Forest Habitat Types of The Bears Paw Mountains and Little Rocky PDF

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1980
Forest habitat types of the Bear's Paw Mountains and Little Rocky
Mountains Montana
David W. Roberts
The University of Montana
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FOREST HABITAT TYPES OF THE BEAR'S PAW MOUNTAINS
AND LITTLE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, MONTANA
By
David W. Roberts
B .S .F ., U n iv e rs ity o f Montana. 1977
Presented in p a r t ia l f u l f i l l m e n t o f the requirements fo r the degree o f
Master o f Science in Forestry
UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
1980
Approved by:
(Chairman, Board o f Examiners
Dean, Graduate School
j - 7 - ^(3
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11
Roberts, David W., M .S .F ., 1980 Forest Ecology
Forest H a b ita t Types o f the Bear's Paw Mountains and L i t t l e

Rocky Mountains, Montana
D ire c to r: Lee E. Eddlema n
This study estab lis h e s f o r e s t h a b ita t type land c la s s if ic a t io n s

f o r the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains and the Bear's Paw Mountains of
north c e n tra l Montana. H a b ita t types are defined on the basis
o f p o te n tia l natural vegetation. The h ie ra rc h ia l c l a s s if ic a t io n s
d e fin e a t o t a l o f four s e rie s , twelve h a b ita t types, and three
phases f o r the Bear's Paw Mountains, and a t o ta l o f three s e rie s ,
ten h a b ita t types, and two phases fo r the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains.
Taxonomic keys are provided to i d e n t i f y the h a b ita t type o f
new s ite s encountered in the f i e l d .
The c la s s if ic a t io n s provide, fo r each s e rie s , h a b ita t typ e, and
phase, a d e s c rip tio n o f the geographic, physiographic, c lim a t ic ,
and edaphic features c h a r a c t e r is t ic o f the u n it. The c l a s s i f i
cations describe the p o te n tia l climax vegetation and l a t e serai
f o r e s t communities c h a r a c t e r is t ic of each h a b ita t type and phase.
This study also presents a te s t o f the h a b ita t type c l a s s i f i
cations by s i m i l a r i t y a n a ly s is . Formal procedures fo r the use
o f s i m i l a r i t y analysis are es tab lis h e d , as are formal c r i t e r i a
f o r the in te r p r e ta tio n o f s i m i l a r i t y a n a ly sis.
111
Acknowledgements
The funding f o r th is research was provided under contract from
the Bureau o f Land Management, S tate O f f ic e , B i l l i n g s , Montana, and
the Bureau o f Indian A f f a i r s , B i l li n g s Area O f f ic e , B i l l i n g s , Montana.
The research was conducted under a cooperatuve agreement w ith the
Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment S ta tio n , Forestry Sciences
Laboratory, Missoula, Montana.
The Bear's Paw Mountains are named the Bearpaws Mountains on U.S.
Geological Survey quadrat maps, and in most references in the l i t e r a
t u r e , but are re fe r re d to in th is th esis as the Bear's Paw Mountains
out o f respect o f the residents o f t h is mountain range.
I would l i k e to acknowledge the assistance and comraderie
o f Mr. John I . Sibbernsen, who aided me g re a tly in f i e l d sampling,
w hile conducting a concurrent study on the management im plications
o f the h a b ita t types.
I would most e s p e c ia lly l i k e to thank Dr. S.F. Arno fo r in v a lu a
ble f i e l d t r a in i n g , the e d itin g o f numerous c l a s s if i c a t io n d r a f t s ,
and the continuous encouragement he provided me during th is
research.
I would l i k e to thank Dr. L.E. Eddleman and my committee fo r
t h e i r patience and guidance during th is research.
IV
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Page
A b s t r a c t ......................................................................................................... i i
Acknowledgements .................................................................................. iii
L is t o f F i g u r e s ............................................................................................vi
I In tro d u c tio n ............................................................................................ 1
II The Study A r e a ...................................................................... 3
Bear's Paw Mountains ................................................................. 3
L i t t l e Rocky Mountains ............................................................ 7
III Review o f the L i t e r a t u r e ........................................................................10
IV M e th o d s .............................................................................................................. 15
Data C o l l e c t i o n ............................................................................... 15
Data A n a l y s i s ................................................................................... 17
Taxonomic Considerations ........................................................ 24
V R e s u l t s .............................................................................................................. 26
Forest H a b ita t Types o f the Bear's Paw Mountains . . 29
F in n s p o n d e n o sa Series .................................................... 32
F s e n d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i Series ....................................... 38
P i c e a S e r i e s ...............................................................................48
A b i e s Z a s io a a r p a S e r i e s .......................................... . 52
D is t r ib u t io n o f H a b ita t Types ..................................... 55
Forest H a b ita t Types o f the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains . 57
F in n s p o n d e r o s a Series .................................................... 60
F in n s c o n t o r t a S e r i e s ..........................................................67
F s e n d o ts n g a m e n z i e s i i Series ....................................... 72
V
TABLE OF CONTENTS (C o n t.)

Chapter Page
VI D i s c u s s i o n .....................................................................................................85
M e t h o d o lo g y ........................................................................................85
Procedures and C r i t e r i a f o r the A p p lica tio n o f

S i m i l a r i t y Analysis to H a b ita t Type C la s s if ic a tio n s . 87
Regional Vegetation Ecology ................................................ 97
L it e r a tu r e Cited ................................................................................... 99
Appendixes
A1 Constancy and Average Coverage Percent o f

Important Plants o f the Bear's Paw Mountains
H a b ita t Types ...................................................................... 101
A2 Plant Species Present in Sample Plots in the

Bear's Paw M o u n ta in s ............................................................107
B1 Constancy and Average Coverage Percent o f

Important Plants o f the L i t t l e Rocky
Mountains H a b ita t Types ................................................ 109
B2 Plant Species Present in Sample Plots in the

L i t t l e Rocky Mountains .................................................... 115
VI
LIST OF FIGURES
Figures Page
1. Location o f Study Areas in Montana ............................................ 5
2. Location and Topography o f Bear's Paw Mountains .................. 6
3. Location and Topography o f L i t t l e Rocky Mountains . . . . 9
4. In s tru c tio n s f o r Use o f the H a b ita t Type K e y s .............................. 28
5. Key to Climax Series and H a b ita t Types o f the Bear's Paw

M o u n ta in s ......................................................................................................... 29
6. Schematic D is t r ib u t io n o f H a b ita t Types and Undergrowth

Species in the Bear's Paw M o u n ta in s ................................................. 56
7. Key to Climax Series and H a b ita t Types o f the L i t t l e

Rocky M o u n t a in s ............................................................................................ 58
8. Schematic D is t r ib u t io n o f H a b ita t Types and Tree and

Undergrowth Species on Calcareous and Noncalcareous
Sandstone and Shale Parent M a te ria ls in the L i t t l e
Rocky M o u n ta in s ............................................................................................ 82

Undergrowth Species on Limestone or Dolomite Parent
M a te ria l in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains ................................... 83

Undergrowth Species on Igneous and Metamorphic Parent
M a te ria ls in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains ................................... 84
11. H a b ita t Type to H a b ita t Type S i m i l a r i t y M atrix fo r the

Bear's Paw M o u n t a i n s ............................................................................... 94
12. H a b ita t Type to H a b ita t Type S i m i l a r i t y M a trix fo r the

L i t t l e Rocky Mountains ..................................................................... 95
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
The advent o f e c o lo g ic a lly based fo r e s t land c la s s if ic a t io n s has
re s u lte d in great b e n e fit to f o r e s t land managers (Layser 1974).
The increased value o f fo r e s t lands and heightened demand f o r fo re s t
resources has magnified the need f o r f o r e s t land c l a s s if i c a t io n as
an e f f e c t i v e management tool {Rowe 1971, P f i s t e r and Arno 1980).
The g re a te s t success in ecological land c l a s s if i c a t io n re s u lts
from comprehensive an a ly sis o f vegetation and the s ite s on which i t
occurs (Kuchler 1973). The h a b ita t type c l a s s if i c a t io n c l a s s if i e s land
on the basis o f p o te n tia l natural ve g etatio n , which in te g ra te s c lim a te ,
topography, and s o ils ( P f i s t e r and Arno 1980), and s t r a t i f i e s the land
in to the basic ecological subdivisions o f the landscape (Daubenmire
and Daubenmire 1968).
The h a b ita t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n system was introduced by Rexford
Daubenmire f o r northern Idaho and eastern Washington (Daubenmire 1952).
Daubenmire noted a t the time the p o te n tia l value o f the c l a s s if i c a t io n
to f o r e s t managers. When the updated c l a s s i f i c a t i o n (Daubenmire and
Daubenmire 1968) was published, fo r e s t managers w ith in the study area
and in adjacent areas made increasing use o f the c l a s s if i c a t io n .
Forest land managers in western Montana recognized the u t i l i t y
o f the c l a s s i f i c a t i o n , but also recognized the lim it a t io n s o f
e x tra p o la tin g the c l a s s i f i c a t i o n beyond the study area. Acceptance
o f the h a b ita t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n system ind icated the merits o f the
2
system f o r fo r e s t land management (Layser 1974), but the system needed
a p p lic a tio n to a broader area. Consequently, a h a b ita t type c l a s s i f i
ca tio n was developed fo r Montana by researchers a t the Intermountain
Forest and Range Experiment S ta tio n ( P f i s t e r e ^ ^ . 1977). This c la s s
i f i c a t i o n described the m a jo rity o f coniferous fo re s ts in Montana,
but omitted the fo re s ts o f the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains and the Bear's
Paw Mountains. Forest managers in the Bureau o f Indian A f f a ir s and
the Bureau o f Land Management, charged with the management o f these
lands, faced a dilemma s im ila r to th a t faced by land managers
in western Montana in previous years. They requested th a t the
h a b ita t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n system be extended to these lands.
The c l a s s if i c a t io n s presented here are designed to augment
Forest H a b ita t Types o f Montana ( P f i s t e r e^ | lI - 1977). Using an
approach and methodology s im ila r to P f i s t e r £ t (1 9 7 7 ), I described
local f o r e s t h a b ita t types in two c l a s s if i c a t io n s : Forest H a b ita t
Types o f the Bear's Paw Mountains, and Forest H a b ita t Types o f the
L i t t l e Rocky Mountains.
The o b je c tiv e s o f t h is study, fo llo w in g P f i s t e r e t a l .(1 9 7 7 )
were as fo llo w s :
1. To develop a h a b ita t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n f o r the fo re s ts o f
the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains and the Bear's Paw Mountains;
2. To describe the general geographic, physiographic, c li m a t ic ,
and edaphic featu res o f each type;
3. To describe the mature fo r e s t communities ( l a t e s e r a i) as
w ell as the p o te n tia l climax communities (as so cia tio n s ) c h a r a c t e r is t ic
o f each type.
CHAPTER I I
THE STUDY AREA
The study area is composed o f two d i s t i n c t , d is ju n c t areas: the
L i t t l e Rocky Mountains, and the Bear's Paw Mountains. Both mountain
ranges occur as is o la te d ranges, and are considered Rocky Mountain
o u t l ie r s in the Northern Great P lains (Thornbury 1965) (Figure 1 ). The
two ranges are n o tice ab ly d i f f e r e n t in geology and ve g e ta tio n , and are
thus best considered two separate study areas.
THE BEAR'S PAW MOUNTAINS
The Bear's Paw Mountains are surrounded on three sides by Northern
Great Plains grassland, and on the fo u rth by an eroded, dissected grass
land leading to the Missouri River Breaks. The grasslands give way to
fo re s t from about 1065 meters (3500 f e e t ) to 1160 meters (3800 f e e t ) ,
where the steeper mountain slopes in te rc e p t the p lains topography o f
the grasslands. The mountains r i s e to a height o f 2100 meters
(6900 f e e t ) on Mount Baldy, a s o l i t a r y dome which dominated the Bear's
Paw Mountains. Other summits throughout th is small range r a r e ly
reach an e le v a tio n o f 1890 meters (6200 f e e t ) (F ig ure 2 ).
The Bear's Paw Mountains were formed by ex tru s iv e volcanism
w ith associated in t r u s iv e dike and s i l l formation in expansive
sedimentary lay ers (Pecora e t 1959, Stewart ^ a l- 1957). E xtru
sive volcanic m a teria l erupted in two zones, northern and southern,
and in t r u s iv e bodies arched the sedimentary s t r a ta in a southwest-
northeast o r ie n ta t io n up to 1220 meters (4000 f e e t ) above the lev el o f
associated beds (Pecora e t a l . 1959). The sedimentary arch, p r i n c ip a ll y
4
upper Cretaceous shales and sandstones a t the su rface, is now eroded
to expose the in tr u s iv e s i l l s , associated p r i n c ip a ll y with the southern
eru p tio n .
S o ils throughout the fo rested p ortio n o f the Bear's Paw
Mountains are f a i r l y uniform, although they tend to be more s k e le ta l
in upper e le v a tio n s ite s derived from the volcanic m a te ria l- The
increased p r e c ip it a t io n associated with these high e le v a tio n s ite s
appears more than adequate to o f f s e t the expected decrease in moisture
holding capacity o f these s o i l s , as no d ir e c t c o r r e la tio n o f vegetation
to parent m a teria l was noted.
The clim a te o f the region is strongly c o n tin e n ta l, with a strong
orographic m o d ific a tio n o f th is c lim a te in the mountains. The mean
annual temperature a t Rocky Boy's Agency is about 44° Fahrenheit, and
mean monthly temperatures range from 16®F. in January to 70°F. in Ju ly .
Mean annual p r e c ip it a t io n in the adjacent grasslands is about 12 inches,
w ith a d i s t i n c t l a t e - s p r i n g , early-summer peak (U.S. Dept. Commerce
Weather Bureau 1974). Mean annual p r e c ip it a t io n a t lower tim b e rlin e
is probably about 15 inches, and may reach an extreme o f 30+ inches
in the i n t e r i o r o f the Mountains
Sampling was lim ite d to th a t to th a t portion o f Bear's Paw
Mountains w ith in Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation. This area contains
a wide range o f the environmental v a r ia tio n present in the Bear's
Paw Mountains (F ig ure 2 ).
^ Oral personal communication w ith Dr. L.E. Eddleman, Professor

o f F o re s try , School o f F o re s try , U n iv e rs ity o f Montana, June, 1977.
■CDD
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Q.
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Hill
BEAR S MOUNTAINS
C /)
County
o'
3
8
(O '
Blaine
County
3.
3 "
CD
"CO
D
O
Q.
O l it t l e ROCKY M O U N T A IN S
3
■D
O
Chouteau
CD
Q. County SCALE
U-1-1
10 MILES
■CDD
U U l I I 1111,1
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10 k i l o m e t e r s
C /)
County 400'
Figure 1. Location of Study Areas in Montana

(Source: U.S. Dept. In te rio r Geological
Survey, State Map of Montana)
QC
>-
STUDY AREA O U T L IN E D
IN B OLD ( A N D DASHED)
LINE
7T H STANDARD
PARALLEL
SCALE
1 0 MILES
BASE C O N T O U R 4000 FEET
CONTOUR in t e r v a l 500 FEET
Figure 2. Location and Topography o f Bear's Paw Mountains

(Source: U.S. Dept. I n t e r i o r Geological Survey,
State Map o f Montana)
THE LITTLE ROCKY MOUNTAINS
The L i t t l e Rocky Mountains are a sm all, is o la te d mountain range,
g e n e ra lly surrounded by low f o o t h i l l s which extend a short distance i n
to the adjacent Northern Great P la in s . A few is o la te d buttes occur
out in the p la in s . The mountains and f o o t h i l l s are tr a n s itio n a l on
three sides to grassland, and on the fo u rth to a h ig hly dissected
grassland leading to the Missouri River Breaks.
The mountains r is e from a base e le v a tio n o f about 1160 meters
(3800 f e e t ) to a maximum o t 1740 meters (5720 f e e t ) . They are
c h a rac terize d by la r g e , rounded domes, ra th e r than jagged peaks. Steep
limestone c l i f f s form much o f the perim eter o f the mountains (Figure 3 ).
The L i t t l e Rocky Mountains were formed by in tr u s iv e volcanic
u p l i f t , pushing up through numerous layers o f sedimentary rock (Knechtel
1959). The c e n tra l p ortion o f the mountains is formed p r im a rily from in
tru s iv e volcanic and metamorphic rock. This m a teria l has been exposed
through extreme erosion o f the overburden. The sedimentary rock layers
now remain p r i n c ip a ll y near the perim eter o f the mountains, although
remnant blocks o f th is m a teria l remain in the cen tral region. The lim e
stone members o f t h is m a teria l are e v id e n tly q u ite r e s is ta n t to weather
ing in the sem i-arid c lim a te , and limestone forms much o f the r e l i e f o f
the non-volcanic areas (Knechtel 1959).
D e tailed weather records fo r the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains are a v a i l
able fo r only a few years. The clim ate is c o n tin e n ta l, with wide
seasonal temperature d iffe re n c e s . The mean annual temperature a t Hays,
immediately northwest o f the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains, is about 42^F.
The January and July mean temperatures are 17°F. and 67°F, re s p e c tiv e ly .
8
and the mean annual p r e c ip it a t io n is about 14 inches (U.S. Dept.
Commerce Weather Bureau 1964).
The study area covers a l l fo rested lands in th is area adminis
tered by the Bureau o f Land Management, and the forested portion
o f the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. This study area covers
a l l o f the mountains and most o f the f o o t h i l l t e r r a in (Figure 2 ).
Large areas o f the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains have been burned by
fo r e s t f i r e s , and the area a v a ila b le to sample near-clim ax vegetation
has been reduced accordingly. To be able to represent the range of
s i t e v a r ia tio n present, i t was necessary to sample areas not meeting
the c r i t e r i o n o f supporting l a t e serai ve g etatio n . Although a l l s ite s
met the 70-year stand age c r i t e r i o n o f P f i s t e r e t £l_. (1 9 7 7 ), in many
cases, these s ite s must be regarded as m id - s e r a l, and successional
trends on these s ite s are somewhat sp e c u la tiv e .
The L i t t l e Rocky Mountains are s itu a te d approximately 88
kilom eters (55 m iles) east-southeast o f the Bear's Paw Mountains.
FORT BELKNAP
I N D I A N RESERVATION
4^0 ^ ^
a
CO
aU
e
iL
r>
oc
6TH STANDARD PARALLEL
SCALE
5 MILES
Figure 3. Location and Topography o f L i t t l e Rocky Mountains

(Source: U.S. Dept. I n t e r i o r Geological Survey,
State Map o f Montana)
10
CHAPTER I I I
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
No published vegetation study e x is ts f o r e i t h e r the L i t t l e
Rocky Mountains or the Bear's Paw Mountains. General vegetation
studies f o r adjacent mountain ranges do provide some in s ig h t into the
vegetation ecology o f these areas, however. There are th ree published
studies o f vegetation th a t I considered p e rtin e n t to my study
area. However, the vegetation described by each o f the th ree is so
s i g n i f i c a n t l y d i f f e r e n t from each o f the others th a t the degree to
which any o f the th ree might be e x tr a p o la tiv e to my study area was
unclear u n t i l f i e l d e x p lo ra tio n allowed comparisons to my data.
A d d it io n a lly , h a b ita t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n have been pub!ished for the
nearer mountain ranges o f Montana ( P f i s t e r e t 1977) and the nearest
mountain range in Wyoming (Hoffman and Alexander 1976). A h a b ita t u n it
c l a s s i f i c a t i o n was published f o r the Black H i l l s o f the Dakotas
(T h ile n iu s 1972), and a h a b ita t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n f o r the east slope
o f the Rocky Mountains in A lb erta ( O g ilv ie 1962) is a v a ila b le as a
doctoral d is s e r t a tio n . However, the degree o f u n c e rta in ty to which any
o f these c l a s s if i c a t io n s might be e x tr a p o la tiv e to the study areas was
the major impetus f o r commission o f t h is research. The re la tio n s h ip o f
the c l a s s if i c a t io n s f o r the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains and the Bear's
Paw Mountains to these c l a s s if i c a t io n s is discussed on a h a b it a t- t y p e -
b y - h a b ita t-ty p e basis in the body o f the h a b ita t type d es c rip tio n s .
Regional Vegetation Studies
Despain (1973) described the general fo r e s t zonation o f the
11
Bighorn Mountains o f Wyoming, which are s itu a te d approximately 600
kilom eters (375 m iles) south-southeast o f the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains.
His research focused on the r e la t io n s h ip o f vegetation zo natio n, in
p a r t i c u l a r the dominant tr e e species, to clim a te and substrate. He
concluded:
The predominant d is t r i b u t i o n o f community types on

the Bighorns is probably a r e s u lt o f a combination
o f marginal p r e c ip it a t io n and the in flu e n ce o f rock
type on the s o i l .
Superimposed on an e le v a tio n a l sequence s im ila r to th a t
described by Daubenmire (1943) and, l a t e r , P f i s t e r e t (1 9 7 7 ),
Despain ( 1973) noted that Pinws p o n d e r o s a and P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i
were r e s t r ic t e d g e n e ra lly to sedimentary parent m a te r ia ls , and th a t
P in u s c o n t o r t a was ap p aren tly climax on g r a n i t ic parent m a te r ia l.
P i c e a e n g e lm a n n ii A b i e s l a s i o c a r p a were less lim ite d by su b stra te,
but required r e l a t i v e l y abundant a v a ila b le s o il moisture. The concept
of P in u s c o n t o r t a as an edaphic climax on g r a n i t ic substrate
and the r e s t r i c t i o n o f P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i to sedimentary substrates
bore p a r t i c u l a r in flu e n ce on the h a b ita t type c la s s if i c a t io n f o r the
L i t t l e Rocky Mountains.
Despain (1973) was c h i e f l y in te re s te d in the general fo re s t
zonation and the nature o f forest-meadow boundaries. In regard to the
d i s t r i b u t i o n o f undergrowth species, he noted th a t the herb la y e r may
in d ic a te s i t e p o t e n t i a l , but gave only a general d es crip tio n o f the
undergrowth communities o f the fo r e s t zones.
Hoffman and Alexander (1976) describe fo r e s t h a b ita t types f o r the
Bighorn Mountains. They ascribed the fo r e s t zonation p r i n c ip a ll y to a
12
s o il moisture g ra d ie n t, but re in fo rc e the concept o f climax Pi,nus
c o n to r ta on g r a n i t ic su b stra tes , and the general r e s t r i c t i o n o f P seu do-
su g a m e n z te s ii to sedimentary substrates. They also include
d e ta ile d descrip tio n s o f the undergrowth communities o f the h a b ita t
types. Discussion o f the s i m i l a r i t y o f t h e i r h a b ita t types to those
o f the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains and the Bear's Paw Mountains is
included in the h a b ita t type d es crip tio n s o f these areas.
Newsome and Dix (1968) described the fo r e s t vegetation o f the
Cypress H i l l s , Saskatchewan and A lb e rta , Canada, approximately 105
kilom eters (65 m iles ) north o f the Bear's Paw Mountains. Although a l l
areas share many p la n t species in common, the physiography o f the
Cypress H i l l s is not s im ila r to e i t h e r the Bear's Paw Mountains or the
L i t t l e Rocky Mountains. Coniferous fo re s ts cover only a small portion
o f the Cypress H i l l s , and are dominated by P i c e a g la u ca ^ or P in u s
c o n to r ta ^ which appears to be successional to P ic e a g la u c a (Newsome
and Dix 1968). These researchers concluded th a t the vegetation o f the
Cypress H i l l s is c o n tro lle d p r i n c i p a l l y by circumstances occurrent a t
the time o f stand establishm ent. They is o la t e four general vegetation
types on an o rd in a tio n which are c o rre la te d with local geography
and the successional status o f t h e i r sample stands. While no formal
attempt was made to control the e ff e c t s o f local geography or success
io n , they noted th a t moisture a v a i l a b i l i t y appears to be the dominant
environmental fa c to r .
Thompson and K u i jt (1976) described in general terms the vege
t a t i o n zonation o f the Sweetgrass H i l l s , Montana, located approximately
13
130 kilom eters (80 m ile s ) west-northwest o f the Bear's Paw Mountains.
They l i s t f i v e fo r e s t types, d e ta ile d below, as well as P in u s
f t e x i t i s and P opuZ us t r e m u t o i d e s woodlands.
P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i forms the lowest fo re s t zone in the Sweet
grass H i l l s . Lower tim b e rlin e is approximately 1400 meters, which the
authors note is probably above the cold l im it s o f P in u s p o n d e r o s a .
The P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i zone supports the most w el1-developed
undergrowth in the Sweetgrass H i l l s , and includes many species found
in the P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i se rie s o f the Bear's Paw Mountains
and the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains.
Dense, even-aged P in u s c o n t o r t a stands occur on steep north
slopes and support only a depauperate undergrowth. These stands are
e v id e n tly fire -g e n e ra te d (Thompson and K u ijt 1976). Some o f
these stands are probably successional to P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z ie s ii^
but many support P i c e a g la u c a x e n g e lm a n n ii, and are thus eq uivalent
to the P i c e a series o f h a b ita t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n .
One f o r e s t type o f p o te n tia l climax A b i e s l a s i o c a r p a is noted,
which contains P in u s c o n to r ta ^ P i c e a g la u c a x e n g e lm a n n ii and
P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i , as an undergrowth s im ila r to th a t dominated
by P i c e a g la u c a x e n g e lm a n n ii and P in u s c o n t o r t a . Upper tim b e rlin e
stands dominated by P in u s a l h i c a u l i s , P in u s f l e x i l i s , P in u s c o n t o r t a ,
and P i c e a g la u c a x e n g e lm a n n ii occur on the two highest buttes. A b ie s
l a s i o c a r p a is r e s t r ic t e d to favorab le s ite s or is absent on these
s ite s .
The Cypress H i l l s (Newsome and Dix 1963), the Bighorn Mountains
(Despain 1973; Hoffman and Alexander 1976), and the Sweetgrass H i l l s
14
(Thompson and K u ijt 1976) a l l share s i m i l a r i t i e s to the Bear's Paw
Mountains and the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains, e s p e c ia lly the l a t t e r two,
but few observations o f vegetation ecology from any o f the three
are d i r e c t l y e x tr a p o la tiv e to the study areas.
15
CHAPTER IV
METHODS
P f i s t e r and Arno (1980) note th a t w ith the widespread a p p lic a tio n
o f h a b ita t type c la s s if i c a t io n s in the western United S ta te s , h a b ita t
typing methodology has varied among the d i f f e r e n t researchers. Because
the c la s s if i c a t io n s presented here are intended to compare d i r e c t l y
w ith Forest H a b ita t Types o f Montana ( P f i s t e r ^ al_. 1977), I
adopted the methodology o f P f i s t e r ejt (1 9 7 7 ), w ith a few modi
f ic a t io n s in data a n a ly s is , as suggested by F ra n k lin , Dyrness and
Moir (1970). The methodology o f P f i s t e r e t a l . (1977) is described in
d e t a il in a separate p u b lic a tio n ( P f i s t e r and Arno 1980). This method
ology has been found to be t i m e - e f f i c i e n t , and to produce a c la s s i
f i c a t i o n o f fo re s t h a b ita ts t h a t is e c o lo g ic a lly based, and ap p lic ab le
to a wide range o f uses. P f i s t e r and Arno (1980) discuss in d e t a il the
purpose and concepts o f the h a b ita t type c l a s s if i c a t io n re s u ltin g from
t h e i r methodology, and t h e i r ideas are completely a p p lic a b le to the
present study.
Data C o lle c tio n
I selected sample stands s u b je c tiv e ly to sample mature, r e l a t i v e l y
undisturbed stands, and to represent the f u l l a rra y o f r e l a t i v e l y
mature f o r e s t communities. Sample stands were selected without pre
conceived bias concerning t h e i r p o s itio n in the c l a s s if i c a t io n (M ueller-
Dombois and Ellenberg 1974; P f i s t e r and Arno 1980). Random or system
a t i c systems o f stand s e le c tio n are considered too i n e f f i c i e n t fo r
16
co nstructing a h a b ita t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ( P f i s t e r e t 1977).
I selected the sample p lo t w ith in the sample stand in an area th a t
was r e l a t i v e l y uniform in topography and v e g e ta tio n , so as to control
as much v a r ia tio n as p o s sib le , and to avoid m icrosites which were not
re p re s e n ta tiv e o f the sample stand. The sample p lo t was selected to
best represent the t o t a l sample stand in a sin gle p lo t . As in
sample stand s e le c tio n , random or systematic s e le c tio n o f sample
p lo ts is in a p p ro p ria te in developing a h a b ita t type c l a s s if i c a t io n
( P f i s t e r and Arno 1980). Sample p lo t s iz e , la y o u t, and the data
c o lle c te d were the same as s p e c ifie d by P f i s t e r and Arno (1 9 8 0 ),
so th a t the data could be added d i r e c t l y to the Forest H a b ita t Types
o f Montana ( P f i s t e r ^ 1977) data base.
Sample p lo ts were c i r c u l a r , w ith an area o f 375 m^. I recorded
the canopy coverage o f a l l vascular plants in the p lo t by the coverage
class method o f P f i s t e r ^ al_- (19 77 ). Canopy coverage o f trees was
recorded in three DBH classes by species to estim ate successional
trends and reproductive success.
In a d d itio n to the vegetation d ata, I recorded the e le v a tio n , as
pect, and slope steepness o f the p l o t , the co n fig u ra tio n o f the p lo t ,
and the p lo t 's p o s itio n on the landform. Samples o f the upper 20
centim eters o f mineral s o il and the parent m a teria l were c o lle c te d fo r
lab o rato ry a n a ly s is . Soil te x tu re was determined in the f i e l d by the
ribbon method. Soil re a c tio n was determined by the s o il p a s te - g la s s
e le c tro d e pH meter method. The average depth (from th ree samples) o f
the l i t t e r , ferm entatio n, and humus lay ers o f the s o il surface was
also recorded.
17
A f t e r sample p l o t data were c o l l e c t e d , I estimated the extent
o f the sample stand, and noted the character o f adjacent stands
to determine which p la n t communities were occupying s i t e s r e f l e c t i n g
ecotones o f aspect, slope, or soil change.
Data Analysis
Following the f i r s t f i e l d season, p la nt species collected
or observed in sample plots were assigned a t h r e e - d i g i t code from
the l i s t o f species coded by P f i s t e r e t (1977); new codes were
designated f o r species not found by P f i s t e r e t (1977). I photo
copied each p lo t card and recorded the species code and coverage value
f o r each species on the photocopy sheet. Each p lo t card photocopy was
also assigned a s e v e n -d i g i t i d e n t i f i e r code to allow incorporation o f
the data with t h a t o f P f i s t e r e t (1977). The i d e n t i f i e r code
and species codes and coverage values were then keypunched f o r
computer-assisted an a ly sis.
For each sample p l o t , I i d e n t i f i e d the p ote ntial climax dominant
t r e e species according to the c r i t e r i a established by P f i s t e r et a l .
(1977); the p o te n tial climax dominant t r e e species is the most shade
t o l e r a n t species present on the s i t e a t a lev el o f at l e a s t ten trees
per ac re , and reproducing su ccessfu lly. A ll plots p o t e n t i a l l y domin
ated by the same t r e e species a t climax are members o f the same
s e r i e s , the f i r s t lev el o f s t r a t i f i c a t i o n o f a h a b it a t type
classificatio n (P fister e ^ ^ . 1977).
Within each s e r i e s , I constructed a synthesis t a b l e and a sample
p l o t s i m i l a r i t y matrix from the keypunched vegetation data. A
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synthesis t a b le provides "a complete dis pla y o f species d i s t r i b u t i o n s
and stand composition" ( P f i s t e r and Arno 1980). The synthesis t a b l e
is constructed by l i s t i n g a l l species present in a series in the
f i r s t column- The coverage values f o r these species in each p lo t are
l i s t e d in successive columns. The stand compositions of sample plots
are thus recorded in the columns, and species d i s t r i b u t i o n s are r e
corded in rows with one row f o r each species.
The sample p lo t s i m i l a r i t y matrix compares the vegetation o f a
sin gle sample p lo t to a l l other sample plots in the series i n d i v i d u a l l y ,
and summarizes the s i m i l a r i t y with a numeric s i m i l a r i t y index. The
s i m i l a r i t y was computed w ith Sorensen's index (Sorensen 1948) (given
below), using the coverage class numbers as weighted presence. This
method was found to be the most favorable by P f i s t e r and Arno (1980).
where:
ISg = Sorensen's index o f s i m i l a r i t y
a = the sum o f a l l species coverage class values f o r

