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Ecological site R043AX968MT

Montane Stable Colluvial Slope
Saskatoon serviceberry-common snowberry/Sitka alder/
Rocky mountain maple/thimbleberry/mountain brome-Geyer’s sedge

Last updated: 4/10/2025
Accessed: 04/22/2026

Home / esd CATALOG / MLRA 043A / ecological site R043AX968MT

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General information

Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 043A–Northern Rocky Mountains

This MLRA is located in Montana (43 percent), Idaho (34 percent), and Washington (23 percent). It makes up about 31,435 square miles (81,460 square kilometers). It has no large cities or towns. It has many national forests, including the Okanogan, Colville, Kootenai, Lolo, Flathead, Coeur d’Alene, St. Joe, Clearwater, and Kaniksu National Forests.

This MLRA is in the Northern Rocky Mountains Province of the Rocky Mountain System. It is characterized by rugged, glaciated mountains; thrust- and block-faulted mountains; and hills and valleys. Steep-gradient rivers have cut deep canyons. Natural and manmade lakes are common.

The major Hydrologic Unit Areas (identified by four-digit numbers) that make up this MLRA are: Kootenai-Pend Oreille-Spokane (1701), 67 percent; Upper Columbia (1702), 18 percent; and Lower Snake (1706), 15 percent. Numerous rivers originate in or flow through this area, including, the Sanpoil, Columbia, Pend Oreille, Kootenai, St. Joe, Thompson, and Flathead Rivers.

This area is underlain primarily by stacked slabs of layered sedimentary or metasedimentary bedrock. The bedrock formations range from Precambrian to Cretaceous in age. The rocks consist of shale, sandstone, siltstone, limestone, argillite, quartzite, gneiss, schist, dolomite, basalt, and granite. The formations have been faulted and stacked into a series of imbricate slabs by regional tectonic activity. Pleistocene glaciers carved a rugged landscape that includes sculpted hills and narrow valleys filled with till and outwash. Continental glaciation over road the landscape in the northern half of the MLRA while glaciation in the southern half was confined to montane settings.

The average annual precipitation is 25 to 60 inches (635 to 1,525 millimeters) in most of this area, but it is as much as 113 inches (2,870 millimeters) in the mountains and is 10 to 15 inches (255 to 380 millimeters) in the western part of the area. Summers are dry. Most of the precipitation during fall, winter, and spring is snow. The average annual temperature is 32 to 51 degrees F (0 to 11 degrees C) in most of the area, decreasing with elevation. In most of the area, the freeze-free period averages 140 days and ranges from 65 to 215 days. It is longest in the low valleys of Washington, and it decreases in length with elevation. Freezing temperatures occur every month of the year on high mountains, and some peaks have a continuous cover of snow and ice.

The dominant soil orders in this MLRA are Andisols, Inceptisols, and Alfisols. Many of the soils are influenced by Mount Mazama ash deposits. The soils in the area have a frigid or cryic soil temperature regime; have an ustic, xeric, or udic soil moisture regime; and dominantly have mixed mineralogy. They are shallow to very deep, are very poorly drained to well drained, and have most of the soil texture classes. The soils at the lower elevations include Udivitrands, Vitrixerands and Haplustalfs. The soils at the higher elevations include Dystrocryepts, Eutrocryepts, Vitricryands , and Haplocryalfs. Cryorthents, Cryepts, and areas of rock outcrop are on ridges and peaks above timberline

This area is in the northern part of the Northern Rocky Mountains. Grand fir, Douglas-fir, western red cedar, western hemlock, western larch, lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, ponderosa pine, whitebark pine, and western white pine are the dominant overstory species, depending on precipitation, temperature, elevation, and landform aspect. The understory vegetation varies, also depending on climatic and landform factors. Some of the major wildlife species in this area are whitetailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose, black bear, grizzly bear, coyote, fox, and grouse. Fish, mostly in the trout and salmon families, are abundant in streams, rivers, and lakes.

More than one-half of this area is federally owned and administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Much of the privately-owned land is controlled by large commercial timber companies. The forested areas are used for wildlife habitat, recreation, watershed, livestock grazing, and timber production. Meadows provide summer grazing for livestock and big game animals. Less than 3 percent of the area is cropland.

LRU notes

This ecological site resides in MLRA 43A in the Livingston-Lewis-Apgar Mountains which includes the bulk of Glacier National Park (GNP) and the lower western valley portions along the Flathead River. The landscape is mountains and landforms include glaciated mountains with associated features such as U-shaped valleys, mountain slopes, alpine ridges, cirques, valley floors and moraines. Glaciation of this area was in the form of alpine, icecaps and valley outlet glaciers. It also includes associated alluvium and outwash features. This area includes low valleys to tall mountains with elevation ranging 989-2,762 m (3,250-9,050 ft.). The climate is cold and wet with mean annual air temperature of 3 degrees Celsius (37 degrees F)., mean frost free days of 65 days and mean annual precipitation of 1295 mm (51 in.) and relative effective annual precipitation is 169 cm (66 in.). The soil temperature regime is cryic and the soil moisture regime is udic. The geology of this area is dominated by metasedimentary rocks of the Belt Supergroup (Grinnell argillite and Siyeh limestone) with minor Tertiary sediments. Soils are generally weakly developed on mountain slopes within U-shaped valleys. Parent materials are commonly of colluvium, till, and residuum from metasedimentary rocks. Limestone bedrock within this part of the Belt Supergroup is not highly calcareous and due to high precipitation received in this area most carbonates at mid and upper elevations have been leached from the soil profiles. Bedrock depth varies greatly with location, landform and slope position. Volcanic ash is often found in the soil surface with various degrees of mixing. Thicker volcanic ash can be found on more stable positions on mid and upper elevation slopes that are protected from wind erosion. Volcanic ash is not typically found in low elevation areas on stream and outwash terraces associated with streams and rivers. There are numerous large lakes including St. Mary, Bowman, Kintla, Lake Sherburne, Logging, Upper Waterton and numerous creeks (

