VASCULAR PLANTS OF MOUNTAIN TALUS SLOPES,MT. RAE AREA,ALBERTA, CANADA |
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| Authors: | Linda J Kershaw James S Gardner |
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| Institution: | 1. Arctic and Alpine Environmental Consulting Services , 5163 Range Road Sherwood Park, Alberta T8G 1E5;2. Department of Geography , University of Waterloo , Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3Q1 |
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| Abstract: | The vascular flora of talus slopes in the Mt. Rae area, Canadian Rocky Mountain Front Ranges, is discussed in the context of edaphic and geomorphic conditions. Thirteen talus slopes were sampled systematically for the presence of vegetation, and vascular plants were identified to the species level. Such talus slopes are generally considered relatively sterile and too unstable for the development of distinctive flora. The presence of vegetation is usually taken as an indicator of slope stability. A total of 77 species with boreal and arctic affinities was identified. Most plants display growth forms suitable to the unstable and xeric talus substrate with Schroeter's Schuttstrecker and Schuttdecker forms being most common. Although areal coverage by plants is sparse, a large number of species with morphological characteristics suitable for the talus environment suggests that the presence of plants should not be regarded as an absolute indicator of slope stability. Rather, these plants may represent a long-term equilibrium assemblage characteristic of active talus slopes in a mountain environment. |
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| Keywords: | snowstorms snowfall climatology United States |
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