one p lo t
b = the sum o f a l l species coverage class values fo r

the other p l o t .
c = the sum o f the coverage classes o f a l l species held

in common by the two p l o t s , a t the lev e l o f coverage
common to both p lo ts.
Using the key to h a b it a t types in Forest H a b ita t Types o f Montana
(P fis te r et 1977), I attempted to key out the f i r s t - y e a r sample
p lo ts to the appropriate h a b it a t type. Many o f the sample plots did
19
not key-out to a h a b i t a t type, did not f i t any o f the e x is tin g
h a b it a t types, and were thus considered " n o - f i t s . " Many o f the sample
p lots which did key-out to a h a b it a t type obviously did not f i t the
d e s c rip tio n o f the h a b i t a t type, and were considered " m i s f i t s . "
P f i s t e r ejt (1977) caution t h a t the key is not the c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ,
but acceptable des criptions could not be found f o r most o f the sample
p lo ts .
Despite the f a c t t h a t many o f the sample plots did not f i t the
d es crip tions o f Forest H a b itat Types o f Montana ( P f i s t e r e t 1977),
many o f them did contain species considered to be i n d ic a to r species by
Pfister et ( 19 77 ). I tested the value o f these species as i n d i
cators in my study area by constructing s i m i l a r i t y matrices o f those
plots containing the i n d i c a t o r species a t the coverage value sp ecified
by P f i s t e r e t ( 19 77 ), and computing the mean s i m i l a r i t y o f a l l
plots in the m a trix. In many cases, the mean s i m i l a r i t y was low,
suggesting t h a t the i n d i c a t o r species were grouping plots t h a t were
d i s s i m i l a r and should not be considered members o f the same h a b it a t
type. F r a n k li n , Dyrness and Moir (1970) review the use o f the s i m i l a r
i t y m atrix to check p lo t groupings. P f i s t e r ^ (1977) did not use
such a technique in co nstruction o f t h e i r c l a s s i f i c a t i o n , but P f i s t e r
and Arno (1980) are now convinced t h a t the technique has m erit f o r
te s t in g the s i m i l a r i t i e s o f plots w it h i n and between groups.
In consideration o f the events t h a t ( 1 ) the h a b i t a t types in
Forest H a b i t a t Types o f Montana ( P f i s t e r e^ 1977) were not
e x t r a p o l a t i v e to the m a j o r it y o f sample plo ts in the study areas, and
20
( 2 ) the h a b i t a t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s o f the new areas would require the
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f some new i n d i c a t o r species, I decided on the f o l l o w
ing course. I constructed new c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s from my data, without
re cognition o f the h a b it a t types o f adjacent fo re s t s (with the
exception o f ponderosa pine bunchgrass h a b i t a t t y p e s ) , and then tested
the s i m i l a r i t y o f the new h a b it a t types to those described by
P f i s t e r e^ (1977). I decided, a l s o , to construct separate c l a s s i
f i c a t i o n s f o r the Bear's Paw Mountains and the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains,
as i t appeared from su b je ctive consideration t h a t the two areas
would share few, i f any, h a b it a t types. The re s u l t in g c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s
were then tested f o r possible merger. The re s u l t s o f the t e s t are
included in the discussion se ction.
To construct the new c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s , I modified the methodology
o f P f i s t e r and Arno (1980 ). All sample plots were assigned to series
a lrea d y , according to the c r i t e r i a o f P f i s t e r aj^. ( 1977), so the
f i r s t lev el o f s t r a t i f i c a t i o n remained unchanged. P f i s t e r e ^ a X - ( 19 77 ),
assigned sample plots to t e n t a t i v e h a b i t a t types s u b j e c t i v e l y , according
to three c r i t e r i a : (1) membership o f a sample p lo t in a h a b it a t type
described f o r an adjacent area , ( 2 ) f i e l d notes on r e l a t i o n s h i p o f
e x i s t i n g c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s and adjacent communities, and (3) visual
comparison o f p lo t composition data and photographs ( P f i s t e r and Arno
1980). I had already tested and re je c te d the f i r s t two c r i t e r i a f o r my
data. Because I had a s i m i l a r i t y matrix comparing the ve getative
composition o f my sample p l o t s , I devised the follo wing approach to
p l o t grouping, as an a l t e r n a t i v e to the t h i r d c r i t e r i o n .
21
I prepared a card f o r each sample p lo t which l i s t e d the sample
p lo t i d e n t i f i c a t i o n number and the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n numbers o f the three
most s i m i l a r p lo t s , as recorded in the sample p lo t s i m i l a r i t y m atrix.
These s i m i l a r i t y cards were used in the f i r s t approximation o f sample
p lo t groups by fo llow ing a simple agglomerative c l u s t e r i n g
algorithm , as outl in e d below,
I examined the f i r s t p l o t ' s s i m i l a r i t y card to determine the two
plots most s i m i l a r to the reference stand. The cards specifying
the plots most s i m i l a r to these two plots were grouped with the
firs t. This group was examined f o r plots which were l i s t e d on two
o f the th re e grouped s i m i l a r i t y cards. Plots meeting t h i s c r i t e r i o n were
in turn examined f o r membership in the group. I f two o f the three
plots most s i m i l a r to t h i s candidate p lo t were members o f the group,
the p lo t was added to the group; i f not, i t was re j e c te d . Once no
more candidate plots were found f o r which two o f the three most
s i m i l a r plots were members o f the group, a new group was started
and the process was repeated. This agglomerative c l u s t e r i n g a l g o
rithm resu lted in the formation of several groups in most s e r i e s , but with
a few plots not showing a g re a te s t s i m i l a r i t y to any one group.
I examined the undergrowth vegetation o f each group f o r c h a rac ter
i s t i c species, using the synthesis t a b l e . I defined c h a r a c t e r i s t i c
species as those which showed d i f f e r e n t i a l occurrence from one group
to the o t h e rs , and which were present in a l l stands o f a p a r t i c u l a r
group a t a s p e cifie d coverage value. I ordered these species
22
in a key so t h a t sample plots would key into the group o f which they
were a member. Plots which had not shown a g rea tes t s i m i l a r i t y to
a p a r t i c u l a r group were keyed into the app ropriate group.
From the sample p lo t s i m i l a r i t y m a t rix , I then computed the
average s i m i l a r i t y o f each sample p lo t to a l l plots in each group,
and reassigned a few p lo ts to new groups f o r which they showed t h e i r
highest average s i m i l a r i t y . This operation simultaneously maximized
within-group s i m i l a r i t y and minimized between-group s i m i l a r i t y .
I considered each group o f plots to be re presen ta tive o f
a h a b it a t type. One h a b it a t type in the P s e u d o t s u g a m e m i e s i i series
of both the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains and the Bear's Paw Mountains was
f u r t h e r subdivided into two phases to emphasize a minor d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n
in t h i s type. I prepared a p re lim in ary c l a s s i f i c a t i o n from these
f i r s t - y e a r data. I t described the c h a r a c t e r i s t i c vegetation and topo
graphic position o f each h a b it a t typ e, and included the sample p lo t
s i m i l a r i t y matrix f o r each h a b it a t type and each comparison o f one
h a b it a t type to another.
Using the method o f "successive approximation" advocated by
M.E.D. Poore(1962), I c o n t in u a l ly tested and revised the pre liminary
c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s to r e f l e c t new data added during the second f i e l d
season. The h a b it a t type key and the h a b it a t type descriptions were
tested and revised f u r t h e r during establishment o f ground t r u t h fo r
h a b it a t type maps.
I prepared review d r a f t s o f the f i n a l c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s following
the second f i e l d season. These review d r a f t s were c i r c u l a t e d to the
23
co n trac tin g agencies and in te re s te d p a r t ie s f o r review and comment
during the summer o f 1978. Following incorporation o f reviewers'
comments, I presented the c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s to Dr. Stephen F. Arno
f o r a f i n a l c r i t i q u e to ensure the c o m p a t i b i l i t y o f the c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s
with Forest H abita t Types o f Montana ( P f i s t e r e^ 1977), and to
employ Dr. Arno's experience in constructing and describing a
h a b it a t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n . During t h i s c r i t i q u e , sample p lo t place
ments in h a b it a t types and h a b it a t type names were f i n a l i z e d . The
f i n a l c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s were then presented in f i n a l reports to the
contracting agencies.
The u lt im a t e t e s t o f a h a b it a t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n is i t s
a b i l i t y to describe ac cu ra tely the near-climax pla nt communities in a
designated area and to r e l a t e these communities to s i t e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
which occur in a p re d ic t a b le sequence on the landscape; the c l a s s i f i
cations described here were found to do so in an intensive h a b it a t
type mapping e f f o r t conducted by Mr. J . I . Sibbernsen. However,
despite the apparent success o f the c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s in describing the
s i t e s in the study ar ea, I f e l t i t necessary to t e s t the c l a s s i f i c a
tions o b j e c t i v e l y through the use o f s i m i l a r i t y a n a ly s is , as suggested
by F ra n k lin , Dyrness and Moir (1970). In a d d itio n to t e s t in g the
c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s , t h i s procedure allowed d i r e c t comparison o f the study
areas to adjacent areas o f Montana and the Bighorn Mountains o f
Wyoming, using data c o lle c t e d f o r Forest Ha bitat Types of Montana
( P f i s t e r e^ 1977) and Forest Vegetation o f the Bighorn Mountains,
Wyoming: A H a b ita t Type C l a s s i f i c a t i o n (Hoffman and Alexander 1976),
respectively.
24
The c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s , as t e s t e d , are presented in two separate chap
t e r s o f t h i s t h e s i s , and the r e s u lt s o f the t e s ts are included in the
discussion section.
Taxonomic Considerations
I c o lle c t e d voucher specimens o f plants encountered in sample
p lo t s . Where possible, a l l specimens were i d e n t i f i e d to species.
Specimens o f the genera C a rex j Rosa^ R -ibesj O x y t r o p ï s ^ and A s t r a g a l u s
were i d e n t i f i e d to genus only.
Because sampling extended over several months o f the growing
season, I often made f i e l d i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f vegetative or s t e r i l e
specimens. I grouped some s i m i l a r species when f i e l d d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n
was not possible. These groups are as follows:
1. Specimens o f the genus S y m p h o r i c a r p o s did not commonly f lo w er,
e s p e c ia ll y under a f o r e s t canopy, during the study. All
specimens t h a t did flower were i d e n t i f i e d as s. o e a i d e n t a l i s .
I d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f specimens on vegetative c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
indicates t h a t 5. o o c i d e n t a l i s is the c h a r a c t e r i s t i c
species o f north central Montana. A comparison o f the
d i s t r i b u t i o n o f S y m p h o r i c a r p o s in our study area with the
d i s t r i b u t i o n o f S . a l b u s in the Forest Ha bita t Types o f
Montana ( P f i s t e r ejt al_. 1977) indicates t h a t S . a l b u s
extends into moister h a b it a t types than s . o c c i d e n t a l i s ,
and is absent from the d r i e r h a b it a t types where
S. o c a i d e n t a l i s is common. Thus, S. a l b u s y i f present in
north central Montana, would be expected in our moist h a b it a t
25
types.
2. T h a l i a t r u m o a o i d e n t a l e and T h a l i a t r u m v e n u l o s t m were tre ated
as T. o c c i d e n t a l e .
3. O s m o v h iz a c h i l e n s i s ^ 0. d e p a u p e r a t a j and O. p iæ p iœ e a were
tre a t e d as 0. c h i l e n s i s .
Members o f the genus V a o c in iu m did not flow er or f r u i t during the
f i e l d seasons. From vegetative c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , we distinguished
V a c c in iu m c a e s p i t o s v o n , V. g Z o b u la v e ^ and V. m y v t iZ Z u s .
On the basis o f cone and twig morphology, I i d e n t i f i e d P i c e a
specimens as P i c e a enge l n r i n n i i x g l a u c a . Following the precedent o f
Pfister et (1977), a l l references'-are abbreviated to P i c e a .
Dr. I . E . Eddleman, Mr. P.F. Stickney, Dr. S.F. Arno, Dr. L.H.
Harvey, Mr. G.L. Moore, Mr. J . I . Sibbernsen, and Professor L.
Hagener I d e n t i f i e d some voucher specimens.
Nomenclature follows Flora o f the P a c i f i c Northwest by
Hitchcock and Cronquist (1973).
26
CHAPTER V
RESULTS
C l a s s i f i c a t i o n Stru ctu re and Nonemclature
The terminology and c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s t r u c t u r e o f the c l a s s i f i c a
tions t h a t fo llo w is consistent with P f i s t e r et (1977 ). A h a b it a t
type is the aggregation o f units o f land capable o f producing
s i m i l a r p la nt communities a t climax ( P f i s t e r ^ al_. 1977). The series
is a grouping o f a l l h a b it a t types dominated a t climax by the same
t r e e species. P f i s t e r e^ (1977) present a glossary o f terms used
in the h a b it a t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n .
I defined four s e r i e s , ten h a b it a t types, and two unique commun
i t i e s f o r the Bear's Paw Mountains. Many o f these h a b it a t types are
s i m i l a r to h a b it a t types in other areas o f Montana, Wyoming, and
other areas, and some are unique to the Bear's Paw Mountains. In the
L i t t l e Rocky Mountains, I defined three series and ten h a b it a t types.
S i m i l a r l y , some o f these h a b it a t types are s i m i l a r to h a b it a t types
in other parts o f Montana, Wyoming, and other areas, and some are
unique to the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains. The s i m i l a r i t y o f each h a b it a t
type to h a b it a t types o f other c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s is presented in the
h a b it a t type d e s c rip t io n , but the s i m i l a r i t y o f e n t i r e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s
is re ferre d to the discussion section.
The c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s f o r the Bear's Paw Mountains and the L i t t l e
Rocky Mountains are presented separately. Each follows the format
below:
1. Key to the h a b it a t typ es. Please r e f e r to the in s tr u ction s
(Figure 4) before attempting to use the key.
27
2. Series d e s c rip tio n s . I have described c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
common to many or a l l o f the h a b it a t types in the same
s e r i e s , in the series d e s c r i p t io n , placed before the appro
p r i a t e h a b i t a t type d e s crip tio n s.
3. H a b ita t type d e s c r i p t io n s . I described the topographic posi
t i o n , vegetati on, and s o i ls c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f each type, and
noted s i m i l a r h a b it a t types in the h a b it a t type descriptions,
4. D i s t r i b u t i o n o f h a b it a t types. I have included a b r i e f
d e s c rip tio n and fig u re s in d ic a tin g the position o f each
h a b it a t type on the most important ecological gradients.
An abridged Table o f Contents precedes each c l a s s i f i c a t i o n .
1. Use t h i s key f o r stands with a na tu re t r e e canopy and t h a t are ro t
seve rely disturbed by g r a z i n g , lo ggi ng, f o r e s t f i r e , e t c . (If the
stand is se ve re ly distu rbed or is an e a r l y successional stage, the 28
h a b i t a t type can best be determined by e x t r a p o l a t i n g from the near
est mature stand occupying a s i m i l a r s i t e . )
2. Acc urat ely i d e n t i f y and record canopy coverages f o r a l l i n d i c a t o r species.
3. Check p l o t data in the f i e l d to v e r i f y t h a t the p l o t is r e p r e s e n t a ti v e

of the stand as a whole. I f no t , take another p l o t .
4. I d e n t i f y the c o r r e c t p o t e n t i a l climax t r e e species in the series key.

- ( G e n e r a ll y , a tr e e species is considered reproducing su c ces sf ul ly i f
ten or more i n d i v i d u a l s per acre occupy or w i l l occupy the s i t e . )
5. Within the a pp ro pr ia te s e r i e s , key to h a b i t a t type by fo ll o w in g the

key l i t e r a l l y .
6. Use the d e f i n i t i o n s diagramed below f o r canopy coverage terms in the key.

I f you have d i f f i c u l t y deciding between types, r e f e r to constancy and
coverage data (Appendix A l ) , and the h a b i t a t type d e s c r i p t i o n s .
7. In stands whore undergrowth is obviously depauperate (unusually spa rs e) ,

ad ju st the above d e f i n i t i o n s to the next lower coverage class ( e . g . ,
w ell represented, 1%; common, 0%).
8. Remember, the key is NOT the c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ! V a l i d a t e the determination

made using the key by checking the w r i t t e n d e s c r i p t i o n .
Percent
Canopy Coverage^ -0% 1% 5% 25% 50% 75% 95% 100%
Absent ^ Pr ese nt ^(not obviously r e s t r i c t e d to a t y p i c a l r . i c r n s i t e s )
Scarce Common
Y~^y-‘'-rP 7 7 y 7 y 7 7 7 y ^ ^ ^ '
Poorly represented d'.’c l l rcT;rcsciitcd//>
/ / / / yy/.
Abundant:
Coverage Class
Figure 4. I n s tru c tio n s f o r Use o f the Habitat Type Keys
29
ABRIDGED TABLE OF CONTENTS
Forest H a b ita t Types o f the Bear's Paw Mountains
Page
Key to Climax Series and H a b i t a t Types {Figure 5 ) . (Please
r e f e r to Figure 4 before attempting to use the k e y ) .................. 30
P'inus pondeTO ca S e r i e s ............................................................................................ 32
P i n u s p o n d e r o s a / A g r o p y r o n s p i o a t i m H a bitat Type ...................... 34
P i n u s p o n d e r o s a / F e s t u Q a -id dh oen si-s H a b itat Type
F e s t u o a s o a b r e l l a Phase ........................................................ 35
P in u s p o n d e r o s a / A m e t a n c k i e v a t n i - f o l - i a H abitat T y p e .......................36
P s e u d o t s u g a m enzi.es'i'i S e r i e s ...............................................................................38
P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z'ù e s 'C i/S y m p h o rïe a r p o s o c o i d e n t a l i s H abitat T. 39
P s e u d o t s u g a m en zi-esi-i/A m eZ a n ch -ier a Z n i f o Z i a Ha bitat Type . . 41
P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z t e s i t / V - i o Z a o a n a d e n s i s H a b itat Type...................... 42
P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i - L / L t n n a e a h o r e a Z i s Ha bitat Type...................... 44
P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i - e s i i / C o r n u s c a n a d e n s -is Ha bitat Type . . . . 45
P-icea S e r i e s ..................................................................................................................48
P t c e a / J u n t p e r u s oorrniunis Community .................................................................... 49
P i-oea/L -in n aea h o r e a Z i s H a b ita t Type .................................................................... 50
A b i e s Z a s i o c a r p a S e r i e s .................................................................................. • 52
A b i e s Z a s i o a a r p a / J u n i p e r u s oommunis Community................................... 53
A b i e s Z a s i o c a r p a / L i n n a e a b o r e a Z i s Ha b itat Type .......................... 53
D i s t r i b u t i o n o f H abitat Types ..................................................................... 55
Figure 6 ................................................................................................................. 56
30
Figure 5. Key to Climax Series and Ha bitat Types
1, A b i e s l a s i o o a r p a present and reproducing successfully

ABIES LASIOCARPA series (Item D)
1. A b i e s l a s i o o a r p a not the indicated climax - 2
2. F i c e a present and reproducing successfully

PICEA series (Item C)
2. P i c e a not the ind icated climax - 3
3- P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i present and reproducing successfully

PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII series (Item B)
3. P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i not the indicated climax - 4
4. P in u s o o n t o r t a present
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII series (Item B)
4. P in u s o o n t o r t a absent; P in u s p o n d e r o s a the indicated

cl imax
PINUS PONDEROSA series (Item A)
A. . Key to P i n u s p o n d e r o s a Ha bitat Types
1. A m e l a n o h i e r a l n i f o l i a well represented
PINUS PONDEROSA/AMELANOHIER ALNIFOLIA h . t . (p. 36)
1. A m e l a n o h ie r a l n i f o l i a poorly represented - 2
2. F e s t u o a s o a b r e l l a common
PINUS PONDEROSA/FESTUCA IDAHOENSIS h . t . (p. 35)
2. F e s tu o a s o a b r e l l a scarce; A g r o p y r o n s p i c a t u m well
represented.
PINUS PONDEROSA/AGROPYRON SPICATUM h . t . (p. 34)
B. Key to P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i Habitat Types
1. C o m u s c a n a d e n s i s common
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESIÎ/CORNUS CANADENSIS h . t . (p. 45)
l.a . V a oo in iu m m y r t i l l u s present
VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS phase (p. 4?)
l.b . V a o o in iu m m y r t i l l u s absent
LINNAEA BOREALIS phase (p. 47)
31
Fig. 5, cont. Key to Climax Series and H a b ita t Types
1. C ovnus c a n a d e n s i- s scarce - 2
2. L in n a e a b o r e a l i s common
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/LINNAEA BOREALIS h . t . (p. 44}
2. L in n a e a b o r e a l i s scarce - 3
3. Two o f the fo llow ing three forbs present: v io la

c a n a d e n s i s s T h a l i c t r i m o c o i d e n t a l e y or O s m o rh iza o h i l e n s i s
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/VIOLA CANADENSIS h . t . (p. 42)
3. Not as above - 4
4. A m e l a n o h ie r a l n i f o l i a or S p i r a e a b e t u l i f o l i a well
represented
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/AMELANCHIER ALNIFOLIA h . t . ( p . 41)
4. Not as above; S y m p h o r i c a r p o s o c a i d e n t a l i s common

PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/SYMPHORICARPOS OCCIDENTALIS
h .t. (p. 39)
Key to P i c e a H a b ita t Type and Unique Community
PICEA/LINNAEA BOREALIS h . t . (p. 50)
1. L in n a e a b o r e a l i s scarce; J u n i p e r u s cormrunis the dominant

undergrowth
PICEA/JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS u.c. (p. 49)
Key to A b i e s l a s i o o a r p a H a b ita t Type and Unique Community
ABIES LASIOCARPA/LINNAEA BOREALIS h . t . (p. 53)
1. L in n a e a b o r e a l i s scarce; J u n i p e r u s communis or F e s tu o a
i d a h o e n s i s the dominant undergrowth
ABIES LASIOCARPA/JUNIPERUS COMMUNIS u .c . (p. 53)
32
P'inus 'p o n d evo sa Series
D istrib u tio n . P%nus p o n d e r o s a is the most w id e l y - d i s t r ib u t e d
t r e e in the Bear's Paw Mountains. I t forms a climax f o r e s t zone
between lower t i m b e r l i n e grasslands and s it e s moist enough to support
P seu d o tsu g a m e n z ie s ii.. In the Bear's Paw Mountains, p ote ntial climax
P in u s p o n d e r o s a fo res ts cover the f o o t h i l l s and occur as topographic
climaxes on southerly exposures w it h i n the mountains.
Vegetation. P in u s p o n d e r o sa is usu ally the only tre e present in
this series. P in u s f l e x i l i s is accidental on the d r i e r h a b it a t types
(PIPO/AGSP; PIPO/FEID-FESC), and P o p u lu s t r e m u t o i d e s can be serai
w it h in one h a b it a t type (PIPO/AMAL).
The undergrowth o f the d r i e r h a b it a t types is dominated by
bunchgrasses, and these stands are usually open, a l l - a g e d P in u s
ponderosa. The undergrowth o f PIPO/AMAL is dominated by shrubs, and
these stands have a r e l a t i v e l y dense canopy.
S o il. Soils in t h i s series are often g r a v e l l y and are gen erally
loamy. Soil re ac tion a t the upper ten centimeters is neutral or
s l i g h t l y a c i d i c (pH 7.1 - 6 . 3 ) . The d u f f l a y e r is usually deep
( 6 . 2 - 6 . 5 ce n tim eters). In g en eral, s o i l diffe ren c es account fo r
l i t t l e o f the v a r i a t i o n in t h i s se rie s ; most o f the v a r i a t i o n is
e v i d e n t l y a t t r i b u t a b l e to topographic influences on a v a i l a b l e moisture,
Other s t u d ie s . R. and J. Daubenmire (1968) noted th at climax
P in u s p o n d e r o s a in northern Idaho and eastern Washington occurs on
two d i f f e r e n t soil types, and t h a t the c h a r a c t e r i s t i c undergrowth o f
these climax P in u s p o n d e r o s a f o re s ts is determined by the soil type.
33
On deep, heavier s o i l s , the undergrowth is shrubby; on stony, coarse-
te x t u r e d , or shallow s o i l s , the undergrowth is dominated by bunch
grasses.
Both types o f undergrowth are present in the F irm s p o n d e r o s a
series o f the Bear's Paw Mountains, but the r e l a t i o n s h i p o f the two
appears to be more r e l a t e d to a v a i l a b l e soil moisture as influenced
by topography, than to soil t e x t u r e . The shrubby undergrowth occurs on
s i t e s which accumulate so il moisture from ru n o ff and subsurface flow,
e v id e n t ly a t the expense o f adjacent upslope s it e s dominated by
bunchgrass undergrowths.
P fis te r et (1977) found both shrub and bunchgrass dominated
undergrowths under climax P in u s p o n d e r o s a in east central Montana.
They noted t h a t the bunchgrass dominated s i t e s occurred on steeper
slopes, and t h a t the shrub dominated s i t e s occurred on g e n t le r t e r
r a i n , but did not suggest a c o n t r o l l i n g f a c t o r to account f o r t h is
observation. They noted t h a t throughout most o f Montana, i f a dense
shrubby undergrowth occurs under P i n u s p o n d e r o s a , P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i
i s usu ally regenerating, and is the indicated climax. In the
Bear's Paw Mountains, most o f the shrub dominated s it e s in the P in u s
p o n d e r o s a series (PIPO/AMAL h . t . ) are outside o f the range of
distribu tion of P se u d o tsu g a m e n z i e s i i .
Hoffman and Alexander (1976) do not address the re la tio n s h ip
d i r e c t l y , but the P in u s p o n d e r o s a h a b i t a t types in the Bighorn
Mountains appear to be d i s t r i b u t e d p r i n c i p a l l y according to
a v a i l a b l e moisture, which is influenced mostly by topography, rath er
than soil te x tu r e .
34
Vn,nus p o n d e v o s a /A g p o p y r o n sp -ica tto n H a b ita t Type
(PIPO/AGSPi ponderosa pine/bluebunch wheatgrass)
D istrib u tio n . PIPO/AGSP is the d r i e s t f o r e s t h a b it a t type present
in the Bear's Paw Mountains. This minor h a b it a t type is repre
sented by two sample p l o t s . I t is a topographic climax on midslopes
o f the dry h i l l s a t the northern edge o f the mountain range, near the
l i m i t o f t r e e d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r the Bear's Paw Mountains. Slope i n c l i n
atio n is moderate to steep and PIPO/AGSP s it e s are l im it e d to south
and west aspects. Elevations o f sample stands are 1340 meters (4400
f e e t ) and 1400 meters (4600 f e e t ) .
PIPO/AGSP is adjacent to PIPO/FEID-FESC on cooler aspects, and
occurs upslope from more protected s it e s which are often PIPO/AMAL.
Vegetation. P i n u s p o n d e r o s a and, r a r e l y , P in u s f l e x i l i s are the
only tre es present in PIPO/AGSP. Typical stands are a l l - a g e d , and
trees are widely-spaced.
The undergrowth o f PIPO/AGSP is dominated by A g r o p y r o n s p i c a t u m
or J u n i p e r u s h o r i z o n t a l i s , T h e r m o p s is rh o rrib ifo lia is the dominant
f o rb , and A c h i l l e a n r l l l e f o l i u m ^ B a l s a m o r h i z a s a g i t t a t e : , C h ryso p sis
v i l l o s a . Anemone m u l t i f i d a , and A s t e r f a l c a t u s are c h a r a c t e r i s t i c
o f t h i s type.
S o il. Surface s o i l in the sampled stands is g r a v e l l y , and soil
te x t u r e is a loam to a s i l t y loam. Soil reac tion is s l i g h t l y basic
(mean pH 7 . 2 ) . Ground surfaces have l i t t l e or moderate bare soil and
surface rock exposed. Average d u f f depth is 6.5 centimeters.
Other studies. PIPO/AGSP in the Bear's Paw Mountains is
35
e s s e n t i a l l y eq u iv alen t to the PIPO/AGSP h a b it a t type o f P f i s t e r et a l .
( 19 77 ). Hoffman and Alexander (1976) also described a P'inus p o n d e r o s a /
A g r o p y r o n s p i c a t u m h a b i t a t type f o r the Bighorn Mountains o f Wyoming
which is e q u iv alen t.
P in u s p o n d e r o s a / F e s t u c a i d a h o e n s i s Habita t Type
F e s t u o a s c a b r e t t a Phase
(PIPO/FEID-FESCj ponderosa pine/Idaho fescue-rough fescue)
P istrib utio n . PIPO/FEID-FESC is l i m i t e d in d i s t r i b u t i o n to
lower e le v a t io n midslopes o f exposed ridges and k n o lls , but is
extensive on the f o o t h i l l s north and east o f the mountains. Elevations
o f the nine sample stands range from 1160 meters (3800 f e e t ) to
1465 meters (4800 f e e t ) , and aspects are northwest, north, ea st, or
southeast. PIPO/FEID-FESC is t r a n s i t i o n a l to PIPO/AGSP on d r i e r
aspects, and to PIPO/AMAL on areas o f increased soil moisture.
Vegetation. P i n u s p o n d e r o s a is the only successful t r e e in
PIPO/FEID-FESC. P in u s f l e x i l i s occurs r a r e l y as an ac cid en tal.
The undergrowth is dominated by A g r o p y r o n s p ic a tu m ^ F e s tu o a
s o a b re lla , and, o c c as io n a lly , F e s t u o a i d a h o e n s i s . Coverage o f J u n i p e r u s
h o r i z o n t a l i s is v a r i a b l e , and A m e l a n o h i e r a l n i f o l i a is poorly re pre
sented; other shrubs are scarce. T h e r m o p s is r h o r r i b i f o l i a is the dominant
forb. Other forbs u su ally present are A c h i l l e a m i l l e f o l i v m , A n t e n n a r i a
m ic ro p h y lla . Campanula r o t u n d i f o l i a , C e ra stiu m a r v e n s e , and Anemone
m u ltifid a .
S o il. Surface s o i ls in the sampled stands are loams or sandy
loams. Soil reaction in the upper ten centimeters is neutral (mean pH
7 . 1 ) . The ground surface has l i t t l e to moderate surface rock exposed.
36
and l i t t l e bare so il exposed. The average d u f f depth is 6.2 centimeters.
Other s t u d i e s . PIPO/FEID-FESC in the Bear's Paw Mountains
is eq u iv alen t to the PIPO/FEID-FESC h a b it a t type and phase o f
Pfister et (1977). The F e stu o a id a h o e n s is (FEID) phase o f
P f i s t e r e t aj_. (1977) apparently does not occur in the Bear's Paw
Mountains. Hoffman and Alexander (1976) described a P in u s p o n d e r o s a /
F e s t u o a i d a h o e n s i s h a b it a t type in the Bighorn Mountains o f Wyoming
which occupies s i m i l a r s i t e s , and shares many undergrowth species
with PIPO/FEID-FESC in the Bear's Paw Mountains. The P in u s p o n d e r o s a /
F e s t u o a i d a h o e n s i s h a b it a t type o f Hoffman and Alexander, however,
has no F e s t u o a s o a b r e l l a , which appears to be replaced by H e s p e r o o h l o a
k in g ii in the Bighorn Mountains.
P i n u s p o n d e r o s a / A m e l a n o h i e r a l n i f o l i a H a b ita t Type
(PIPO/AMAL; ponderosa p in e /s e rv ic e b e rry )
Pi s t r i b u t i o n . PIPO/AMAL is the wettest h a b it a t type in the
P in u s p o n d e r o s a s e rie s . This minor h a b it a t type occupies the w ettest
s i t e s outside the range o f d i s t r i b u t i o n o f P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i in
the Bear's Paw Mountains, and s i t e s w it h i n the mountains which appar
e n t ly are too dry f o r P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i . Elevations o f the two
sample plots are from 1160 meters (3800 f e e t ) to 1280 meters (4200
f e e t ) , and aspects are northwest and northeast. Slope i n c l i n a t i o n o f
the sample plots is moderate to steep.
Vegetation. P i n u s p o n d e r o s a is usu ally the only tre e present
in PIPO/AMAL, but some stands contain serai P o p u lu s t r e m u l o i d e s .
The undergrowth is dominated by A m e l a n o h ie r a l n i f o l i a . Other
37
shrubs which may be present include Pvunus vi-Tg-iniana and S ym ph o r-ica rp os
o o c id e n ta lis. S ites in the moist extreme o f PIPO/AMAL may include
m o i s t - s i t e forbs such as M onarda f i s t u l o s a or L a t h y r u s o c h v o l e u c u s .
Sites on the dry extreme may be well represented with A gro pyn on
s p ic a tto r ti and F e s t u o a s o a b r e l l a is poorly represented.
Soi 1 . Soil te x t u r e in the sample plots is a loam, and soil
reac tion in the upper ten centimeters is s l i g h t l y a c i d i c (mean pH 6 . 5 ) .
No bare soil and l i t t l e surface rock are exposed. Average d u f f depth
is 6 .2 centimeters.
Other s t u d ie s. P fister ^ a j ^ . (1977) describe a PIPO/PRVI
h a b it a t type, PRVI phase, f o r southeastern Montana which is s i m il a r
to PIPO/AMAL, except t h a t in the Bear's Paw Mountains, A m e la n o h ie r
a ln ifo lia ^ r a t h e r than P ru n u s v ir g in ia r u x j, dominates the undergrowth.
38
P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z 'le s 'it Series
D istrib u tio n . P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z - i e s t t forms a climax f o r e s t zone
on mesic s i t e s throughout the Bear's Paw Mountains. Sites in th is
series are more moist than those o f the P in u s p o n d e r o s a s e rie s , and
warmer o r d r i e r than those o f the P i c e a s e rie s . The m a jo rit y of the
productive f o r e s t land in the Bear's Paw Mountains occurs in the
P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i s e r i e s , and t h i s series is the most extensive in
the Bear's Paw Mountains.
Vegetation. The t r e e f l o r a is more diverse in the P s e u d o t s u g a men
z i e s i i series then in P in u s p o n d e r o s a series. P in u s p o n d e r o s a is
serai throughout most o f the s e rie s . P i n u s o o n t o r t a is a serai
dominant on the moist h a b i t a t types, and P o p u lu s t r e m u l o i d e s can be
serai dominant in the more mesic h a b i t a t types.
The undergrowth in t h i s series is g e n e r a lly dominated by shrubs
or sub-shrubs. Bunchgrasses are important only in the d r i e s t
h a b it a t type (PSME/SYOC). C a l a r m g r o s t i s r u b e s o e n s is important in the
more moist h a b ita t types.
The P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i series covers the widest range o f
undergrowth v a r i a t i o n o f any se rie s in the Bear's Paw Mountains. This
v a r i a t i o n is apparently c o n t r o ll e d p r i n c i p a l l y by the soil moisture
gradient encompassed by t h i s s e r i e s .
S o il. The P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i series was the only series
sound on both calcareous and noncalcareous parent m a t e r ia l . In the
study area , however, calcareous parent materia l is very l im it e d in
d i s t r i b u t i o n and only two sample p lo ts occurred on th is m a t e r ia l.
39
Other s t u d i e s . Climax P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i in the Bear's Paw
Mountains follows c lo s e ly the p atte rn described by P f i s t e r e t a l .
(1977) f o r the P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i series in Montana, extending from
a dry bunchgrass supporting h a b i t a t type to h a b it a t types s i m i l a r to
those o f the A b i e s l a s i o o a r p a s e rie s . The series is bounded on d r i e r
s i t e s by the P in u s p o n d e r o s a s e r i e s , on moister s it e s by the P i c e a
s e rie s , and on c o o le r, higher e le v a t io n s i t e s by the A b i e s l a s i o o a r p a
serie s.
Climax P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains is
much more r e s t r i c t e d by s i t e than in the Bear's Paw Mountains. As
noted by Despain (1973) and Hoffman and Alexander (1976) f o r the Bighorn
Mountains, P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains is
g enerally r e s t r i c t e d to sedimentary parent m a t e r ia ls .
O g i l v i e (1962) does not describe a P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i series
as such, but notes t h a t climax P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i is r e s t r i c t e d to
the d r i e s t site s which support t r e e growth on the east slope o f the
Rocky Mountains in A lb e rta .
P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i / S y m p h o r i o a r p o s o o c i d e n t a l i s Habitat Type
(PSME/SYOC; D o u glas -fir /w e stern snowberry)
Distribution. PSME/SYOC is the d r i e s t h a b it a t type in the
P se u d o tsu g a m e n z i e s i i series. I t is moderately extensive and the
four sample plots occurred on moderately steep to steep mid-slopes
with south or west aspects. Elevations o f the sample plots range from
1220 meters (4000 f e e t ) to 1465 meters (4800 f e e t ) .
40
PSME/SYOC g e n e r a lly occurs in a mosaic with PSME/AMAL and
PSME/VICA, with PSME/AMAL occupying more moist aspects in the same
e le v a t io n a l band, and PSME/VICA occupying more moist and sheltered
s it e s than the previous two.
V e g e tatio n. Serai stands o f PSME/SYOC are dominated by
P in u s p o n d e r o s a . Sites in t h i s type are too dry f o r P in u s o o n t o r t a
or P o p u lu s t r e m u lo i d e s . S y m p h o r i o a r p o s o o c i d e n t a l i s and A g r o p y r o n
sp ic a tu m dominate the undergrowth o f PSME/SYOC. P ru n u s v i r g i n i a n a
and A m e l a n o h i e r a l n i f o l i a are usually common. T h e r m o p s is r h o r r h i f o l i a ^
B a lsa m o rh iza s a g i t t a t a ^ E r i g e r o n s p e o io s u s _ , and C h r y s o p s i s v i l l o s a
are c h a r a c t e r i s t i c forbs.
S o il. Surface s o i ls o f the sample plots are g ra v e lly and soil
te x tu r e i s a sandy loam. Soil re actio n o f the upper ten centimeters
is s l i g h t l y a c i d i c (mean pH 6 . 2 ) . L i t t l e to moderate bare soil
and surface rock are exposed. Average d u f f depth is 6 .8 centimeters.
Other s tu d ie s . PSME/SYOC is very s i m i l a r to the PSME/SYAL h ab it a t
type, AGSP phase o f P f i s t e r et a_]_. (1977). The su b s t it u t io n o f
S y m p h o r io a r p o s o o c i d e n t a l i s f o r S y m p h o r io a r p o s a l b u s is the most
s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e . A PSME/SYOC h a b it a t type has also been described
f o r the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains. PSME/SYOC in the Bear's Paw
Mountains and the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains can be considered the same
h ab it a t type, but should be distinguished as two phases: PSME/
SYOC-CHVI { ( C h r y s o p s i s v i l l o s a ) and PSME/SYOC-SHCA { S h e p h e r d i a
c a n a d e n s i s ) f o r the Bear's Paw and L i t t l e Rockies, re sp ec tively .
41
P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z z e s - i- i/A m ela n ch ï-er a l n i f o t z a H abitat Type
(PSME/AMAL; D o u g l a s - f i r / s e r v i c e b e r r y )
Pi s t r i b u t i o n . PSME/AMAL is a topographic climax on moderate
or steep slopes with aspects from northwest to northeast. Elevations
o f the f i v e sample plots are from 1220 meters (4000 f e e t ) to
1525 meters (5000 f e e t ) .
PSME/AMAL is s i m i l a r to PIPO/AMAL except t h a t P s e u d o t s u g a
m e n z i e s i i . is the indicated climax. PSME/AMAL occurs more in the
central portion o f the mountains, while PIPO/AMAL occurs more in the
f o o t h i l l s o f the perimeter. Thus, the two might represent s i m il a r
s it e s w i t h i n and outside o f the geographic d i s t r i b u t i o n o f P s e u d o t s u g a
m e n z i e s i i f o r PSME/AMAL and PIPO/AMAL, r e s p e c t iv e ly . PSME/AMAL
often occupies moist s i t e s ( n o r t h e r l y aspects) where d r i e r aspects
are PIPO/FEID-FESC, or occupies the d r i e s t s it e s in a PSME/AMAL,
PSME/VICA, and PSME/LIBO mosaic.
Vegetation. P in u s p o n d e r o s a is the serai dominant in the
PSME/AMAL h a b it a t type. P i n u s o o n t o r t a and P o p u lu s t r e m u t o i d e s are
absent from t h i s type. P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i is the indicated climax.
The undergrowth o f PSME/AMAL is dominated by shrubs. Prunus
v ir g in ia n a ^ A m ela n o h ier a l n i f o l i a , and S p i r a e a b e t u l i f o l i a are
common. S y m p h o r i o a r p o s o o o i d e n t a l i s is present. C h a r a c te r is tic forbs
include S m L la o in a r a o e m o s a , V i o i a a m e r i o a n a , D i s p o r i m tr a o h y o a r p u m ,
E rig e ro n s p e o io s u s , F ra g a ria v i r g i n i a n a , and G aliu m b o r e a l e . Grasses
are scarce.
S o il. Soil tex ture in the PSME/AMAL sample plots is a loam
42
or sandy loam, and s o i ls are g e n e r a lly g r a v e l l y . Soil re ac tion o f the
upper ten centimeters is s l i g h t l y a c i d i c (mean pH 6 . 6 ) , and average
d u f f depth is 7 centimeters. No bare so il and l i t t l e surface rock are
exposed.
Other s t u d ie s . PSME/AMAL is s i m i l a r to the PSME/SYAL h a b it a t
type, SYAL phase, o f P f i s t e r e t ^ . (1977 ). PSME/AMAL has higher
coverages o f A m e ta n o h ie v a l n i f o l i - a and P ru n u s v - ir g in ia n a y however,
and much less frequent occurrence o f B e r b e r i s r e p e n s and A r o t o s t a p h y l o s
u v a - u r s iy which are r e l a t i v e l y r a re in the Bear's Paw Mountains.
P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i-e s i.i/V -io la c a n a d e n s is Ha bitat Type
{PSME/VICA; Douglas-fir/Canadian v i o l e t )
D istribution. PSME/VICA is a mesic h a b it a t type and is extensive
in the Bear's Paw Mountains. The seventeen sample plots occur at
elevations from 1250 meters (4100 f e e t ) to 1465 meters (4800 f e e t )
on west, north, ea st, or southeast aspects. Slope i n c l i n a t i o n is
moderate to steep. PSME/VICA s it e s in the Bear's Paw Mountains
are in Muddy Creek, Beaver Creek, Lost Canyon, and Parker Canyon.
Vegetation. Serai stands o f PSME/VICA may support almost pure
stands o f P o p u tu s t r e m u t o i d e s y but c o n if e r reproduction is usually
evident. P in u s p o n d e r o s a and P in u s o o n t o r t a are important serai
species in stands dominated by c o n if e r s . P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i is
also present in the understory o f serai stands and is the indicated
climax.
The undergrowth o f PSME/VICA contains a number o f moisture-
in d ica tin g forbs such as v i o l a c a n a d e n s is and A c ta e a ru b ra y in
43
a d d itio n to T hat-L ctrum o o a i d e n t a t e ( o r T. v e n u to s u m ) 3 O sm o rh iza
c k ile n s ts Tor 0. d e p a u p e r a ta ) 3 A rm ica c o r d i f o t i a . A s t e r a o n s p ia u u s j and
D isp o rw rt tr a a h y c a r p w v . Shrub coverage v a r i e s , but S p ir a e a B e t u l i f o l i a
is ofte n well represented. P ru n u s v i r g i n i a n a and S y m p h o r ic a r p o s
o a c i d e n t a l i s are present. Grasses are dominated by C a la m a g r o s tis
ru bescen s 3 and A g r o s t i s s c a b r a is o fte n present.
S o il. The PSME/VICA sample plots occur on loam or sandy loam
s o i l s , and soil reactio n in the upper ten centimeters is s l i g h t l y
a c id ic {mean pH 6 . 2 ) . L i t t l e o r no bare soil or surface rock is
exposed. The average d u f f depth is 5.6 centimeters.
Other s t u d ie s . This h a b i t a t type has not been described e l s e
where. However, many o f the c h a r a c t e r i s t i c undergrowth species o f th is
type are present in the PSME/PHMA h a b it a t type o f P f i s t e r et a l .
(1977 ). The Bear's Paw Mountains are outside the range o f P h y s o c a r p u s
mdtvaceus 3 so t h a t w hile t h i s undergrowth dominant is absent, there
may be s i m i l a r i t y in the h a b i t a t . C a la m a g r o s tis r ih e s o e n s was well
represented in many o f the sample p l o t s , and these plots would thus
be part o f the PSME/CARU h a b i t a t type o f P f i s t e r e t aj[. (1 9 77 ). However,
the h a b it a t o f PSME/VICA is not eq uiv alent to PSME/CARU and the
presence or absence o f C a la m a g r o s tis r u b e s o e n s was not correlated with
s i g n i f i c a n t d iffe re n c e s in s i t e in PSME/VICA
O g i l v i e (1962) described a P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z ie s i i/S y m p h o r i c a r p o s
a lb u s h a b it a t type which occupies s i m i l a r s i t e s , and which supports
an undergrowth very s i m i l a r in species composition, with the s u b s titu
tion o f S y m p h o r ic a r p o s a l b u s f o r S y m p h o r ic a r p o s o c c i d e n t a l i s .
44
P s e u d o ts u g a m en zies'L -t/L i.n n a ea h o r e a l t s H abitat Type
(PSME/LIBO; D o u g l a s - f I r / t w i nflower)
D istrib u tio n . The PSME/LIBO h a b it a t type occurs on moderately
steep to steep mid-slopes a t elevatio ns from 1370 meters (4500 f e e t )
where sheltered to 1700 meters (5600 f e e t ) where more exposed. As
pects are west, north, or ea st. PSME/LIBO occurs in the Bear's Paw
Mountains on Centennial Mountain, and in Lost Canyon, Big Sandy
Creek, and Beaver Creek, and is represented by eig h t sample plots.
PSME/LIBO occurs on s i t e s more moist than those o f PSME/VICA and
often forms a broad mosaic with t h i s type. Sites more moist than
PSME/LIBO are PSME/COCA-LIBO a t lower e le v a t io n s , and PSME/COCA-VAMY
at higher e le v a tio n s .
Vegetation. P in u s c o n t o r t a i s an important serai species in PSME/
LIBO and is dominant or co-dominant with P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i in
serai stands. P in u s p o n d e r o s a is a minor serai species in t h is type.
P o p u lu s t r e m u t o i d e s is also a serai species in t h is type, but r a r e l y
dominates serai stands.
The undergrowth o f PSME/LIBO is dominated by L in n a e a b o r e a l i s
and C a la m a g r o s tis r u b e s o e n s . S p i r a e a b e t u l i f o l i a is common, and
S y m p h o r ic a r p o s o c o i d e n t a l i s and J u n ip e r u s c o n w im is may be present.
C h a r a c te r is tic forbs include A m i c a c o r d i f o l i a , D isp o ru m tra c h y o a rp u m j
and O sm o rh iza o h i l e n s i s Tor O. d e p a u p e r a t a ) . Grasses other than
C a la m a g r o s tis r u b e s o e n s are g e n e r a lly absent.
S o il. Soil t e x t u r e in the PSME/LIBO sample plots varies from a
loam to a s i l t y c l a y . Soil reactio n in the upper ten centimeters is
45
s l i g h t l y a c i d i c (mean pH 6 . 2 ) . Average d u f f depth is about six c e n t i
meters. No soil and l i t t l e or no surface rock are exposed.
Other s t u d ie s . PSME/LIBO in the Bear's Paw Mountains is
approximately eq uiv alent to two phases — CARU and SYAL — o f the
PSME/LIBO h a b it a t type o f P f i s t e r e t (1977 ). My stands, however,
have S y m p h o r ic a r p o s o c o i d e n t a l i s r a t h e r than S y m p h o r ic a r p o s a lh u S j
and V a o o in iim m y r t i l l u s r a t h e r than V a c c in iim s o o p a r iv m . Some o f my
stands also support V a c c in iv m c a e s p ito s u m , but do not occupy site s
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f the PSME/VACA h a b it a t type o f P f i s t e r al_- (1977),
and are thus not included in t h a t h a b it a t type.
The PSME/LIBO h a b i t a t type in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains should
not be considered eq u iv alen t to PSME/LIBO f o r the Bear’ s Paw
Mountains. L in n a e a b o r e a l i s in both cases indicates a s i m il a r position
on an a v a i l a b l e moisture g ra d i e n t , but PSME/LIBO in the L i t t l e Rocky
Mountains lacks C a la m a g r o s tis rn b e so e tL s and a l l species o f Yaccininm ^
and, in general, is ch aracteriz ed by a much less l u x u r ia n t undergrowth,
I f the c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s are merged, PSME/LIBO should have two phases:
CARU phase f o r the Bear's Paw Mountains and ARUV phase f o r the L i t t l e
Rocky Mountains.
P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i /C o r n u s c a n a d e n s is H a b itat Type
(PSME/COCA; Douaia s - f ir / b u n c h b e r r y dogwood)
P istrib utio n . PSME/COCA is the w ett es t h a b it a t type in the
P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i s e r i e s . The 13 sample plots f o r this h abitat
type occur on upper mountain slopes and in protected drainages at
eleva tions from 1465 meters (4800 f e e t ) to 1705 meters (5600 f e e t ) .
46
Aspects are from northwest to northe as t, and slope i n c l i n a t i o n is
moderately steep except where adjacent to a creek bottom. PSME/COCA
is found in the Bear's Paw Mountains in the Eagle Creek and Green
Creek drainages as well as mid-slopes on Mount Baldy. In general,
t h i s type is r e s t r i c t e d to s i t e s with abundant soil moisture which are
protected from d i r e c t i n s o l a t i o n .
Ve getation. Serai stands o f PSME/COCA are fre qu en tly dominated
by P in u s o o n to r ta ^ which es tablis hes i t s e l f on these site s following
f i r e or disturbance. F ir e is infrequent in t h i s type, however, and
these stands are e v e n t u a lly dominated by P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i ^ the
indicated climax. P in u s ponder>osa is usually absent from t h i s type.
Sites with s i m i l a r undergrowth are usually P ic e a p ote ntial climax
elsewhere in Montana ( P f i s t e r e^ 1977), but no evidence was found
o f successful regeneration o f P io e a on t h is h a b it a t type.
The undergrowth o f PSME/COCA varies by phase, but many species
are c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f both phases. S p i r a e a b e t u l i f o l i a is common in
both phases. A m i c a c o r d i f o l i a ^ A s te r la e v is y O sm o rh iza c h i l e n s i s
( or 0. d e p a u p e r a ta ) y P y r o l a v i r e n s y and S m ila o in a ra c e m o sa are
present in both phases. C a la m a g r o s tis r u b e s o e n s is well represented in
both phases.
S o il■ The s o i l t e x t u r e in the PSME/COCA sample plots is a
sandy loam or a loam. No bare so il is evident in e i t h e r phase and
little surface rock is exposed in the V a cc in iu m m y r t i l l u s (VAMY) phase.
Soil reac tion in the upper ten centimeters is s l i g h t l y a c idic (mean
pH 6 . 0 ) in the VAMY phase, and a c i d i c (mean pH 5.4) in the L in n a e a
47
b o r e a l i s (LIBO) phase. Average d u f f depth is 6 .6 centimeters and
6 . 0 centimeters f o r the VAMY and LIBO phases, re s p e c tiv e ly .
L in n a e a b o r e a l i s (LIBO) phase. This phase occurs a t lower
elevatio ns than the VAMY phase. Elevations in t h i s phase are below
1525 meters (5000 f e e t ) . In a d d itio n to the undergrowth l i s t e d f o r
the type as a whole, the fo llow ing species are c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h is
phase: L in n a e a b o r e a l i s and S h e p h e r d ia c a n a d e n s is are usually
well represented. Vihum-um e d u l e is usu ally common and V a ccin iu m
c a e s p ito s u m is usu ally present. L a th y r u s o c h r o le u c u s is present.
V a cc in iu m m y r t i l l u s (VAMY) phase. This phase occurs a t elevations
gen erally above 1525 meters (5000 f e e t ) . V a cc in iu m m y r t i l l u s is present
and V a c c in iu m g l o b u l a r e dominates some s i t e s . Eubus p a r v i f l o r u s and
A s t e r c o n s p ic u u s are c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h i s phase.
Other s t u d ie s . PSME/COCA is unique to the Bear's Paw Mountains.
S im ilar undergrowth is common in parts o f Montana ( P f i s t e r ^ aj_* 1977)
and Alberta ( O g i l v i e 1962), but is associated with the P ic e a series
in both areas. P f i s t e r e t j ^ . (1977) consider C o m u s c a n a d e n s is an
a l t e r n a t e in d i c a t o r f o r C l i n t o n i a u n if lo r a ^ a species which is absent
in the Bear's Paw Mountains.
48
P i c e a Series
Pi s t r i b u t i o n . The P i c e a series occurs on s i t e s more moist or
cooler than those o f the P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i series and is generally
l i m i t e d to s it e s on or adjacent to Mount Baldy. The microclimate
created by the increased p r e c i p i t a t i o n and, in some cases, the de
creased d i r e c t i n s o l a t i o n associated with the r e l a t i v e l y high elevatio n
o f Mount Baldy, is e v i d e n t l y s u f f i c i e n t to allow establishment o f
P ic e a on s i t e s t h a t would otherwise support only P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i
and P in u s c o n to r ta ^ or P in u s f l e x i l i s . Potentia l climax P ic e a forests
cover only a small area in the Bear's Paw Mountains, but are s i g n i f i
cant in t h a t these stands represent the eastern range l i m i t f o r
P ic e a in northern Montana.
Po ten tia l climax P i c e a fo res ts occur on two d i s t i n c t l y d i f f e r e n t
s i t e types in the Bear's Paw Mountains, both o f which, however,
are associated with the presence o f Mount Baldy. One s i t e type, the
PICEA/LIBO h a b it a t typ e, occurs on the north and east slopes o f
Mount Baldy w ith in the zone o f continuous f o r e s t , which extends upslope
to the expanse o f scree which forms much o f Mount Baldy's upper slopes.
The other s i t e type, PICEA/JUCOj occurs as patches o f fo re s t in the
expanse o f scree near or a t the top o f Mount Baldy, c l e a r l y above the
zone o f continuous f o r e s t . I do not consider the PICEA/JUCO s i t e type
to be a h a b it a t type because i t is r e s t r i c t e d to one unique s i t e and
is not repeated across the landscape. Thus, i t represents a unique
environment r a t h e r than a grouping o f s i m i l a r environments.
49
Ve ge tation . The vegetation in t h i s series r e f l e c t s the v a r i a
t i o n in s i t e s which make up the s e rie s . The PICEA/JUCO s i t e type
is depauperate in t r e e and undergrowth vegetation. On the other hand,
the PICEA/LIBO h a b i t a t type supports l u x u r ia n t undergrowth and a
diverse t r e e f l o r a .
S o il. Soil c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s also vary by s i t e type. The PICEA/
JUCO s i t e type occupies extremely rocky s i t e s , while the PICEA/
LIBO h a b it a t type occurs on f i n e r - t e x t u r e d s o i l s . In general, soil
re actio n is more a c i d i c than in the P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i or P in u s
p o n d e r o s a s e rie s.
P i o e a / J u n i p e r u s com m unis S i t e Type
(PICEA/JUCO; spruce/common j u n i p e r )
Pi s t r i b u t i o n . PICEA/JUCO occurs as islands o f vegetation in
scree on the upper south and west slopes o f Mount Baldy a t or above
an e l e v a t io n o f 1980 meters (6500 f e e t ) . These s it e s are d i r e c t l y
exposed to high i n s o l a t i o n and strong winds, and vegetation is
lim it e d .
Vegetation. P i c e a is the dominant t r e e , and is joined on
these s i t e s only by P in u s f l e x i l i s . Trees in PICEA/JUCO are severely
windswept and reduced in height growth. The undergrowth is dominated
by J u n ip e r u s com m unis and S h e p h e r d ia c a n a d e n s is . E p ilo b iu m a n g u s t i -
f o li u m is a c h a r a c t e r i s t i c fo rb . Other undergrowth plants are scarce.
Soi 1. The s o i l on these s i t e s is extremely rocky and cannot
be sampled with a so il-sam pling tube. Soil development appears to be
minimal. In the sample p l o t , moss covered about 38 percent o f the
50
ground area , and 40 percent o f the ground surface was exposed
bare rock.
Other s t u d ie s . PICEA/JUCO is s i m i l a r to the PICEA/SEST h a b it a t
type o f P f i s t e r £ t ( 1977) except t h a t PICEA/SEST occurs
e x c lu s iv e ly on limestone substrates. Other than parent m a t e r ia l ,
PICEA/SEST and PICEA/JUCO occur on s i m i l a r s i t e s .
P -ic e a /L tn n a e a h o r e a t i s H a b itat type
(PICEA/LIBO; spruce/twinflower)
D istribution. PICEA/LIBO occurs in the Bear's Paw Mountains
only on slopes with northeast aspect in the upper drainages o f
Beaver Creek, north and east o f Mount Baldy. Elevations o f the two
sample p lo ts were 1495 meters (4900 f e e t ) a t WaTrick Road and
1770 meters (5800 f e e t ) on the slopes o f Mount Baldy.
Vegetation. P in u s c o n t o v t a and P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i dominate
serai stands o f PICEA/LIBO. On s i t e s with a high water t a b l e , P ic e a
establishes i t s e l f r a p i d l y and is present in the understory o f serai
stands. On upland, w e l l -d r a i n e d s i t e s , P i c e a may be slow to es tablis h
i t s e l f . P o p u lu s t r e m u l o i d e s is a minor serai species.
C a la m a g v o s tis r u b e s o e n s and S p i r a e a b e t u l i f o l i a dominate the
undergrowth o f PICEA/LIBO. L in n a e a b o r e a l i s and Eubus p a r v i f l o r u s
are common, and are i n d i c a t i v e o f the r e l a t i v e l y abundant soil
moisture o f t h i s type. V a c c in iu m c a e s p ito s u u m and C o m u s c a n a d e n s is
are present. C h a r a c t e r is t ic forbs include A m i c a c o r d i f o l i a ^ A s t e r
o o n sp io u u s y L a th y r u s o c h r o le u c u s ^ and O sm o rh iza o h i l e n s i s .
51
S o il♦ The PICEA/LIBO sample plots occur on a c id ic (mean pH 5.8)
loamy s o i l s . No bare s o il or surface rock is exposed and the average
d u f f depth is 7 . 6 c e n tim eters-
Other s t u d ie s . PICEA/LIBO in the Bear's Paw Mountains is
very s i m i l a r to the PICEA/LIBO h a b i t a t type o f P f i s t e r et aj^. (1977).
The P i c e a g t a u c a / C a l a m a g v o s t i s r u b e s o e n s h a b it a t type o f O g i l v i e (1962)
is also s i m i l a r , except t h a t a t t h i s more n o r th e rly l a t i t u d e , the
h a b it a t type is found on south-facing slopes.
52
A b i e s t a s i o a a r p a Series
Pi s t r i b u t i o n . P o ten tia l climax l a s i o o a v p a forests occur
on the coldest s i t e s in the Bear's Paw Mountains and are thus l im it e d
to the north and east slopes o f Mount Baldy. The A b i e s la s io o a v p a
s e rie s , in a manner s i m i l a r to the P ia e a s e rie s , includes two d i f f e r e n t
s i t e types which meet t h i s c r i t e r i o n . One s i t e type, the ABLA/LIBO
h a b it a t type, occurs on northeast slopes in the bowl-shaped drainages
northeast o f the summit o f Mount Baldy, w it h in the zone of continuous
f o r e s t . The other s i t e type, ABLA/JUCO, occurs on high-elevation
northeast slopes above the zone o f continuous f o r e s t , in the expanse
of scree which forms the upper slopes o f Mount Baldy. The ABLA/JUCO s i t e
type, 1 ike PICEA/JUCO is not considered a h a b it a t type because i t
is r e s t r i c t e d to a unique s i t e and does not represent the aggregation
of s i m i l a r s i t e s .
Ve getation. The vegetation in t h i s s e rie s , as in the P io e a
serie s, r e f l e c t s the v a r i a t i o n in s it e s included in t h is se ries. Vege
t a t i o n is l im it e d in the ABLA/JUCO s i t e type by the harsh environment
which p re v a i l s on the upper slopes o f Mount Baldy. The more moderate
conditions which p re v a il in the ABLA/LIBO h a b it a t type allow more
abundant and more div erse vegetation.
S o il. The s o i l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s in t h i s series are vari able
by s i t e type. Surface soil in the ABLA/JUCO s i t e type has a large amount
of exposed rock, while surface soil in the ABLA/LIBO h a b ita t type
has l i t t l e exposed rock. Surface soil re actio n throughout the series
is the most ac id ic in the Bear's Paw Mountains (mean pH 5 . 4 ) .
53
A b i e s t a s ' io o a r p a /J u n ip e v u s oonvm m is S i t e Type
(ABLA/JUCO; subalpine fir/common j u n i p e r )
D istrib u tio n . ABLA/JUCO is r e s t r i c t e d in d i s t r i b u t i o n to
small patches o f f o r e s t surrounded by scree on the uppermost northeast
slope o f Mount Baldy. These s it e s are e v id e n t ly q u ite cold and are
exposed to strong winds.
V egetati on . Serai stands in t h i s s i t e type are dominated by
’P i c e a , and P io e a may be a climax co-dominant with A b ie s l a s i o o a v p a .
P in u s o o n t o r t a was present in the sample p l o t , but is not very success
fu l on t h i s severe s i t e .
The undergrowth o f the sample p lo t was dominated by F e s tu o a
i d a h o e n s i s and E p ilo b iu m a n g u s t i f o l i u m , but a l l undergrowth vegetation
was poorly represented, so I chose J u n ip e r u s oommunis as the in d ic a to r
species to emphasize the s i m i l a r i t y to PICEA/JUCO.
S o il. The so il in the sample p lo t was extremely rocky, but
the s o i l te x tu r e o f the f i n e r materia l was a loam. No bare soil is
exposed, but about 20 percent o f the ground surface is covered with
exposed rock. Soil re ac tio n in the upper ten centimeters is acidic
(pH 5 . 1 ) , and the d u f f depth is 4 . 5 centimeters.
Other s t u d ie s . The ABLA/JUCO s i t e type is unique to the Bear's
Paw Mountains.
A b i e s l a s i o o a r p a / L i n n a e a b o r e a l i s H a b itat Type
(ABLA/LIBO; subalpine f i r / t w i n f l o w e r )
D istrib u tio n . ABLA/LIBO occurs only on northeast slopes in the
bowl-shaped drainages northeast o f the summit o f Mount Baldy. Evidently,
54
these basins accumulate cold a i r draining o f f the upper slopes o f
Mount Baldy. The two sample plo ts occur a t an ele va tio n o f 1829
meters (6000 f e e t ) , and both sample plots occur on steep slopes.
Vegeta tion. Serai stands o f ABLA/LIBO are dominated by
P in u s o o n t o r t a and P s e u d o ts u g a m e m i e s i i . P ic e a and A b ie s t a s i o c a r p a
are present in the understory o f these stands, and A b ie s l a s i o o a r p a
is the indicated climax.
The undergrowth o f ABLA/LIBO is dominated by L in n a e a b o r e a li s ^
C a la m a g r o s tis r u b e s o e n s ^ and S p i r a e a b e t u l i f o l i a . A n te n n a r ia ra o em o sa
was w el1-represented on one sample p l o t , and A s t e r o o n s p io u u s was w e l l -
represented on the other. V a cc in iu m o a e s p ito s v o n was poorly represented.
S o il. The soil te x t u r e in our sample plots is a sandy loam. Soil
reaction in the upper ten centimeters is a c i d i c (mean pH 6 . 6 ) . No bare
soil and l i t t l e bare rock are exposed, and the average d uff depth is
6.1 centimeters.
Other s t u d ie s . The ABLA/LIBO h a b it a t type is s i m il a r to the
ABLA/LIBO h a b it a t type o f P f i s t e r e^ (1977). Both o f my sample
plots contain V a c c in iu m c a e s p ito s u m and would thus key to the ABLA/VACA
h ab ita t type in Forest H a b ita t Types o f Montana ( P f i s t e r al_. 1977)
key, but occur on s i t e s more c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f the ABLA/LIBO h abitat
type, and have vegetation more s i m i l a r to the ABLA/LIBO h ab ita t type,
and so are considered eq uiv alent to t h i s type ra t h e r than ABLA/VACA.
55
D is t r ib u t io n o f H a b ita t Types
The Bear's Paw Mountains are ch ara cterized by complex topography
(with a s i g n i f i c a n t range o f e le v a t io n and moderate to steep
slopes), but r e l a t i v e l y simple geology. There i s , consequently, a much
g re a te r v a r i a t i o n in microclimate than in soil f a c t o r s . Thus, the
d i s t r i b u t i o n o f h a b i t a t types in these mountains is more strongly
influenced by microclimate than by s o i l s or geology.
The h a b it a t types occur in a p red icta b le sequence along a
complex temperature a v a l i a b l e - m o i s t u r e gradient (Figure 6 ) . On
Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, t h i s gradient is r e a d i l y apparent
as you move from the warm, dry f o o t h i l l s north o f Taylor Road toward
the in c re as in g ly co ole r and more moist site s adjacent to Mount Baldy.
This p attern is somewhat obscured by the e f f e c t o f the major drainages,
but w it h in each drainage a s i m i l a r pattern emerges.
CD
■D
O
Q.
C
g
Q.
Pinus contorts
■D Pseudotsuga menziesii
CD
Pinus ponderosa
C/)
o'
3
O
Vaccinium myrtillus | | common
common Cornus csnadensis
8 c om mo n Linnaea borealis
(O '
present Viola canadensis
Spiraea betulifolia w el l represented
S ym ph o r i c a rp o s occidontalis common
Arne lane hi e r a l n i f o l i a common
Festuoa scabrella common
3.
3
CD
" Aqrooyron spicatum well represented
"O
O
O
Q.
C
a SERIES P IP O PSME
o
3
H.T.
■D AGSP
COCA
O PHASE
FESC AMAL SYOC SPBE VICA LIBO
LIBO V A MY
CD
Q.
Figure 6. Schematic Distribution of Habitat Types and