Classification relationships

NPS Plant Community Name:
Amelanchier alnifolia/(mixed grass, forb) Shrubland CEGL005885)
Physiognomic Class Shrubland (III)
Physiognomic Subclass Deciduous shrubland (III.B.)
Physiognomic Group Cold-deciduous shrubland (III.B.2.)
Physiognomic Subgroup Natural/Semi-natural cold-deciduous shrubland (III.B.2.N.)
Formation Temperate cold-deciduous shrubland (III.B.2.N.a.)
Alliance Amelanchier alnifolia Shrubland Alliance (A.913)
Alliance (English name) Saskatoon Serviceberry Shrubland Alliance
Association Amelanchier alnifolia / (Mixed Grass, Forb) Shrubland
Association (English name) Saskatoon Serviceberry / (Mixed Grass, Forb) Shrubland
ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM(S): Rocky Mountain Gambel Oak-Mixed Montane Shrubland (CES306.818)
Northern Rocky Mountain Montane-Foothill Deciduous Shrubland (CES306.994)

Amelanchier alnifolia/Pseudoroegneria spicata-Bunchgrass Shrubland (CEGL001065)
Physiognomic Class Shrubland (III)
Physiognomic Subclass Deciduous shrubland (III.B.)
Physiognomic Group Cold-deciduous shrubland (III.B.2.)
Physiognomic Subgroup Natural/Semi-natural cold-deciduous shrubland (III.B.2.N.)
Formation Temperate cold-deciduous shrubland (III.B.2.N.a.)
Alliance Amelanchier alnifolia Shrubland Alliance (A.913)
Alliance (English name) Saskatoon Serviceberry Shrubland Alliance
Association Amelanchier alnifolia / Pseudoroegneria spicata - Bunchgrass Shrubland
Association (English name) Saskatoon Serviceberry / Bluebunch Wheatgrass - Bunchgrass Shrubland
ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM(S): Northwestern Great Plains Mixedgrass Prairie (CES303.674)
Northwestern Great Plains Shrubland (CES303.662)
Rocky Mountain Gambel Oak-Mixed Montane Shrubland (CES306.818)

Ecological site concept

This ecological site is found on steep slopes (35-60 percent), on back, foot and toeslope positions on glacial valley wall landforms at elevations ranging from 1,150-2,100 meters (3,775-6,900 feet). This site is defined by the stabilizing nature of the root system of the shrub species present and their resprouting capabilities after disturbance. The reference community is defined as a mixed composition of serviceberry, snowberry, Sitka alder, Rocky mountain maple and other shrub species. Woods rose and chokecherry appear in low to moderate cover values. The understory is diverse and can range from drier site species with Oregon creeping grape, Geyers sedge and bluebunch wheatgrass occurring frequently and in high cover to moister site species including thimbleberry and mountain brome. Though monocultures of one shrub do exist, i.e. Ceonothus after a severe fire, the core concept for this ecological site is a mix of shrubs at all canopy cover layers. This ecological site is found on steep slopes with vegetation cover ranging from impenetrable shrubs to open canopy of medium statured shrubs with lush understory of grass and forb species. The thick vegetative growth contributes to the dark surface horizon colors in these soils. Ash is not usually present in these soils or is not very pure in these sites due to continual mixing caused by disturbance. These are very deep and well drained soils from till or colluvium from metasedimentary rock parent material. There is a high volume of fragments (50 to 67 percent by volume) within the soil profile. The predominant texture in the surface is very gravelly sandy loam and the subsurface is sandy skeletal. There are no redoximorphic features in the soil and there is rarely an argillic or mollic layer. There is a thin organic layer, usually less than 5 cm thick. The soils are usually in the Typic Haplocryepts taxonomic subgroup, and diagnostic features include an ochric epipedon and a cambic horizon.

Associated sites

F043AX952MT	Lower Subalpine Cool Moist Coniferous subalpine fir-Engelmann spruce/Rocky Mountain maple-thinleaf huckleberry/thimbleberry The 43A Lower Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moist (ABLA/CLUN2-ARNU2) is found in cool, moister mid-elevations that span the lower subalpine to subalpine. This ecological site is found on back, foot and toeslope positions, on glacial valley wall and moraine landforms, on all slopes, at elevations ranging 1,000 to 2,100 meters (3,280-6,900 feet). The 43A Lower Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moist Ashy Very Deep, (ABLA/CLUN2-ARNU2) has soils associated with this Ecological Site that are very deep, well drained or somewhat excessively drained and have subsoils with abundant rock fragments. The parent material is volcanic ash over glacial till from metasedimentary rock. In Soil Taxonomy, these soils classify primarily as Inceptisols soil order and more specifically as the Andic Haplocryepts taxonomic subgroup. The 43A Lower Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moist (ABLA/CLUN2-ARNU2) has a reference vegetation community of Subalpine fir-Engelmann spruce overstory and an understory of Rocky Mountain maple, thinleaf huckleberry, thimbleberry, wild Sarsaparilla, threeleaf foamflower and queencup bead lily.
R043AX962MT	Alpine Unstable Talus rocky ledge penstemon (Penstemon ellipticus) The 43A alpine unstable talus ecological site resides on extensive talus slopes on very steep to steep slopes with a surface dominated by large rock fragments or talus. The landforms are cirque headwalls, colluvial aprons and glacial valley walls. The 43A alpine unstable talus ecological site has soils that are deep, well to somewhat excessively drained and have abundant rock fragments throughout. These soils are generally classified in the Entisols or Inceptisols soil orders, indicating that they have virtually no soil development because they are on active positions of the landscape or have only weakly developed soil diagnostic characteristics. The 43A alpine unstable talus ecological site has a reference vegetation community of Rocky ledge penstemon (Penstemon ellipticus), buttecandle (Cryptantha celosioides), silverleaf phacelia (Phacelia hastata) and alpine leafybract aster (Symphyotrichum foliaceum).
F043AX951MT	Lower Subalpine Cool Dry Coniferous subalpine fir- Engelmann spruce/ Sitka alder/ thinleaf huckleberry/ common beargrass The 43A Lower Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moderately Dry (ABLA/CLUN2-XETE) ecological site is found in cool, moderately dry mid-elevations that span the lower subalpine areas. It is found primarily on lateral moraine and glacial valley wall landforms, on back or footslope positions, at elevations ranging 1,000 to 2,100 meters (3,280-6,900 feet), on all aspects and on moderate to steep slopes ranging 10-35 percent.The 43A Lower Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moderately Dry, (ABLA/CLUN2-XETE) site has soils associated with this Ecological Site that are very deep and well drained. These soils have developed in glacial till or colluvium parent materials derived from metasedimentary rock that typically have varying amounts of influence of volcanic ash in the soil surface layers. The dominant taxonomic soil order associated with these soils is Inceptisols with Andic subgroups indicating that there is 18 to 37 centimeters (7-14.5 inches) of volcanic ash. The 43A Lower Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moderately Dry (ABLA/CLUN2-XETE) ecological site has a reference vegetation community with an overstory of subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce with an understory of Sitka alder, huckleberry, beargrass and queencup bead lily.

