Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R043BP823MT
Shallow Alpine Group
Last updated: 3/01/2024
Accessed: 11/13/2024
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 043B–Central Rocky Mountains
The Central Rocky Mountains (MLRA 43B) of Montana occupy some 28,850 square miles and exist primarily in Central and SW portions of the state. The climate is extremely variable with precipitation lows of 9 to 100 inches per year and frost free days of less than 30 to over 110 days. The geology of the region is also highly variable. The combination of variable climate and geology create a complex relationship of plant communities. MLRA 43B elevations typically exist between 6000 and 12,799 at Granite Peak (the highest point in Montana).
The Continental Divide runs through this MLRA effectively splitting its watershed to contribute to either the Missouri River to the East and the Columbia River to the West.
Ecological site concept
• Site does not receive any additional water
• Soils are
o Generally not saline or saline-sodic (limited extent)
o Soil shallow (less than 50cm deep to bedrock, lithic, or paralithic root restrictive layer)
o Not Strongly or violently effervescent within surface mineral 4”
o Soil is not ashy or medial textural family
o Stones and/or boulders cover >15% surface area or fragmental textural class
• Moisture Regime: Udic
• Temperature Regime: Cryic
• Dominant Cover: Non-forested land (typically associated with Krummholz vegetation)
• Elevation Range: 5000-10000 ft
• Slope Range: 0-70%
Associated sites
R043BP821MT |
Upland Alpine Group The Upland Alpine is a neighboring site that shares similar plant communities and state and transition models however, the Upland Alpine Site will produce higher amounts annual production. |
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F043BP902MT |
Shallow Cold Woodland Group The Shallow Cold Woodland is a neighboring forested site that shares landscape position. |
Similar sites
R043BP821MT |
Upland Alpine Group The Upland Alpine is a neighboring site that shares similar plant communities and state and transition models however, the Upland Alpine Site will produce higher amounts annual production. The Shallow Alpine has a root restrictive layer within 20 inches of the soil surface. |
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Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
(1) Pinus albicaulis |
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Shrub |
(1) Juniperus horizontalis |
Herbaceous |
(1) Poa alpina |
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