Print Report
A3740 Aletes anisatus - Holodiscus dumosus - Rubus idaeus Cliff, Scree & Rock Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Sparsely vegetated areas dominated by various forbs and graminoids occupying cliffs, outcrops and scree areas of the Colorado and Wyoming Rocky Mountains in subalpine to alpine settings.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rocky Mountain Indian-parsley - Rockspirea - American Red Raspberry Cliff, Scree & Rock Alliance
Colloquial Name: Rocky Mountain Indian-parsley - Rockspirea - Raspberry Cliff, Scree & Rock
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Associations within this alliance include sparsely vegetated areas of the Colorado and Wyoming Rocky Mountains in subalpine to alpine settings. Stands are typically herbaceous-dominated, although some are shrub-dominated. Due to the rocky substrate, total vegetation cover is typically sparse. Characteristic shrubs may include Artemisia frigida, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Holodiscus dumosus, Purshia tridentata, Rhus trilobata, and Ribes cereum. The most consistent dominant herbaceous species include Aletes anisatus, Aquilegia coerulea, Cirsium scopulorum, Claytonia megarhiza, Heuchera bracteata, Heuchera parvifolia, and Scutellaria brittonii. Elevations range from 1800 to >3900 m. Stands occur in patches on rock ledges, scree and other steep slopes (20-100%). Substrates are shallow, rocky, rapidly drained, coarse-textured soils derived from various parent materials. Sites include windblown summits and ridges, scree and talus slopes, outcrops, and cliffs.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Characteristic of this alliance is perennial forb, shrub and graminoid vegetation of rock, scree and cliff areas of the Colorado and Wyoming Rocky Mountains. Sites have little to no soil development which promotes sparse vegetation cover. Most of the unvegetated surface is barren rock.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The associations attributed here are done so based on geographic proximity and may not have much floristic overlap. More information is needed to fully describe and classify stands in this and other scree, gravel slide, and talus vegetation.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by a moderate cover of low-growing shrubs, perennial forbs and graminoids that grow in the crevices of rocks. Scattered trees are occasionally present as saplings from 1.5-3 m tall. The moss layer is sparse.
Floristics: Stands are typically herbaceous-dominated, although some are shrub-dominated. Due to the rocky substrate, total vegetation cover is typically sparse. Characteristic shrubs may include Artemisia frigida, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Holodiscus dumosus, Purshia tridentata, Rhus trilobata, and Ribes cereum. The most consistent dominant herbaceous species include Aletes anisatus, Aquilegia coerulea, Cirsium scopulorum, Claytonia megarhiza, Heuchera bracteata, Heuchera parvifolia, and Scutellaria brittonii. Other herbaceous associates present may include Aquilegia saximontana, Bouteloua gracilis, Bromus inermis var. pumpellianus (= Bromus pumpellianus), Carex geophila, Carex heteroneura, Cryptogramma acrostichoides, Cystopteris fragilis, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elymus elymoides, Elymus trachycaulus, Festuca arizonica, Festuca brachyphylla, Mertensia lanceolata, Muhlenbergia montana, Oreoxis alpina, Trisetum spicatum, and Viola biflora. Scattered trees, such as Juniperus scopulorum, Pinus contorta, Pinus edulis, Pinus flexilis, Pinus ponderosa, and Pseudotsuga menziesii, are occasionally present as saplings from 1.5-3 m tall.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Vegetation of this alliance occurs at elevations ranging from 1800 to >3900 m in the subalpine and alpine zones of the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming. The climate regime is continental, with long, cold winters and short summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Strong westerly winds are common in the winter. Stands occur in patches on rock ledges, scree and other steep slopes (20-100%). Substrates are shallow, rocky, rapidly drained, coarse-textured soils derived from various parent materials. Sites include windblown summits and ridges, scree and talus slopes, outcrops, and cliffs. Soils are young and poorly developed due to low soil temperature, low soil moisture during the summer, and a short growing season.
Geographic Range: This alliance is known from the Colorado and Wyoming Rocky Mountains.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NV, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899792
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: A.1537, A.1603, A.1626, A.1639, A.1646, A.1838, A927.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Claytonia megarhiza-Silene acaulis ssp. subacaulescens habitat type (Komarkova 1986)
? Heucheretum bracteato-parvifoliae Association (Komarkova 1976)
>< Pseudocymopterus-Mentzelia-Chalicodium Formation (Clements 1904)
? Sagino saginoidis-Claytonietum megarhizae Association (Komarkova 1976)
? Heucheretum bracteato-parvifoliae Association (Komarkova 1976)
>< Pseudocymopterus-Mentzelia-Chalicodium Formation (Clements 1904)
? Sagino saginoidis-Claytonietum megarhizae Association (Komarkova 1976)
- Clements, F. E. 1904. Formation and succession herbaria. University of Nebraska, University Studies IV(4):329-355.
- 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.
- Komarkova, V. 1976. Alpine vegetation of the Indian Peaks Area, Front Range, Colorado Rocky Mountains. Unpublished dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder. 655 pp.
- Komarkova, V. 1986. Habitat types on selected parts of the Gunnison and Uncompahgre national forests. Unpublished final report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Fort Collins, CO. 270 pp. plus appendices.