F043AX952MT

Lower Subalpine Cool Moist Coniferous subalpine fir-Engelmann spruce/Rocky Mountain maple-thinleaf huckleberry/thimbleberry

The 43A Lower Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moist (ABLA/CLUN2-ARNU2) is found in cool, moister mid-elevations that span the lower subalpine to subalpine. This ecological site is found on back, foot and toeslope positions, on glacial valley wall and moraine landforms, on all slopes, at elevations ranging 1,000 to 2,100 meters (3,280-6,900 feet). The 43A Lower Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moist Ashy Very Deep, (ABLA/CLUN2-ARNU2) has soils associated with this Ecological Site that are very deep, well drained or somewhat excessively drained and have subsoils with abundant rock fragments. The parent material is volcanic ash over glacial till from metasedimentary rock. In Soil Taxonomy, these soils classify primarily as Inceptisols soil order and more specifically as the Andic Haplocryepts taxonomic subgroup. The 43A Lower Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moist (ABLA/CLUN2-ARNU2) has a reference vegetation community of Subalpine fir-Engelmann spruce overstory and an understory of Rocky Mountain maple, thinleaf huckleberry, thimbleberry, wild Sarsaparilla, threeleaf foamflower and queencup bead lily.

R043AX962MT

Alpine Unstable Talus rocky ledge penstemon (Penstemon ellipticus)

The 43A alpine unstable talus ecological site resides on extensive talus slopes on very steep to steep slopes with a surface dominated by large rock fragments or talus. The landforms are cirque headwalls, colluvial aprons and glacial valley walls. The 43A alpine unstable talus ecological site has soils that are deep, well to somewhat excessively drained and have abundant rock fragments throughout. These soils are generally classified in the Entisols or Inceptisols soil orders, indicating that they have virtually no soil development because they are on active positions of the landscape or have only weakly developed soil diagnostic characteristics. The 43A alpine unstable talus ecological site has a reference vegetation community of Rocky ledge penstemon (Penstemon ellipticus), buttecandle (Cryptantha celosioides), silverleaf phacelia (Phacelia hastata) and alpine leafybract aster (Symphyotrichum foliaceum).

F043AX951MT

Lower Subalpine Cool Dry Coniferous subalpine fir- Engelmann spruce/ Sitka alder/ thinleaf huckleberry/ common beargrass

The 43A Lower Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moderately Dry (ABLA/CLUN2-XETE) ecological site is found in cool, moderately dry mid-elevations that span the lower subalpine areas. It is found primarily on lateral moraine and glacial valley wall landforms, on back or footslope positions, at elevations ranging 1,000 to 2,100 meters (3,280-6,900 feet), on all aspects and on moderate to steep slopes ranging 10-35 percent.The 43A Lower Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moderately Dry, (ABLA/CLUN2-XETE) site has soils associated with this Ecological Site that are very deep and well drained. These soils have developed in glacial till or colluvium parent materials derived from metasedimentary rock that typically have varying amounts of influence of volcanic ash in the soil surface layers. The dominant taxonomic soil order associated with these soils is Inceptisols with Andic subgroups indicating that there is 18 to 37 centimeters (7-14.5 inches) of volcanic ash. The 43A Lower Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moderately Dry (ABLA/CLUN2-XETE) ecological site has a reference vegetation community with an overstory of subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce with an understory of Sitka alder, huckleberry, beargrass and queencup bead lily.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	(1) Amelanchier alnifolia (2) Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata
Herbaceous	(1) Bromus marginatus (2) Carex geyeri

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Physiographic features

This ecological site is found on steep slopes (35-60 percent), on back, foot and toeslope positions on glacial valley wall landforms at elevations ranging from 1150-2100 meters.

Figure 1. Landscape view showing some conifer encroachment of the site.

Figure 2. Landscape view of drier version of this site.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Mountains > Glacial-valley wall (2) Mountains > Cirque headwall (3) Mountains > Colluvial apron (4) Mountains > Mountain slope
Elevation	3772 – 6889 ft
Slope	35 – 60 %
Aspect	SE, S, SW

Climatic features

WEST GLACIER CLIMATE STATION:

Mean Annual Precipitation 33-85 inches
Mean Annual Air Temperature 32-43 degrees Fahrenheit
Frost Free Days 30-70 days

Table 3 Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	20-60 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	80-120 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	20-30 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	10-70 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	70-130 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	20-30 in
Frost-free period (average)	40 days
Freeze-free period (average)	100 days
Precipitation total (average)	20 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 4. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 5. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 6. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 7. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 8 Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) POLEBRIDGE 1 N [USC00246618], Essex, MT
(2) POLEBRIDGE [USC00246615], Essex, MT
(3) WEST GLACIER [USC00248809], Kalispell, MT

Soil features

This ecological site is found on steep slopes with vegetation cover ranging from impenetrable shrubs to open canopy of medium statured shrubs with lush understory of grass and forb species. Steep sites on valley walls. The thick vegetative growth contributes to the dark surface horizon colors in these soils. Ash is not usually present in these soils or is not very pure in these sites due to continual mixing caused by disturbance. These are very deep and well drained soils from till or colluvium from metasedimentary rock parent material. There is a high volume of fragments (50 to 67 percent by volume) within the soil profile. The predominant texture in the surface is very gravelly sandy loam and the subsurface is sandy skeletal. There are no redoximorphic features in the soil and there is rarely an argillic or mollic layer. There is a thin organic layer, usually less than 5 cm thick. The soils are usually in the Typic Haplocryepts taxonomic subgroup, and diagnostic features include an ochric epipedon and a cambic horizon. (Soil Survey Staff, 2015). For more information on soil taxonomy, please follow this link:
http://http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/class/?cid=nrcs142p2_053580

CORRELATED SOIL SERIES & TAXONOMIC CLASS NAME
Garlet Loamy-skeletal, mixed, superactive Typic Haplocryepts

Figure 9. Soil colors associated with this ecological site, noting darkness of the upper horizons.

Figure 10. Soils associated with this ecological site noting dark soil colors.

