Print Report
A3963 Amelanchier alnifolia Central Rocky Mountain Montane-Foothill Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This shrubland alliance is characterized by the dominance of Amelanchier alnifolia and is found in the lower montane and foothill regions around the northern Great Basin, Columbia Basin and central Rocky Mountains.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Saskatoon Serviceberry Central Rocky Mountain Montane-Foothill Shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Central Rocky Mountain Montane-Foothill Saskatoon Serviceberry Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: The shrubland vegetation is characterized by the dominance of Amelanchier alnifolia. Other shrubs may include Acer glabrum, Artemisia tridentata, Holodiscus discolor, Prunus emarginata, Prunus virginiana, Purshia tridentata, Rosa spp., Rubus parviflorus, Spiraea betulifolia, and Symphoricarpos albus. A moderate to dense herbaceous layer is present and may be diverse. Graminoids consist primarily of Carex geyeri, Calamagrostis rubescens, Festuca idahoensis, or Pseudoroegneria spicata. Common forb species include Fragaria virginiana, Achillea millefolium, and Galium boreale. Xerophyllum tenax may dominate some northern Rocky Mountains stands. Other grasses present include both native and exotic species, such as Bromus carinatus, Poa pratensis, and Phleum pratense. This small-patch shrubland alliance is found in foothill and lower montane sites around the Columbia Basin and Central Rockies and extends into the northwestern Great Plains at elevations of 1330-2500 m depending on latitude. In the drier Intermountain West, it occurs on all aspects in mesic ranges but is generally best developed on north-facing slopes in xeric areas. Soils are variable, from shallow and skeletal near rock outcroppings, to moderately deep with abundant organic matter. To the north it has been described from sites as disparate as the foothill''s mosaic of grasslands, shrublands and forest openings, a gravelly alluvial fan at foothills/mountains transition, to an upper subalpine site that has experienced a hot burn in the last 50 years. Here this type is largely successional, having resulted from stand-replacing fire. Stands occur primarily on south- through west-facing, moderate to steep slopes, often on spur ridges or wind-buffeted slope shoulders. These sites probably had shallow soils before burning, and there are indications that soil loss occurred following the fires. There is also considerable exposed substrate and rock. Soils are moderately to well-drained sandy or clay loams or, occasionally, rapidly drained soils on glacio-fluvial or till deposits. Most of the ground surface is covered with litter and duff.
Diagnostic Characteristics: The vegetation is characterized by the dominance of diagnostic shrub species Amelanchier alnifolia. Other shrubs may include Acer glabrum, Artemisia tridentata, Holodiscus discolor, Prunus emarginata, Prunus virginiana, Purshia tridentata, Rosa spp., Rubus parviflorus, Spiraea betulifolia, and Symphoricarpos albus. High-constancy graminoid associates consist primarily of Carex geyeri, Calamagrostis rubescens, Festuca idahoensis, or Pseudoroegneria spicata. Xerophyllum tenax may dominate this layer in some northern Rocky Mountains stands. Other common grasses present include both native Bromus carinatus and introduced Poa pratensis and Phleum pratense.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Further clarification of the concept and characteristics of this alliance are needed. The placement of ~Amelanchier alnifolia / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Shrubland (CEGL002569)$$ in this alliance needs further review as it is known only from Dinosaur National Monument in northwestern Colorado, which is peripheral to the central Rocky Mountains. Finally, ~Amelanchier alnifolia / Xerophyllum tenax Grassland (CEGL001066)$$ is included in this alliance, but is very poorly documented. Del Moral (1973) is the only reference source presently known for this association, which needs further review. Stands included in ~Amelanchier alnifolia Shrubland (CEGL002183)$$ are in placed ~Prunus virginiana - Symphoricarpos occidentalis - Amelanchier alnifolia Great Plains Shrubland Alliance (A4036)$$ in ~Northern Great Plains Mesic Mixedgrass Prairie Group (G141)$$, which primarily occurs in North Dakota and Saskatchewan and extends into Wyoming. Some stands of this alliance may be similar to stands in this alliance, especially in transition areas in Montana and Alberta where ~Amelanchier alnifolia / Pseudoroegneria spicata - Bunchgrass Shrubland (CEGL001065)$$ extends into the northwestern Great Plains.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These communities are characterized by a moderate to dense canopy of cold-deciduous shrubs up to 4 m in height. There is often another stratum (sometimes two) of low cold-deciduous shrubs from 0.5-2 m tall. The herbaceous layer is usually a species-rich assemblage of cespitose graminoids and erect forbs.
