C19
Larch-pine forests (Swiss Pine, European Larch) in the Alps, partly with Norway Spruce, Mountain Pine or Bog Pine, with Grey Alder, partly alternating with Rusty-leaved Alpenrose or Alpine Juniper (inclusive C9)
Description
Four-layered, open to dense closed dwarf shrub-rich Arolla pine forests with changing proportions of European Larch and other conifers in the tree layer. In the subalpine area above the tree line, alternating with alpine rose scrub in snow-rich locations and Juniper stands at snow-poor slopes. Immediately at the boundary to the alpine belt, often interdigitated with grassland communities, the Empetrum-Vaccinium community occurs. In the area of ridges as well as on water-porous slopes, European Green Alder dominates, usually together with tall herbs.
Tree Layer
Pinus cembra (red), Larix decidua (yellow), in lower altitudes scattered Picea abies (pink)
I am also adding some Scots Pine (light blue) for variety + it occurs in the Alps
Shrub Layer
Pinus mugo, Rhododendron ferrugineum, Lonicera caerulea, Juniperus communis subsp. alpina, locally Alnus alnobetula, Rhododendron hirsutum
Lianas
(rarely Clematis alpina)
Herb Layer
Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium uliginosum, Empetrum hermaphroditum, Calamagrostis villosa, Adenostyles alliariae, Ranunculus platanifolius, Oxalis acetosella, Trientalis europaea, Homogyne alpina, Deschampsia flexuosa, Linnaea borealis, Listera cordata; additionally Italy: Luzula sylvatica subsp. sieberi, Lycopodium annotinum
Moss layer (incl. lichens)
Ptilium crista-castrensis, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium, Cetraria islandica, Cladonia spp.; additionally Italy: Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Barbilophozia lycopodioides
Eastern foothills of the Misty Mountains and eastern foothills of the White Mountains, incl. the Druedain Forest