Figure 11. View of soil pit face associated with this ecological site.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Colluvium – metasedimentary rock (2) Till – metasedimentary rock
Surface texture	(1) Very gravelly sandy loam
Family particle size	(1) Sandy-skeletal
Drainage class	Well drained
Permeability class	Moderately rapid
Soil depth	60 – 100 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	0 – 10 %
Surface fragment cover >3"	0 – 5 %
Available water capacity (1.7-3.6in)	Not specified
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (4.5-6.5in)	Not specified

Ecological dynamics

Ecological Dynamics of the Site
This ecological site is found on steep slopes (35-60 percent), on back, foot and toeslope positions on glacial valley wall landforms at elevations ranging from 1,150-2,100 meters (3,775-6,900 feet), along both sides of the Continental Divide. It is found in the lower subalpine life zone along with the coniferous ecological sites of 43A Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moderately Dry Ashy Very Deep, ABLA/CLUN2-XETE and
43A Subalpine Coniferous Cool Moist Ashy Very Deep, ABLA/CLUN2-ARNU2. At the upper elevational extent of this ecological site it is associated with 43A Upper Subalpine Unstable Talus Colluvial Apron (formerly Early Colluvial Apron).

State 1.0

This site is defined by the stabilizing nature of the root system of the shrub species and their resprouting capabilities after fire disturbance. The reference community is defined as a mixed composition of serviceberry, snowberry, Sitka alder, Rocky mountain maple and other shrub species. Wood’s rose and chokecherry should appear in low to moderate cover values. The understory is diverse and can range from drier site species with Oregon creeping grape, Geyer’s sedge and bluebunch wheatgrass occurring frequently and in high cover to moister site species including thimbleberry and mountain brome. Though monocultures of one shrub do exist, i.e. Ceonothus after a severe fire, the core concept for this ecological site is a mix of shrubs at all canopy cover layers. Scattered trees can be present including: subalpine fir (Abies lasciocarpa), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Other shrub species present are redstem ceanothus (Ceanothus sanguineus), snowbrush ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus), Rocky mountain maple (Acer glabrum), thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus), oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), American red raspberry (Rubus idaeus), Scouler’s willow (salix scouleriana), white spirea (Spiraea betulifolia), twinberry honeysuckle (Lonicera involucrata), alderleaf buchthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia), thinleaf huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) and grouse whortleberry (Vaccinium scoparium). Forb species are diverse and occur in low cover individually and include: common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca), Virginia strawberry (fragaria virginiana), nineleaf biscuitroot (Lomatium triternatum), yellow penstemon (Penstemon confertus) and common cowparsnip (Heracleum maximum). These shrublands are considered to be self-sustaining and not seral to conifer species. The extremely thick shrub cover precludes invasion by conifer species to any large extent.
The disturbance factors for this ecological site are fire, minor avalanche activity, erosional tears, grazing, browsing, animal burrows, animal trails, bear and badger digging and tent caterpillars. The majority of the shrub species occurring in this ecological site respond well to these disturbances through resprouting or extensive seed banking. Ceanothus species can dominate a site after severe fire to the exclusion of other shrub species.

This ecological site is differentiated from its associated site Montane Meadows which is a grassland dominated by rough fescue (Festuca campestris) and Idaho fescue though it may have low cover of the following shrubs: Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa), thimbleberry and kinnickinick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi).

Species Descriptions
A brief description of the major shrub species that comprise the Shrubby Colluvial Apron ecological site follows. Five shrub species comprise the reference community including: Saskatoon serviceberry, common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), ceanothus species, Rocky Mountain maple, thimbleberry and Wood’s rose (the latter two species occur in less cover and frequency generally). All shrubs are members of the Rose family, except snowberry which is in the Honeysuckle family, redstem ceanothus which is in Rhamnaceae, and Rocky mountain maple in Aceraceae. Shrub species found at this ecological site are deciduous, with all having rhizomatous root structure. Saskatoon serviceberry has a massive root crown with rhizomes that are long and massive (Bradley, A.F. 1984). Chokecherry also has very long rhizomes, up to 35+ feet laterally and 6+ feet vertically (Wasser, 1982). Common snowberry has less developed rhizomes than other species of snowberry (Stubbendieck, 1992). Wood’s rose has a relatively shallow root crown, though root points reach 3-6 feet deep (Nimlos, 1968). Redstem ceanothus has an adventitious root crown with growing points near the ground surface. Rocky mountain maple has wide spreading root system with a combination of deep and lateral woody roots. Thimbleberry is strongly rhizomatous.
They all have the ability to resprout after disturbance. In particular, chokecherry is a rapid and prolific resprouter. All five shrub species are at least moderately fire adapted. Snowberry is undamaged in low severity fires and after high severity fire will return to pre-fire cover within 15 years. Chokecherry is well adapted to fire (Volland, 1981) and Wood’s rose is strongly tolerant. Serviceberry, snowbush and redstem ceonothus and Rocky mountain maple are fire dependent (Arno, 1986). Fire actually stimulates their production. Redstem ceonothus can develop large even aged stands after fire due to large reserves of dormant seed in the soil seed bank and fire stimulates germination.
All of these shrub species withstand browsing and grazing to various degrees. Saskatoon serviceberry and common snowberry withstand browsing well and resprout after disturbance. Chokecherry has moderate browse tolerance, whereas Wood’s rose has strong grazing tolerance. Redstem ceonothus is an important browse to Rocky Mountain elk, deer and snowshoe hares in winter. Rocky Mountain maple is an important browse species for domestic livestock and wildlife especially deer, moose, elk and bighorn sheep.
All of these shrub species are common after disturbance. Wood’s rose is an aggressive pioneer. Chokecherry grows widely and at every sere of succession. Common snowberry establishes early after disturbance and coexists with later arrival species.
Of these shrub species, all prefer open sun to moderate shade. Chokecherry is tolerant of heavier shade. All of these shrubs prefer well drained soils. Chokecherry and Wood’s rose are particularly intolerant of poor drainage conditions or high water tables. Chokecherry and Wood’s rose are tolerant of moderate acid, alkali and weak or non-saline soils. Common snowberry is only moderately tolerant and serviceberry is weakly tolerant of those soil conditions. Saskatoon serviceberry (Agee, 1987) and chokecherry are adapted to grow on most soil textures (except for heavy clay for chokecherry). Common snowberry is best adapted to medium to fine textured soils and Wood’s rose to loamy to sandy soils. Redstem ceonothus is shade intolerant and will disappear if tree canopy cover increases.
Hansen et. al (1995) found that Saskatoon serviceberry, common snowberry and shiny leaf spirea were fair to good forage palatability for sheep, cattle and horses. Saskatoon serviceberry was found to be good palatability for sheep. These species were considered medium in energy and protein values in fall and winter seasons. All were considered fair to poor value for elk, whitetail and mule deer for thermal or feeding cover value, but good value for bird species. Serviceberry was considered good food value for whitetail and mule deer and antelope, but fair for bird species. Common snowberry and shiny leaf spirea were fair food values for elk, deer, antelope and bird species.

