Print Report
A4095 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Festuca spp. - Pseudoroegneria spicata Steppe Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This central Rocky Mountain alliance is characterized by an open to dense, usually patchy dwarf-shrub layer dominated by Arctostaphylos uva-ursi with a sparse to moderately dense cover of perennial graminoids dominated by Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, or Pseudoroegneria spicata. It occurs in the subalpine and lower alpine zones mountains of northwestern Montana and southwestern Alberta.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Kinnikinnick / Fescue species - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Steppe Alliance
Colloquial Name: Kinnikinnick / Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Steppe
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: The vegetation of this central Rocky Mountain alliance is characterized by an open to dense, usually patchy dwarf-shrub layer with sparse to moderately dense cover of perennial graminoids and diverse forb associates. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi cover is widely variable (5-75%, averaging 30%) and dominates or codominates the dwarf-shrub layer along with wind-dwarfed Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Juniperus communis, Juniperus horizontalis, or Rosa woodsii shrubs. Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, or Pseudoroegneria spicata typically dominate or codominate the herbaceous layer with 25-35% cover combined. The forb component is highly diverse, though individual stands are not as diverse. Total forb cover is typically less than graminoids (<20%). The forbs with higher constancy or abundance include Achillea millefolium, Agoseris glauca, Anemone multifida, Campanula rotundifolia, Galium boreale, Hedysarum sulphurescens, and Lupinus sericeus. This central Rocky Mountain alliance occurs in the mountains of northwestern Montana and southwestern Alberta. This alliance is a prominent small-patch or linear type found in the subalpine and lower alpine zones and may extend down into the montane zone on exposed ridges. Elevation ranges from 1340 to 2130 m (4400-7000 feet). It occurs predominantly on moderate to steep slopes with southerly exposures, though it has been found on all aspects. Substrates are predominantly limestones and siltstones that have weathered into thin, fine-textured, and well- to excessively drained soils. Adjacent vegetation is usually subalpine or alpine grasslands, or subalpine woodlands or krummholz composed of Abies lasiocarpa or Pinus albicaulis.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by a sparse to dense dwarf-shrub layer dominated by dominant (and diagnostic) species Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Associated wind-dwarfed shrubs (<0.5 m tall) may include Amelanchier alnifolia, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Juniperus horizontalis, Juniperus communis, or Rosa woodsii. There is an open to moderately dense perennial graminoid layer dominated by diagnostic bunch grasses Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, or Pseudoroegneria spicata. Associated graminoids include Calamagrostis purpurascens, Carex elynoides, Danthonia parryi, and Koeleria macrantha. Associated forb include Achillea millefolium, Agoseris glauca, Anemone multifida, Campanula rotundifolia, Galium boreale, Hedysarum sulphurescens, and Lupinus sericeus.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance is variable and can express itself structurally as a grassland with an open evergreen dwarf-shrub layer dominated by Arctostaphylos uva-ursi or an Arctostaphylos uva-ursi-dominated dwarf-shrubland. Floristic composition does not vary much except when comparing montane stands to lower alpine stands, which obviously have some alpine species also present. Because of the typically prominent graminoid layer dominated by Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, or Pseudoroegneria spicata, it is placed in this group with other grasslands dominated by Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, or Pseudoroegneria spicata. However, it could also be reasonably placed in ~Central Rocky Mountain Montane Grassland Group (G267)$$ or ~Rocky Mountain-Sierran Alpine Dwarf-shrubland & Krummholz Group (G316)$$. The cover values for the diagnostic grasses for this alliance are considerably less than half those reported for the next most closely related association, Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis (Mueggler and Stewart 1980).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation is characterized by an open to dense (5-75% cover) evergreen dwarf-shrub layer (<0.5 m tall) and a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer dominated by perennial bunch grasses. Forbs are present with sparse to moderate cover.
