Vegetation and Soils of an Alpine Range in the Absaroka Mountains, Wyoming

摘要

Alpine vegetation on Carter Mountain in the Absaroka Range of Northwestern Wyoming was classified into eight community types. Community type differences are due mainly to shifts in the standing crop and constancy of a few species. Floristic differences among community-types are not marked, and very few species are confined to a single community type. Soils associated with each community type were classified to soil subgroup level. No consistent relationships were found between the vegetation and soil classification. Exposure to prevailing wind, elevation, soil particle size distribution, available water content, and snow accumulation were statistically significant environmental factors determining community type distribution.