are broadly defined floristically and occur in both fell-fields and dry turf, or alpine meadows and snowbed communities. Also, ~Carex duriuscula - Poa secunda Alpine Turf (CEGL001736)$$ may occur in non-alpine stands. ~Polemonium viscosum Alpine Meadow (CEGL001928)$$ is poorly know and may fit better in a fell-field alliance, but more review is needed.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is dominated by densely tufted, perennial graminoids. The graminoid cover ranges from 45-60%. The forb stratum is conspicuous with 10-20% cover. A moss layer is present in some stands.

Floristics: Vegetation of this Rocky Mountain alliance includes extensive areas of short, dry windswept alpine turf and smaller patches of relatively mesic alpine turf and meadow in less xeric topographic positions such as concave slope positions or small patches among boulders. The vegetation is characterized by turf species, fibrous-rooted graminoids that dominate the moderate to dense (30-95% cover) herbaceous layer. Stands are floristically diverse, especially in the southern Rocky Mountains. Widespread diagnostic and often dominant turf species are Carex elynoides, Carex rupestris var. rupestris, Carex rupestris var. drummondiana, Carex scirpoidea, and Kobresia myosuroides. Other high-constancy diagnostic and sometimes abundant species include Antennaria microphylla, Artemisia scopulorum, Carex albonigra, Carex duriuscula, Carex siccata, Euphrasia disjuncta, Festuca brachyphylla, Geum rossii, Lupinus argenteus, Oreoxis alpina, Oreoxis bakeri, Oxytropis sericea, Polemonium viscosum, Polygonum bistortoides, Potentilla diversifolia, Trifolium dasyphyllum, Trisetum spicatum, and Zigadenus elegans (Komarkova 1976, 1986, Cooper et al. 1997). Numerous associates may be present in this diverse alliance, such as Carex ebenea, Carex haydeniana, Erigeron speciosus var. macranthus, Penstemon procerus, Phleum alpinum, Potentilla pulcherrima, Poa glauca, Valeriana edulis, and scattered cushion plants diagnostic of fell-field, especially in transition areas with fell-field. Alpine areas in ranges in the Great Basin tend to be drier with smaller turf patches and include some species common in desert scrub, such as Poa secunda. Scatter dwarf-shrubs maybe present, such as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Artemisia frigida, or Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda. Deschampsia cespitosa may be present in relatively mesic sites. Subalpine grasses may be present in lower alpine stands. Selaginella densa is commonly found in the fern layer.

Dynamics:  Snow cover is a driving variable in alpine vegetation dynamics by protecting plant from desiccating effects of high winds during winter and providing soil moisture during the growing season (Isard 1986). Turf and meadow communities occur in exposed areas that limit snow accumulation to 9-35 cm (Isard 1986). The persistent snow cover melts relatively early and limits the growing season to 2-3 months, not providing low to moderate soil moisture for the relatively long growing season.

Kobresia myosuroides is a major climax community in the alpine (Cox 1933, Willard 1963, Hess 1981, Komarkova 1986). Willard (1963) states that the Kobresia myosuroides stands on Trail Ridge, Colorado, are very old. Osburn (1958b) estimates that a minimum of 100 years are necessary for the formation of 1 inch of humus soil under present alpine conditions in the Front Range. This estimate would make some stands on Trail Ridge 800 to 1300 years old. Willard and others also mention that Kobresia myosuroides is intolerant of snow cover. Kiener (1939) states that Kobresia myosuroides is efficient in obtaining water due to the turf-forming root system. Willard (1963) and Komarkova (1976) both remark on the abundance of gopher activity within stands of Carex elynoides. They state that due to the gophers'' grazing, small patches of the plant communities are left isolated.
Environmental Description:  This alpine alliance occurs on open, dry, windswept slopes at high elevations in the Rocky Mountains. Sites occupy gentle to moderately sloping (3-26%) upland terrain of southerly to easterly exposures at elevations ranging from 2400 to 4200 m depending on latitude (Eddleman 1967, Hermann 1970, Hess 1981, Cooper et al. 1997). As wind exposure increases, soils become shallow and rocky and vegetation grades from turf to cushion plant-dominated fell-fields (Cooper et al. 1997). Stands are found on a variety of substrates including gneiss, granitic, limestone, quartzites, and sandstones. They are found on well-drained sites which receive limited snow cover (10-35 cm). Stands on Trail Ridge, Colorado, are free of snow and frost very early; plants were observed blooming in mid May (Willard 1963). Most moisture is received from summer rains. Soils are skeletal and loamy. Coarse fragments are abundant, and pH varies from 5.4 to 6.6 (Hess 1981).
Geographic Range: This turf and meadow alliance occurs above upper treeline throughout the Rocky Mountain cordillera and alpine areas of high plateaus and ranges in the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB, AZ, CA?, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY


