non-forest vegetation includes Festuca idahoensis grasslands and 

 Artemisia tridentata shrublands. 



Vegetation- Pinus f lexilis dominates the tree layer or is co- 

 dominant with Pseudotsuga menziesii . Juniperus scopulorum may be 

 well represented. The undergrowth is primarily composed of dry- 

 site shrubs and forbs. Juniperus communis is well represented to 

 abundant, and Berberis repens is common. Characteristic 

 graminoids include Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex rossii , 

 Leucopoa kingii , and Poa nervosa . However, rarely does the cover 

 of any given graminoid species exceed 5%. Forbs commonly found 

 are Arnica cordifolia , Aster conspicuus , Galium boreale , Senecio 

 streptanthif olius , and Solidago sparsif lora . Combined cover of 

 lichens and bryophytes is generally less then 5%. 



Soils- PINFLE/JUNCOM is predominantly found on limestone derived 

 soils. Total surface cover of bare soil, gravel, and rock was 

 less than 5%. Surface litter plus downed wood cover averaged 

 90%. Soil subgroups encountered at the tv/o soil characterization 

 sites were Calcic and Argic Cryroborolls . Surface textures were 

 clay loams. Soils had high pH values (7.4 to 7.5) and 

 conductivity ranged from 190 to 230 uhmos/cm- (2 stands) . 



Other Studies- This type has been previously described as 

 widespread in dry mountain areas east of the Continental Divide 

 (including the Pryor Mountains) in Montana by Pfister et al. 

 (1977) . Similar communities occur in Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, 

 and Wyoming (Bourgeron and Engelking 1992) . 



Natural Heritage Program Rank- G5/S4 



7. Pseudotsuga menziesii / Agropyron spicatum c.t. 



(PSEMEN/AGRSPI; Douglas-f ir/bluebunch wheatgrass) 



(1 Stand) 



Environment- PSEMEN/AGRSPI is found on steep southerly slopes at 

 elevations around 5,000 to 7,000 feet. Adjacent drier sites 

 predominantly feature Agropyron spicatum grasslands or Artemisia 

 arbuscula / Agropvron spicatum shrublands. 



Vegetation- Pseudotsuga menziesii dominates the tree stratum. 

 Pinus f lexilis and Juniperus scopulorum are often present in 

 minor amounts. The undergrowth is dominated by graminoids 

 including Agropyron spicatum , Carex rossii , Leucopoa kingii , and 

 Poa spp . Balsamorhiza sagittata is the most characteristic forb. 

 Combined bryophyte and lichen cover seldom exceeds 5% of the 

 ground surface. 



Soils- Soils underlying the PSEMEN/AGRSPI type are generally 

 derived from calcareous parent materials. Combined cover of bare 

 soil, gravel, and rock on the ground surface ranges from 5 to 



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