■CDD Undergrowth Species in the Bear's Paw Mountains
C/)
C/)
tn
cn
57
ABRIDGED TABLE OF CONTENTS
Forest H a b i t a t Types o f the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
Page
Key to Climax Series and the H a b ita t Types (Figure 7 ) . (Please
r e f e r to Figure 4 before attempting to use the k e y . ) ............ 58
P in u s p o n d e r o s a S e r i e s ....................................................................................60
P in u s p o n d e r o s a / J u n i p e r u s h o r i z o n t a t i s H abitat Type . . . . . 61
P in u s p o n d e r o s a /S y m p h o r ic a r p o s o c a i d e n t a i i s Ha b itat Type. .. 62
P in u s p o n d e r o s a / A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i Ha bitat Type............... 63
P in u s p o n d e r o s a / B e r h e r i s r e p e n s H a b i t a t Type................................ 65
P in u s o o n t o r t a S e r i e s .......................................................................................................... 57
P in u s o o n t o r t a / J u n i p e r u s oommunis H a b itat Type............................68
P in u s o o n t o r t a / L i n n a e a b o r e a l i s Ha bitat Type................................ 70
P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i Series ......................................................................... 72
P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i / S y m p h o r i c a r p o s o c o i d e n t a l i s Habitat Type 73
P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i / A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i Habitat Type. . 74
P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i / B e r h e r i s r e p e n s H abitat Type................... 76
P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i / L i n n a e a b o r e a l i s Habita t Type ................. 78
D i s t r ib u t io n o f H a b itat Types .......................................................................... 81
Figure 8 .......................................................................................................... 82
Figure 9 ..........................................................................................................83
Figure 1 0 .......................................................................................................... 84
58
Figure 7. Key to Climax Series and H a b ita t Types
1. P s e u d o ts u g a menz-Les'Li present and reproducing successfully

PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII series (Item C)
1. P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z ie s d 'i absent or r e s t r i c t e d to microsites
2. P in u s o o n t o r t a reproducing more successfully than P in u s

p o n d e r o s a , or P in u s o o n t o r t a the only species present
PINUS CONTORTA series (Item B)
2. P in u s p o n d e r o s a reproducing more successfully than P in u s

o o n t o r t a , or P in u s p o n d e r o s a the only species present
PINUS PONDEROSA series (Item A)
A. Key to P in u s p o n d e r o s a H a b ita t Types
1. A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i well represented
PINUS PONDEROSA/AROTOSTAPHYLOS UVA-URSI h . t . (p. 63)
1. A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i poorly represented
2. B e r b e r i s r e p e n s well represented
PINUS PONDEROSA/BERBERIS REPENS h . t . (p. 65)
2. B e r b e r i s r e p e n s poorly represented
3. S y m p h o r ic a r p o s o c o i d e n t a l i s well represented
PINUS PONDEROSA/SYMPHORICARPOS OCOIDENTALIS h . t . (p. 62)
3. S y m p h o r ic a r p o s o c o i d e n t a l i s poorly represented; J u n ip e r u s
h o r iz o n ta lis or Rhus t r i l o b a t a common
PINUS PONDEROSA/JUNIPERUS HORIZONTALIS h . t . (p. 61)
B. Key to P in u s o o n t o r t a H a b it a t Types
PINUS OONTORTA/LINNAEA BOREALIS h . t . (p. 70)
1. L in n a e a b o r e a l i s scarce; J u n ip e r u s com m unis or A r o to s ta p h y lo s

u v a - u r s i the dominant undergrowth
PINUS OONTORTA/JUNIPERUS OOMMUNIS h . t . (p. 68)
0. Key to P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i H abitat Types
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/LINNAEA BOREALIS h .t. (p. 78)
59
Fig. 7, Key to Climax Series and H a b ita t Types
1. L-inna&a b o r e a t i s scarce
2. common
B & Y > h evis r e p e n s
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/BERBERIS REPENS h . t . (p. 76)
2 . a. A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i well represented
2.b. A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i poorly represented

