Print Report
G785 Western Boreal Alpine Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group consists of sparsely vegetated alpine cliff, scree, talus and bedrock above the dwarf-shrub zone, with forbs and graminoids such as Draba spp., Saxifraga spp., Oxyria digyna, Festuca brachyphylla, and others, and where dwarf-shrubs are uncommon. It occurs in Alaska and possibly western Canada.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Boreal Alpine Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group
Colloquial Name: Western Boreal Alpine Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group occurs in Alaska and possibly western Canada on talus- and bedrock-dominated sites above the dwarf-shrub zone, and also on early-seral alpine sites near glaciers. Sites are well-drained to excessively drained, and there is little soil development. They are often rocky and sparsely vegetated with forbs and graminoids such as Draba spp., Saxifraga spp., Oxyria digyna, Festuca brachyphylla, Carex pyrenaica ssp. micropoda, and Luzula spp. Dwarf-shrubs are uncommon.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This system is known as High Alpine Herbaceous by the Alaska Natural Heritage Program. In the Alaska classification, this is an herbaceous system, but cover of vascular plants is low (although not specifically mentioned in the description). NatureServe is treating this as part of the mosaic of alpine bedrock and talus in the boreal region. If the "high alpine herbaceous" really should be kept as its own system, then a "boreal alpine talus and bedrock" system will still need to be kept in the systems classification and described.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: This group occurs in Alaska and possibly western Canada.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: AK, BC?, YT?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.907563
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class | C04 | 4 |
| Subclass | 4.B Temperate to Polar Alpine & Tundra Vegetation Subclass | S12 | 4.B |
| Formation | 4.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Alpine Tundra Formation | F037 | 4.B.1 |
| Division | 4.B.1.Nb Western North American Alpine Tundra Division | D043 | 4.B.1.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 4.B.1.Nb.4 Altai Fescue - White Arctic Mountain-heather Boreal Alpine Tundra Macrogroup | M404 | 4.B.1.Nb.4 |
| Group | 4.B.1.Nb.4.c Western Boreal Alpine Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group | G785 | 4.B.1.Nb.4.c |
| Alliance | A4323 Entireleaf Mountain-avens - Blackish Oxytrope - Red-fruit Bearberry Alpine Rock Alliance | A4323 | 4.B.1.Nb.4.c |
| Alliance | A4324 Cup Lichen species - Rocktripe Lichen species - World Map Lichen Alpine Rock Alliance | A4324 | 4.B.1.Nb.4.c |
| Alliance | A4325 Boreal Sagebrush - Altai Fescue - Capitate Valerian Alpine Rock Alliance | A4325 | 4.B.1.Nb.4.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < III.B.1.c - Alpine herbs (Viereck et al. 1992)
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
- Viereck, L. A., C. T. Dyrness, A. R. Batten, and K. J. Wenzlick. 1992. The Alaska vegetation classification. General Technical Report PNW-GTR286. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 278 pp.