Name:
Pinus aristata Woodland Alliance
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This woodland alliance occurs on semi-xeric sites in the subalpine zone throughout the southern Rocky Mountains and eastern Colorado Plateau. Sites are typically xeric on exposed, wind-swept rocky slopes and ridges. Stands occur on all aspects, but are most common on the drier south- and west-facing slopes. Slopes are variable. Soils are typically well-drained, shallow, skeletal and coarse-textured. Woodlands included in this alliance are characterized by an open to moderately closed tree canopy typically 5-15 m tall that is dominated by the conifer Pinus aristata. In some stands trees are clumped with grassy patches interspersed. Other tree species that may be present to codominant include Picea engelmannii, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and less commonly Picea pungens, Pinus flexilis, Abies lasiocarpa, and Populus tremuloides. The understory vegetation ranges from moderately dense to typically sparse because sites are dry and often have large amounts of rock cover. The shrub layer is generally sparse or absent, and can include Juniperus communis, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (= Pentaphylloides floribunda), Ribes spp., Rosa woodsii, Saxifraga bronchialis, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and immature trees. The sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer often dominates the understory. The most common species are typically graminoids, especially species of Festuca. Common species may include Calamagrostis purpurascens, Carex spp., Danthonia parryi, Festuca arizonica, Festuca brachyphylla, Festuca idahoensis, Festuca thurberi, Koeleria macrantha, Muhlenbergia filiculmis, Muhlenbergia montana, Poa fendleriana, and Trisetum spicatum. Forbs are generally sparse. Diagnostic of this alliance is the dominance of Pinus aristata in the open tree canopy.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.18887.PINUSARISTATAWO
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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