Print Report
A3330 Vaccinium cespitosum - Vaccinium membranaceum - Vaccinium scoparium Cascadian Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of dwarf-shrublands dominated by Vaccinium cespitosum, Vaccinium membranaceum, or Vaccinium scoparium. It occurs in the high montane and subalpine elevations of the Cascade Range.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Dwarf Bilberry - Thinleaf Huckleberry - Grouse Whortleberry Cascadian Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Cascadian Heath Alpine Dwarf-shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: These are dwarf-shrublands dominated by Vaccinium cespitosum, Vaccinium membranaceum, or Vaccinium scoparium. Herbaceous species are mostly forbs which vary in their composition and can be quite abundant, nearly as much as the dwarf-shrub cover in some stands. Species include Antennaria lanata, Arenaria capillaris, Arnica latifolia, Erigeron peregrinus, Ligusticum grayi, Lomatium martindalei, Lupinus arcticus ssp. subalpinus, Lupinus latifolius, Moehringia macrophylla, Phlox diffusa, Potentilla flabellifolia, Sedum divergens, Silene parryi, and other rocky site species. This alliance occurs in the high montane and subalpine zones of the Cascade Range. Elevations range from 1520 to 2200 m (5000-7200 feet) within tree islands and in the surrounding meadows. It is maintained by fire. Slopes are gentle to steep with rocky substrates.
Diagnostic Characteristics: High-elevation dwarf-shrublands of the Cascades dominated by blueberry species, including Vaccinium cespitosum, Vaccinium membranaceum, or Vaccinium scoparium, which are maintained by fire.
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: Vegetation included in this alliance has a dense cold-deciduous, dwarf-shrub layer. The short herbaceous layer is sparse to moderately dense depending on the cover of the dwarf-shrubs, and is dominated by perennial forbs. Graminoids are relatively sparse. Nonvascular plants such as mosses and lichens often have dense cover.
Floristics: These are dwarf-shrublands dominated by Vaccinium cespitosum, Vaccinium membranaceum, or Vaccinium scoparium. Herbaceous species are mostly forbs which vary in their composition and can be quite abundant, nearly as much as the dwarf-shrub cover in some stands. Species include Antennaria lanata, Arenaria capillaris, Arnica latifolia, Erigeron peregrinus, Ligusticum grayi, Lomatium martindalei, Lupinus arcticus ssp. subalpinus, Lupinus latifolius, Moehringia macrophylla (= Arenaria macrophylla), Phlox diffusa, Potentilla flabellifolia, Sedum divergens, Silene parryi, and other rocky site species.
Dynamics: Ecological dynamics of these communities are poorly understood, but Henderson (1973) speculated that these communities represent an early-seral stage in primary or post-fire succession of subalpine snow basins. He described Luetkea pectinata - Saxifraga tolmiei 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 alliance occurs in the high montane and subalpine elevations at 1520 to 2200 m (5000-7200 feet) within tree islands and in the surrounding meadows. It is maintained by fire. Climate is maritime-influenced with deep snowpacks. Stands occur in nearly level basins to very steep slopes on hills and ridges. Sites are moist to mesic, and are typically near where snow accumulates or on poorly drained substrates. Aspects are generally cool and do not occur on south- or west-facing slopes. Soils are variable.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains of Washington. It is likely to occur in Oregon and may extend down into the Sierra Nevada of California.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: BC, CA, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899454
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 | A3330 Dwarf Bilberry - Thinleaf Huckleberry - Grouse Whortleberry Cascadian Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A3330 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL001428 Thinleaf Huckleberry - Cascade Bilberry Alpine Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL001428 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL001918 Partridgefoot - Tolmie''s Saxifrage Alpine Meadow | CEGL001918 | 4.B.1.Nb.3.a |
Concept Lineage: A.1115, A.1629.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Vaccinium cespitosum (Dwarf bilberry meadows and mats) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [45.405.00]
- 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.
- 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.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.