BERBERIS REPENS phase (p. 77 )
2. B e r h e r i s r e p e n s scarce
3. A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i well represented
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/ARCTOSTAPHYLOS
UVA-URSI h . t . (p. 74)
3. A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i poorly represented;
S y m p h o r io a r p o s o o o i d e n t a l i s wel1 represented
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII/SYMPHORICARPOS
OCCIDENTALIS h . t . (p. 73)
60
P in u s p o n d e r o s a Series
D istrib u tio n . P in u s p o n d e ro sa ^ in the L i t t l e Rocky
Mountains, forms the f i r s t f o r e s t zone above the grassland, as i t does
throughout most o f Montana ( P f i s t e r e t 1977). P in u s p o n d e r o s a
is a climax in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains on s it e s with s u f f i c i e n t
a v a i l a b l e so il moisture to support t r e e growth, but which are too dry,
a t l e a s t seasonally, to support P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i or P in u s o o n t o r t a .
Climax P in u s p o n d e r o s a fo re s t s occur on the f o o t h i l l s and buttes
surrounding the mountains, and on w e ll-d ra in e d mountain slopes with
south or west aspects. P in u s p o n d e r o s a is also climax on some gravel
benches o f low e l e v a t io n (below 1280 meters or 4200 f e e t ) w ithin the
mountains.
Vegetation. P in u s p o n d e r o s a is the only successfully
reproducing c o n if e r in t h is s e rie s. P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i is accidental
in t h i s s e rie s , and P in u s o o n t o r t a is accidental in the PIPO/ARUV
h a b it a t type. P o p u lu s t r e m u l o i d e s is serai in the PIPO/BERE h a b it a t
type.
Climax P in u s p o n d e r o s a f o re s t s in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
g e n e r a lly possess shrub-dominated undergrowths. The undergrowth o f the
PIPO/SYOC h a b it a t type may be co-dominated by A g r o p y r o n S p icru jn j but
the P in u s p o n d e r o s a bunchgrass h a b it a t types o f Forest H a b itat Types
o f Montana ( P f i s t e r et_ 1977) and the Bear's Paw Mountains are not
present in the study area.
S o il. P in u s p o n d e r o s a is most successful in the L i t t l e Rocky
Mountains on s i t e s w ith so il derived from sedimentary or a l l u v i a l
61
parent m a t e r i a l , but is not r e s t r i c t e d to these parent material types.
Soil t e x t u r e in t h i s se ries is v a r i a b l e , but follows a general trend
from a sandy loam in the f o o t h i l l s to a loam or clay loam in the
mountains.
P-inus p o n d e r o s a / J u n t p e r u s h o r - i z o n t a l i s h a b it a t type
(PIPO/JUHO; ponderosa p in e/h o riz o n ta l j u n i p e r )
D i s t r i bution. PIPO/JUHO occurs only on sandstone f o o t h i l l s which
are islands in the grassland surrounding the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains.
Elevations are consequently low (below 1160 meters [3500 f e e t ] ) , and
aspects are v a r i a b l e . Slope i n c l i n a t i o n is moderate to steep. PIPO/
JUHO is represented by three sample stands.
V e ge tation . P in u s p o n d e r o s a is gen erally the only tre e present
in t h i s h a b i t a t type, but P s e u d o ts u g a may occur as an ac cid en tal.
J u n ip e r u s h o r i z o n t a l i s and J u n ip e r u s oommunis dominate the
undergrowth. S y m p h o r ic a r p o s o o o i d e n t a l i s is poorly represented, and
Rhus t r i l o b a t a is present. A l l i i m oem u u m i Anemone m u l tif i d a ^ and
S o l i d a g o m i s s o u r i e n s i s are c h a r a c t e r i s t i c forbs. Grasses are scarce.
S o il. This h a b it a t type was found only on sandstone parent mater
i a l which is usually calcareous. Soil te x t u r e is a sandy loam and
reaction is s l i g h t l y basic (mean pH 7 . 5 ) . L i t t l e exposed rock is
ev ident; g e n e r a l ly , no bare soil is exposed and d u f f depth averages
5.6 centimeters.
Other s t u d ie s . PIPO/JUHO is unique to the L i t t l e Rocky
Mountains.
62
P in u s p o n d e p o s a /S y m p h o r io a r p o s o c a i d e n t a Z i s h a b it a t type
(PIPO/SYOC; ponderosa pi ne/western snowberry)
D istrib u tio n . PIPO/SYOC is one o f the most extensive h ab it a t
types in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains and is represented by 24 sample
p lo t s . I t occurs on a l l aspects o f the rounded f o o t h i l l s and south,
ea st, or west aspects o f mountain slopes. Elevations range from 1035
meters (3400 f e e t ) a t the base o f the f o o t h i l l s to 1465 meters (4800
f e e t ) (1585 meters j 5200 f e e t j Maximum) on south exposures in the
mountains. PIPO/SYOC s i t e s are g en erally w e l l -d r a i n e d , gentle to
moderate slopes.
In the f o o t h i l l s o f the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains, PIPO/SYOC
occupies s i t e s more moist than those occupied by PIPO/JUHO. In the
mountains, PIPO/SYOC occurs on the d r i e s t forested s it e s and is
adjacent to PSME/SYOC on more moist s i t e s on sandstone or shale parent
m a t e r ia l s , or occurs adjacent to PIPO/ARUV on s ite s with limestone
parent m a t e r ia l .
Ve getation. P in u s p o n d e r o s a is usually the sole tre e present
in PIPO/SYOC. P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i is an accidental and P in u s o o n t o r t a
and P o p u lu s t r e m u l o i d e s are absent.
The undergrowth o f PIPO/SYOC is dominated by shrubs. S y m p h o ri-
aarpos o o o id e n ta lis is well represented. P ru n u s v i r g i n i a n a and
A m e la n c h ie r a l n i f o l i a are usually common. J u n ip e r u s oommunis and
S h e p e r d ia c a n a d e n s is are o fte n present.
A g r o p y r o n s p ic a tu m is the dominant graminoid in PIPO/SYOC, I t
is well represented in almost o n e - t h ird o f our sample plots and is
63
K o e le r ta o r i s t a t a is common in about h a l f o f the sample stands.
Anemone m u l t i f i d a ^ B a ls a m o v h iz a s a g i t t a t a ^ and T h e r m o p sis r k o m b i f o l i a
are dominant forbs, A c h i l l e a m ille f o l iu m ^ Campanula r o t u n d i f o l i a . ,
A n te n n a r ia m i c r o p h y l l a , and C h r y s o p s i s v i l l o s a are c h a r a c t e r i s t i c
o f t h i s h a b it a t type.
Soi 1 . PIPO/SYOC occurs on a v a r i e t y o f calcareous and non-
calcareous parent m a t e r ia l s . Soil tex ture in t h i s type is also
v a r i a b l e , but is u su ally a sandy loam or loam. Soil reaction is
neutral (mean pH 6 . 9 ) and the d u f f depth averages 6.4 centimeters.
No bare s o i l is exposed, and l i t t l e or no surface rock is exposed.
Other s t u d i e s . PIPO/SYOC is s i m i l a r to the PIPO/SYAL h a b ita t
type SYAL phase o f P f i s t e r e t (1977) which is common throughout
Montana. I t is also s i m i l a r to HU-5, the P in u s p o n d e r o s a /S y m p h o r ic a r p o s
a l b u s / A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i h a b it a t u n it o f Thileniu s (1972) f o r
the Black H i l l s . In both cases, S y m p h o r ic a r p o s o o o i d e n t a l i s appears to
replace S y m p h o r ic a r p o s a l b u s in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains.
P in u s p o n d e r o s a / A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i h a b it a t type
(PIPO/ARUV; ponderosa p in e /k in n ik in n ic k )
Pi s t r i b u t i o n . PIPO/ARUV occurs on warm, well-dra ined
mountain slopes with s o i l s derived from limestone, dolomite, o r,
ra rely, igneous parent m a t e r ia l s . Elevations o f the fourteen sample
stands in PIPO/ARUV range from 1190 meters (3900 f e e t ) to 1525 meters
(5000 f e e t ) , and aspects are from southeast to west. Slope i n c l i n a t i o n
is moderate to steep. PIPO/ARUV is extensive in the L i t t l e Rocky
64
mountai ns.
PIPO/ARUV o fte n forms a mosaic with PIPO/SYOC, with the l a t t e r
occurring on non-limestone parent m a t e r ia l . On limestone, PSME/
ARUV or PSME/SYOC occurs on adjacent s i t e s with more soil moisture.
Ve g e ta tio n . P in u s p o n d e r o s a is the sole dominant tre e in both
serai and climax stands o f PIPO/ARUV. P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i is
accidental in t h is type. Due to predominantly southerly exposures,
a t h in s o il mantle, and calcareous parent m a t e r ia l s , a v a i l a b l e
soil moisture remains low and soil surface temperatures may become quite
high, l i m i t i n g successful regeneration o f P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i to
protected m ic ro sites . P in u s o o n t o r t a is an e a r l y accidental species
on some PIPO/ARUV s i t e s , but is not able to maintain i t s presence once
fu ll stocking occurs, and s o i l moisture competition becomes a
l i m i t i n g f a c t o r . P o p u lu s t r e m u l o i d e s is absent.
A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i i s the dominant undergrowth plant.
J u n ip e r u s oommunis^ S h e p h e r d ia o a n a d e n s is j and S y m p h o rio a r p o s
o o o i d e n t a l i s are usu ally well represented, but many sample stands
appear as i f carpeted by A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i . A m e la n o h ie r a l n i
f o lia is usually present. A g r o p y r o n s p io a tu m is the only c h a r a c t e r i s t i c
graminoid. Apocynum a n d r o s a e m if o liu m is the most conspicuous forb.
T h e r m o p s is r h o m b i f o l i a is poorly represented, and a trace o f
A s te r la e v iS j G aliu m b o r e a l e . Anemone m u l t i f i d u j and S o lid a g o
m i s s o u r i e n s i s is c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f PIPO/ARUV.
S o i l . Soil t e x t u r e is PIPO/ARUV is usu ally a clay loam or a
65
a sandy c la y loam. Soil reactio n is neutral (mean 6 . 9 ) . L i t t l e or
no bare s o i l is exposed, but a moderate amount o f surface rock
is exposed. Duff depth averaged 5 centimeters.
Other s t u d ie s . PIPO/ARUV is s i m i l a r to one o f Thilen iu s'
(1972) h a b i t a t units f o r the Black H i l l s — HU-2, P in u s p o n d e r o s a /
S h e p h e r d ia o a n a d e n s is /S y r n p h o r ia a r p o s a l b u s / A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i .
PIPO/ARUV is also s i m i l a r to the PSME/ARUV h a b it a t type o f P f i s t e r
al_- ( 1977), which occurs on the Helena and Lewis and Clark National
Forests, except t h a t P in u s p o n d e r o s a is the indicated climax.
P in u s p o n d e r o s a / B e r h e r i s r e p e n s h a b it a t type
(PIPO/BERE; ponderosa pine/creeping h o lly grape)
D istrib u tio n . PIPO/BERE is r e s t r i c t e d in d i s t r i b u t i o n to the
major creek bottoms and the lower portion o f adjacent slopes. Aspects
are dependent on the o r i e n t a t i o n o f drainage. Elevations are generally
below 1280 meters (4200 f e e t ) . This minor h a b it a t type is
represented by f i v e sample p lo t s .
Ve getation. Serai stands o f PIPO/BERE are often dominated by
almost pure stands o f P o p u lu s t r e m u l o i d e s . Serai stands may also have
r e l a t i v e l y few o l d , f i r e - s c a r r e d P in u s p o n d e r o s a with numerous younger
P o p u lu s t r e m u l o i d e s in the understory. Stands not disturbed by f i r e
may be pure P in u s p o n d e r o s a . P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i and P in u s o o n t o r t a
are accid ental in PIPO/BERE, although e i t h e r may be dominant f u r t h e r
upslope.
66
Shrubs dominate the undergrowth o f PIPO/BERE. B e r b e r is r e p e n s
is well represented. P ru n u s v ir g i- n ia n a and S y m p h o r ic a r p o s o c a i d e n t a t i s
are usu ally common, and S p i r a e a b e t u l i f o l i a is usually present.
C h a r a c t e r i s t i c forbs include A s t e r c o n s p ic u u s , A s t e r la e v i s ^ G aliu m
b o r e a lc j and M onarda f i s t u l o s a .
S o il. PIPO/BERE g e n e r a lly occurs on a l l u v i a l or c o l l u v i a l
parent m a t e r i a l s . Soil t e x t u r e in the sample stands is a loam or
clay loam, and s o il reactio n is s l i g h t l y a c id ic (mean pH 6 . 5 ) . The
undergrowth o f PIPO/BERE is l u x u r i a n t , and no bare soil or surface
rock i s exposed. The d u f f l a y e r is also deep, with an average depth
o f 6 . 6 centimeters.
Other s t u d ie s . Two o f T h i l e n iu s ' (1972) h a b it a t units f o r the
Black H i l l s — HU-1, P in u s p o n d e r o s a /J u n ip e r u s c o m m u n is/S y m p h o ric a rp o s
a l b u s / B e r b e r i s r e p e n s y and HU-8, P in u s p o n d e r o s a /P r im u s v i r g i n i a n a /
A m e la n c h ie r a l n i f o l i a — are s i m i l a r to PIPO/BERE, the former more
than the l a t t e r . The PIPO/SYAL h a b it a t type, BERE phase o f P f i s t e r
ejt (1 9 77 ), found in the Snowy Mountains about 00 miles south
o f the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains, is also s i m i l a r to PIPO/BERE.
67
P i n u s c o n tO T ta Series
D istrib u tio n . P i n u s c o n t o r t a forms an edaphic climax in
the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains on s i t e s with so il derived from igneous
or metamorphic parent m a t e r ia l s . These parent materia ls are apparently
r e s i s t a n t to weathering, and form shallow, rocky s o i ls which w i l l not
support P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i j except on moist, h ig h -e le v a tio n ,
n o r t h - f a c in g s i t e s . These parent m a t e r i a l s , and thus the P in u s
Q o n t o r t a s e r i e s , are wide-spread in the central region o f the L i t t l e
Rocky Mountains. The P i n u s c o n t o r t a series occurs on shallow to steep
slopes, and on a l l aspects on these parent m a t e r ia ls .
Ve ge tation . Forest stands in the P in u s c o n to r* ta series are
g en erally severely overstocked stands o f P in u s a o n t o r t a ^ but may be
open on s i t e s with excessively w e l l -d r a i n e d s o il or exposure to drying
winds. P i n u s c o n t o v t a is g e n e r a lly the only t r e e present in the s e rie s ,
but P i n u s p o n d e r o s a and P o p u lu s t r e m u l o i d e s may be serai on some s i t e s ,
and P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i is a c cid en tal.
The undergrowth in the P in u s c o n t o r t a series is often depauperate
in comparison to the other s e r i e s , and g en er ally has a very low
undergrowth species d i v e r s i t y . Site s in t h is series are e i t h e r not
favorable to many undergrowth species, or the overstocked P in u s c o n t o r t a
suppresses the undergrowth.
S o il. The s o i l s in the P i n u s c o n t o r t a series are shallow, rocky,
and w e l l - d r a i n e d , or excessively w e l l - d r a i n e d . Very l i t t l e organic
matter is incorporated i n to these s o i l s , and the d u f f lay er appears to
6 8
be slow to decompose. The soil re actio n is s l i g h t l y a c i d i c , or
a c i d i c . Soil t e x t u r e , excluding coarse fragment content, is generally
a sandy cla y .
Other s t u d i e s . Despain (1973) and Hoffman and Alexander (1976)
describe a b e l t o f climax F vn u s c o n t o r t a as an edaphic climax in the
Bighorn Mountains on g r a n i t i c parent m a t e r ia l . Most o f the P in u s
c o n t o r t a series in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains occurs on what Knechtel
(1959) c a l le d sy enite porphyry, an i n t r u s i v e igneous m a t e r ia l , and
pre-Cambrian, p re -B e lt, meta-sedimentary and meta-volcanic m a t e r ia l .
He notes t h a t the l a t t e r is s i m i l a r to g r a n i t e , with an increased
content o f q uartz. While these ma teria ls are not d i r e c t l y comparable
to the gran ites o f the Bighorns, the e f f e c t o f climax P in u s c o n t o r t a
on favorable parent materia l is e s s e n t i a l l y the same.
P i n u s c o n t o r t a / J u n i p e r u s c o r m u n is h a b it a t type
(PICO/OUCO; lodgepole pine/common j u n i p e r )
Pistrib utio n . PICO/JUCO is an edaphic climax on the extensive
outcroppings o f igneous or metamorphic rock in the L i t t l e Rocky
Mountains. These parent m a teria ls appear q uite r e s i s t a n t to weathering,
and PICO/JUCO s i t e s are u su ally very rocky and excessively w e l l -
drained. Aspects are e a s t , south, or west, and slope i n c l i n a t i o n is
gentle to steep. Elevations o f the nine sample plots are from 1280
meters (4200 f e e t ) to 1645 meters (5400 f e e t ) .
PICO/JUCO is replaced by PICO/LIBO on moist sites with the
same parent m a t e r i a l .
69
Vegeta tion. P-inus o o n to -p ta I s g en erally the only t re e present
in PICO/JUCO. Mature P i n u s p o n d e r o s a was encountered on one sample p l o t ,
and P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i was accidental on a few. PICO/JUCO may r e
present a successional community o f the P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i s e rie s ,
but P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i does not appear capable o f regenerating
su cce ssfully in appreciable numbers on these s i t e s , and there is
i n s u f f i c i e n t evidence t h a t P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i w i l l dominate these
s i t e s a t climax.
The undergrowth o f PICO/JUCO is v a r i a b l e , but is generally
dominated by J i m i p e r u s com mim is or S p i r a e a b e t u t i f o l i a . S y m p h o r io a r p o s
o Q o i d e n t a l i s is usually present. Coverage o f A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i
is q u i t e v a r i a b l e , although i t was dominant in one sample stand.
Forbs are g en erally scarce, but Apocynum a n d r o s a e m i f o l i u m . A s t e r
c o n sp ic u u s, and S o l i d a g o m i s s o u r i e n s i s are c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h i s type.
S o il. S oils in PICO/JUCO are the poorest in the L i t t l e Rocky
Mountains due to excessive rockiness and the s l i g h t amount o f
organic material present. In several sample stands, no soil sample
(oth er than rock fragments) was a v a i l a b l e . Soil reaction is s l i g h t l y
a c i d i c (mean pH 6 . 6 ) . Duff depth averages 5.9 centimeters and the d uff
l a y e r is o fte n the dominant ground cover. No bare soil is ev ident,
while s l i g h t to moderate amounts o f surface rock are exposed.
Other s t u d ie s . Hoffman and Alexander (1976) describe a
P i n u s c o n t o r t a / A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i h a b it a t type fo r the Bighorn
Mountains o f Wyoming t h a t is s i m i l a r to my plots dominated by
A r o to sta p h y lo s u v a -u rs i. P f i s t e r e t aX. (1977) suggest t h a t site s with
70
s i m i l a r vegetation w i l l e v e n tu a lly be dominated by P s e v id o tsn g a
m e n z i& s ii- in o th er parts o f Montana. Under t h i s i n t e r p r e t a t i o n ,
our s i t e s would thus be considered serai stands o f the PSME/JUCO
h a b i t a t type. However, I hypothesize t h a t P in u s c o n t o r t a w i l l
maintain dominance; thus, I consider PICO/JUCO to be a h a b ita t type.
P i n u s c o n t o r t a / L i n n a e a b o r e a t i s h a b it a t type
(PICO/LIBO; lodgepole p in e /tw in flo w e r )
D istrib u tio n . PICO/LIBO occupies moist s it e s on igneous or
metamorphic parent m a t e r ia l s . Aspects are from northwest to north
ea st. Elevations o f the three sample plots range from 1280 meters
(4200 f e e t ) to 1525 meters (5000 f e e t ) . Slope i n c l i n a t i o n is moderate
to steep. PICO/LIBO g e n e r a lly covers the north slopes o f the exten
sive outcrop o f igneous rock in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains.
PICO/LIBO o fte n occurs adjacent to PSME/LIBO on more shelte re d,
more moist s i t e s , and adjacent to PICO/JUCO on more exposed, d r i e r
sites.
Vegetation. Serai stands o f PICO/LIBO are often severely
overstocked fo re sts o f P in u s c o n t o r t a , but may contain P in u s
pon derosa, P o p u tu s t r e m u t o i d e s , or accidental P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i .
P se u d o tsu g a m e n z i e s i i appears unable to regenerate successfully
on these parent m a teria ls except on a few h ig h-e lev ation s i t e s . F i r e -
induced disturbance is so widespread in t h i s type, however, th at
successional trends are very d i f f i c u l t to i n t e r p r e t . I recognize
PICO/LIBO as a h a b it a t type in the P i n u s c o n t o r t a series because
there is i n s u f f i c i e n t evidence to i n d i c a te t h a t P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i .
71
although present, w i l l dominate these s i t e s a t climax.
The undergrowth o f PICO/LIBO is dominated by shrubs and sub
shrubs. L'innaea b o v e a t i s , A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i j and S p i r a e a
b e tu lifo lia are common, S h e p h e r d l a c a n a d e n s i s is well represented.
Coverage o f J i m i p e r u s communis is v a r i a b l e .
Apocynum a n d r o s a e m l f o li u m ^ A s t e r c o n s p i c u u s , and T h e r m o p sls
r h o m b l f o l l a are the most conspicuous forbs. Grasses are scarce.
S o il. Soil te x t u r e in PICO/LIBO is a sandy clay, and soil in
t h i s h a b i t a t type contains large rock fragments. Soil reaction is
a c i d i c (mean pH 5 . 9 ) , and the average d u f f depth is 5.1 centimeters.
No bare s o il is exposed, and s l i g h t to moderate amounts of surface
rock are exposed.
Other s t u d ie s . P fister e j t ^ . (1977) describe a PICO/LIBO
community type, but t h i s community type is dominated by species not
present in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains. They also describe a PSME/
LIBO h a b it a t type in which s h e p h e r d l a c a n a d e n s i s dominates the under
growth o f serai stages. This type is dominated eventually by V accln lu m
g lo b u la re , V a c c ln lu m s c o p a r l u m , A ln u s s l n u a t a , and C a l a m a g r o s t l s
rubescens, all species which are absent or ra re in the L i t t l e
Rocky Mountains.
72
P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z t e s i i Series
Pi s t r i b u t io n . P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i forms climax forests in
the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains on moist s it e s with soil derived from
sedimentary parent m a t e r i a l s , in both the f o o t h i l l s and on mountain
slopes. P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i is also climax on a few moist, high-
e l e v a t i o n , n o rth -fa c in g slopes on igneous parent m a t e r ia l . The
P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i series gen erally occurs on the most favorable
s i t e s in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains.
V egetati on . P in u s p o n d e r o s a is serai throughout th is series
and dominates serai stands in the PSME/SYOC, PSME/ARUV, and PSME/
BERE h a b i t a t types, as well as some s it e s in the PSME/LIBO h a b ita t
type. P i n u s c o n t o r t a is serai in a l l h a b ita t types in th is series
except PSME/SYOC, and is the dominant serai species in some site s in
the PSME/LIBO h a b i t a t type. P o p u lu s t r e m u l o i d e s is serai in the PSME/
LIBO h a b i t a t type and the BERE phase o f the PSME/BERE hab itat type.
B e tu la p a p y r if e r a is seral in only the PSME/LIBO h a b it a t type.
The undergrowth o f the P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i series contains the
g reatest d i v e r s i t y o f species in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains. In addi
t i o n to numerous shrub and fo rb species present in the P in u s p o n d e r o s a
s e r i e s , the P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i series contains many m o is t-s ite
forbs and shrubs which are common only in t h is serie s. The under
growth in a l l h a b it a t types in t h i s series is shrub dominated.
Soi 1 . The P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i series occurs on site s with
s o i l derived from calcareous and non-calcareous sedimentary parent
73
m a t e r i a l s , o r, r a r e l y , igneous parent m a t e r ia l . Soil tex ture
throughout the se ries va rie s from a sandy loam to clay loam. Soil reac
t i o n is neutral in the d r i e r h a b it a t types (PSME/SYOC and PSME/ARUV)
and more a c i d i c in the w e tte r h a b it a t types (PSME/BERE and PSME/LIBO).
Other s t u d ie s . Climax P s e u d o t s u g a m c n s i c s l i in the L i t t l e
Rocky Mountains is l i m i t e d in d i s t r i b u t i o n by marginal p r e c i p i t a t i o n
and a negative c o r r e l a t i o n to igneous and metamorphic parent m a t e r ia l ,
in a manner s i m i l a r to t h a t described by Hoffman and Alexander (1976)
and most e s p e c i a l l y noted by Despain (1968) f o r the Bighorn Mountains
o f Wyoming. The broad, diverse b e l t of climax P s e u d o t s u g a M e n z t e s i i
described by P f i s t e r e t aJL- (1977) and found in the adjacent Bear's
Paw Mountains, does not occur in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains.
P s e u d o t s u g a m en stes-ii/S ym p h o i'-C a a rp o s o a c t d e n t a l ' L s h ab ita t type
(PSME/SYOC; Douglas-fir /w estern snowberry)
Pi s t r i b ution . PSME/SYOC is a minor h a b it a t type in the L i t t l e
Rocky Mountains, represented by three sample p lo ts. I t occurs only
on w e l l - d r a i n e d , mesic s it e s with calcareous parent materials.
Aspects are northwest, north, or ea s t, and slope i n c l i n a t i o n is moder
ate to steep. Elevations o f sample plots range from 1190 meters (3900
f e e t ) to 1400 meters (4600 f e e t ) .
PSME/SYOC may occur adjacent to PSME/ARUV, or to PSME/BERE-BERE
on s i t e s w ith g re a te r a v a i l a b l e soil moisture.
Ve getation. P i n u s p o n d e r o s a i s the serai dominant in PSME/SYOC,
and gives way slowly to P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i . P in u s c o n t o r t a and
P o p u l u s t r e m u l o i d e s are absent from t h i s type.
The undergrowth o f PSME/SYOC is dominated by S y m p h o r ic a r p o s
74
O G O -iden tati-s. J u n -ip evu s oommimi^s and S p i r a e a b e t u l i f o l i a are often
well represented. S h e p h e r d i a c a n a d e n s i s 3 P ru n u s v i r g i n i a n U j and
A m e t a n o h i e r a t n i f o t i a are often common. Apocynum a n d r o s a e m i f o l i u m 3
A s t e r c o n s p ic u u s 3 and B a t s a m h o r i z a s a g i t t a t a are the most conspicuous
forbs. A c h i l l e a m i l l i f e l i u m 3 A ste r la e v is , G alium b o r e a l e , and
M onarda f i s t u l o s a are present.
The undergrowth o f PSME/SYOC is very s i m il a r to PIPO/SYOC, and
successional trends are not always obvious. A s t e r c o n s p ic u u s 3 in
p a r t i c u l a r , and M onarda f i s t u l o s a should be considered more c h a r a c t e r is
t i c o f PSME/SYOC than PIPO/SYOC, and may be useful accessory i n d i
cators in e a r l y seral stands.
Soi 1 . PSME/SYOC occurs on calcareous parent m a teria ls. Soil
textures are sandy loams to sandy clay loams. The average d u f f depth
is 7 . 3 centimeters and l i t t l e or no bare soil or surface rock is
exposed. Soil re ac tio n is neutral (mean pH 6 . 9 ) .
Other s t u d ie s . PSME/SYOC is somewhat s i m i l a r to the PSME/SYAL
h a b it a t typ e, SYAL phase, o f P f i s t e r e^ aj[. (1 9 77 ), but has more shrub
coverage and less coverage o f bunchgrasses. S i m i l a r l y , PSME/SYOC in the
L i t t l e Rocky Mountains has more shrub coverage and less bunchgrass cov
erage than PSME/SYOC in the Bear's Paw Mountains. I f the c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s
are merged f o r the two areas, PSME/SYOC in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
should be noted as SHCA { s h e p h e r d i a c a n a d e n s i s ) phase, and PSME/SYOC
in the Bear's Paw should be noted as CHVI { c h r y s o p s i s v i l l o s a ) phase.
P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i / A r c o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u i ' s i h a b it a t type
(PSME/ARUV; D o u g l a s - f i r / k i n n i c k i n n i c k )
Distribution. PSME/ARUV is a minor h a b it a t type in the L i t t l e
75
Rocky Mountains, occurring only in the i n t e r i o r o f the mountains. The
f i v e sample p lo ts were located a t elevations from 1220 meters (4000
f e e t ) to 1525 meters (5000 f e e t ) , on gentle to steep midslopes.
Aspects are northwest, north, or east.
PSME/ARUV o ften occurs as the mesic intermediary in a mosaic
o f PIPO/ARÜV on southerly aspects, PSME/ARUV on mesic s i t e s , and
PSME/BERE-ARUV on more moist s i t e s , a l l on calcareous parent
m aterial.
Ve ge tation . Seral stands o f PSME/ARUV are generally dominated
by P i n u s p o n d e r o s a . P in u s c o n t o r t a may also be present as a seral
species. P o p u l u s t r e m u l o i d e s is absent from t h is type.
A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i is the dominant undergrowth p la n t , but
J u n i p e r u s corrmunis and S y m p h o r i c a r p o s o c c i d e n t a l i s are both well
represented. A m e l a n c h i e r a l n i f o l i a ^ S h e p h e r d i a c a n a d e n s is , a n d S p i r a e a
b e t u l i f o l i a are usually common. A s t e r c o n s p i c u u s and Apocynum a n d r o -
s a e m i f o l i u m are the most c h a r a c t e r i s t i c forbs. Other forbs and
graminoids are scarce.
S o il. PSME/ARUV occurs on both calcareous and non-calcareous
parent m a t e r ia l s . Soil t e x t u r e varies from sandy loam to clay loam.
No bare s o il is exposed, and l i t t l e surface rock is exposed. Average
d u f f depth is 4 . 9 ce ntim eters, and soil reaction is neutral (mean
pH 6 . 9 ) .
Other s t u d ie s . PSME/ARUV in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains is
s i m i l a r to the PSME/ARUV h a b i t a t type o f P f i s t e r et aj[. (1977)
found on the Helena and Lewis and Clark National Forests, but has more
76
shrub coverage and less bunchgrass coverage than does the PSME/ARUV
h a b i t a t type o f these areas. O g i l v i e (1962) described a V s e u d o ts u g a
m e n z i e o i v / A v o o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s - i h a b it a t type which occupies s im ila r
s i t e s , and supports s i m i l a r undergrowth, but which also supports
L i n n a e a b o r e a l i s ^ and i s thus more comparable to PSME/LIBO on
calcareous parent m a t e r ia l .
P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i / B e r b e r i s r c p e n s h a b it a t type
(PSME/BERE; D o u g las -fir /c re ep in g h olly grape)
Pi s t r i b uti on . PSME/BERE occurs on warm, moist sites on a wide
range o f apsects and is absent only on the d r i e s t southwest aspects.
Slope i n c l i n a t i o n is moderate to steep in most cases, but PSME/
BERE also occurs on benches and creek bottoms. Elevations o f the sample
plots range from 1190 meters (3900 f e e t ) to 1445 meters (4750 f e e t )
f o r the seven sample plots in the B e r h e r i s r e p e n s (BERE) phase, and
1280 meters (4200 f e e t ) to 1585 meters (5200 f e e t ) f o r the six sample
plots in the A r c t o s t a p h y l o s u v a ~ ic r s i (ARUV) phase.
PSME/BERE-ARUV o fte n occurs as the mesic intermediary in a
mosaic o f PSME/ARUV on d r i e r s i t e s , and PSME/LIBO on more moist s i t e s .
PSME/BERE-BERE o fte n occurs a t lo w - e le v a t io n , moist sites adjacent to
PSME/SYOC or PIPO/SYOC on d r i e r s i t e s .
Ve ge tation . Seral stands o f PSME/BERE are dominated by P in u s
pon derosa. P in u s c o n t o r t a is a seral species throughout t h i s h abitat
type, but is more important in the ARUV phase. P o p u lu s t r e m u l o i d e s
is a seral species in the BERE phase.
Undergrowth vegetation va ries by phase in PSME/BERE, but many
77
species ar e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f both phases. B e v .b c r is r e p e n s is
common. Sym phoriaca?pos o o c x d e n t a t i s 3 S p ira e a b e tu lif o lia ^ and
P r im u s v i r g i n i a n a are usually common. A m e l a n c h i e r a l n i f o l i a is
present. The coverage o f J u n i p e r u s communis is v a r i a b l e , but th is
dominates some s i t e s .
A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i (ARUV) phase. This phase occurs
s t r i c t l y on calcareous substrates. These are p r i n c i p a l l y shales, but
may also be limestone. Soils are g en er ally clayey, but may be sandy
or rocky. Soil re action in t h i s phase is ac id ic (mean pH 6 . 4 ) .
In a d d itio n to the undergrowth l i s t e d f o r the type as a whole,
the fo llow ing plants are c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f t h is phase: A rc to sta p h y lo s
u v a - i m s i is always well represented and S h e p h e r d i a c a n a d e n s i s is
common. C h a r a c t e r i s t i c forbs include Monarda f i s t u l o s a , G alium h o r e a l e .
Campanula r o t u n d i f o l i a , T h e r m o p s is r h o m h i f o l i a , and Anemone m u l t i f i d a .
Grasses are scarce.
B e r h e r i s r e p e n s (BERE) phase. This phase occurs on generally
calcareous, w e l l -d r a i n e d sandy s o i l . Soil reaction in th is phase is
s l i g h t l y a c id ic (mean pH 6 . 6 ) . The shrub undergrowth is e s s e n ti a ll y
t h a t l i s t e d f o r the type as a whole; no add itiona l shrubs are charac
t e r i s t i c . A r c t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - i x r s i and S h e p h e r d i a c a n a d e n s i s are
scarce when compared to the PSME/BERE h a b ita t type ARUV phase. Galium
b o r e a le . A s t e r c o n sp ic u u s. A s te r l a e v i s , and B a ls a m o r h iz a s a g i t t a are
the most conspicuous forbs. Grasses are scarce.
Other s t u d ie s . Hoffman and Alexander (1976) describe a
P seu d o tsu g a m e n z ie s ii /B e r b e r i s r e p e n s h a b it a t type which occurs on
78
s i m i l a r s i t e s , but which supports a d i f f e r e n t union o f species with
B e rb e ri-s r e p e n s . PSME/BERE in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains is e s s e n t i a l l y
unique to t h i s area.
P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z-ie s'i'i/L in n a e a b o r e a l i s habitat type
(PSME/LIBO; D o u g l a s - f ir /t w i n f l o w e r )
Pi s t r i b uti on . PSME/LIBO occupies the moistest upland sites in
the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains. Due to the lim it e d r e l i e f of the L i t t l e
Rocky Mountains, the a v a i l a b l e soil moisture gradient is contro lled
l a r g e l y by topographic p o s it io n . PSME/LIBO is found only on moderate
to steep slopes with northwest, north, or northeast aspects. Elevations
o f the th re e sample plots range from 1280 meters (4200 f e e t ) to 1525
meters (5000 f e e t ) , but t h i s type was observed as low as 1190 meters
(3900 f e e t ) . This h a b it a t type is found on calcareous and non-
calcareous substrates.
PSME/LIBO occurs most often adjacent to PSME/BERE-ARUV on
sedimentary parent m a t e r i a l , or adjacent to PICO/LIBO on igneous
parent m a t e r ia l .
Ve getation. P i n u s p o n d e r o s a and P in u s c o n t o r t a are seral species
in PSME/LIBO, and may dominate seral stands. Early seral stands may
also be dominated by P o p u l u s t r e m u l o i d e s . In a l l cases, P s e u d o ts u g a
m e n z i e s i i is the in d ic a te d climax, and P s e u d o ts u g a m e n z i e s i i is usually
also an important member o f seral communities. B e t u l a p a p y r i f e r a is
also present in some stands o f PSME/LIBO.
The undergrowth o f PSME/LIBO is dominated by shrubs. Their r e l a
t i v e proportion varies by parent m a teria l type, but most species are
79
present on a l l s i t e s . L'innaea b o r e a t i s is common throughout, but
coverage is g re a t e r on non-calcareous parent m a teria ls, s h e p h e r d i a
c a n a d e n s i s is usually well represented, and may become a dominant
undergrowth species on calcareous shales. S p i r a e a b e t u l i f o l i a is well
represented. A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i , S ym p h o rica x'po s o c c i d e n t a l i s , and
B e r b e r i s r e p e n s have lower coverage on non-calcareous parent materials
than on calcareous parent m a teria ls.
Forbs are g e n e r a lly scarce in PSME/LIBO. Those present are gener
a l l y associated with high so il moisture, and appear to be less affected
by parent material than are the shrubs. A s t e r c o n s p i c u u s and Apocynum
a n d r o s a e m i f o l i u m may be common. D isporu m t r a c h y c a r p u m , G alium b o r e a l e
and H edysaru m s u l p h u r e s o e n s are present.
Soi 1 . PSME/LIBO occurs on both calcareous and non-calcareous
parent m a t e r ia l s . Soil te x tu r e varies from a sandy loam to a clay loam,
and s o i l s are o fte n g r a v e l l y . Soil re ac tion is s l i g h t l y a c idic (mean
pH 6 . 5 ) . No bare soil and l i t t l e or no surface rock are exposed. The
average d u f f depth is 6.1 centimeters.
Other s tu d ie s . PSME/LIBO is s i m i l a r to the PSME/LIBO h a b ita t type,
SYAL phase, o f P f i s t e r e;t (1977). PSME/LIBO exists also in the
Bear's Paw Mountains, but supports a much more lux u ria n t undergrowth
including V a c c in iu m c a e s p i t o s u m , V a ccin iu m y I n b u l a r c , V accinium
m y rtillu s, and C a l a m a g r o s t i s r u b e s c e n s . To distin guish between the two
study areas, PSME/LIBO in the Bear's Paw Mountains should be considered
CARU { C a l a m a g r o s t i s r u b e s c e n s ) phase, and in th e L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
should be considered ARUV { A r o t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u i ' s i ) phase.
The P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i i / A r c t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i h abitat type
80
o f O g i l v i e (1962) i s s i m i l a r , but supports an undergrowth o f species
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f s it e s somewhat d r i e r than PSME/LIBO in the L i t t l e
Rocky Mountains.
81
D i s t r i b u t i o n o f Ha bitat Types
The L i t t l e Rocky Mountains are small with a lim ite d v e r ti c a l
r e l i e f (l e s s than 2000 f e e t ) . While orographic modification o f the
clim a te is s i g n i f i c a n t , r e l a t i v e diffe ren c es in elevation show only
a moderate in flue n ce on a v a i l a b l e so il moisture. The a v a i l a b l e soil
moisture is c o n t ro lle d predominantly by aspect and microclimate.
Areas near the perimeter o f the mountains are s i g n i f i c a n t l y d r i e r
because o f wind exposure than s i t e s a t the same eleva tion in the
i n t e r i o r o f the mountains
These r e l a t i v e l y narrow a v a i l a b l e soil moisture and temperature
gradients are superimposed on complex geology. Habitat types in the
L i t t l e Rocky Mountains are strongly c o rrela te d with parent m a t e r ia ls ,
which f a l l into three broad classes:
1. Limestone or dolomite
2. Calcareous and non-calcareous shales and sandstones
3. Igneous and metamorphic rock
While there are several s p e c i f i c members o f each class(Knechtel
1944), t h i s breakdown seems s u f f i c i e n t to explain much of the d i s t r i
bution o f the se rie s and h a b i t a t types (see Figures 8, 9, and 10).
CD
■D
O
Q .
C
g
Q .
■CDD Populus tremuloides