COMMUNITY PHASE 1.1:
This community nearly always occurs as a mixture of tall, medium and short statured shrubs with a diverse understory of grass and forb species. Sometimes one shrub species will have higher cover, but there will always be more than one species of shrub present at a site. The typical tall shrub species are over 2 m tall and can include: Sitka alder (Alnus viridis), red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), Rocky mountain maple (Acer glabrum), American red raspberry (Rubus idaeus), Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and willow species (Salix species). The next layer of medium statured shrubs ranging from 0.5-2 m tall can include: thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus), snowbrush ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus), redstem snowbrush (Ceanothus sanguineus), thinleaf huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), Scouler’s willow (Salix scouleri), common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) and oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor). The lowest statured shrub layer is less than 0.5 m tall and can include: white spirea (Spirea betulifolia), grouse whortleberry (Vaccinium scoparium), rose species (Rosa species) and creeping barberry (Mahonia repens).

Community Phase Pathway 1.1.A: This pathway represents a disturbance such as fire or slope movement or tear and subsequent erosion that lowers the canopy cover of this community of shrubs, grasses and forbs.

Community Phase Pathway 1.1B: this pathway represents time after disturbance.

DRIER SITE SUMMARY:
Summarization of the canopy cover point data for community phase 1.1 including the constancy and average canopy cover per species at slightly drier sites, 6 NRCS (original NPS data included with revisit vegetation data) sites all located west of the continental divide. Species with high constancy occur often, those with low constancy are rare. The average canopy cover is the average of the values for which it occurred. Therefore, species that are rare (only occurred once) show the canopy cover value for the one time it was found. Minimum and maximum canopy cover show the range of cover that the species was found. Species that occur frequently and in moderate to high canopy cover include: yarrow, serviceberry, creeping barberry, common snowberry, thimbleberry, Geyer’s sedge and white spirea. Infrequent but in moderate canopy cover species include Rocky mountain maple, snowbush ceanothus, bluebunch wheatgrass, poa species and oceanspray. These sites are distinguished from the slightly moister sites by the lack of Sitka alder, but they have the following species in common: serviceberry, common snowberry, thimbleberry and Rocky mountain maple. There are some higher elevation sites included, although these are rare for this ecological site and transitional to the Solifluction (tundra) ecological site and have the following representative species: Rainier pleated gentian, pink mountainheath, and arctic willow. There are some wetter sites included too (though rare and not dominated by Sitka alder like “true” wetter sites) that have the following species: Pacific oakfern, common ladyfern, variegated scouringrush, and elephanthead lousewort.

MOISTER SITE SUMMARY:
Summarization of canopy cover point data for community phase 1.1 including the constancy and average canopy cover per species at slightly moister sites, 7 NRCS sites all located east of the continental divide. Species with high constancy occur often, those with low constancy are rare. The average canopy cover is the average of the values for which it occurred. Therefore, species that are rare (only occurred once) show the canopy cover value for the one time it was found. Minimum and maximum canopy cover show the range of cover that the species was found. These sites are distinguished from the slightly drier sites by the frequent occurrence and high canopy cover of Sitka alder, but they have the following species in common: serviceberry, common snowberry, thimbleberry and Rocky mountain maple.

State and transition model

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Ecosystem states

1. Reference

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Stable Slopes Community Saskatoon service-snowberry-Sitka alder/Rocky Mountain maple/thimbleberry/mountain brome

1.2. Unstable Slopes Community Herbaceous Pioneer Species and re-sprouting shrubs

State 1
Reference

This site is defined by the stabilizing nature of the root system of the shrub species and their resprouting capabilities after fire disturbance. The reference community is defined as a mixed composition of serviceberry, snowberry, Sitka alder, Rocky mountain maple and other shrub species. Wood’s rose and chokecherry should appear in low to moderate cover values. The understory is diverse and can range from drier site species with Oregon creeping grape, Geyer’s sedge and bluebunch wheatgrass occurring frequently and in high cover to moister site species including thimbleberry and mountain brome. Though monocultures of one shrub do exist, i.e. Ceonothus after a severe fire, the core concept for this ecological site is a mix of shrubs at all canopy cover layers. Scattered trees can be present including: subalpine fir (Abies lasciocarpa), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Other shrub species present are redstem ceanothus (Ceanothus sanguineus), snowbrush ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus), Rocky mountain maple (Acer glabrum), thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus), oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), American red raspberry (Rubus idaeus), Scouler’s willow (salix scouleriana), white spirea (Spiraea betulifolia), twinberry honeysuckle (Lonicera involucrata), alderleaf buchthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia), thinleaf huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) and grouse whortleberry (Vaccinium scoparium). Forb species are diverse and occur in low cover individually and include: common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca), Virginia strawberry (fragaria virginiana), nineleaf biscuitroot (Lomatium triternatum), yellow penstemon (Penstemon confertus) and common cowparsnip (Heracleum maximum). These shrublands are considered to be self-sustaining and not seral to conifer species. The extremely thick shrub cover precludes invasion by conifer species to any large extent.
The disturbance factors for this ecological site are fire, minor avalanche activity, erosional tears, grazing, browsing, animal burrows, animal trails, bear and badger digging and tent caterpillars. The majority of the shrub species occurring in this ecological site respond well to these disturbances through resprouting or extensive seed banking. Ceanothus species can dominate a site after severe fire to the exclusion of other shrub species.

This ecological site is differentiated from its associated site Montane Meadows which is a grassland dominated by rough fescue (Festuca campestris) and Idaho fescue though it may have low cover of the following shrubs: Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa), thimbleberry and kinnickinick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi).

