Vegetation on soils derived from dolomite and quartzite in the Bear River Range, Utah: a comparative study

Vegetation growing on soils derived from dolomite and quartzite parent material on open slopes in the Bear River Range of northern Utah and southern Idaho were compared using data from 8 pairs of plots having similar slope, elevation, and aspect. Detrended correspondence analysis and cluster analysis revealed that composition and cover of species were more similar within than across soil type, both in terms of species present and canopy cover Plant cover was significantly greater on dolomite soils, but species richness fluctuated from year to year Relative cover of forbs and hemicryptophytes was higher on dolomite, but the relative cover of shrubs, graminoids, chamaephytes, cryptophytes, and therophytes was greater on quartzite Lomatium nuttallii, Monardella odoratissima, Phacelia hastata, and Eriogonum umbellatum were characteristic species on dolomite soils Eriogonum heracleoides, Juncus parryi, Carex geyeri, and Hieracium scouleri were characteristic species on quartzite soils Leucopoa kingii, Artemisia tridentata, and Stipa lettermanii were common on both calcareous and noncalcarous substrates. Differences in soil-properties were significant, particularly in nutrient levels, texture, and soil moisture