Précis of the subalpine community of Golden Trout Wilderness. The data are the result of direct gradient analysis of 813 randomly chosen sites in the subalpine plant community of Golden Trout Wilderness (Rourke 1988b). Only four tree species, all gymnosperms, are abundant in the wilderness. There is little understory.
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Foxtail and Sierra Lodgepole pines dominate the plant community (Rourke 1988b). Sierra Lodgepole Pine is found in 83% of 813 randomly chosen sample quadrats and forms nearly pure stands on mesic sites at altitudes between 1970 and 3390 m a.s.l. Foxtail Pine is found in 58% of my samples and forms nearly pure stands on xeric sites at altitudes between 2580 and 3410 m a.s.l. There is practically no understory in these forests.
Last updated March 14, 2001