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A3788 Aspidotis densa - Poa curtifolia Serpentine Rock Vegetation Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Sparse serpentine barren vegetation of the eastern and western Cascades occupying steep slopes with loosely consolidated soils and harsh soil chemical conditions.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Indian''s Dream - Little Mountain Bluegrass Serpentine Rock Vegetation Alliance
Colloquial Name: Indian''s Dream - Little Mountain Bluegrass Serpentine Barrens
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Sparse serpentine barrens vegetation of the eastern and western Cascades occupying steep slopes with loosely consolidated soils and harsh soil chemical conditions (large rock outcrops and gravelly soil), although exposed ridges occur. Low-elevation sites support Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus ponderosa, and Pinus monticola trees with a sparse ground cover with Aspidotis densa, Arctostaphylos nevadensis, and Pseudoroegneria spicata. Higher elevations have Abies lasiocarpa, Pinus albicaulis, Pinus contorta var. latifolia, and Tsuga mertensiana with Festuca viridula, Juniperus communis, Ledum glandulosum, Poa curtifolia, and Vaccinium scoparium. This vegetation occurs at 760 to 2100 m (2500-7000 feet) in elevation on thin rocky, ultramafic (peridotite, serpentinite) soils of varying extent up to several square km.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Herbaceous and nonvascular species are diagnostic of this alliance although scattered trees and shrubs are common. Total species cover typically does not exceed 10%.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This vegetation is poorly understood and further inventory is required. This description is largely based on ~North Pacific Serpentine Barren (CES204.095)$$ and could be split into two alliances based on low- and high-elevation occurrences.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The structure of this alliance includes sparsely vegetated sites with <10% total cover of nonvascular and herbaceous plant species.
Floristics: Low-elevation sites support Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus ponderosa, and Pinus monticola trees with a sparse ground cover with Aspidotis densa, Arctostaphylos nevadensis, and Pseudoroegneria spicata. Higher elevations have Abies lasiocarpa, Pinus albicaulis, Pinus contorta var. latifolia, and Tsuga mertensiana with Festuca viridula, Juniperus communis, Ledum glandulosum, Poa curtifolia, and Vaccinium scoparium.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This vegetation occurs at 760 to 2100 m (2500-7000 feet) in elevation on thin rocky, ultramafic (peridotite, serpentinite) soils of varying extent up to several square km.
Geographic Range: This alliance is known from the eastern and western Cascade Range of Washington.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899840
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.c Western White Pine / Pinemat Manzanita Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group | G573 | 6.B.1.Nb.1.c |
| Alliance | A3788 Indian''s Dream - Little Mountain Bluegrass Serpentine Rock Vegetation Alliance | A3788 | 6.B.1.Nb.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
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.