— '
C/)
Pinus contorta
W
o' Pseudotsupa menziesii
3
O Pinus pondorosa
3
CD
8
Linnaea b o re a li s common
com mo n Berberis repcns ' -
well represented Arctostaphylos u v a - u r si
CD r “ Synphoricarpos occidentalis we ll r e p r e s e nt e d
COmmO n Rhus trilobata
Juniperus horizontalis well represented
3.
3"
CD
CD
■D
O
Q .
Aster conspicuus p re se nt
C Balsamorhira s a g i t ta t a com mo n
a
o Thermopsis rhombifolia c o mm on
3
■D
CD SERIES PIPO PSME

Q .
H.T. BERE
JUHO SYOC A RU V L IB O
PHASE ARUV BERE
■CDD
C/)
C/)
Figure 8. Schematic Distribution of Habitat Types and Tree and
Undergrowth Species on Calcareous and Noncalcareous
Sandstone and Shale Parent Materials in the L i t t l e '
Rocky Mountains
00
CD
■D
O
Q.
C
g
Q.
Pinus contorta
■CD
D
Pseudotsuga menziesii
1 Pi nu s ponderosa
C /)
o'
3
O
w el l represented Berberis repens
S pi r a e a betulifolia w el l reore.scnted
8
Shcohcrdia canadensis well represented
c i' Arctostaphylos u va -u r si well represented
Gyniphoricaroos occidentalis well represented
well represented S o lidago m i s so u r i e n s i s

3
3 "
CD c0mn0 n Aster conspicuus
Balsarior^izo. sa g it t a r a common
■CD
D
O
Q.
Thernoosio rhombifolia c 0 mmo n
C A p o c y n u m androsacClifolium well represented
a
O
3
A n e m o n e nu It if ida common
■D
O
CD
Q.
SERIES PIPO PGME
H.T. ARUV SYOC ARUV BERE/ARUV

■CD
D
c/)
c/)

Undergrowth Species on Limestone or Dolomite Parent
Material in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
00
CO
CD
■D
O
Q.
C
g
Q.
■CDD
Pseudotsuna menziesii
C/) Pinus conto rt a
C/)
c ommo n L i n n a e a b o r e al i s
8 comm on Shepherdia canadensis
well represented ! Arctostaphylos u va -u r si
ci' Spiraea betulifolia w el l represented
Juniperus communis w el l r e p r e s e nt e d
p r esent Disporum trachycarpum

c
3. present Hedysarum sulphuresoens
3"
CD p r e s e nt Aster laevis
CD
T3
O
§■ SERIES PICO PSME

o 1 .....
T3 H.T. JU CO LIBO
o 1
(D
Q.
metamorphic i g n eous
T3
(D
C/)
c/)
Undergrowth Species on Igneous and Metamorphic Parent
Materials in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
00
85
CHAPTER VI
DISCUSSION
Methodology
P f i s t e r and Arno (1980) fee l t h a t t h e i r methodology is e f f e c t
ive in producing a useful» e c o lo g ic a lly sound land c l a s s i f i c a t i o n .
I found the c l a s s i f i c a t i o n concepts and structu re to be e c o lo gic ally
sound, and I found the data c o lle cte d to be adequate to construct
an e c o l o g i c a l l y based c l a s s i f i c a t i o n . However, I feel that the data
a n a ly s i s , f o r t h i s study, b e n e fitte d from the incorporation o f s i m i l a r
i t y a n a l y s i s , and a c l u s t e r i n g algorithm. The benefits f a l l into three
categories : (1) a decrease in bias in the creation o f t e n t a t i v e h abitat
types, ( 2 ) a gre a ter a b i l i t y to t e s t the c l a s s i f i c a t i o n in a l l stages
from t e n t a t i v e h a b it a t types to f i n a l c l a s s i f i c a t i o n , (3) an increase
in the ease with which the c l a s s i f i c a t i o n may be compared to c l a s s i f i
cations from adjacent areas.
P f i s t e r and Arno (1980) note t h a t the f i r s t subjective approxi
mation o f h a b it a t types f o r Montana was done in a group session, with
an interchange o f viewpoints, and t h a t t h is interchange helped
control bias. When, as in t h i s study, a group approach is not possible,
some a l t e r n a t i v e method, such as a c lu ste ring algorithm, is des irab le.
S i m i l a r i t y a n a ly s i s , as a tool to te s t habitat type homogen-
i e t y and i n d i c a t o r species performance, is ^ :C . lont in reducing the
amount o f time and lab or necessary to perform s i m il a r tests with
visual inspection o f a synthesis t a b l e , as s i m i l a r i t y analysis can be
8 6
e f f e c i e n t l y performed by a computer. The t e s t i t s e l f is o b j e c t iv e , but
the s i g n i f i c a n c e o f the r e s u l t s must be in t H rp rrlc d su b je ctive ly. Simil
a r i t y a n a ly s i s , unless s p e c i f i c a l l y modified, - j i v e s equal weight to
all species in c a l c u la t in g the s i m i l a r i t y c o e f f i c i e n t . P f i s t e r and
Arno (1980) c l e a r l y s t a t e :
. . . o n e must remember t h a t overa ll vegetational s i m i l a r i t i e s

between stands do not always r e f l e c t h a b ita t s i m i l a r i t i e s as
ac cu ra tely as do c e r t a in species having gre ater diagnostic
value. In other words, a l l species do not have equal importance
or value f o r s i t e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n .
S i m i l a r i t y analysis is an e f f e c t i v e tool fo r examination o f
vegetation data, but i t ' s l i m i t a t i o n s must be acknowledged by the user.
F r a n k l i n , Dyrness, and Moir (1970) reconvnettd th at s i m i l a r i t y
an alysis be performed as a f i n a l t e s t of a c l a s s i f i c a t i o n , and P f i s t e r
and Arno (1980) re i n f o r c e t h i s recommendation. I found s i m i l a r i t y anal
y s is to be app ropriate throughout the construction o f the h a b ita t type
c l a s s i f i c a t i o n , as both an i l l u m i n a t i v e t o o l , and an o bjective t e s t
o f hypotheses.
A d d itionally, i f f u ll p lo t data are a v a i l a b l e f o r adjacent areas,
the s i m i l a r i t y analysis serves as a convenient summary o f h a b ita t type
s i m i l a r i t y from one area to the oth er. The re sults must be interp re te d
in l i g h t o f the regional d i s t r i b u t i o n o f the f l o r a , but the r e l a t i v e
s i m i l a r i t i e s o f one h a b it a t type to many other h abitat types of an
adjacent area is info rm ative .
87
Procedures and C r i t e r i a f o r the Application o f
S i m i l a r i t y Analysis to H abitat Type C la s s ific a tio n s
Before i t is possible to discuss the use o f s i m i l a r i t y ana
l y s i s to t e s t a h a b it a t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n , it is necessary to define
c l e a r l y the terms used in the des cription and to c l e a r l y demonstrate
the d e r i v a t i o n o f the more condensed s i m i l a r i t y matrices employed.
The basic matrix o f s i m i l a r i t y analysis is the p l o t - t o - p l o t
s i m i l a r i t y m atrix. In t h i s m a trix, each p lo t i s compared to every other
p l o t , and the s i m i l a r i t y summarized as a s i m i l a r i t y index. Because each
p lo t is not compared to i t s e l f , and because the s i m i l a r i t y of plot
A to p lo t B equals the s i m i l a r i t y of plot B to p lo t A ( i . e . , the
ma trix i s symmetrical to the d ia go n al), f o r n p lo t s , the number of
indices recorded in the matrix is (n ^ -n )/? .
When every p l o t is assigned to a h a b ita t type, the matrix can
be reduced to a p l o t - t o - t y p e matrix. This matrix compares the
s i m i l a r i t y o f every p lo t to every type, by averaging the s i m i l a r i t y
o f each p l o t to a l l plots in each type. For n p lo t s , and m types, the
number o f indices is ( n ) * ( m ) .
This matrix can be f u r t h e r reduced to a type - t o - t y p e matrix,
which compares every type to every other type, by averaging the
sim ilarity of a ll plo ts in each type to a l l plots in every type
i n d i v i d u a l l y . Because a type can be compared to i t s e l f the number of
indices f o r m types is (m^+m)/2. When the s i m i l a r i t y o f a l l plots in
one type to a l l other plots in the same type is averaged, the re su ltin g
8 8
index i s c a l le d the w i t h i n - t y p e s i m i l a r i t y . When the s i m i l a r i t y o f a l l
plo ts in one type to a l l plots in another type is averaged, the index
is c a l l e d the between-type s i m i l a r i t y . The r a t i o o f the average of
w i t h i n - t y p e s i m i l a r i t i e s f o r two types to the index o f between-type
s i m i l a r i t y f o r the same two types is c a lle d the within-type/between-
type r a t i o . This r a t i o may be computed f o r comparisons o f any number o f
types by averaging the w it h i n - t y p e s i m i l a r i t y of each type, and d i v
iding by the average o f between-type s i m i l a r i t y fo r every comparison or
one type to every other type.
A l l t e s t i n g was conducted a t the phase l e v e l , but to s im plify
discussion, a l l groups, whether h a b it a t type or phases, w i l l be re fer re d
to as a h a b it a t type. The h a b it a t type c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s were tested
to determine the following:
1) Were a l l sample plots assigned to the most appropriate
h a b it a t type, so as to maximize w it h i n - t y p e s i m i l a r i t y ,
and minimize between-type s i m i l a r i t y ?
2) Were a l l h a b it a t types d i s t i n c t from a l l other h abitat types?
3) Were the h a b i t a t types from the two study areas s u f f i c i e n t l y
d i s t i n c t to j u s t i f y maintenance of two separate c l a s s ific a tio n s ?
To t e s t a c l a s s i f i c a t i o n with s i m i l a r i t y an a ly sis, i t is necessary
to e s t a b lis h a formal o b j e c t iv e to be tested (as stated in 1-3
above), and formal c r i t e r i a f o r the i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f the re s u lt s .
For the f i r s t t e s t I es tablis hed the follow ing c r i t e r i o n :
Any p lo t would be considered m is clas sifie d i f t ra n s fe r rin g
the p l o t to a d i f f e r e n t h a b it a t type in the same series resulted
89
in an increase o f the w ithin-type/betwee n-type r a t i o .
To conduct the t e s t , I established the following procedure:
1) The p l o t - t o - t y p e matrix was computed using only undergrowth
species to reduce the e f f e c t o f succession.
2) Every case where a p lo t was more s i m i l a r to another h ab it a t
type than to the h a b it a t type to which i t was assigned was
declared a possible m i s c l a s s i f i c a t i o n . Out of 3648 comparisons
(152 plots and 24 h a b it a t t y p e s ), 134 possible m i s c l a s s i f i -
cations were noted. This f i g u r e includes a l l cases where a plot
was more s i m i l a r to more than one h a b it a t type than to the
h a b it a t type to which i t was assigned. On a p l o t - b y - p l o t basis,
63 plo ts out o f 153 (41 percent) were considered possible mis-
classi ficatio n s .
3) Every case o f possible m i s c l a s s i f i c a t i o n was examined, and an
index o f estimated change was computed as follows:
a) The mean s i m i l a r i t y o f the p lo t to a l l other plots
in the h a b it a t type to which i t was assigned (from the
p l o t - t o - t y p e m a trix) was subtracted from the w it h i n -
type s i m i l a r i t y o f t h a t h a b it a t type. Thus, plots less
s i m i l a r to the type than the mean s i m i l a r i t y o f a l l
plots in the type yield ed a p ositive number; plots
more s i m i l a r than the mean yielded a negative number.
b) The w i t h i n - t y p e s i m i l a r i t y o f the h a b it a t type to which
the p lo t was more s i m i l a r was subtracted from the
90
s i m i l a r i t y o f the p lo t to th is type. Thus, plots
more s i m i l a r to the type than the w ith in -ty p e s i m i l
a r i t y y ie ld ed a p o s it iv e number; plots less s i m il a r
than the w it h i n - t y p e s i m i l a r i t y yielded a negative
number.
c) The r e s u lt s o f ( a ) and (b) were added together. I f
the sum was p o s i t i v e , I hypothesized t h a t the tra ns
f e r o f t h i s p lo t would increase the w ith in -ty p e sim
i l a r i t y o f one type more than i t would decrease the
w it h i n - t y p e s i m i l a r i t y o f the other type, and the plot
was considered possibly t e c h n i c a ll y m is clas sifie d . If
both (a) and (b) were p o s i t i v e , the p lo t was d e f i n i t e l y
t e c h n i c a l l y m is c l a s s i f ie d . I f the sum was negative,
I hypothesized t h a t the t r a n s f e r o f the p lo t would
reduce the w it h i n - t y p e s i m i l a r i t y o f one type more than
i t would increase the w it h i n - t y p e s i m i l a r i t y o f the
other type, and the p lo t was considered c o r r e c t ly
c l a s s i f i e d . Unless the number o f plots in each hab itat
type was equal, the index o f estimated change would
only estimate the e f f e c t o f the t ra n s fe r on the w it h in -
type/between-type r a t i o . Because o f the e f f o r t of recom
puting the e f f e c t s o f p l o t t r a n s f e r , only plots with
a p o s i t i v e index o f expected change were fu rt h e r con
sidered.
Out o f 134 possible or d e f i n i t e technical misclassi-
91
f i c a t i o n s , only 28 were found to have a p os it ive index
o f expected change.
4) When a p lo t was more s i m i l a r to a h a b it a t type of a d i f
f e r e n t series» the plot data card and f i e l d notes were
examined to determine i f the plot was possibly assigned
to the worng s e rie s. When the p lo t was determined to
have been c o r r e c t l y i d e n t i f i e d as to s e rie s , i t was r e
moved from consideration. To reassign a p lo t from one
series to another on the basis o f undergrowth would
v i o l a t e the c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s tru c tu re. Out o f 28 possible
or d e f i n i t e technical m i s c l a s s i f ic a t i o n s , 23 involved
a change o f se ri es.
5) I examined the remaining f i v e plots to evaluate the
e f f e c t o f t h e i r t r a n s f e r on the within-type/between-
type r a t i o . I f the e f f e c t was negative ( i . e . , decreased
the within-type/betw een-ty pe r a t i o ) , the plots were
co rrectly cla ss ified . I f the e f f e c t was p o s it iv e , the
plots were tra ns ferre d or considered t ec h n ica ll y
m i s c l a s s i f ie d . Because o f the s i m i l a r i t y analysis
weights a l l species eq u ally, a t e c h n i c a ll y mis
c l a s s i f i e d p lo t may be s u b je c t iv e ly determined to be
c o r r e c t l y c l a s s i f i e d through the use o f a synthesis
t a b le .
Of the remaining f i v e possible technical mis
c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s , two were found to be c o rr e c t ly
92
c l a s s i f i e d . The th ree others I elected not to tra n s
f e r , despite t h e i r status as technical m isclassi-
fic a tio n s .
The in d ic a to r species, as ordered in the key to climax series
and h a b ita t types, c o r r e c tly c la s s if ie d 149 out o f 152 plots (98
p re c e n t), as determined by the s i m i l a r i t y a n a ly sis. I s u b je c tiv e ly
determined th is to be an acceptable lev el o f performance, and the
c l a s s i f i c a t i o n was accepted on th is basis, with no changes.
Once the placement o f sample plots in h a b ita t types was f i n a li z e d ,
I tested the h a b ita t types to determine whether a l l h a b ita t types
were d i s t i n c t from a l l o ther h a b ita t types, or whether some h a b ita t
types should be merged.
The t e s t was evaluated with the follow ing c r i t e r i o n :
I f the merger o f two h a b ita t types resulted in a
w ith in -ty p e s i m i l a r i t y closer to the higher o f the pre
vious w ith in -ty p e s i m i l a r i t i e s than to the lower o f the
previous w ith in -ty p e s i m i l a r i t i e s , the types would be
merged; i f n o t, the merger was re je c te d .
The m atrix o f s i m i l a r i t y f o r a l l h a b ita t types o f the Bear's
Paw Mountains is presented in Figure 11. The equivalent matrix fo r
the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains is presented in Figure 12.
H a b ita t types were only considered fo r merger i f the between-
type s i m i l a r i t y o f the two types was higher than the w ith in -ty p e
93
s i m i l a r i t y o f one o f the two types. In cases where th is is not tru e ,
the merger cannot meet the c r i t e r i o n established; th is observation
saves needless c a lc u la tio n .
In the Bear's Paw Mountains, the w ith in -ty p e s i m il a r it y o f two
h a b ita t types is lower than t h e i r between-type s i m i l a r i t y to other
types. In both cases, however, the between-type s i m i l a r i t y is
between h a b ita t types o f d i f f e r e n t s e rie s , and a merger o f types
would v i o l a t e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s tru c tu re .
In the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains, the w ith in -typ e s i m il a r it y o f
three h a b it a t types is lower than the between-type s i m i l a r i t y to other
types. In one case, the h a b ita t types are in d if f e r e n t s e rie s , and so
are not merged. In both o f the other cases, the w ith in -ty p e s i m il a r it y
o f the merged h a b ita t type would be much nearer the w ith in -ty p e sim i
l a r i t y o f the lower o f the two, and thus both mergers are re je c te d .
94
ACSF 62. Y
rcfo 54. ) S8,f

rcsc
^IPO
ÎS.Ï 29.A Ji.S
PSMC
SYOC SÎ.0 49.9 35.7 57.7
H'tt
AMAl I*.7 ■ JI.I - 39.0 43 9 . 56.4
fSMS
VICA #.9 13.9 18.t 20.6 36.7 45.5
ASHE
Etao 8.t lO.S 14,5 14.2 27.2 38.6 50.1 ,
ASHE 49 7.4 •
COCA 4.1 8.7 16.7 27.2 44.5 60.2
EIBO
ASHE 6.9 It.2 8.7 22.5 35.8 .59.6
COCA S.# 48.7 49.8
VAMY
AlCEA 20.4 11.6 24.8 20.4 12.8 16.5 ohIy
JUCO 20.0 16.6 12.3 1
plot
AlCEA 16.6 12.5 26.5 38.6 53.7 58.4 18.J
iteo 7.9 7.5 60.7 65.1
ABLA PBly
JVCO IJ.B 18.2 16.0 17 6 12.2 8.4 17.2 15.7 16.5 42.8 21.8 1
plot
ABLA 8.0 12.7 in,5 24.8 34.0 54.1 51.4 55.4 17.7 64.9 31.7 65.7
LIBO 7.4
AIAO AIAO AIAO ASHE ASHE ASHE ASHE ASHE ASHE AlCEA AlCEA ABLA ABLA
ACSA FEID AHAL SYOC AHAl VICA LIBO COCA COCA JUCO LIBO JUCO IIBO
TESC LIBO VAHY
Figure 11. H a b ita t Type to H abitat Type S im ila r it y

M a trix fo r the Bear's Paw Mountains
95
FIFO
JUHO 58.2
PIPO
SYJC 27.4 49.6
PlPO
ARIIV 26.9 43.9 58.5
PlPO
8ERE 12.2 26.2 • 27.8 47-3
PICO
JUCO 21-9 22 9 29.6 27.3 39.1
PICO
Lieo 16.7 27.3 4J.8 24.0 32.1 52.8
PS.lE •
SYOC 29.3 49.5 51.0 40.1 38.4 41.5 62.5
PSME
ARUY 22.2 37 5 54.0 31.8 34.8 46.0 52.1 53.9
PSME
SERE 21.1 39.6 53.3 41.6 38.4 46.7 56.4 55.4 60,3
ARUV
PSME 48.4 •
OEPE 21.9 3<*.5 35.5 46.3 33.7 32.1 51.9 38.8 50.9
8ERE
PSME 33.6 47.8 46.6 44.5
Liao 17.5 29-3 40.0 34.4 55 7 51.5 59.1
PlPO PlPO PlPO PlPO PICO PICO PSME PSME PSME PSME PSME
JUHO SYOC ARUV BERE JUCO Liao SYOC ARUV BERE BERE LIBO
ARUV BERE
Figure 12. H a b ita t Type to H a b itat Type S im ila r it y

M a trix fo r the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
R eproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
96
To t e s t whether or not the two c la s s if ic a t io n s should be merged,
I examined both the p lo t - t o - t y p e m atrix and the ty p e -to -ty p e m atrix.
On the p lo t - t o - t y p e m a trix , only 15 plots were more s im ila r to h a b ita t
types defined fo r the other study area. Applying the guidelines used
in the f i r s t te s t demonstrated the r e l a t i v e l y d is ju n c t nature o f the
two study areas. Of the 15 p lo ts , nine were more s im ila r to h ab ita t
types o f d i f f e r e n t s e rie s . The remaining six plots a l l exhibited a
negative index o f expected change.
On the ty p e -to -ty p e m a trix , only one h a b ita t type (PIPO/AMAL)
showed a lower w ith in -ty p e s i m i l a r i t y than s i m i l a r i t y to another type
(PIPO/SYOC). The d iffe re n c e in s i m i l a r i t y was very s lig h t (32 .8 versus
3 2 . 5 ) , and is probably not s i g n i f i c a n t . PIPO/AMAL is defined on the
basis o f two plo ts and is r e l a t i v e l y non-homogeneous. I determined
th a t the two c la s s if ic a t io n s should not be merged on the basis o f two
p lo ts .
C o l le c t i v e ly , f o r the two study areas, I defined seven se rie s , only
two o f which the areas have in common. In the P s e v id o tsn g a m e n z i e s i i
s e rie s , both areas have S y m p h o r io a r p o s o a c i d e n t a l i s h ab ita t type, and
a L i n n a e a b o r e a l i s h a b ita t type. For both h a b ita t types, however, a
phase d is t in c t i o n would be necessary i f the c la s s ific a tio n s were merged;
a t the phase l e v e l , the two areas would share no equivalent u n its .
Merging the c la s s if i c a t io n s would add needless complexity to the key
and obscure the fa c to rs c o n t r o llin g the d is t r ib u t io n o f h ab ita t types.
On t h is basis, I decided to m aintain separate c la s s ific a t io n s .
97
Regional Vegetation Ecology
The vegetation and h a b ita ts o f Rocky Mountain o u t l ie r s , described
by Despain (1973) and Hoffman and Alexander (1976) fo r the Bighorn
Mountains o f Wyoming, T h ilen iu s (1972) fo r the Black H i l l s , Newsome
and Dix (1968) f o r the Cypress H i l l s , and Thompson and K u ijt (1976) fo r
Sweetgrass H i l l s , and by myself fo r the Bear's Paw Mountains and L i t t l e
Rocky Mountains, present an in te r e s tin g and somewhat b a fflin g
challenge to in te r p r e t a t io n .
No two o f the mountain ranged have the same tre e f lo r a . The
d is t r i b u t i o n o f tre e species does fo llo w some obvious trends, but
questions s t i l l a r is e concerning the fa c to rs c o n tro llin g t h e ir
d i s t r i b u t i o n . P i n u s c o n t o r t a is the most widely d is trib u te d species,
and is present in every area. The ecology o f th is species, however,
and, in p a r t i c u l a r , i t s status as a climax species, varies g re a tly
from one area to another. P s e u d o t s u g a m e n z i e s i - i forms a broad b e lt
o f climax f o r e s t in the Bear's Paw Mountains, but is g re a tly re s tr ic te d
in d is t r i b u t i o n or absent in other Rocky Mountain o u t l i e r mountain
ranges.
Comparison o f the vegetation communities or h a b ita t types from
these areas c l e a r l y demonstrates th a t each area is unique. S im ila r it ie s
from a l l areas, however, suggest th a t a regional in v es tig atio n into
the vegetation ecology o f a l l areas might provide in te re s tin g insights
in to the fa c to rs c o n tr o llin g the d is t r ib u t io n o f vegetation o f r e l a
t i v e l y d is ju n c t f l o r a s .
98
I d o n 't intend here to undertake such a study, but only to suggest
th a t the data f o r such a study is accumulating. Q u a n tita tiv e vege
t a t io n and s i t e data fo r the Judith Mountains, the Moccasin Mountains,
and the Sweetgrass H i l l s might provide the lin k s required to attempt
a regional i n t e r p r e t a t io n .
99
LITERATURE CITED
Daubenmire» R.F. 1943. Vegetational zonation in the Rocky Mountains.