Floristics: This central Rocky Mountain alliance occurs on wind-battered slopes and is composed of an open to dense, usually patchy dwarf-shrub layer with a sparse to moderately dense cover of perennial graminoids and diverse forb associates. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi cover is widely variable (5-75%, averaging 30%) and dominates or codominates the dwarf-shrub layer (<50 cm tall). Other consistently present constituents of this layer are wind-dwarfed Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Juniperus horizontalis, Juniperus communis, or Rosa woodsii shrubs. Extremely browsed specimens of Amelanchier alnifolia are often present. Arctostaphylos cover appears to be loosely inversely correlated with cover of the dominant (and diagnostic) grasses. Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, or Pseudoroegneria spicata usually dominate or codominate the herbaceous layer with about 25-35% cover combined. Other graminoids frequently present are Carex obtusata, Danthonia parryi (mesic stands), Koeleria macrantha, and at high-elevation sites Calamagrostis purpurascens and Carex elynoides. The forb component is highly diverse, though individual stands are not as diverse. Total forb cover is typically less than graminoids (<20%). The forbs with higher constancy or abundance include Achillea millefolium, Agoseris glauca, Anemone multifida, Campanula rotundifolia, Galium boreale, Hedysarum sulphurescens, and Lupinus sericeus. Other forbs present in at least half the stands include Allium cernuum, Erigeron caespitosus, Fragaria virginiana, Gaillardia aristata, Oxytropis sericea, Packera cana (= Senecio canus), Penstemon confertus, Sedum lanceolatum, and Zigadenus elegans.
Dynamics: Increased grazing pressure leads to a decline in Pseudoroegneria and associated Festuca spp. and allows low-growing forbs and Carex spp. to increase.
Environmental Description: This alliance occurs in the central Rocky Mountains and is well-documented from Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park. It is a prominent small-patch or linear type found in the subalpine and lower alpine zones and may extend down into the montane zone on exposed ridges. Elevation ranges from 1340 to 2130 m (4400-7000 feet). It occurs predominantly on moderate to steep slopes with southerly exposures, though it has been found on all aspects. Whether it occurs on lower or upper slopes, flat or convex topography, it is associated with positions that can be inferred to be wind-battered. It has been recorded exclusively from sedimentary substrates, predominantly limestones and siltstones. These have weathered into thin, fine-textured, and well- to excessively drained soils whose water regime is characterized as predominantly subxeric, ranging from xeric to submesic.
Geographic Range: This central Rocky Mountain alliance occurs in mountains of northwestern Montana and southwestern Alberta and is well-documented from Glacier-Waterton International Peace Park.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.905184
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.c Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Central Rocky Mountain Foothill Grassland Group | G273 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
| Alliance | A4095 Kinnikinnick / Fescue species - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Steppe Alliance | A4095 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
| Association | CEGL005830 Kinnikinnick / Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL005830 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
| Association | CEGL005831 Kinnikinnick / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL005831 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
Concept Lineage: A.1079 (in part). This new alliance is composed of associations from Old Alliance IV.A.1.N.b. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Dwarf-shrubland Alliance (A.1079)
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis Dwarf-shrubland (Reid et al. 2004)
> Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Pseudoroegneria spicata Dwarf-shrubland (Reid et al. 2004)
> Festuca scabrella - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Vegetation Type (Willoughby 2001)
> Festuca scabrella - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Vegetation Type (Achuff et al. 2002)
> Festuca scabrella - Carex obtusata / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Community Type (Willoughby et al. 2001)
> Solidagini multiradiatae - Arctostaphyletum uva-ursi plant association (Damm 2001)
> Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Pseudoroegneria spicata Dwarf-shrubland (Reid et al. 2004)
> Festuca scabrella - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Vegetation Type (Willoughby 2001)
> Festuca scabrella - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Vegetation Type (Achuff et al. 2002)
> Festuca scabrella - Carex obtusata / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Community Type (Willoughby et al. 2001)
> Solidagini multiradiatae - Arctostaphyletum uva-ursi plant association (Damm 2001)
- Achuff, P. L., R. L. McNeil, M. L. Coleman, C. Wallis and C. Wershler. 2002. Ecological land classification of Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. Volume I: Integrated resource description. Parks Canada, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta. 226 pp.
- Damm, C. 2001. A phytosociological study of Glacier National Park, Montana, U. S. A., with notes on the syntaxonomy of alpine vegetation in western North America. Dissertation from Georg - August University, Germany. 297 pp. plus appendices.
- 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.
- 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.
- Willoughby, M. G. 2001. Range plant communities and carrying capacity for the Upper Foothills subregion of Alberta: Fourth approximation. Publication No. T/003. Alberta Environmental Protection, Edmonton. 120 pp.
- Willoughby, M. G., M. J. Alexander, and K. M. Sundquist. 2001. Range plant community types and carrying capacity for the Montane Subregion of Alberta (fourth approximation). Alberta Environmental Protection, Edmonton. 194 pp.