Classification and Ordination of Alpine Plant Communities, Sheep Mountain, Lemhi Country, Idaho

Abstract

The alpine vegetation in the immediate vicinity of Sheep Mountain, Lemhi Range, Lemhi County, Idaho, was investigated using data from field observations analyzed by the programs TWINSPAN and CANOCO (CCA). Percent cover of vegetation and environmental data were recorded for 77 plots. By computer analysis, eight communities were identified and then described with respect to apparent habitat preferences. The predominant communities are characterized by (1) Carex rupestris, (2) Carex elynoides, and (3) Calamagrostis purpurascens- Carex elynoides. An exposure gradient showed the strongest correlation with the community distribution, but substrate, elevation, and slope were also found to be important. In general, the study area communities present a uniformly dry turf-like physiognomy, with some early snowbed and Dryas or Salix mat communities occasionally present.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1993
Accession Number
ADA267981

Entities

People

  • Stephen M. Urbanczyk

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • California
  • Classification
  • Communities
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Data Analysis
  • Ecology
  • Geography
  • Mountains
  • National Parks
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North America
  • Rocky Mountains
  • United States
  • Urban Areas

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Geotechnical Engineering.
  • Wetland-Land-Environmental Management.