Bot. Rev. 9:326-393.
Daubenmire, R.F, 1952. Forest vegetation o f northern Idaho and

adjacent Washington and i t s bearing on concepts o f vegetation
c la s s ific a tio n . E col. Monogr.22:301-330.
Daubenmire, R . , and J.B . Daubenmire. 1968. Forest vegetation of

eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Wash. Agric- Exp. S tn .,
Tech. B u ll. 60. 104 p.
Despain, D.G. 1973. Vegetation o f the Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming,

in r e l a t i o n to substrate and c lim a te . Ecol. Monogr. 43:329-355.
F ra n k lin , J . F . , C.T. Dyrness, and W.H. Moir. 1970. A reconnaissance

method fo r fo re s t s i t e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n . Shinrin Richi X I I : 1-14.
Hitchcock, C .L ., and A. Cronquist, 1973. Flora o f the P a c ific North

west. 730 p. Univ. Wash. Press, S e a ttle .
Hoffman, G .R ., and R.R. Alexander. 1976. Forest vegetation o f the

Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming: A h a b ita t type c la s s if ic a t io n .
USDA For. Serv. Res. Pap. RM-170, 38 p. Rocky Mt. For. and
Range Exp. S t n ., Fort C o llin s , Colo.
Knechtel, M.M. 1959. S tra tig ra p h y of the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains and

e n c irc lin g f o o t h i l l s , Montana. Contributions to Economic
Geology: USDI Geological Survey B u lle t in 1072-N, 28 p.
Kuchler, A.W. 1973. Problems in c la s s ify in g and mapping vegetation

f o r ecological r e g io n a liz a t io n . Ecology 54:512-523.
Layser, E.F. 1974. Vegetation c la s s if i c a t io n : I t s ap p lic a tio n to

f o r e s t r y in the northern Rocky Mountains. J. For. 72:354-357.
Newsome, R .D ., and R.L. Dix. 1968. The fo rests of the Cypress H i l l s ,

A lb erta and Saskatchewan, Canada. American Midland N a tu ra lis t
80:118-185.
O g ilv ie , R.T. 1962. Ecology o f spruce fo res ts on the east slope o f

the Rocky Mountains in A lb e rta . Ph.D. D is s ., Wash. State U n iv.,
Pullman. 189 p.
Pecora, W .T ., I . J . W itkind, and D.B. S tu a rt. 1959. Prelim inary geo

lo g ic map o f Warrick quadrangle, Bearpaw Mountains, Montana. USDI
Geological Survey. Misc. In v e s tig a tio n s . Map 1-237.
100
P f i s t e r , R .D ., B.L. Kovalchik, S.F. Arno, and R.C. Presby. 1977.

Forest h a b ita t types o f Montana. USDA For. Serv. Gen. Tech.
Report I N I - 34, In te rm t. For. and Range Exp. S tn ., Ogden, Utah-
174 p.
P f i s t e r , R .D ., and S.F. Arno. 1980. C las sify in g fo re s t h ab itat types

based on p o te n tia l climax vegetation. Manuscript accepted by
Forest Science, 1980.
Poore, M.E.D. 1962. The method o f successive approximation in

d e s c rip tiv e ecology. Adv. in Ecol. Research 1:35-68.
Rowe, J .S . 1971. Why c l a s s if y fo re s t land? For. Chron. 47:144-148.
Sorensen, T. 1948. A method o f es tab lis h in g groups o f equal amplitude

in p la n t sociology based on s i m i l a r i t y o f species content.
Det Kong. Danske Vidensk. Selsk. B io l. Skr. (Copenhagen)
5 (4 ):1 -3 4 .
Stew art, D .B ., W.T. Perora, D.B. Eugstrom, and H.R. Dixon. 1957.
P re lim in ary geologic map o f the Centennial Mountain quadrangle,
Bearpaw Mountains, Montana. USDI Geological Survey. Misc.
In v e s tig a tio n s . Map 1-235.
T h ile n iu s , J .F . 1972. C la s s if ic a t io n o f deer h a b ita t in the ponderosa

pine fo r e s t o f the Black H i l l s , South Dakota. USDA For. Serv.
Res. Pop. RM-91, 23 p. Rocky Mt. For. and Range Exp. S tn .,
Fort C o llin s , Colo.
Thompson, L .S . , and J. K u ijt . 1976. Montana and subalpine plants of

the Sweetgrass H i l l s , Montana, and t h e i r r e la tio n to e a rly post
g la c ia l environments o f the northern Great Plains. Canadian
F ie ld - N a t u r a l i s t 90:432-448.
Thornbury, W.D. 1965. Regional geomorphology o f the United States.

609 p. John Wiley and Sons, I n c . , New York, London, Sydney.
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Montana. Vol. 67.
U.S. Dept. Commerce Weather Bureau. 1974. Cl imatological data,

Montana. Vol. 77.
Appendix Al 101
Constancy* and average canopy coverage percent (the l a t t e r in

parentheses) o f important plants in Bear's Paw Mountains h ab ita t
types and phases
PINUS PONDEROSA SERIES
h a b ita t type AGSP FEID AMAL

phase PESO
number o f stands 2 9 2
TREES
J u n ip e r u s sa o p u lo rvm - 0) - 0) - 0)
P tn u s p o n d e r o s a 10 37) 10 38) 10
P s e u d o t s u g a m en z-tes-it - 0) 1 0) -
P in u s c o n t o r t a - 0) - 0) - 0)
P io ea - 0) - 0) - 0)
A b ie s ta s io o a r p a - 0) - 0) - 0)
P o p u lu s t r e m u t o i d e s - 0) — 0) 0)
SHRUBS
A m ela n ch ier a t n i f o l i a 5 1) 8 2) 10 50)
J u n i p e r u s e o r m u n is 10 0) 3 0) "• 0 )
J u n ip e ru s h o r i z o n t a l i s 10 19} 7 8) - 0)
P ru n u s v i r g i n i a n a - 0) 8 1) 5 3)
Pubus p a r v i f l o r u s - 0) - 0) - 0)
S h e p h e rd ia c a n a d e n s is - 0) - 0) - 0)
S p ira e a b e t u l i f o l i a - 0) - 0) 5 15)
S ym p h o rica rp o s o a c i d e n t a l i s 10 1) 7 1) 5 15)
V a c c in iw n c a e s p i t o s u m - 0) - 0) - 0)
V a c c in iu m g l o b u l a r e — 0) - 0) - 0)
V a c c in iu m m y r t i l l u s “ 0) 0) 0)
SUBSHRUBS
A rc to sta p h y lo s u va -u rsi 0) 1 1) 0)
B e r b e r is rep en s -
0) - 0) - 0)
L in n a e a b o r e a l i s - 0) 0) 0)
■
GRAMMINOIDS
A g r o s tis scobra 0) 3 5) 0)
A gropyron sp ic a tu m 10 15) 10 13) 5
- 0) — 0) -
C a la x n a g r o s tis r u h e s c e n s
F estu ca id a h o e n s is 5 1) 9 2) 5 3)
F e stu c a s c a b r e l i a -
0) 10 7) 5 3)
K o e le ria c r i s t a t a 10 1) 10 1) — 0)
O ry zo p sis a s p e r i f o l i a 0) - 0) " 0)
- 0) 0) 0)
S c h iza c h n e p u rp u ra sc e n s
*Code to constancy values

3=25-35% 4=35- 45% 5=45-55
+=0-5% 1=5-15% 2=15-25%
6=55-65% 7=65-75% 8=7! 85% 9=85- 95% 10=95- 100%
Appendix Al ( c o n t .) 102
Constancy * and average canopy coverage percent (th e l a t t e r in

parentheses) o f important plants in Bear’ s Paw Mountains h a b ita t
types and phases
h a b i t a t type AGSP FEID AMAL

phase FESC
number o f stands 2 9 2
FORDS
A cJiH -tea m iZ t e f o t iu m 10( 1) 10( 1) 10( 1)
A c ia c a r u b r a -( 0) -( 0) -( 0)
A g o s e r ic g la u c a 5( 1) K 1) 4 0)
A lZ iic n c e n iu im 4 0) 6( 1) 4 0)
Anemone nruZtCfZd 10( 1) 10( 1) 5( 1)
A n te n n a r ia m icro p h yZ Z a 5( 1) 10( 1) 5( 1)
A n tem iar-L a raccm osa -( 0) -( 0) 4 0)
Apoc'jnum a n d ro s a e m ifo Z iu jn -( 0) K 3) 4 0)
A r n ic a c o r d i f o l i a -( 0) -( 0) 4 0)
A s t e r c o n s p ia u u s -( 0) -( 0) 4 0)
A s te r fa Z c a tu s -{ 0) 6( 1) 10{ 1)
A s t e r Z a e v is -( 0) -( 0) 5( 1)
B a Z sa m o rh iza s a g i t t a t a 10( 2) 2( 2) 4 0)
C h ry s o p s is v iZ Z o s a 10( 1) 3( 1) 4 0)
Cornus c a n a d e n s is -( 0) -( 0) 4 0)
C r e p is a t r a o a r b a -( 0) 7( 1) 4 0)
D isp o ru m tra c h y c a rp u m -( 0) 2( 1) 4 0)
E r ig e r o n c a e c p ito s u s 10( 1) 7( 1) 4 0)
F r a g a r ia v ir g in ia n a 0( 0) -( 0) 5( 1)
GaZiitm b o re a Z e 5( 1) 4( 1) 10( 1)
GaZiion t r i f l o r u m -( 0) -( 0) 4 0)
G eran iu in r i c h a r d s c n i i -( 0) -( 0) 4 0)
Count t r i f l o r u m -( 0) 8( 1) 5( 1)
Hedysarum suZphurescor.s -( 0) -( 0) 4 0)
L a th y r u s o c h ro Z cu cu s -( 0) -( 0) 5( 1)
L ith o c p e r n tm ru d e ra Z e 5( 1) 8( 1) 4 0)
M onarda f is t u Z o s a -( 0) -( 0) 5( 3)
O sm o rh iza c h i l e n s i s -( 0) -( 0) 4 0)
F y ro Z a a s a r i f o Z i a -( 0) -( 0) • 4 0)
P y ro Z a secunda -( 0) 4 0) 4 0)
P y ro Z a v ir e n s -( 0) 4 0) 4 0)
S n iiZ a o in a lacem o sa -( 0} 3( 1) 4 0)
S m iZ a c in a o t e Z l a t a -{ 0) 4 0) 4 0)
S o Z id a g o m ic s o u r ie n s is -( 0) 3{ 2) 5( 1)
T h iilic t r ic n o c c id e n t a le -( 0) 1{ 0) 4 0)
Thcrtriopsis r h o n ib if o lia 10( 9) 9( 3) 4 0)
V i d a a m e ric a tia -( 0) 2( 1) 4 0)
V i o l a c a n a d e n s is -( 0) 4 0) 4 0)
* Code to constancy values
+=•0-5';: 1=5-15'., 2=15-25% 4=35-45% 5=45-55% 6=55-65
7=65-75% 8=75-05% 9=85-95% 10=95-100,s
Appendix Al ( c o n t . ) 103
Constancy* and average canopy coverage percent (the l a t t e r in

parentheses) o f Important plants in Bear's Paw Mountains h ab ita t
types and phases
PSEUDOTSUGA MENZIESII SERIES

h a b ita t type SYOC AMAL VICA LIBO COCA COCA
phase LIBO VAMY
number o f stands 4 17 8 4 9
TREES
Jun SCO - 0) - 0) - ( 0) 0) 0) 0)
P i n pan 10 21) 10 38) 5(30) 1 0) 0) 1)
P s e men 10 2) 10 5) 10(48) 10 29) 5 8) 30)
P in con - 0) - 0) 2(35) 10 43) 10 77) 62)
P io e a - 0) - 0) - ( 0) 0) 0) 0)
Abi la s — 0) - 0) -{ 0) 0) 0) 0)
Pop t r e - 0) - 0) K 8) 15) 8 11) 3)
SHRUBS
Ame d i n 10 3) 10 15) 5( 0) 6 1) 1) 4 1)
J un com 8 2) 2 1) 2( 5) 6 8 1)
J u n hoT
P ru v iic
Rub p a n
- 0)
10 5)
- 0)
2 1)
10
K
8(
K 1)
1)
4)
1
1
3
‘ii
8)
0)
5 1)
2
9
1)
0)
4)
She c a n - 0) 2 4( 1) 6 4) 10 12) 8 1)
Spi b et - 0) 10 1^1 8 ( 20) 10 10) 8 6) 10 12)
Sym o c c 10 6) 10 10) 10( 3) 9 1) 0) 1 1)
Vac c a e - 0) - 0) 1{ 1 ) 3 9) 8 7) 4 1)
10)
Vac g l o
Vac myn
- 0)
— 0)
- 0)
— 0)
- ( 0)
- ( 0)
1
5
1)
6)
3
I] 7
10 7)
SUBSHRUBS
A r c uva - 0) - 0) K 1) 1) 1) 3)
B er r e p - 0) - 0) - ( 0) 0) 0)
L in b o r — 0) 0) 2( 1) 10 24) 10 18)
GRAMINOIDS
Agr s e a 3 1) 6 1) 5( 1) 1) 0) 1)
Agr s p i 10 12) 4 1) K 1) 0) 0) 0)
Cdl ru b -
0) 2 1) 6 ( 12) 16) 10 21 ) 13)
F es i d a 3 3) 0) -( 0) 0) 0) 0)
8 2) 2 1) -( 0 ) 0) 0) 0)
F es s e a
3 1) 2 ( 1) 0) 0) 0)
Koe c r i -
0)
O ry a s p - 0) 2 1) 4( 3) 1) 2) 1)
0) 0) K 9) 0) 1) 0)
S ch p u r

1=5-15% 2==15- 3=25-35% 4=35-45% 5=45-55%
+=1-5%
6=55-65% 7=65-75% 8= 9=85=95% 10=95-100%
Constancy’*' and average canopy coverage percent (th e l a t t e r in

parentheses) o f important plants in Bear's Paw Mountains h a b ita t
types and phases

h a b i t a t type SYOC AMAL CA LIBO COCA COCA
phase LIBO VAMY
number of stands 4 5 7 8 4 9
FORBS
Ach fu ll 10( 1) 10 1) 2 1) 1 1 0) 0)
Act ru n 0) - 0) 3 8) 4 1 6( 3)
0)
Ago g la 5( 1) — 0) - 0) 0 0) 0}
A ll ccy 5( 1) - 0) - 0) 1 1 0) 0)
Ane m ill 8( 1) 6 1) 1 1) 3 1 0) 1( 1)
Ayit m io 10( 1) 6 1) 2 1) - 0 « 0) 0)
Ant ra c 0) - 0) 2 5} 6 3 3 7(
3) S)
Apo arid -( 0) - 0) - 0) 3 1 3 1) 0)
A rn cor 0) - 0) 6 5) 9 4 8 1) 9( 5)
Ast con 0) 6 5) 8 8) 8 1 5 1) 10( 2 )
ÂsÉ fa l 8( 1) 2 1) 0) 0 _
0) 0)
Ast la c 0) 2 1) 4 1) 5 1 8 1) 7( 1)
B at sag 10( 1) 6 1) 1 1) 0 0) _ /
0)
Chr v il 10( 1) - 0) - 0) - 0 0) - (
0)
Cor* can 0) 0) - 0) 1 1 10 21) 10( 9)
Cr-e a tr 0} - 0) - 0) - 0 -
0) 0)
D is tv a 3( 1) 10 0) 10 2) 9 1 3 1) 9( 1)
E ri cac 5( 1) - 0) - 0) - 0 - 0) - f
0)
F ra v ir 3( 1) 8 2) 5 1) 6 1 5 1) 4( 1)
C at bor 8( 1) 10 1) 8 1) 10 1 8 1) 10( 1)
G at tv l 0) -
0) 5 1) 3 2 5 1) 1( 1)
G er r ic 0) - 0) 1 1) — 0 -
0) 2( 1)
Geu tri 8( 1) 6 1 1) - 0 - 0) - (
1) 0)
Hed sul 0) - 0) 1 1) 5 1 3 1) 4{ 1)
Lat och 0) 6 1) 6 1) 6 2 10 5) 6( 2)
L it ru d 8( 1) 6 1) 1 1) - 0 - 0) - f
0)
Mon fis 3( 1) 8 1) 1 3) - 0 - 0) - { 0)
Osm chi 3( 1) - 0) 9 1) 8 1 8 1) 8( 1)
JV-3> c.sa 0) - 0) - 0) - 0 5 3) 3{ 2)
Pyr sec 0) - 0) - 0) 3 2 8 1) 6( 1)
F ijvv ir 0) -
0) 1 1) 8 1 8 1) 9( 1)
Smi vac 3( 1) 10 3) 8 3) 6 2 8 1) 9( 1)
Smi s te 0) 2 1) 4 1) e 1 - 0) 1( 1)
Sot m is 3( 3) 2 1) - 0) - 0 - 0) -( 0)
2tia occ 0) 4 1) 10 4) 5 5 - 0) 7( 4)
T)tc rh o 5( 9} 2 1) - 0) - 0 - 0) -( 0)
V ic CLUic 10( 1) 10 1) 8 1) 3 1 8 1) 1( 1)
V io can 0( 0) - 0) 7 31 5 3 5 1) 2{ 2)
1=5-15% 2= 15- 25% 3=25-35% 4 =35-45% 5:=45-5
6=55-65%. 7=65-75% 8= 75-85% 9=85- 95% 10=95 -100%
R eproduced with permission o f the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Appendix Al (c o n t .) 105
Constancy* and average canopy coverage percent (th e l a t t e r in

parentheses) o f important plants in Bear's Paw Mountains h a b ita t
types and s i t e types
PICEA SERIES ABIES LASIOCARPA SERIES

h a b it a t type
o r s i t e type JUCO LIBO JUCO LIBO
phase
number o f stands 1 2 1 1
TREES
J u n SCO 0) - 0) - 0) - 0)
P in pan 0) — 0) - 0) - 0)
P se m en 0) 10 43) - 0) 10 50)
P in con 0) 10 56) 10 1) 10 61)
P io e a 10 98) 10 19) 10 63) 10 9)
Abi la s 0) - 0) 10 63) 10 9)
Pop t r e 0) 5 3) 0) 0)
SHRUBS
Ame a t n 0) 10 1) 0) 5 1)
Jun com 10 15) 10 2) 10 1) 10 1)
Jun h o r 0) - 0) - 0) *“ 0)
P ru v i r 0) - 0) - 0) “ 0)
Rub p ar 0) 10 8) — 0) - 0)
She c a n 10 3) 10 2) - 0) 10 1)
Spi b et 0) 10 15) - 0) 10 9)
Sym o c c 0) 5 1) - 0) 0)
Vao c a e 0) 10 1) 10 1) 10 2)
Vao g t o 0) 0) — 0) - 0)
Vac m yr 0) - 0) 0) 0)
SUBSHRUBS
A r e u va 0) 0) 10 1) 0)
Ber r e p 0) — 0) - 0) - 0)
L in b o r 0) 10 9) 0) 10 15)
GRAMINOIDS
Agr sea 0) 0) 0) 0)
A g r apt 0) - 0) - 0) - 0)
0) 10 15) - 0) 10 9)
Cat rub
0) 0) 10 3) - 0)
Fes i d a
Fes s e a 0) 0) - 0) - 0)
Koe c r i 10 1) 0) - 0) - 0)
Ory a s p 0) 10 1) - 0) - 0)
S ah p u r 0) - 0) 0) 0)

4—1” 5 % 1=5-15 0/ 2=15-25% 3=25-35% 4=35-45% 5=45-55%
6=55-65% 7=65-75% 8=75-85% 9=85-95% 10=95-100%
R eproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.

parentheses) o f important plan ts in Bear's Paw Mountains h a b it a t types
and s i t e types
PICEA SERIES ABIES LASIOCARPA SERIES

h a b i t a t type
or s i t e type JUCO LIBO JUCO LIBO
phase
FORBS
Ach m il 10( 1) - ( 0) 10 1) -( 0)
A ct z'ub - ( 0) - 0) -( 0)
Ago g la - ( 0) - 0) -( 0)
A ll cev - ( 0) - 0) -{ 0)
Ane m ul 0) 0) 5( 1)
Ant m ic 10( 1) - ( 0) 10 1) -( 0)
Ant ra c 0) 5( 15) 10 1) 10( 8)
Apo an d 0) - ( 0) - 0) -( 0)
Am cor 0) 10( 1) - 0) 10( 1)
Ast con 0) 10( 1) - 0) 10( 8)
A st fa l 0) -f 0) *
— 0) -( 01
A st fa l 0) -( 0) - 0) - ( 0)
B al sag 0) -( 0) - 0) - ( 0)
Chr v it 0) -( 0) - 0) -( 0)
Cor can 0) 10{ 8) - 0) 5( 3)
O re a tr 0) - ( 0) - 0) -( 0)
D is tra 0) 5( 1) - 0) 10( 1)
E ri c ae 0) - ( 0) - 0) - ( 0)
F ra v ir 10( 1) 10( 1) 10 1) 10( 1)
G al hor 10( 0) 10( 1) — 0) 10{ 1)
G al tri 0) - ( 0) - 0) - ( 0)
G er r ic 0) - ( 0) - 0) - ( 0)
Geu tri 0) - ( 0} - 0) - { 0)
lie d sul 0) 5( 1) - 0) 10( 1)
Lat och 0) 10( 1) - 0) - ( 0)
L it I'u d 0) - ( 0) - 0) - ( 0)
Eon fis 0) - (0) - 0) - ( 0)
Osm chi 0) 10( 1) - 0) ■ 5( 1)
P ijr asa 0) 5( 1) - 0) - ( 0)
Pyr s ec 0) 5( 1) 10 1) 10( 2)
Pyy* v i l ' 0) 5( 1) 10 1) I 0 ( 1)
S n ri ix ic 0) 5( 1) - 0) 10( 1)
Smi s ta 0) 5( 1) - 0) -( 0)
Sot m is 10( 1) - ( 0) 10 1) -( 0)
Tha oca 0) 5( 1) - 0) -( 0)
The rh o 0) - ( 0) - 0) - ( 0)
V ic amc 0) 5( 1) - 0) - ( 0)
V io can 0) - ( 0) - 0) - ( 0)
1=5-15% 2=15- 25% 3=25-35% 4=35-45% 5=45-
6=06-65% / = f)5- 7o% 8= 75-85% 9=85-95% 10=95- 100%
Appendix A2 107
P lan t Species Present in Sample Plots in the Bear's Paw Mountains
TREES FERNS
Ah-ies ZasiocaTppa C y sto p te ris fra g iZ is

P i o e a e n g e Z m a n n ii
P in u s c o n to v ta
P in u s f Z e x i Z is PERENNIAL GRAMINOI PS
P i n u s pon de-posa
PopuZus t v e m u Z o i d e s A g r o p y r o n c a n in im
P seu d o tsu g a m e n z ie s ii A gropyron sp ic a tu m
A g r o s tis scabra
Bromun anomaZus
SHRUBS Bromus v u Z g a r i s
C a Z a m a g r o s tis c a n a d e n s i s
A o e p gZabvum C a Z a m a g r o s tis r v tb e s c e n s
A m eZ a n o h iev a Z n i f o Z i a Car e x s p p .
C o rn u s s t o Z o n i f e r a C in n a Z a t i f o Z i a
C ra ta eg u s d o u g Z a s ii D a n th o n ia i n t e r m e d i a
J u n i p e r u s com m unis D a n th o n ia u n i s p i c a t a
J u n ip e ru s h o r iz o n ta Z is EZymus g Z a u cu s
P o te n tiZ Z a f r u i t i c o s a F e stu c a id a h o e n s is
P rm u s v irg in ia n a F e stu c a scabreZ Z a
Rhus t r i Z o h a t a K o e Z e ria c r i s t a t a
R i b e s o ereu m O ry zo p sis a s p e r ifo Z ia
R ib e s Z a o u stre O r y z o p s i s h y m e n o id e s
Rubus i d a e u s Poa f e n d Z e r i a n a
Rubus p a r v i f t o r u s Poa n e r v o s a
S a Z ix sc o u Z e ria n a Poa p a Z u s t r i s
S h e p h e rd ia c a n a d e n s is Poa s a n d b e r g i i
S p ira e a b e tu Z ifo Z ia S ch iza ch n e p u rp u ra sce n s
S ym p h o rica rp o s o o c i d e n t a Z i s S tip a sp a rte a
V a c c in iu m c a e s p i t o s u m
V a c c in iu m g Z o b u Z a re
V a c c in iu m m y r t i Z Z u s FORBS
Viburnum ed u Z e
A c h iZ Z e a m iZ Z efo Z iu m
A c ta e a ru bra
SUBSHRUBS (in c lu d in g vines) A g o s e r i s gZauoa
AZZiiAm cermuum
A ro to sta p h y Z o s u v a -u r s i A ndrosace s e p te n tr io n a Z is
A rte m isia f r ig id a Anemone m u Z t i f i d a
C Z e m a tis coZ um bian a A n te n n a r ia a n a p h a Z o id es
L in n a e a b o r e a Z i s A n t e n n a r i a m ic ro p h y Z Z a
Rhus r a d i c a n s A n te n n a r ia n e g Z e c ta
A n te n n a ria racem osa
Apocynum a n d r o s a e m if o Z iu m
108
FORBS (continued)
Ayyahis hotboetZi^'L Lom atium c o u s

