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A3970 Menziesia ferruginea - Spiraea betulifolia Montane-Subalpine Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This shrubland alliance is characterized by a moderately dense shrub layer dominated by Menziesia ferruginea and/or Spiraea betulifolia and is found in the montane and subalpine zones of the central Rocky Mountains in northwestern Montana and Alberta.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fool''s-huckleberry - Shinyleaf Meadowsweet Montane-Subalpine Shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Montane-Subalpine Fool''s-huckleberry - Shinyleaf Meadowsweet Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Vegetation is dominated by Menziesia ferruginea and/or Spiraea betulifolia. Other shrubs of high constancy include Vaccinium membranaceum, Lonicera utahensis, and Sorbus scopulina. Other tall shrubs that may be present include Acer glabrum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Juniperus communis, Ribes lacustre, Rubus parviflorus, and Vaccinium myrtillus. Xerophyllum tenax and tree seedlings often dominate the field layer. This shrubland alliance is found within the zone of continuous forest in the upper montane and subalpine zones of the central Rocky Mountains in northwestern Montana and Alberta. Stands occur as smaller patches of shrubland on dry, rocky, often unstable or bedrock 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: Dominance by Menziesia ferruginea and/or Spiraea betulifolia is diagnostic of this shrubland alliance. Xerophyllum tenax often dominates the herbaceous layer.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: While currently documented only from the International Peace Park of Montana and Alberta, this shrubland alliance is likely to be more widespread in the Central Rockies. Henderson (1973) reports a Vaccinium membranaceum / Xerophyllum tenax community type in his dichotomous key, occurring in the northern Cascades in Mount Rainier National Park. However, he does not present any descriptions or data to substantiate his type. He does report, however, that the occurrence of his Vaccinium membranaceum / Xerophyllum tenax community is tied to fire history, occurring as an early-successional, post-fire community (Henderson 1973). It is likely that the association reported here for Glacier National Park is synonymous with Henderson''s.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This is a cold-deciduous, low to moderately diverse shrubland dominated by shrubs that have 10-80% cover and heights between 0.5-5 m and dominated by Menziesia ferruginea or Spiraea betulifolia.
Floristics: This cold-deciduous, low to moderately diverse shrubland is dominated by shrubs that have 10-80% cover and heights between 0.5-5 m and is dominated by Menziesia ferruginea or Spiraea betulifolia. Menziesia ferruginea often dominates the shrub layer with 10-55% cover and is sometimes observed extending downslope in bands. Numerous other shrub species can be present, including Acer glabrum, Amelanchier alnifolia, Juniperus communis, Lonicera utahensis, Ribes lacustre, Rubus parviflorus, Sambucus racemosa, Sorbus scopulina, Vaccinium membranaceum, Vaccinium myrtillus, and Vaccinium scoparium, but all have low to insignificant cover and constancy. Tree seedlings and saplings of Abies lasiocarpa, Pinus contorta, and Populus tremuloides can be present, but not abundant. The moderate to dense herbaceous layer (64% average cover) is diverse with graminoids and forb species with heights <1 m tall. Xerophyllum tenax is often abundant and may dominate. Other associated species that are present to abundant include Achillea millefolium, Arnica cordifolia, Chamerion angustifolium, Carex geyeri, Thalictrum occidentale, and Veratrum viride.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This shrubland alliance is found in the montane and subalpine zones of the central Rocky Mountains in northwestern Montana and Alberta. The elevation ranges between 1770 and 1973 m (5805-6472 feet). Climate is temperate with extremely cold winters and cool summers. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 50-70 cm and occurs mostly as snow. Stands of this shrubland alliance are found on mid to lower portions, including toeslopes, of moderate to steep slopes and bedrock outcrops on all aspects. Substrates are derived from siltstone and glacio-fluvial and colluvial deposits, including talus. The soil tends to be rapidly to well-drained sandy or clay loam that contains an abundance of gravel and rock. Ground surface cover is variable, but tends towards very rocky or bedrock outcrops, and significant portions of bare soil. There is moderate cover of litter and duff in most stands, as well as moderate bryophyte cover in some stands. Stands occur as smaller patches of shrubland on dry, rocky, often unstable or bedrock 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 shrubland alliance occurs in the upper montane and subalpine zones of the central Rocky Mountains in northwestern Montana and Alberta.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, ID?, MT, WA?, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.900021
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nf Western North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D022 | 2.B.2.Nf |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nf.2 Saskatoon Serviceberry / Idaho Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup | M048 | 2.B.2.Nf.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nf.2.d Blueberry species - Rusty Menziesia / Common Beargrass Central Rocky Mountain-Vancouverian Mesic Shrubland Group | G305 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.d |
| Alliance | A3970 Fool''s-huckleberry - Shinyleaf Meadowsweet Montane-Subalpine Shrubland Alliance | A3970 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.d |
| Association | CEGL005835 Shinyleaf Meadowsweet Shrubland | CEGL005835 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.d |
| Association | CEGL005888 Rusty Menziesia / Common Beargrass Shrubland | CEGL005888 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.d |
Concept Lineage: A.2636 and A.2633. This new alliance includes associations from Old Alliance III.B.2.N.a. Spiraea betulifolia Shrubland Alliance (A.2636) and Old Alliance III.B.2.N.b. Menziesia ferruginea Shrubland Alliance (A.2633).
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.
- Henderson, J. A. 1973. Composition, distribution and succession of subalpine meadows in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. Unpublished dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 150 pp.
- Hop, K., M. Reid, J. Dieck, S. Lubinski, and S. Cooper. 2007. U.S. Geological Survey-National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, WI. 131 pp. plus Appendices A-L.
- Reid, M. S., S. V. Cooper, and G. Kittel. 2004. Vegetation classification of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Final report for USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, International Peace Park Mapping Project. NatureServe, Arlington VA.