Floristics: This alliance is distinguished by dominance of Amelanchier alnifolia in the upper shrub layer. It is best described from the Rocky Mountain and ranges in the northern Great Basin, where it forms a prominent component of montane shrublands. Such stands typically contain a tall-shrub layer of Amelanchier alnifolia, often with other shrubs of various sizes that sometimes form a short-shrub layer. These shrubs differ somewhat by region and include Acer glabrum, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Holodiscus discolor, Purshia tridentata, Rhus trilobata, Ribes aureum, Rosa woodsii, Rubus parviflorus, Spiraea betulifolia, Symphoricarpos albus, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. The dwarf-shrubs Juniperus communis, Mahonia repens, and Paxistima myrsinites may also occur in the more protected sites. The open to dense herbaceous layer is composed of primarily perennial graminoids especially bunchgrasses and also differs slightly by region. In the Rocky Mountains Bromus carinatus, Carex geyeri, and Festuca campestris are more important to the north and Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei (= Stipa columbiana), Carex rossii, Leucopoa kingii (= Festuca kingii), and Pseudoroegneria spicata more important to the south. In drier southern portions Achnatherum lettermanii, Elymus glaucus, Elymus trachycaulus, Hesperostipa comata, and/or Poa fendleriana occur. Festuca idahoensis is constant throughout much of the western range. Other associated graminoid species include Calamagrostis rubescens, Elymus elymoides, Poa secunda (= Poa sandbergii), and Pseudoroegneria spicata, as well as exotic species Poa pratensis and Phleum pratense. There are no diagnostic forbs, but a number with high constancy that also occur in mesic grasslands/open forests include Achillea millefolium, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Campanula rotundifolia, Eriogonum flavum, Eriogonum umbellatum, Eurybia conspicua (= Aster conspicuus), Fragaria virginiana, Galium boreale, Geranium viscosissimum, Lithospermum ruderale, Lomatium dissectum, Potentilla gracilis, Potentilla glandulosa, and Penstemon confertus. Xerophyllum tenax may dominate this layer in some northern Rocky Mountains stands. Nonvascular species cover is insignificant. In some cases, individuals or small clumps of the trees Populus tremuloides and Juniperus scopulorum may occur but do not contribute enough cover to constitute a stratum. In the higher elevation stands, occasional Betula papyrifera, Picea engelmannii, Pinus ponderosa, or Pseudotsuga menziesii are present within a young tree canopy, but these have insignificant cover.
Dynamics: In the southern portion of the type''s range and in certain locations in the foothills and lower elevation sites along the Rocky Mountain Front, this is conceived to be a long-term stable (climax) vegetation type. Northward in its range this type becomes more associated with disturbance phenomena, particularly stand-replacing fire and erosion (subsequent) and is distinctly a seral type. However, reforestation may require well in excess of 100 years if soil loss has accompanied the disturbance. Stumps and burned downed logs are common on some sites within the northern range. Also ubiquitous in the northern range is the severe browsing on Amelanchier; on some sites this species is no higher than 0.4-0.5 m, though its potential is several times this height.
Amelanchier utahensis hybridizes with Amelanchier alnifolia and distinctions between the two species may be come blurred in areas where their ranges overlap. Amelanchier spp. are palatable to both livestock and native ungulates and compose a valuable element of the winter range in the Great Basin and Rocky Mountains.