Apenav-ia c o n g e s t a Lom atium d i s s e c t u m
A nenop-ia l a t e n t f o Z i a Lom atium t r i t e m a t v a n
A p n t c a o o n d 'L f o lia M i c r o s e r i s n u ta n s
A p n io a l a t i f o l i a Monarda f i s t u l o s a
A p te m is ia c a m p e stn is O s m o rh iza c h i l e n s i s
As t e n c i l i o l a t u s O p u n tia p o l y c a n t h a
A s te p c o n s p ia u u s P e r id e r id ia g a ird n e ri
A ste p f a lc a tu s P olyg on u m h i s t o r t o i d e s
A ste p la e v is P o t e n t i l l a g la n d u lo sa
A s tp a g a lu s m isep P o te n tilla g r a c ilis
B a lsa m o p h iza s a g i t t a t a P o t e n t i l l a h ip p ia n a
B e s s e y a w yo m in g en sis P t e r o s p o r a a n d ro m ed ea
Cam panula p o t u n d i f o l i a P y ro la a s a r i f o l i a
C ep a stiu m a p v e n s e P y ro la secunda
C h im a p h ila u n b e l l a t a P y ro la unif lo r a
C h ry so p sis v i l l o s a P y ro la v ir e n s
Cormandpa u m b e l l a t a S a n ic u la m a rila n d ic a
C o p o llo p h iz a m a c u la ta Sedirni s t e n o p e t a l i m
C o p a llo p h iza s t r i a t a S e la g in e lla densa
C orn u s c a n a d e n s i s S e n e c io in te g e r r im u s
C re p is a tra b a rb a S en ecio pseu dau reu s
D is p o ru m t r a c h y c a r p u m S ile n e d o u g la sii
D o d e c a th e o n c o n j u g e n s S m ila c in a racem osa
E p ilo b iu m a n g u s tif o liu m S m ila c in a s t e l l a t a
E rig e ro n c a e s p itu s S o lid a g o m isso io 'ie n sis
E rig e ro n s p e c io s u s T h a lic tru m o c c id e n ta le
E rio go n u m f l a v i o n T h e r m o p s is r h o m b i f o l i a
E rigo n u m u n b e l l a t u m U rtic a d io ic a
F ra g a ria v ir g in ia n a V ic ia a m erica n a
F r i t i l l a r i a p u d ic a V io la c a n a d e n s is
G a illa rd ia a r is ta ta V io la n u t t a l l i
G a liu m h o r e a l e Z ig a d e n u s e l e g a n s
G a liu m t r i f l o r u m
G en tia n a a m a r e lla
G eran iu m r i c h a r d s o n i i ANNUAL FORBS
G eran iu m v i s c o s i s s i m u m
Geum t r i f l o r u m C o llin s ia p a r v iflo r a
Goody e r a o h l o n g i f o l i a C o llin s ia lin e a r is
H a b e n a r ia w i a l a s h e n s i s P h a c e lia l i n e a r i s
H e d y s a r im a u l p h u r e s c e n s
H e ra c le u m la n a tu m
H iera ciu m a lb e r tin u m
H ie r a a iu m u n b e l l a t w n
L a th y ru s o c h r o le u c u s
Linum p e r e n n e
L ith o s p e r m u m r u d e r a l e
Appendix B1 109

parentheses) o f important p lants in L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
h a b ita t types and phases.

h a b it a t type JUHO SYOC ARUV BERE
phase
TREES
J u n i p e i m s a c o p u to r u m -1 0) + 1) — 0) - 0)
P in u s p o n d e ro sa 10 54) 10 61) 10 61) 10 61)
P seu d o tsu g a m e n zie s ii. 3 3) 2 0) 1 0) 2 0)
P in u s c o n t o r t a - 0) + 0) 1 0) 2 0)
Be t u l a p a p y r i f e r a - 0) - 0) 0) - 0)
P o p u lu s tr e m u to id e s — 0) — 0) — 0) 6 38)
SHRUBS
A m e la n c h ie r a l n i f o l i a 7 1) 6 6) 9 2) 4 20)
J u n i p e r u s com munis 7 15) 5 7) 7 15) 6 1)
J u n ip e ru s h o r i z o n t a l i s 10 23) 1 7) 2 1) — 0)
P ru n u s v i r g i n i a n a 3 1) 8 6) 4 1) 10 7)
Rhus t r i l o h a t a 10 2) 3 7) - 0) - 0)
S h e p h e rd ia c a n a d e n s is 3 1) 5 5) 9 7) 2 15)
S p ira e a b e t u l i f o l i a — 0) 4 4) 6 1) 8 2)
S ym p h o rica rp o s o a c i d e n t a l i s 7 3) 10 19) 10 9) 10 5)
SUBSHRUBS
A rc to sta p h y lo s u v a -u rsi 0) 4 2) 10 31) 6 1)
B e r b e r is repend — 0) — 0) 1 15) 10 19)
L in n a ea b o r e a l i s - 0) - 0) — 0) 0)
GRAMINOIDS
A g ro p yro n sp ic a tu m 10 1) 8 6) 7 1) 0)
F estu ca id a h o e n s is — 0) 1) 1 2) - 0)
F e s tu c a s c a b r e 1 la - 0) 1 9) - 0) - 0)
K o e le ria c r is ta ta 3 1) 5 1) 4 1) - 0)
O ry zo p sis a s p e r if o lia - 0) - 0) - 0) 2 15)
S ch iza c h n e p u rp u ra sce n s - 0) - 0) - 0) - 0)

+=0-5% 1=5-15% 2=15-25% 3+25-35% 4=35-45% 5=45-55%
6=55-65% 7=65-75% 8=75-85% 9=85-95% 10=95-100%
Appendix B1 ( c o n t .) 110
Constancy* and average canopy coverage percent ( th e l a t t e r in

parentheses) o f important p lan ts in L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
h a b it a t types and phases
h a b i t a t type OUMO SYOC ARUV BERE

phase
FORBS
A o h i l t e a m -itte fo l-L u rt - ( 0) 8 1) 5 1) 6( 1)
A g o s e r is g la u c a - ( 0) + 1) 5 1) 0)
A l l i u m cermuum 7( 1) 3 1) 3 1) 0)
Anemone m u l t i f i d a —^ 0) 10 ' 2) 9 1) 2( 1)
A n t e n n a r ia m ia r o p h y I l a -( 0) 6 1) 1 1) 0)
A n t e n n a r ia raccm o sa -( 0) 0) 0) 0)
Apocynum a n d r o s a c m ifo liu m -( 0) 5 4) 9 8) 2( 1)
A r n ic a c o r d i f o l i a —( 0) + 1) 1 0) 0)
A s t e r c o n s p ic u u s -( 0) 1 2) 2 1) 6( 6)
A s te r fa lc a tu s -( 0) 6 1) 1 1) 0)
A s te r la e v is _( 0) 6 1) 1 1) 0)
B a ls a m o r k is a s a g i t t a t a -( 0) 8 3) 6 4) 2( 1)
C h ry s o p s is v i l l o s a -( 0) 6 1) 4 1) 0)
D isp o ru m tra c h y c a rp u m -( 0) 1 1) 1 1) 0)
E r ig e r o n c a e s p it o s u s -( 0) 5 1) 4 l1 0)
E r a g a r ia v ir g in ia n a -( 0) 3 1) 1 1) 4( 2)
G a liu m h o r e a le 3( 1) 9 1) 10 1) 10( 1)
G a liw n t i ^ i f l o r w n -( 0) - 0) 0) 0)
Geum t r i f l o r u m -( 0) 4 1) 1 1) 0)
H edysarum s u lp h u re s c e n s -( 0) 1 1) 4 1) 2( 1)
L a th y r u s o c h r o le u c u s — f 0) - 0) 0) 4( 1)
Lithospcrm ujrt r u d e r a l e 3( 1) 1 1) - 0) 0)
M onarda f i s t u l o s a - ( 0) 3 1) 3 1) 10( 1)
Osmorhip.a c h i l e n s i s -( 0) - 0) - 0) 4( 1)
P y r o la a s a r i f o l i a - ( 0) - 0) - 0) 0)
P y r o la secunda - ( 0) - 0) - 0) 0)
P y r o la v ir e n s - ( 0) - 0) - 0) 0)
S m ila c in a raccm o sa -( 0) 1 1) - 0) 2( 1)
S m ila c i> ia s t e l l a t a - ( 0) 3 1) 6 2) 4( 1)
S o lid a g a m is s o u r ie n s is 10( 1) 7 1) 10 1) 2( 1)
T h a lic t r u m o c c i d e n t a l e — f 0) tm 0) 0) 1)
6(
T h erm o p sis rhomb i f o l i a 3( 1) 8 1) 9 2) 2( 1)
V i c i a a m c ric a n n - ( 0) 6 1) 4 1) 2( 1)
V i o l a c a n a d e n s is - ( 0) - 0) - 4(
0) 1)
+=0-5% 1=5-15% 2=15- 25% 3=25 -35% 4 =35-45% 5=45- 55%
6=55-65% 7=65-75% 8= 75-85% 9 =85-95% 10=95- •100%
Appendix B1 (c o n t .) Ill

parentheses) o f important plants in L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
h a b ita t types and phases
PINUS CONTORTA SERIES
h a b ita t type JUCO LIBO

phase
number o f stands 9 3
TREES
Jun. SCO K 1) - ( 0)
P in pan 2(19) 3(38)
P s e men 4( 0) 7( 1)
P in con 10(62) 10(74)
B et pap - ( 0) - ( 0)
Pop t v e K 1) 7( 2)
SHRUBS
Ame a l n 2( 1) 3( 1)
J u n com 9(12) 10(13)
Ju n Ho t 2( 1) - ( 0)
Pru v i r 4( 1) - ( 0)
Rhu t r i - ( 0) - ( 0)
She can 6( 1) 10(15)
Spi b et 10( 7) 10( 7)
Sym o c c 9( 1) 10( 1)
SUBSHRUBS
A rc uva 4 (2 0 ) 10(18)
Ber r e p 6( 3) - { 0)
L in b o r - ( 0) 10(18)
GRAMINOIDS
Agr s p i K 1) 3( 1)
Fes i d a -( 0) 3( 1)
F es s e a -( 0) - ( 0)
Koe c r i -( 0) -( 0)
O ry a s p -( 0) - ( 0)
Sch p u r -( 0) - ( 0)

+=0-5% 1=5-15% 2=15-25% 3=25-35% 4=35-45% 5=45-55%
6=55-65% 7=65-75% 8=75-85% 9=85-95% 10=95-100%
Appendix B1 ( c o n t . ) 112

parentheses) o f important plan ts in L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
PINUS CONTORTA SERIES
h a b i t a t type JUCO LIBO

phase
number o f stands 9 3
FORBS
Ach m il 1( 1) 3( 1)
Ago g la - ( 0) -{ 0)
A ll cer - ( 0) - ( 0}
Ane mul 1( 1) 3( 1)
A nt rnia 2( 1) 3( 1)
A nt ra c 1( 1) - ( 0)
Apo and 8( 1) 10( 1)
Am cor - ( 0) - ( 0)
Ast con G( 3) 7( 2)
Ast fa l -( 0) —( 0)
A st la e 2( 1) 7( 1)
Bal sag -( 0) -( 0)
Chr v il -( 0) -( 0)
D is tra 1( 1) 3( 1)
E i-i cae -{ 0) 3( 1)
F ra v ir 1( 1) 3( 1)
G al hor 2( 1) 7( 1)
G al tri -( 0) -( 0)
Geu tri -( 0) -( 0)
Hed sul 1( 1) 7( 1)
L a t och - ( 0) 3( 1)
L i t ru d -( 0) -( 0)
Mon f i s 2( 1) - ( 0)
Osm c h i - ( 0) 3( 1)
P y r asa -( 0) 3( 1)
P y r sea - ( 0) 3( 1)
P yr v i r 1( 1) 3( 1)
Smi r a c 1( 1) 3( .1)
Smi s te 1( 1) -( 0)
S o l mis 6( 1) 7( 1)
Tha occ -( 0) -( 0)
The rho 1( 1) 7( 3)
V ic amc - ( 0) -( 0)
V io can -( 0) -( 0)
+= 0- 5 : 1=5-15% 2=15-25% 3=25-35% 4=35-45% 5=45-55%
6=55-65% 7=65-75% 0=75-85% 9=85-95% 10=95-100%
Appendix B1 (c o n t .) 113

parentheses) o f important plants in L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
h a b ita t types and phases
h a b ita t type SYOC ARUV BERE BERE LIBO

phase ARUV BERE
TREES
J u n SCO - 0) - 0) 0) 0) -( O)
F in p a n 10 74) 10 66) 10 68) 9 77) 8(5 3 )
P s e men 10 6) 10 7) 10 3) 10 9) 10(31)
P%n c o n - 0) 3 9) 5 10) 3 15) 10(25)
B et pap - 0) - 0) 0) 0) 2(15)
P op tr'e — 0) 0) 0) 56) 5(15)
SHRUBS
Ame a t n 7 2) 7 4) 4) 9 1) 8( 1)
J u n com 10 10) 10 13) 23) 9 18) 10( 2 0 )
Jun h o r 3 1) - 0) 0) 3 1) 3( 1)
Pru v i r 10 5) 5 1) 12) 9 10) 3( 2)
Rhu t r i 3 1) - 0) 0) 1 1) -( 0)
S he ca n 10 2) 10 12) 10 9) 7 1) 10(24)
Spi bet 10 6) 8 4) 10 9) 10 6 ) 10(15)
Sym o c c 10 15) 10 7) 10 9) 10 10) 10( 7)
SUBSHRUBS
A rc uva 10 1) 10 43) 10 27) 4 1) 10(14)
Ber r e p 3 1) 3 1) 10 9) 10 15) 8( 7)
L in h o r — 0) — 0) 0) 0) 10(13)
GRAMINOIDS
Agr s p i 3 1) 2 1) 0) 1) -( 0)
Fes i d a - 0) 2 1) 0) 1) -( 0)
F es s e a - 0) - 0) 0) 0) -{ 0)
Koe c r i - 2 1) 1) 0) -( 0)
0)
Ory a s p - 0) “ 0) 0) 1) 5( 1)
S ch p u r - 0) — 0) 0) 1) 2( 1)

+=0-5% 1=5-15% 2=15-25% 3=25-35% 4=35-45% 5=45-55%
6=55-65% 7=65-75% 8=75-85% 9=85-95% 10=95-100%
Appendix B1 ( c o n t . ) 114

parentheses) o f important plan ts in L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
h a b i t a t type SYOC ARUV BERE BERE LIBO

phase ARUV BERE
number of stands 3 6 6 7 6
FORBS
Ach m it 10 1) 5 1) 7{ 1) 3( 1) 2( 1
Ago g la - 0) - 0} -( 0) 0) -( 0
A ll cev - 0) - 0) -( 0) 0) -( 0
Anc TtrAl ID 1) 8 1) 8( 1) 4( 1) 3( 1
Ant mic 3 1) 2 1) 2( 1) 0) 2( 1
Ant vao - 0) - 0) -( 0) 0) -( 0
Apo and 10 2) 7 5) 8( 2) 4( 5) 8( 2
Am car - 0) 2 1) 2( 1) 1( 1) 5( 1
Ast con 10 1) 10 2) 3( 1) 9( 1) 8( 2
A st fa l - 0) * 0) -( 0) 0) -( 0
A st la e 10 1) 8 1) 8( 1) 9( 1) 8( 1
Bal sag 10 1) 3 1) 7( 1) 7( 4) -( 0
Ckv v it - 0) 3 1) -( 0) 0) -( 0
D is tra 3 3) 3 1) 5( 1) 7( 1) 10( 1
E ri cae 3 1) 2 1) 2( 1) 1( 1) -( 0
E ra v ir 7 1) 2 1) 3( 1) 6( 1) 8( 1
G al bor 10 1) 10 1) 10( 1) io( 1) 10( 1
G al tri - 0) - 0) “ ( 0) 0) -( 0
Geu tri - 0) - 0) - ( 0) 0) -( 0
Hed sul 7 2) 5 1) 5( 1) 4( 1) 10( 1
Lat och -, c) 0) 2( 1) 1( 1) 3( 1
L it ru d 3 1) - O' - ( 0) 0) -( 0
Mon fis ID 1) 5 1) 8( 1) 6{ 1) 3( 2
Osm chi - 0) - 0) —( 0) 4( 2) 7( 1
Pyr asa - 0) - 0) -( 0) 0) 5( 1
P yr sec * 0) - n) 2{ 1) 1( 3) 2( 1
Pyr v ir - 0) - 0) 3( 1) 0) 3( 1
Smi ra c - 0) 3 1) 2( 1) 6( D - 5( 1
Smi s te 7 1) 3 1) 8( 1} 4( 1) 4( 1
Sol mis 10 1) 7 1) 7( 1) 4( 1) 3( 1
Tha oca « 0) 0) . ( 0) 6( 2) -( 0
The rh o 7 1) 5 1) 8( 1) 1( 1) 5( 1
V io ane 3 1) 2 1) 2( Î) 3( 1) 2{ 1
V io can - 0) - 0) - ( 0) 1( 3) 2( 1

+=0-5% 1=5-15% 2=15-25% 3= 25-35% 4=35-45% 5= 45-55%
6=55-65% 7=65-75% 8=75-85% 9=85- 95% 10=95-100%
Appendix B2 115
P lan t Species Present in Sample Plots in the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains
TREES PERENNIAL GRAMINOIDS
Be t u l a p a p y r i f e r a A g r o p y r o n can in u m
J u n i p e r u s s a o p u to r u m A gropyron s p ic a tu m
P in u s c o n t o r t a A g r o s tis scabra
P in u s p o n d e r o sa A n d ro p o g o n s c o p a r i u s
P o p u lu s tr e m u lo id e s Bromus v u l g a r i s
P se u d o tsu g a m e n z i e s i i C a la m a g ro stis ru h escen s
C arex sp p .
D a n th o n ia i n t e r m e d i a
SHRUBS D a n th o n ia u n i s p i c a t a
Elym us g l a u c u s
A m ela n ch ier a l n i f o l i a F estu ca id a h o e n s is
C e a n o th u s v e l u t i n u s F e stu c a s c a b r e l l a
Com us s to lo n if e r a K o e le ria c r i s t a t a
C ra ta eg u s d o u g l a s i i O ry zo p sis a s p e r i f o l i a
J u n i p e r u s communis O r y z o p s i s h y m e n o id e s
J u n ip eru s h o r i z o n t a l i s Poa f e n d l e r i a n a
P o te n tilla F ru itic o sa Poa n e r v o s a
P ru n u s v i r g i n i a n a Poa p a l u s t r i s
Rhus t r i l o h a t a S c h iza c h n e p u rp u r a sc e n s
R ib e s cereum S t i p a coma t a
Rubus i d a e u s S tip a sp a rte a
S a lix s c o u le r ia n a S tip a v ir id u la
S h ep h erd ia c a n a d e n s is
S p ira e a b e t u l i f o l i a
S y m p h o ric a rp o s o c c i d e n t a l i s FORBS
SUBSHRUBS (in c lu d in g vin es) A c h ille a m ille fo lix m

A g o s e r is g la u ca
A rc to sta p h y lo s u v a -u rsi A lliu m cem uum
A rte m isia f r i g i d a Anemone m u l t i f i d a
B e r b e r is repen s Anemone n u t t a l l i a n a
C le m a tis co lu m b ia n a A n te n n a ria n r tc r o p h y lla
L in n a ea b o r e a l i s A n ten n a ria n e g le c ta
G u tie rr e z ia sa ro th ra e A n te n n a ria racem osa
Rhus r a d i c a n s Apocynum a n d r o s a e m i f o l i u m
A re n a ria c o n g e st
A rn ic a l a t e r i f o l i a
FERNS A rn ica c o r d i f o l i a
A r t e m i s i a cam pes t r i s
C y sto p te ris f r a g i l i s A s t e r c o n sp ic u u s
A ste r fa lc a tu s
A ste r la e v is
116
FORBS (continued)
B a ls a m o r h 'iz a s a g i t t a t a V i d a a m e r ic a n a
B essey rubra V io la c a n a d e n s is
Cam panula r t u n d i f o l i a V io la n u t t a l l i i
C a s tille ja o u sia k ii
C & r a stix m a r v e n s e
C h ry so p sis v i l l o s a ANNUAL FORBS
C le m a tis te n u ilo h a
Comandra u n b e l l a t a C o ll o m i a l i n e a r i s
C o ra llo rh iza s t r i a t a P h a c e lia l i n e a r i s
C r e p i s a o u m in a ta
D is p o v x m t r a c h y o a r p u m
E p ilo b iu m a n g u s tif o liu m
E rig e ro n c a e s p ito s u s
E rig e ro n s p e c io s u s
F ra g a ria v ir g in ia n a
F r i t i l l a r i a p u d ica
G a illa rd ia a r is ta ta
G a liu m h o r e a l e
G en tia n a a m a r e lla
G era n iu m r i c h a r d s o n i i
Gevm t r i f l o r u m
H a b e n a r ia u n a l a s k e n s i s
H edysaru m s u l p h u r e s c e n s
H ie ra c iim u n b ella tu m
H ymenoxys a c a u l i s
L a th y ru s o c h r o le u c u s
L i a t r i s p u n c ta ta
Linum p e r e n n e
M onarda f i s t u l o s a
O s m o r h iz a c h i l e n s i s
P e rid e r id ia g a ird n e ri
P o t e n t i l l a g la n d u lo sa
P o t e n t i l l a h ip p ia n a
P t e r o s p o r a a n d ro m e d e a
P y ro la a s a r i f o l i a
P y r o l a m in o r
P y ro la v ir e n s
S a n ic u la m a rila n d ic a
Sedum s t e n o p e t a l u m
S e n e c io canus
S en e c io in te g e r r im u s
S ile n e d o u g la sii
S m ila c in a racem osa
S m ila c in a s t e l l a t a
S o lid a g o m is s o u r ie n s is
T h a lic tru m o c c i d e n t a l e
T h erm o p sis r h o m b if o li a

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University of Montana

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Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Graduate School

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COPYRIGHT ACT OF 1976

s is t s . An y further r e p r in t in g of it s contents must be approved

AND LITTLE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, MONTANA

B .S .F ., U n iv e rs ity o f Montana. 1977

Presented in p a r t ia l f u l f i l l m e n t o f the requirements fo r the degree o f

Master o f Science in Forestry

(Chairman, Board o f Examiners

Dean, Graduate School

All rights reserved

INFORMATION TO ALL USERS

Roberts, David W., M .S .F ., 1980 Forest Ecology

Forest H a b ita t Types o f the Bear's Paw Mountains and L i t t l e

D ire c to r: Lee E. Eddlema n

This study estab lis h e s f o r e s t h a b ita t type land c la s s if ic a t io n s

The funding f o r th is research was provided under contract from

the Bureau o f Land Management, S tate O f f ic e , B i l l i n g s , Montana, and

the Bureau o f Indian A f f a i r s , B i l li n g s Area O f f ic e , B i l l i n g s , Montana.

The research was conducted under a cooperatuve agreement w ith the

Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment S ta tio n , Forestry Sciences

Laboratory, Missoula, Montana.

Geological Survey quadrat maps, and in most references in the l i t e r a ­

t u r e , but are re fe r re d to in th is th esis as the Bear's Paw Mountains

out o f respect o f the residents o f t h is mountain range.

I would l i k e to acknowledge the assistance and comraderie

o f Mr. John I . Sibbernsen, who aided me g re a tly in f i e l d sampling,

w hile conducting a concurrent study on the management im plications

o f the h a b ita t types.

I would most e s p e c ia lly l i k e to thank Dr. S.F. Arno fo r in v a lu a ­

ble f i e l d t r a in i n g , the e d itin g o f numerous c l a s s if i c a t io n d r a f t s ,

and the continuous encouragement he provided me during th is

I would l i k e to thank Dr. L.E. Eddleman and my committee fo r

t h e i r patience and guidance during th is research.

Acknowledgements .................................................................................. iii

I In tro d u c tio n ............................................................................................ 1

II The Study A r e a ...................................................................... 3

Bear's Paw Mountains ................................................................. 3

L i t t l e Rocky Mountains ............................................................ 7

III Review o f the L i t e r a t u r e ........................................................................10

Taxonomic Considerations ........................................................ 24

Forest H a b ita t Types o f the Bear's Paw Mountains . . 29

D is t r ib u t io n o f H a b ita t Types ..................................... 55

Forest H a b ita t Types o f the L i t t l e Rocky Mountains . 57

TABLE OF CONTENTS (C o n t.)

Procedures and C r i t e r i a f o r the A p p lica tio n o f

Regional Vegetation Ecology ................................................ 97

A1 Constancy and Average Coverage Percent o f

A2 Plant Species Present in Sample Plots in the

B1 Constancy and Average Coverage Percent o f

B2 Plant Species Present in Sample Plots in the

1. Location o f Study Areas in Montana ............................................ 5

2. Location and Topography o f Bear's Paw Mountains .................. 6

3. Location and Topography o f L i t t l e Rocky Mountains . . . . 9

4. In s tru c tio n s f o r Use o f the H a b ita t Type K e y s .............................. 28

5. Key to Climax Series and H a b ita t Types o f the Bear's Paw

6. Schematic D is t r ib u t io n o f H a b ita t Types and Undergrowth

7. Key to Climax Series and H a b ita t Types o f the L i t t l e

8. Schematic D is t r ib u t io n o f H a b ita t Types and Tree and

9. Schematic D is t r ib u t io n o f H a b ita t Types and Tree and

10. Schematic D is t r ib u t io n o f H a b ita t Types and Tree and

Geological Survey quadrat maps, and in most references in the l i t e r a

I would most e s p e c ia lly l i k e to thank Dr. S.F. Arno fo r in v a lu a

a p p lic a tio n to a broader area. Consequently, a h a b ita t type c l a s s i f i

Forest and Range Experiment S ta tio n ( P f i s t e r e ^ ^ . 1977). This c la s s

Great Plains grassland, and on the fo u rth by an eroded, dissected grass

sedimentary lay ers (Pecora e t 1959, Stewart ^ a l- 1957). E xtru