it may be underdocumented in the literature and that it warrants either subdivision into different 

 associations or a more robust description. Long-leaved sagewort has been observed with 

 wheatgrasses as the predominant graminoid from BLM-administered lands in Fergus and Toole 

 counties in north central Montana, as well as from the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National 

 Park where it is a successional community. Few species can survive and flourish in this extreme 

 environment. While indian ricegrass may be a good indicator in parts of north-central Montana, it is 

 also part of a suite of various stress-adapted species that seems to have low fidelity with one another. 

 We recommend recognition of the Artemisia longifolia-dominated communities at the alliance or 

 series level for the present, perhaps in combination with the Chrysothamnus nauseosus 

 alliance/series. They may sort out consistently by plant association if one were to consider the 

 geological formation and landform with each plant community. Pending this multi-state review, a 

 revised "status undetermined" rank is recommended. 



In the study area, this type may be threatened by encroachment of introduced Melilotus officinalis, 

 which is becoming dominant on much of the otherwise barren slopes in the vicinity. Another rare 

 community (Faber-Langendoen et al. 1997), Juniperus scopulorum/Oryzopsis micrantha, also occurs 

 at this locality. While such shale uplands have a fragile surface, there were no current land uses 

 identified that pose a threat to them. 



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