Dominant plant species

Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), shrub
common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), shrub
chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), shrub
ceanothus (Ceanothus), shrub
Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum), shrub

Community 1.1
Stable Slopes Community Saskatoon service-snowberry-Sitka alder/Rocky Mountain maple/thimbleberry/mountain brome

Figure 12. Close up shot of this ecological site, moister version.

Figure 13. Landscape view of a drier version of this ecological site with moderate statured shrubs with high canopy cover late in the fall season.

Figure 14. Close up view from within this ecological site showing density of vegetation at a moister site location.

This community nearly always occurs as a mixture of tall, medium and short statured shrubs with a diverse understory of grass and forb species. Sometimes one shrub species will have higher cover, but there will always be more than one species of shrub present at a site. The typical tall shrub species are over 2 m tall and can include: Sitka alder (Alnus viridis), red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), Rocky mountain maple (Acer glabrum), American red raspberry (Rubus idaeus), Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and willow species (Salix species). The next layer of medium statured shrubs ranging from 0.5-2 m tall can include: thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus), snowbrush ceanothus (Ceanothus velutinus), redstem snowbrush (Ceanothus sanguineus), thinleaf huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), Scouler’s willow (Salix scouleri), common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) and oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor). The lowest statured shrub layer is less than 0.5 m tall and can include: white spirea (Spirea betulifolia), grouse whortleberry (Vaccinium scoparium), rose species (Rosa species) and creeping barberry (Mahonia repens). This community has very high foliar cover (average 92%) and the ground cover is predominantly litter (73%) with soil underneath and moderate gravel cover (24%) and low bare soil (2%).

Dominant plant species

Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), shrub
Sitka alder (Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata), shrub
Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum), shrub
thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus), shrub
mountain brome (Bromus marginatus), grass

Figure 15. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 5. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	10-30%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	0-0%
Forb basal cover	0-0%
Non-vascular plants	0-10%
Biological crusts	0-0%
Litter	50-70%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0-10%
Surface fragments >3"	0-10%
Bedrock	0%
Water	0-10%
Bare ground	0-10%

Table 6. Canopy structure (% cover)

Height Above Ground (ft)	Tree	Shrub/Vine	Grass/ Grasslike	Forb
<0.5	–	5-10%	0-10%	0-10%
>0.5 <= 1	–	5-10%	0-10%	0-10%
>1 <= 2	–	10-20%	0-10%	0-10%
>2 <= 4.5	–	10-30%	0-5%	0-10%
>4.5 <= 13	–	20-40%	–	–
>13 <= 40	–	10-20%	–	–
>40 <= 80	–	–	–	–
>80 <= 120	–	–	–	–
>120	–	–	–	–

Community 1.2
Unstable Slopes Community Herbaceous Pioneer Species and re-sprouting shrubs

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

This pathway represents a disturbance such as fire or slope movement or tear and subsequent erosion that lowers the canopy cover of this community of shrubs, grasses and forbs.

Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.2 to 1.1

This pathway represents time after disturbance.

Additional community tables

Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)
Forb
1	Perennial and annual forbs			–
	common ladyfern	ATFI	Athyrium filix-femina	–	0–50
	western meadow-rue	THOC	Thalictrum occidentale	–	0–20
	claspleaf twistedstalk	STAM2	Streptopus amplexifolius	–	0–20
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	–	0–20
	fireweed	CHAN9	Chamerion angustifolium	–	0–10
	bride's bonnet	CLUN2	Clintonia uniflora	–	0–10
	northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	–	0–10
	alpine leafybract aster	SYFO2	Symphyotrichum foliaceum	–	0–10
	Eaton's aster	SYEA2	Symphyotrichum eatonii	–	0–5
	woolly groundsel	PACA15	Packera cana	–	0–5
	threeleaf foamflower	TITR	Tiarella trifoliata	–	0–5
	woodland strawberry	FRVE	Fragaria vesca	–	0–5
	common cowparsnip	HEMA80	Heracleum maximum	–	0–5
	white sweetvetch	HESU	Hedysarum sulphurescens	–	0–5
	white thistle	CIHO	Cirsium hookerianum	–	0–5
	splitleaf Indian paintbrush	CARH4	Castilleja rhexiifolia	–	0–5
	bluebell bellflower	CARO2	Campanula rotundifolia	–	0–5
	Lyall's angelica	ANAR3	Angelica arguta	–	0–5
	broadleaf arnica	ARLA8	Arnica latifolia	–	0–3
	Rocky Mountain iris	IRMI	Iris missouriensis	–	0–3
	western sweetroot	OSOC	Osmorhiza occidentalis	–	0–3
	Sitka valerian	VASI	Valeriana sitchensis	–	0–3
	violet	VIOLA	Viola	–	0–3
	catchfly	SILEN	Silene	–	0–3
	Rocky Mountain goldenrod	SOMU	Solidago multiradiata	–	0–3
	sunflower	HELIA3	Helianthus	–	0–3
	Virginia strawberry	FRVI	Fragaria virginiana	–	0–2
	Jessica sticktight	HAMI	Hackelia micrantha	–	0–2
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	–	0–2
	heartleaf arnica	ARCO9	Arnica cordifolia	–	0–2
Grass/Grasslike
2	Grasses, sedges, woodrushes			–
	rough bentgrass	AGSC5	Agrostis scabra	–	0–20
	blue wildrye	ELGL	Elymus glaucus	–	0–20
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	–	0–10
	sedge	CAREX	Carex	–	0–10
	Hitchcock's smooth woodrush	LUGLH	Luzula glabrata var. hitchcockii	–	0–5
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	–	0–5
	mountain brome	BRMA4	Bromus marginatus	–	0–5
	Richardson's needlegrass	ACRI8	Achnatherum richardsonii	–	0–5
	bluejoint	CACA4	Calamagrostis canadensis	–	0–2
Shrub/Vine
3	Shrubs and subshrubs			–
	Sitka alder	ALVIS	Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata	–	0–60
	thimbleberry	RUPA	Rubus parviflorus	–	0–30
	white spirea	SPBE2	Spiraea betulifolia	–	0–20
	shrubby cinquefoil	DAFR6	Dasiphora fruticosa	–	0–20
	common snowberry	SYAL	Symphoricarpos albus	–	0–10
	rose meadowsweet	SPSPS	Spiraea splendens var. splendens	–	0–5
	rusty menziesia	MEFE	Menziesia ferruginea	–	0–5
	prickly currant	RILA	Ribes lacustre	–	0–5
	Saskatoon serviceberry	AMAL2	Amelanchier alnifolia	–	0–5
	sulphur-flower buckwheat	ERUM	Eriogonum umbellatum	–	0–3
	red baneberry	ACRU2	Actaea rubra	–	0–3

