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Northern Rockies Subalpine Shrubland

EVT 7169Northern Rocky Mountain Subalpine Deciduous Shrubland
CES306.961GNRShrubShrubland
View on NatureServe Explorer
Summary
This shrubland ecological system is found within the zone of continuous forest in the upper montane and lower subalpine zones of the northern Rocky Mountains. Soils tend to be moist to wet. Stands are typically initiated by fires and will persist on sites for long periods because of repeated burns and changes in the presence of volatile oils in the soil which impedes tree regeneration. Menziesia ferruginea, Rhamnus alnifolia, Ribes lacustre, Rubus parviflorus, Alnus viridis, Rhododendron albiflorum, Sorbus scopulina, Sorbus sitchensis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium scoparium, and Vaccinium membranaceum are the most common dominant shrubs, occurring alone or in any combination. Other shrubs can include Shepherdia canadensis and Ceanothus velutinus, but these also commonly occur in Northern Rocky Mountain Montane-Foothill Deciduous Shrubland (CES306.994). Rubus parviflorus and Ceanothus velutinus are occasionally present, being more common in montane shrublands than in this subalpine system. Important forbs include Xerophyllum tenax, Chamerion angustifolium, and Pteridium aquilinum, reflecting the mesic nature of many of these shrublands.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system is found in the subalpine and upper montane zones in the northern Rockies, south and west around the Columbia Basin.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Ecologically Associated Plant Species

Plant species that characterize this ecosystem type, organized by vegetation stratum. These are species ecologically associated with the ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific area.

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Acer glabrum, Alnus viridis, Ceanothus velutinus, Menziesia ferruginea, Paxistima myrsinites, Rhamnus alnifolia, Rhododendron albiflorum, Ribes lacustre, Rubus parviflorus, Shepherdia canadensis, Sorbus scopulina, Sorbus sitchensis, Vaccinium membranaceum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium scoparium

Herb (field)

Chamaenerion angustifolium, Pteridium aquilinum, Xerophyllum tenax
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (2)

Animal species ecologically associated with this ecosystem type based on NatureServe assessment. These are species whose habitat requirements overlap with this ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific roadless area.

Mammals (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Least ChipmunkNeotamias minimusG5
North American DeermousePeromyscus maniculatusG5
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (4)

Plant community associations that occur within this ecological system. Associations are the finest level of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and describe specific, repeating assemblages of plant species. Each association represents a distinct community type that may be found where this ecosystem occurs.

NameG-Rank
Menziesia ferruginea / Xerophyllum tenax ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Rhamnus alnifolia Riparian Wet ShrublandG3 NatureServe
Ribes lacustre / Chamerion angustifolium ShrublandG2 NatureServe
Vaccinium membranaceum / Xerophyllum tenax ShrublandG3 NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (5)

Subnational conservation status ranks (S-ranks) assigned by Natural Heritage Programs in each state where this ecosystem occurs. S1 indicates critically imperiled at the state level, S2 imperiled, S3 vulnerable, S4 apparently secure, and S5 secure. An ecosystem may be globally secure but imperiled in specific states at the edge of its range.

StateS-Rank
IDSNR
MTSNR
ORSNR
WASNR
WYSNR
Roadless Areas (129)

Inventoried Roadless Areas where this ecosystem is present, identified from LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type spatial analysis. Coverage indicates the proportion of each area occupied by this ecosystem type.

