Plant succession on talus slopes in northern Idaho as influenced by slope exposure

Abstract

One of the most conspicuous features of the forested regions of northern Idaho is the small treeless areas which occupy portions of the southerly exposures of especially prominent peaks and ridges. These areas, sometimes referred to as parks or balds, begin at the summits of the prominences and extend down over the south-facing slopes sometimes as much as approximately 200 m. Each park is essentially an island of prairie-like vegetation surrounded by belts of shrubs and scattered trees, and then by dense forest. Few if any of the mountains of northern Idaho are high enough to have a climatically determined upper timberline, so these parks are not to be confused with alpine vegetation.

Citation

Daubenmire, R.; Slipp, A. W. 1943. Plant succession on talus slopes in northern Idaho as influenced by slope exposure. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 70(5): 473-480