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.2 Eight-petal Mountain-avens - Blackroot Sedge - Moss Campion Alpine Tundra Macrogroup M099 4.B.1.Nb.2
Group 4.B.1.Nb.2.b Blackroot Sedge - Bellardi Bog Sedge - Cushion Phlox Alpine Turf & Fell-field Group G314 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Alliance A3155 Blackroot Sedge - Curly Sedge - Bellardi Bog Sedge Rocky Mountain Alpine Turf Alliance A3155 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001736 Needleleaf Sedge - Sandberg Bluegrass Alpine Turf CEGL001736 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001797 Alpine Fescue Alpine Meadow CEGL001797 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001808 Dry-spike Sedge - Ross'' Avens Alpine Turf CEGL001808 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001847 Littleleaf Pussytoes - Alpine Sagebrush Alpine Meadow CEGL001847 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001852 Blackroot Sedge Alpine Turf CEGL001852 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001853 Blackroot Sedge - Ross'' Avens Alpine Turf CEGL001853 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001854 Blackroot Sedge - Silvery Lupine Alpine Turf CEGL001854 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001855 Blackroot Sedge - Alpine-parsley species Alpine Turf CEGL001855 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001856 Blackroot Sedge - White Locoweed Alpine Turf CEGL001856 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001861 Curly Sedge - Ross'' Avens Alpine Turf CEGL001861 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001863 Curly Sedge - Alpine Clover Alpine Turf CEGL001863 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001864 Drummond''s Sedge Alpine Turf CEGL001864 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001865 Western Single-spike Sedge Alpine Meadow CEGL001865 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001866 Northern Single-spike Sedge - Ross'' Avens Alpine Turf CEGL001866 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001867 Northern Single-spike Sedge - Varileaf Cinquefoil Alpine Turf CEGL001867 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001870 Sedge species - Ross'' Avens Alpine Turf CEGL001870 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001875 Cloud Sedge Alpine Turf CEGL001875 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001895 Alpine Fescue - Ross'' Avens Alpine Turf CEGL001895 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001896 Alpine Fescue - Narrow False Oats Alpine Turf CEGL001896 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001907 Bellardi Bog Sedge - Drummond''s Sedge Alpine Turf CEGL001907 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001908 Bellardi Bog Sedge - Ross'' Avens Alpine Turf CEGL001908 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001909 Bellardi Bog Sedge - Alpine Clover Alpine Turf CEGL001909 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001928 Sticky Jacob''s-ladder Alpine Meadow CEGL001928 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001964 Ross'' Avens Alpine Meadow CEGL001964 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001966 Ross'' Avens - Black-and-White Sedge Alpine Meadow CEGL001966 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001967 Ross'' Avens - American Bistort Alpine Turf CEGL001967 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL001970 Ross'' Avens - Clover species Alpine Turf CEGL001970 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL005866 Northern Single-spike Sedge - Mountain Deathcamas Alpine Meadow CEGL005866 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Association CEGL005872 Bellardi Bog Sedge - Polar Eyebright Alpine Turf CEGL005872 4.B.1.Nb.2.b
Concept Lineage: This alliance includes all or parts of the following old alliances V.A.5.N.e. Carex duriuscula Herbaceous Alliance (A.1283), V.A.5.N.g. Carex (ebenea, haydeniana) Herbaceous Alliance (A.1302), V.A.5.N.g. Carex elynoides Herbaceous Alliance (A.1303), V.A.5.N.g. Carex rupestris Herbaceous Alliance (A.1307), V.A.5.N.g. Carex scirpoidea Herbaceous Alliance (A.1308), V.A.5.N.g. Carex siccata Herbaceous Alliance (A.1298), V.A.5.N.h. Festuca brachyphylla Herbaceous Alliance (A.1321), V.A.5.N.h. Kobresia myosuroides Herbaceous Alliance (A.1326), V.B.2.N.b. Artemisia arctica Herbaceous Alliance (A.1624), and V.B.2.N.b. Geum rossii Herbaceous Alliance (A.1645), V.B.2.N.b. Polemonium viscosum Herbaceous Alliance (A.1631), This alliance also includes some proto-alliances such as Lomatium graveolens var. alpinum Herbaceous Alliance [Placeholder) (A2045) created for Great Basin National Park.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Kobresia spp. Series (Johnston 1987)
= Dry sedge Meadow (Nodum I) (May and Webber 1982)
= Dry sedge Meadow (Nodum I) (May 1973)
> Turf Communities (Cooper and Heidel 1997)
Concept Author(s): D.E. May (1973)

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by D. Culver.

Version Date: 03-14-14
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