Amelanchier utahensis hybridizes with Amelanchier alnifolia and distinctions between the two species may be come blurred in areas where their ranges overlap. Amelanchier spp. are palatable to both livestock and native ungulates and compose a valuable element of the winter range in the Great Basin and Rocky Mountains.
Environmental Description: This shrubland alliance is found in foothill and lower montane sites around the Columbia Basin and Central Rockies, and extends northeast into the northwestern Great Plains. Climate is cold temperate. Precipitation ranges from 30-50 cm annually with a large proportion falling as winter snow. This small-patch alliance occurs at middle elevations (1800-2500 m) of mountains in the Intermountain West where it occurs on all aspects in mesic ranges but is generally best developed on north-facing slopes in xeric areas. Soils are variable, from shallow and skeletal near rock outcroppings, to moderately deep with abundant organic matter. It has been documented from Montana and extends northward along the Rocky Mountain Front and foothills well into Alberta, at elevations down to 1330 m. To the north it has been described from sites as disparate as the foothill''s mosaic of grasslands, shrublands and forest openings, a gravelly alluvial fan at foothills/mountains transition, to an upper subalpine site that has experienced a hot burn in the last 50 years. In Glacier National Park and Waterton Lakes National Park, this type is largely successional, having resulted from stand-replacing fire. Stands occur primarily on south- through west-facing, moderate to steep slopes, often on spur ridges or wind-buffeted slope shoulders. These sites probably had shallow soils before burning, and there are indications (e.g., pedicelling) that soil loss occurred following the fires and continues to this day. There is considerable exposed substrate and rock, not infrequently exceeding 20% on northern examples of this alliance. Soils tend to be moderately to well-drained sandy or clay loams or, occasionally, a rapidly drained Orthic Regosol. Sites are usually situated on glacio-fluvial or till deposits. Most of the ground surface is covered with litter and duff.
Geographic Range: This small-patch shrubland alliance is found in the prairie breaks, foothill and lower montane sites in the northern Great Basin, Columbia Basin and Central Rockies extending from northwestern Colorado across Wyoming, along the Rocky Mountains of Montana and Alberta and extends out into the northwestern Great Plains.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, CA?, CO, MT, NV, UT, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.900014
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: A.913 (in part) and A.1600 (in part). This new alliance includes associations from Old Alliance III.B.2.N.a. Amelanchier alnifolia Shrubland Alliance (A.913) and Old Alliance V.B.2.N.a. Xerophyllum tenax Herbaceous Alliance (A.1600).
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Amelanchier spp. Series (Johnston 1987) [USFS Region 2 is mostly outside the central Rocky Mountains and includes two plant associations not described in this alliance.]
- Blackburn, W. H., P. T. Tueller, and R. E. Eckert, Jr. 1968a. Vegetation and soils of the Mill Creek watershed. Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin R-43. University of Nevada, Reno. 69 pp.
- Bunin, J. E. 1975c. The vegetation of the west slope of the Park Range, Colorado. Unpublished dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder. 235 pp.
- 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.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., and Midwest State Natural Heritage Program Ecologists. 1996. Terrestrial vegetation of the midwest United States. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the United States. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
- Harvey, S. J. 1980. The potential and current vegetation of the Sun River Game Range. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Helena, MT. 85 pp.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 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.
- Mozingo, H. 1987. Shrubs of the Great Basin: A natural history. University of Nevada Press, Las Vegas. 342 pp.
- Terwilliger, C., Jr., and E. L. Smith. 1978. Range resource types in North Park, Colorado. Colorado State University Range Science Department Science Series 32. 48 pp.
- Terwilliger, C., Jr., and J. A. Tiedemann. 1978. Habitat types of the mule deer critical winter range and adjacent steppe region of Middle Park, Colorado. Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 108 pp.
- del Moral, R. 1973. The vegetation of Findley Lake Basin. The American Midland Naturalist 89(10):26-40.