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A3741 Aquilegia flavescens - Phacelia hastata Cliff, Scree & Rock Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Sparse cliff, scree and rock outcrop vegetation of the northern Rocky Mountains. The most common dominants include Aquilegia flavescens, Penstemon ellipticus, Phacelia hastata and Senecio megacephalus.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Yellow Columbine - Silverleaf Phacelia Cliff, Scree & Rock Alliance
Colloquial Name: Yellow Columbine - Silverleaf Phacelia Cliff, Scree & Rock
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Sparse cliff, scree and rock outcrop vegetation of the northern Rocky Mountains. Structurally, vegetation is very open and characterized by the dominance of forbs, the most important species including Aquilegia flavescens, Phacelia hastata, Penstemon ellipticus, and Senecio megacephalus. Associated herbaceous species may include Achillea millefolium, Aquilegia flavescens, Arenaria capillaris, Arnica x diversifolia, Castilleja miniata, Chamerion angustifolium, Cirsium hookerianum, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Galium boreale, Minuartia nuttallii, Phacelia sericea, Potentilla diversifolia, Sedum lanceolatum, Senecio megacephalus, Stellaria americana, Symphyotrichum foliaceum, and Valeriana sitchensis. This subalpine to alpine community occurs from 1800 to 2400 m on steep to very steep (45-80%) talus slopes and scree fields spanning a range of exposures from east to primarily southwest (facing prevailing winds).
Diagnostic Characteristics: Sparse perennial forb-dominated vegetation of the subalpine and alpine zones of the northern Rocky Mountains occupying cliff, scree and rock outcrop areas. 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.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by a rock-dominated substrate and a sparse cover of moderately tall (<1 m) perennial herbs that grow in patches between the rocks. Moss cover is sparse.
Floristics: Structurally, vegetation is very open and characterized by the dominance of forbs, the most important species including Aquilegia flavescens, Phacelia hastata, Penstemon ellipticus, and Senecio megacephalus. Associated herbaceous species may include Achillea millefolium, Aquilegia flavescens, Arenaria capillaris, Arnica x diversifolia, Castilleja miniata, Chamerion angustifolium (= Epilobium angustifolium), Cirsium hookerianum, Epilobium anagallidifolium (= Epilobium alpinum), Galium boreale, Minuartia nuttallii (= Arenaria nuttallii), Phacelia sericea, Potentilla diversifolia, Sedum lanceolatum, Senecio megacephalus, Stellaria americana, Symphyotrichum foliaceum (= Aster foliaceus), and Valeriana sitchensis. Elymus alaskanus ssp. latiglumis (= Agropyron latiglume) is the only characteristic graminoid. Mosses and lichens usually comprise less than 1% canopy cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: The climate regime of this alliance is continental, with long, cold winters and short summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Strong westerly winds are common in the winter. Stands occur between 1800 and 2400 m elevation on all aspects of gentle to very steep (45-80%) talus slopes and scree fields. The ground is covered with small- to large-sized boulders that are snow-covered in winter. The boulders provide protection from the wind and an increased moisture supply to the vegetation. Precipitation that falls on the boulders concentrates in the crevices between the rocks creating mesic microsites suitable for the vegetation in the alliance. Stands also occur among the krummholz, where the stunted trees may provide similar sheltered sites. 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 currently only known from Waterton - Glacier National International Peace Park in Alberta and Montana.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899793
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class | C06 | 6 |
| Subclass | 6.B Temperate & Boreal Open Rock Vegetation Subclass | S04 | 6.B |
| Formation | 6.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation | F034 | 6.B.1 |
| Division | 6.B.1.Nb Western North American Temperate Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division | D052 | 6.B.1.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 6.B.1.Nb.1 Douglas-fir - Ponderosa Pine / Moss Western North American Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M887 | 6.B.1.Nb.1 |
| Group | 6.B.1.Nb.1.b Nonvascular Rocky Mountain Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group | G565 | 6.B.1.Nb.1.b |
| Alliance | A3741 Yellow Columbine - Silverleaf Phacelia Cliff, Scree & Rock Alliance | A3741 | 6.B.1.Nb.1.b |
| Association | CEGL005899 Yellow Columbine - Rocky Ragwort Sparse Vegetation | CEGL005899 | 6.B.1.Nb.1.b |
| Association | CEGL005901 Silverleaf Phacelia - (Rocky Ledge Penstemon) Sparse Vegetation | CEGL005901 | 6.B.1.Nb.1.b |
Concept Lineage: A.1603, A.2634.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.