Montana (113)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
North Big HoleBitterroot National Forest35.9%505.71
Rock CreekKootenai National Forest27.4%89.37
Continental Divide National Scenic TrailBitterroot National Forest24.8%31.23
Lolo CreekBitterroot National Forest23.2%54.81
Scotchman PeaksIdaho Panhandle National Forests22.6%1,129.41
Stevens PeakLolo National Forest22.5%58.86
Chippewa #682Kootenai National Forest20.8%106.38
Tuchuck #664Kootenai National Forest18.5%167.49
Robinson Mountain #164Kootenai National Forest18.4%524.25
Allan Mountain (01946)Bitterroot National Forest14.2%5,980.23
CataractLolo National Forest13.0%496.44
Reservation DivideLolo National Forest12.8%877.5
Northwest PeaksIdaho Panhandle National Forests12.7%290.61
Flagstaff Mountain #690Kootenai National Forest11.9%536.67
Northwest PeaksKootenai National Forest11.4%705.6
Cherry PeakLolo National Forest11.1%1,695.96
Scotchman Peaks (MT)Kootenai National Forest10.9%2,387.52
Deadhorse Ridge Ra 1128Flathead National Forest10.9%1,039.86
Benchmark Ra 1126Flathead National Forest10.5%267.66
Thompson Seton RA 1483Flathead National Forest10.5%2,209.77
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest10.3%4,787.55
Mcgregor - ThompsonLolo National Forest10.1%1,117.44
HoodooLolo National Forest9.7%4,115.07
Cabinet Face East #671Kootenai National Forest9.6%1,951.92
Blue Joint (mwsa) (01941)Bitterroot National Forest9.4%2,465.82
BurdetteLolo National Forest9.2%597.15
North Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest9.0%1,899.81
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest8.8%11,911.77
Teepee - Spring CreekLolo National Forest8.6%481.95
Meadow Creek - Upper North ForkLolo National Forest8.0%223.92
SapphireBitterroot National Forest7.8%1,364.4
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest7.8%10,811.97
Standard Peak Ra 1129Flathead National Forest7.7%256.32
Baldy MountainLolo National Forest7.2%188.73
Cube Iron - SilcoxLolo National Forest7.1%1,068.3
Mckay Creek #676Kootenai National Forest7.0%435.69
Marston Face # 172Kootenai National Forest6.9%254.07
SapphiresBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest6.7%1,793.52
Thompson Seton #483Kootenai National Forest6.5%769.32
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest6.4%3,079.17
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanHelena National Forest6.3%1,313.01
Lolo CreekLolo National Forest6.2%357.21
Sheep Mountain - StatelineLolo National Forest6.0%919.35
Wonderful PeakLolo National Forest5.8%30.87
Gold Hill West #176Kootenai National Forest5.3%324
Tuchuck Ra 1482Flathead National Forest5.3%378.72
Silver King - Falls CreekHelena National Forest5.0%138.51
Marshall PeakLolo National Forest5.0%183.24
Sundance RidgeLolo National Forest4.9%148.68
Coal Ridge Ra 1127Flathead National Forest4.8%301.32
Galena #677Kootenai National Forest4.8%373.32
Petty MountainLolo National Forest4.7%308.7
Berray Mountain #672Kootenai National Forest4.7%173.43
Beaver LakeBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest4.6%220.41
Maple PeakLolo National Forest4.5%118.71
Garden PointLolo National Forest4.5%115.2
Crazy MountainsLewis and Clark National Forest4.4%439.56
Patricks Knob - North CutoffLolo National Forest4.3%297.18
Ten Lakes #683Kootenai National Forest4.2%826.83
Grizzly Peak #667Kootenai National Forest4.1%124.11
North SiegelLolo National Forest4.1%152.28
Maple PeakKootenai National Forest4.0%58.59
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest4.0%562.05
Sleeping Child (x1074)Bitterroot National Forest3.9%335.7
Evans GulchLolo National Forest3.8%123.84
RattlesnakeLolo National Forest3.7%43.38
Lone Cliff West #674aKootenai National Forest3.5%75.96
Ward EagleLolo National Forest3.5%120.51
Big Creek #701Kootenai National Forest3.4%102.42
Mt. BushnellLolo National Forest3.3%566.1
Trout CreekKootenai National Forest3.3%408.78
Big Snowy Mountains WsaLewis and Clark National Forest3.2%1,124.01
Mt. Henry #666Kootenai National Forest2.9%158.85
Marble PointLolo National Forest2.8%143.1
Saddle Mountain #168Kootenai National Forest2.8%164.7
Mcneeley #675Kootenai National Forest2.7%72.36
Buckhorn RidgeIdaho Panhandle National Forests2.7%31.68
Anderson MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest2.6%333.09
Cabinet Face West #670Kootenai National Forest2.6%143.1
Tolan Creek (x1070)Bitterroot National Forest2.6%73.8
Big SnowiesLewis and Clark National Forest2.5%92.88
North Fork SmithLewis and Clark National Forest2.4%81.9
Deep CreekLolo National Forest2.3%71.55
Gilt Edge - Silver CreekLolo National Forest2.2%89.1
Mt. Hefty Ra 1481Flathead National Forest2.2%113.67
Clear CreekLolo National Forest2.2%48.51
Stark MountainLolo National Forest2.0%102.42
Crazy MountainGallatin National Forest2.0%655.83
CataractKootenai National Forest1.9%197.46
EmerineBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest1.8%104.58
Highwood BaldyLewis and Clark National Forest1.8%111.87
Allen Peak #185Kootenai National Forest1.8%212.31
Alexander Creek #696Kootenai National Forest1.8%47.79
Gold Hill #668Kootenai National Forest1.7%44.28
Barren Creek #183Kootenai National Forest1.6%96.39
West Fork Yaak #694Kootenai National Forest1.5%49.5
Roderick #684Kootenai National Forest1.4%172.62
Chico PeakGallatin National Forest1.2%53.73
Mt. BaldyHelena National Forest1.2%79.38
QuiggBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest1.2%59.58
Middle Fork JudithLewis and Clark National Forest0.9%36.72
Whitetail / HaystackBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest0.9%278.55
Middle Fork Judith WsaLewis and Clark National Forest0.9%292.77
Huckleberry Mountain #699Kootenai National Forest0.9%32.22
Middle Mtn. / Tobacco RootsBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest0.8%319.5
Zulu #166Kootenai National Forest0.8%32.4
SawtoothLewis and Clark National Forest0.8%47.88
Pilgrim CreekLewis and Clark National Forest0.5%97.38
Hyalite - Porcupine - Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study AreaGallatin National Forest0.5%307.71
Line Creek PlateauCuster National Forest0.5%51.57
Mt. HighLewis and Clark National Forest0.5%65.79
Big BaldyLewis and Clark National Forest0.4%66.69
Big Horn MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest0.4%76.05

