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Ecological sites and plant communities for the Alpine subregion. First approximation

Description

The Alpine Natural Subregion is a land of mountains, glaciers and snowfields extending north to south along the Continental Divide. Steeply inclined to vertical bedrock exposures, short, cold summers, strong winds and high snowfalls limit extensive tree growth in favour of low growing shrubs and herbs in sheltered areas. The alpine is a complex of plant associations dominated by dwarf shrub and herbaceous vegetation and/or lichen tundra occurring at elevations above 1900 m at the northern extent of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta in Jasper National Park and 2150m at the south in Waterton Lakes National Park. This guide represents the analysis of over 970 plots described in the Alpine Natural Subregion that were subsequently split into 8 ecological sites and 52 plant community types. The dominant plant species, canopy cover, soils and environmental conditions are outlined for each type. Included in this approximation is a crosswalk table to the Alberta Wetland Classification System (AWCS).

Updated

April 1, 2021

Tags
Alpine subregion ecological sites plant communities plant community types soils

Title and publication information

Type
Guide
Alternative Title

Guide to ecological sites and plant communities for the Alpine subregion

Frequency

Once

Publisher / Creator Information

Publisher

Agriculture and Forestry

Contributor

Willoughby, M.G.

Contributor

Gould, A.J.

Place of Publication

Edmonton

Resource Dates

Date Created

2021-04-01

Date Added

2021-04-01T17:28:20.089145

Date Modified

2021-04-01

Date Issued

2021-04-01

Audience information

Identifiers

Usage / Licence

Contact

Contact Name

Alberta Agriculture and Forestry