Soils- Soils underlying the ABILAS/ARNCOR type are generally 

 derived from limestone. Ground surfaces have little bare soil 

 exposed and rock cover seldom exceeding 10%. We collected no 

 additional soils data for this type. 



Other Studies- This type has been previously described east of 

 the Continental Divide in Montana by Pfister et al. (1977). 

 Similar communities occur in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Wyoming 

 (Bourgeron and Engelking 1992). 



Natural Heritage Program Rank- G5/S5 



2. Abies las iocarpa / Clematis columbiana c.t. 



(ABILAS/CLECOL; subalpine fir/virgin's bower) 



(1 Stand) 



Environment- ABILAS/CLECOL is a minor type in the study area. It 

 occurs at the lower (warm, dry) limits of Abies lasiocarpa below 

 8,000 feet on limestone parent materials. The type is primarily 

 found on the steep, northerly slopes below the crest of the Pryor 

 Mountains. Adjacent cooler or more moist sites on calcareous 

 substrate often support Abies las iocarpa / Arnica cordif olia while 

 warmer sites often support forests with Pseudotsuga menziesii or 

 Pinus f lexilis dominated overstories, or Potentilla 

 fruticosa / Festuca idahoensis shrublands. Upslope, on colder 

 sites lacking Pseudotsuqa menziesii , the type intergrades to 

 Abies lasiocarpa / Ribes montiqenum . 



Vegetation- Although Abies lasiocarpa is alv;ays present and 

 reproducing successfully, stands are generally dominated by 

 Pseudotsuqa menziesii . Picea enqelmannii is usually also 

 present. Characteristic shrubs include Clematis columbiana and 

 Spiraea betulif olia . Dominant undergrowth herbs include Arnica 

 cordifolia . Aster foliaceus , and Viola canadensis . Bryophyte 

 cover often exceeds 10% of the ground surface. 



Soils- Soils underlying the ABILAS/CLECOL type are generally 

 derived from limestone. Ground surfaces generally have little 

 bare soil or rock exposed. We collected no additional soils data 

 for this type. 



Other Studies- This type has been previously described east of 

 the Continental Divide in Montana by Pfister et al. (1977) . 



Natural Heritage Program Rank- G3/S3 



3. Abies lasiocarpa / Ribes montiqenum c.t. 



(ABILAS/RIBMON; subalpine fir/mountain gooseberry) 



(2 Stands) 



Environment- ABILAS/RIBMON is common at elevations above 8,2 00 

 feet on plateau-like sites near the crest of the Pryor Mountains 



11 



