Print Report
A3969 Vaccinium membranaceum - Vaccinium myrtillus - Vaccinium scoparium Montane-Subalpine Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This dwarf-shrubland alliance is dominated by Vaccinium cespitosum, Vaccinium membranaceum, Vaccinium myrtillus, and/or Vaccinium scoparium. It is found within the upper montane, subalpine and lower alpine zones of the Rocky Mountains, from northern Colorado and Wyoming north and west into British Columbia and Alberta.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Thinleaf Huckleberry - Whortleberry - Grouse Whortleberry Montane-Subalpine Shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Montane-Subalpine Huckleberry - Whortleberry Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This shrubland alliance is characterized by a moderate to dense, often patchy layer of dwarf-shrubs. Total vegetation cover ranges from 30 to 70% and is dominated by Vaccinium cespitosum, Vaccinium membranaceum, Vaccinium myrtillus, and/or Vaccinium scoparium. Multiple Vaccinium may be present, but typically one species is dominant. Other shrubs of high constancy and low cover include Paxistima myrsinites, Spiraea betulifolia, and Sorbus scopulina; Rubus parviflorus is present at lower elevations. Xerophyllum tenax is restricted to and often dominates the herbaceous layer in northern stands. Herbaceous species reflect the subalpine/lower alpine character of the alliance and vary greatly across its range, with few species in common among Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana/Alberta stands. Some wetland species may be present because of late snowmelt and mesic soil conditions. This dwarf-shrub alliance occurs near treeline in the mountains of northern Colorado and northwestern Wyoming. It has also been reported from the Ruby Mountains of northeastern Nevada, Glacier National Park in Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park and Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. Stands are found on gentle to steep-gradient slopes on all aspects. Elevations range from 3220 to 3690 m elevation in its southern extent and 1600 to 2280 m elevation in the northern extent. Stands occur as patches in subalpine forests and lower alpine just above treeline in areas where snow accumulates in the winter and melts relatively late in the summer. The soils are poorly developed, may have high organic matter content, developed from a variety of parent materials such as argillites, mudstone and sandstone of colluvial or glacial deposition, and contain more than 20% rock in the upper profile. Soil textures are variable. Stands occur as smaller patches of shrubland on dry, rocky, often unstable sites that are marginal for tree growth or on sites where stand-replacing fire has permitted early-seral shrublands that persist for long periods because of repeated burns and changes in the presence of volatile oils in the soil which impedes tree regeneration.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This dwarf-shrubland is dominated by diagnostic species Vaccinium cespitosum, Vaccinium membranaceum, Vaccinium myrtillus, and/or Vaccinium scoparium.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The placement of ~Vaccinium (cespitosum, scoparium) Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL001140)$$ in this alliance needs further review as it is known from mountains of northern Colorado and northwestern Wyoming, the Ruby Mountains of northeastern Nevada and Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada, so some stands may be better classified in a central Rocky Mountain alliance and others in a southern Rocky Mountain alliance, which may require that the association be split. This could be justified floristically if total species compositions is considered.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by moderate cover of deciduous dwarf-shrubs, 0.1-0.3 m tall. Low-growing perennial forbs and graminoids grow beneath and among the shrubs. The cryptogam layer has mainly lichen species.
Floristics: This alliance occurs near treeline in the Rocky Mountains and is characterized by a moderate to dense, often patchy carpet of dwarf-shrubs. Total vegetation cover ranges from 30 to 70% and is dominated by Vaccinium cespitosum, Vaccinium membranaceum, Vaccinium myrtillus, and/or Vaccinium scoparium. Multiple Vaccinium spp. may be present, but typically one species is dominant. Other shrubs of high constancy and low cover include Paxistima myrsinites, Spiraea betulifolia, and Sorbus scopulina; Rubus parviflorus is present at lower elevations. Herbaceous species reflect the subalpine/lower alpine character of the alliance and vary greatly across its range, with few species in common among Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana/Alberta stands. Because of the late snowmelt and mesic soil conditions, some wetland species may be present. Associated herbaceous species that may be present to abundant include Arnica cordifolia, Arnica latifolia, Caltha leptosepala, Carex geyeri, Carex pyrenaica, Carex rossii (= Carex brevipes), Chamerion angustifolium, Danthonia intermedia, Erigeron peregrinus, Erythronium grandiflorum, Eucephalus engelmannii, Gentiana calycosa, Geum rossii, Juncus drummondii, Luzula glabrata, Penstemon whippleanus, Poa cusickii, Poa reflexa, Polygonum bistortoides, Sibbaldia procumbens, Valeriana sitchensis, Veratrum viride, and Viola adunca. Xerophyllum tenax is restricted to and often dominates the herbaceous layer in northern stands. Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Pinus albicaulis, and/or Pinus contorta seedlings may occur with 1-3% cover in the short-shrub layer. The biological crust is dominated by lichens; Cladonia pyxidata and Catapyrenium cinereum (= Dermatocarpon cinereum) are the most common.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This dwarf-shrub alliance occurs near treeline in the mountains of northern Colorado and northwestern Wyoming. It has also been reported from the Ruby Mountains of northeastern Nevada, Glacier National Park in Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park and Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. Elevations range from 3220 to 3690 m elevation in its southern extent and 1600 to 2280 m elevation in the northern extent. The climate regime is continental, with long, cold winters and short summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Strong westerly winds are common in the winter and spring and distribute snow on the leeward side of the mountains. Large areas of late-lying snowpatches are located on the eastern slope (Komarkova 1976). Stands are found on gentle to steep-gradient slopes on all aspects in the southern extent. They occur as patches in the subalpine forests and lower alpine just above treeline in areas where snow accumulates in the winter and melts relatively late in the summer. The soils are poorly developed, may have high organic matter content, and are classified as Inceptisols (Cryumbrepts or Cryochrepts). The soil profile has A and B horizons; the B horizon is moderately thick. The average surface pH is 5.0, indicating leached soils. Stands in the northern extent occur on moderate to steep and usually warmer southerly exposures (southeasterly to southwesterly), but northerly aspects have been noted as well. It is mostly found on mid- to upper-slope positions as well as slope shoulders and ridges. Soils have developed from argillites, mudstone and sandstone of colluvial or glacial deposition, contain more than 20% rock in the upper profile, and are rapidly drained loams and loamy sands (Reid et al. 2004, Hop et al. 2007). Stands occur as smaller patches of shrubland on dry, rocky, often unstable sites that are marginal for tree growth or on sites where stand-replacing fire has permitted early-seral shrublands that persist for long periods because of repeated burns and changes in the presence of volatile oils in the soil which impedes tree regeneration.
Geographic Range: This dwarf-shrub alliance occurs near treeline in the Rocky Mountains of northern Colorado and northwestern Wyoming. It has also been reported from the Ruby Mountains of northeastern Nevada, and the Central Rocky Mountains in Glacier National Park in Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park and Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, CO, ID?, MT, NV, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.900020
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: A.2632 (in part) and A.1114 (in part). This new alliance includes associations from Old Alliance III.B.2.N.b. Vaccinium membranaceum Shrubland Alliance (A.2632) and Old Alliance IV.B.2.N.a. Vaccinium (caespitosum, myrtillus, scoparium) Dwarf-shrubland Alliance (A.1114).
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Vaccinium spp. Series (Johnston 1987) [Publication includes Region 1 but not Region 1 of USFS.]
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