The ecology and taxonomy of the snowbank fleshy fungi in the vicinity of Mirror Lake, Uinta Mountains, Utah were investigated during 1963, 1964, and 1965. A total of 59 speciaes, representing the Agaricales, Polyporales, Thelephorales, Gastromycestes, Myxomycetes, Dacrymycetales, and Ascomycetes, were found associated with the snowbanks. Four of these species (Geupiniopsis alpinus, Polyporus alboluteus, Polyporus leucospongia and Sterile myclium I) have presence percentages of 100% and three (Stereum Rugisporum, Dasyscypha arida and Herpotichia nigra) had presence percentages of 90%. The lignicolous fungi were found to be more frequent around the snowbanks than either the terrestrial or coprophilous fungi. No fleshy fungi were found fruiting in association with the snowbanks in wet meadows. All terrestrial fungi found in association with the snowbanks were found either around snowbanks in the forest or in the transitional zone between the forest and the wet meadows. Twenty-two species began their development under the snow. Sporocarps kept buried in the snow did not develop a mature hymenium while in the snow, whereas similar sporocarps where the snow was allowed to melt developed mature hymenia in the same period of time.

The object of this study was to determine whether or not Lodgepole pine is successfully invading meadows near ponds in the western Uinta Mountains as a preliminary step to the invasion of the Spruce-Fir climax forest. Line transects were established at three sites near Trial Lake extending from forest to wet meadow. Along these transects the soil was studied to determine percent organic matter, pH, depth to mineral soil, and texture. Also the depth of the water table was measured and the topography plotted. The age and size of the trees along the transect was determined, and the extent of some root systems was noted. Conifers found growing in the dry meadow were stunted and no conifers were found growing on peat deposits over 17 inches. The water table was found within about 8 inches of the surface and the soil conditions suggested poor aeration. The combination of peat and high water level accounted for the stunting of the trees. The trees were apparently unable to convert the dry meadow to forest and thus, the climax for hydrarch succession in this area is a meadow vegetation of grasses and sedges instead of the conifer forest.

It was to provide some detailed information about the alpine flora , particularly as it relates to successional aspects , that the present study was undertaken . The environmental conditions of weather and soil , as they effect floral composition , are important factors in the plant succession or alpine communities . The investigation was designed to uncover such information about the alpine flora and environment necessary to establish the pattern of succession .