Washington (7)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Harvey CreekColville National Forest4.5%186.3
Grassy TopColville National Forest3.4%141.66
Abercrombie - HooknoseColville National Forest2.8%378.99
ThirteenmileColville National Forest1.9%95.76
Bodie MountainOkanogan National Forest1.3%20.25
Grassy TopIdaho Panhandle National Forests0.9%47.61
Clackamas MountainOkanogan National Forest0.9%43.29

Wyoming (9)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
ReefShoshone National Forest2.0%133.83
Phillips RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest1.4%56.43
North MountainBridger-Teton National Forest1.1%43.47
Windy MountainShoshone National Forest0.9%116.01
Wilderness Study AreaTarghee National Forest0.7%151.65
South Wyoming RangeBridger-Teton National Forest0.5%187.83
Salt River RangeBridger-Teton National Forest0.4%379.44
West Slope TetonsTarghee National Forest0.4%72.81
Grayback RidgeBridger-Teton National Forest0.4%435.42
Methodology and Data Sources

Ecosystem classification: Ecosystems are classified using the LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) layer, mapped to NatureServe Terrestrial Ecological Systems via a curated crosswalk. Each EVT is linked to the USNVC (U.S. National Vegetation Classification) hierarchy through pixel-level co-occurrence analysis of LANDFIRE EVT and NatureServe IVC Group rasters across all roadless areas.

Vegetation coverage: Coverage percentages and hectares are derived from zonal statistics of the LANDFIRE 2024 EVT raster intersected with roadless area boundaries.

Ecosystem narratives and community species: Sourced from the NatureServe Explorer API, representing professional ecological assessments of vegetation composition, environmental setting, dynamics, threats, and characteristic species assemblages.

IVC hierarchy: The International Vegetation Classification hierarchy is sourced from the USNVC v3.0 Catalog, providing the full classification from Biome through Association levels.

Component associations: Plant community associations listed as components of each NatureServe Ecological System. Association data from the NatureServe Explorer API.

State ranks: Conservation status ranks assigned by NatureServe member programs in each state where the ecosystem occurs.