Table 8. Community 1.1 forest understory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
bluegrass	POA	Poa	–	–	0–37.5
Geyer's sedge	CAGE2	Carex geyeri	–	–	0–30
bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	–	–	0–30
Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	–	–	0–23
Canada bluegrass	POCO	Poa compressa	–	–	0–4
timothy	PHPR3	Phleum pratense	–	–	0–3
smooth brome	BRIN2	Bromus inermis	–	–	0–3
northwestern sedge	CACO11	Carex concinnoides	–	–	0–0.5
Forb/Herb
common cowparsnip	HEMA80	Heracleum maximum	–	–	0–50
alpine bistort	POVI3	Polygonum viviparum	–	–	0–40
wild mint	MEAR4	Mentha arvensis	–	–	0–20
white spirea	SPBE2	Spiraea betulifolia	–	–	0–15
meadow deathcamas	ZIVE	Zigadenus venenosus	–	–	0–4
spreading dogbane	APAN2	Apocynum androsaemifolium	–	–	0–4
common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	–	–	0–3
milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	–	–	0–3
woodland strawberry	FRVE	Fragaria vesca	–	–	0–3
Virginia strawberry	FRVI	Fragaria virginiana	–	–	0–3
northern bedstraw	GABO2	Galium boreale	–	–	0–3
hawksbeard	CREPI	Crepis	–	–	0–3
fireweed	CHAN9	Chamerion angustifolium	–	–	0–3
Canada thistle	CIAR4	Cirsium arvense	–	–	0–3
bride's bonnet	CLUN2	Clintonia uniflora	–	–	0–3
roundleaf alumroot	HECY2	Heuchera cylindrica	–	–	0–3
nineleaf biscuitroot	LOTR2	Lomatium triternatum	–	–	0–3
western showy aster	EUCO36	Eurybia conspicua	–	–	0–3
varileaf cinquefoil	PODI2	Potentilla diversifolia	–	–	0–3
American bistort	POBI6	Polygonum bistortoides	–	–	0–3
darkwoods violet	VIOR	Viola orbiculata	–	–	0–3
clover	TRIFO	Trifolium	–	–	0–3
threeleaf foamflower	TITR	Tiarella trifoliata	–	–	0–3
wintergreen	PYROL	Pyrola	–	–	0–3
yellow penstemon	PECO6	Penstemon confertus	–	–	0–2
silky lupine	LUSE4	Lupinus sericeus	–	–	0–2
arrowleaf balsamroot	BASA3	Balsamorhiza sagittata	–	–	0–2
white penstemon	PEAL2	Penstemon albidus	–	–	0–1
spearleaf stonecrop	SELA	Sedum lanceolatum	–	–	0–1
goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	–	–	0–0.5
yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	–	–	0–0.5
American alpine speedwell	VEWO2	Veronica wormskjoldii	–	–	0–0.5
violet	VIOLA	Viola	–	–	0–0.5
mountain deathcamas	ZIEL2	Zigadenus elegans	–	–	0–0.5
smooth blue aster	SYLA3	Symphyotrichum laeve	–	–	0–0.5
silky phacelia	PHSE	Phacelia sericea	–	–	0–0.5
elephanthead lousewort	PEGR2	Pedicularis groenlandica	–	–	0–0.5
beardtongue	PENST	Penstemon	–	–	0–0.5
fragrant bedstraw	GATR3	Galium triflorum	–	–	0–0.5
Rainier pleated gentian	GECA	Gentiana calycosa	–	–	0–0.5
sticky cinquefoil	POGL9	Potentilla glandulosa	–	–	0–0.5
fringed grass of Parnassus	PAFI3	Parnassia fimbriata	–	–	0–0.5
nodding microseris	MINU	Microseris nutans	–	–	0–0.5
bog orchid	HABEN	Habenaria	–	–	0–0.5
yellow avalanche-lily	ERGR9	Erythronium grandiflorum	–	–	0–0.5
subalpine fleabane	ERPE3	Erigeron peregrinus	–	–	0–0.5
aspen fleabane	ERSP4	Erigeron speciosus	–	–	0–0.5
common St. Johnswort	HYPE	Hypericum perforatum	–	–	0–0.5
Scouler's St. Johnswort	HYSCS2	Hypericum scouleri ssp. scouleri	–	–	0–0.5
dotted blazing star	LIPU	Liatris punctata	–	–	0–0.5
fernleaf biscuitroot	LODI	Lomatium dissectum	–	–	0–0.5
pointedtip mariposa lily	CAAP	Calochortus apiculatus	–	–	0–0.5
nodding onion	ALCE2	Allium cernuum	–	–	0–0.5
heartleaf arnica	ARCO9	Arnica cordifolia	–	–	0–0.5
rayless arnica	ARDI7	Arnica ×diversifolia	–	–	0–0.5
Holboell's rockcress	ARHO2	Arabis holboellii	–	–	0–0.5
maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	–	–	0–0.5
giant red Indian paintbrush	CAMI12	Castilleja miniata	–	–	0–0.5
bluebell bellflower	CARO2	Campanula rotundifolia	–	–	0–0.5
Fern/fern ally
Pacific oakfern	GYDI2	Gymnocarpium disjunctum	–	–	0–3
horsetail	EQUIS	Equisetum	–	–	0–3
common ladyfern	ATFI	Athyrium filix-femina	–	–	0–3
variegated scouringrush	EQVA	Equisetum variegatum	–	–	0–0.5
American rockbrake	CRAC3	Cryptogramma acrostichoides	–	–	0–0.5
Shrub/Subshrub
thimbleberry	RUPA	Rubus parviflorus	–	–	0–62.5
common snowberry	SYAL	Symphoricarpos albus	–	–	15–37.5
Saskatoon serviceberry	AMAL2	Amelanchier alnifolia	–	–	0.5–37.5
redstem ceanothus	CESA	Ceanothus sanguineus	–	–	2–15
creeping barberry	MARE11	Mahonia repens	–	–	0.5–15
oceanspray	HODI	Holodiscus discolor	–	–	2–15
chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	–	–	2–7
alderleaf buckthorn	RHAL	Rhamnus alnifolia	–	–	0–3
rose	ROSA5	Rosa	–	–	0–3
Woods' rose	ROWO	Rosa woodsii	–	–	0–3
American red raspberry	RUID	Rubus idaeus	–	–	0–3
willow	SALIX	Salix	–	–	0–3
red elderberry	SARA2	Sambucus racemosa	–	–	0–3
thinleaf huckleberry	VAME	Vaccinium membranaceum	–	–	0–3
grouse whortleberry	VASC	Vaccinium scoparium	–	–	0–3
twinberry honeysuckle	LOIN5	Lonicera involucrata	–	–	0–3
snowbrush ceanothus	CEVE	Ceanothus velutinus	–	–	0–3
black hawthorn	CRDO2	Crataegus douglasii	–	–	0–3
Scouler's willow	SASC	Salix scouleriana	–	–	0–2
Greene's mountain ash	SOSC2	Sorbus scopulina	–	–	0–0.5
undergreen willow	SACO2	Salix commutata	–	–	0–0.5
shrubby cinquefoil	DAFR6	Dasiphora fruticosa	–	–	0–0.5
rosy pussytoes	ANRO2	Antennaria rosea	–	–	0–0.5
pink mountainheath	PHEM	Phyllodoce empetriformis	–	–	0–0.5
Tree
ponderosa pine	PIPO	Pinus ponderosa	–	0–39	0–7
black cottonwood	POBAT	Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa	–	0–39	0–3
Engelmann spruce	PIEN	Picea engelmannii	–	0–39	0–3
subalpine fir	ABLA	Abies lasiocarpa	–	0–39	0–3
Rocky Mountain maple	ACGL	Acer glabrum	–	–	0–3
Douglas-fir	PSME	Pseudotsuga menziesii	–	0–39	0–3
lodgepole pine	PICO	Pinus contorta	–	0–39	0–0.5
quaking aspen	POTR5	Populus tremuloides	–	–	0–0.5

Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Supporting information

References

Agee, J.K. and J. Kertis. 1987. Forest types of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Canadian Journal of Botany. Canadian Journal of Botany. 1520–1530.
Arno, S.F., D.G. Simmerman, and R.E. Keane. 1986. Characterizing succession within a forest habitat type- an approach designed for resource managers.. Res. Note INT-357. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station., Ogden, UT. 8.
Bradley, A.F. 1984. Rhizome morphology, soil distribution, and the potential fire survival of eight woody understory species in western Montana.. University of Montana. University of Montana, Missoula, MT. 183.
Hansen, P.L. 1992. Classification and management of riparian-wetland shrub sites in Montana.. Pages 68–78 in Clary, Warren P.;
McArthur, E. Durant; Bedunah, Don; Wambolt, Carl L., compilers. Proceedings--symposium on ecology and management of riparian shrub communities; 1991 May 29-31; Sun Valley, ID. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-289.. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT.
Jones, G.P. 2004 (Date accessed). U.S. National Vegetation Classification Standard: Terrestrial Ecological Classifications.
Nimlos, T.J. and W.P. Van Meter. 1968. Rooting patterns of forest understory species as determined by radioiodine absorption. Ecology, 6 edition. Ecology. 1145–1151.
Soil Survey Staff. 2015. Illustrated guide to soil taxonomy. National Soil Survey Center. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Stubbendieck, J., S.L. Hatch, and C.H. Butterfield. 1992. North American range plants. University of Nebraska Press, 4th edition. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, NE. 493.
Volland, L.A. and J.D. Dell. 1981. Fire effects on Pacific Northwest forest and range vegetation. Range Management and Aviation and Fire Management. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 23.
Wasser, C.H. 1982. Ecology and culture of selected species useful in revegetation disturbed lands in the West. FWS/OBS-82/56. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. 347.

Other references

References
Agee, James K.; Kertis, Jane. 1987. Forest types of the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Canadian Journal of Botany. 65: 1520-1530. [6327]

Arno, Stephen F.; Simmerman, Dennis G.; Keane, Robert E. 1986. Characterizing succession within a forest habitat type--an approach designed for resource managers. Res. Note INT-357. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 8 p.

Bradley, Anne Foster. 1984. Rhizome morphology, soil distribution, and the potential fire survival of eight woody understory species in western Montana. Missoula, MT: University of Montana. 183 p. Thesis.

Hansen, Paul L.; Pfister, Robert D.; Boggs, Keith; [and others]. 1995. Classification and management of Montana's riparian and wetland sites. Miscellaneous Publication No. 54. Missoula, MT: The University of Montana, School of Forestry, Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station. 646 p.

NatureServe, 2007. U.S. National Vegetation Classification Standard: Terrestrial Ecological Classifications. Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Local and Global Association Descriptions.

Nimlos, Thomas J.; Van Meter, Wayne P.; Daniels, Lewis A. 1968. Rooting patterns of forest understory species as determined by radioiodine absorption. Ecology. 49(6): 1145-1151.

Soil Survey Staff. 2015. Illustrated guide to soil taxonomy. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Stubbendieck, James; Hatch, Stephan L.; Butterfield, Charles H. 1992. North American range plants. 4th ed. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press. 493 p

Wasser, Clinton H. 1982. Ecology and culture of selected species useful in revegetating disturbed lands in the West. FWS/OBS-82/56. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 347 p.

Volland, Leonard A.; Dell, John D. 1981. Fire effects on Pacific Northwest forest and range vegetation. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Range Management and Aviation and Fire Management. 23 p.

Approval

Kirt Walstad, 4/10/2025

Rangeland health reference sheet

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Author(s)/participant(s)
Contact for lead author
Date	12/18/2020
Approved by
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):

Dominant:

Sub-dominant:

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Perennial plant reproductive capability:

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Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ecological site R043AX968MT

Montane Stable Colluvial Slope Saskatoon serviceberry-common snowberry/Sitka alder/ Rocky mountain maple/thimbleberry/mountain brome-Geyer’s sedge

Last updated: 4/10/2025 Accessed: 04/22/2026

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General information

MLRA notes

LRU notes

Classification relationships

Ecological site concept

Associated sites

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Montane Stable Colluvial Slope
Saskatoon serviceberry-common snowberry/Sitka alder/
Rocky mountain maple/thimbleberry/mountain brome-Geyer’s sedge

Last updated: 4/10/2025
Accessed: 04/22/2026