Final Report 2010 GLACIER NATIONAL PARK: EASTSIDE GRASSLANDS ECOLOGY PROJECT By: Jennifer Asebrook and Dave Shea Biological Science Technicians Glacier National Park | P a g e Table of Contents I. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 II. Study Area ........................................................................................................................... 2 III. Historic Use ........................................................................................................................ 3 A. Concessioner Use ..................................................................................................................................... 3 B. Glacier National Park Use ....................................................................................................................... 3 C. Stock Trespass ........................................................................................................................................... 4 IV. Study Methods .................................................................................................................... 4 V. Results ................................................................................................................................. 5 A. Vegetation .................................................................................................................................................. 5 1. Festuca campestris-Festuca idahoensis/Geranium viscosissimum association .......................... 5 a. Environmental Description........................................................................................................................... 5 b. Vegetation Description .................................................................................................................................. 5 c. Element Distribution ..................................................................................................................................... 6 d. Overall Condition ........................................................................................................................................... 7 2. Festuca campestris-Festuca idahoensis association ........................................................................ 8 a. Environmental Description ............................................................................................................................ 8 b. Vegetation Description ................................................................................................................................... 9 c. Element Distribution..................................................................................................................................... 10 d. Overall Condition .......................................................................................................................................... 10 3. Festuca idahoensis-(Festuca campestris)/Potentilla diversifolia association ............................ 11 a. Environmental Description .......................................................................................................................... 11 b. Vegetation Description ................................................................................................................................. 11 c. Element Distribution..................................................................................................................................... 12 d. Overall Condition .......................................................................................................................................... 12 4. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi/Festuca campestris-Festuca idahoensis association .......................... 13 a. Environmental Description .......................................................................................................................... 13 b. Vegetation Description ................................................................................................................................. 13 c. Element Distribution..................................................................................................................................... 14 d. Overall Condition .......................................................................................................................................... 14 5. Dasiphora floribunda/Festuca campestris association................................................................. 15 a. Environmental Description .......................................................................................................................... 15 b. Vegetation Description ................................................................................................................................. 15 c. Element Distribution..................................................................................................................................... 16 d. Overall Condition .......................................................................................................................................... 16 6. Dryas octopetala/Polygonum viviparum association ................................................................... 17 a. Environmental Description .......................................................................................................................... 17 b. Vegetation Description ................................................................................................................................. 17 c. Element Distribution..................................................................................................................................... 18 d. Overall Condition .......................................................................................................................................... 18 7. Phleum pretense-Poa pratensis-Bromus inermis association ...................................................... 18 a. Environmental Description .......................................................................................................................... 18 b. Vegetation Description ................................................................................................................................. 18 c. Element Distribution..................................................................................................................................... 19 d. Overall Condition .......................................................................................................................................... 19 8. Elymus repens/Taraxacum officinale association ........................................................................ 21 a. Environmental Description .......................................................................................................................... 21 b. Vegetation Description ................................................................................................................................. 21 c. Element Distribution..................................................................................................................................... 21 d. Overall Condition .......................................................................................................................................... 21 i | P a g e 9. Vaccinium caespitosum association ................................................................................................ 22 a. Environmental Description .......................................................................................................................... 22 b. Vegetation Description ................................................................................................................................. 22 c. Element Distribution..................................................................................................................................... 22 d. Overall Condition .......................................................................................................................................... 22 10. Calamagrostis rubescens association ............................................................................................... 22 a. Environmental Description .......................................................................................................................... 22 b. Vegetation Description ................................................................................................................................. 22 c. Element Distribution..................................................................................................................................... 23 d. Overall Condition .......................................................................................................................................... 23 11. Carex geyeri association .................................................................................................................... 23 a. Environmental Description .......................................................................................................................... 23 b. Vegetation Description ................................................................................................................................. 23 c. Element Distribution....................................................................................................................................