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Picea pungens / Juniperus communis Forest | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Picea pungens / Juniperus communis Forest Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: These forests occur at middle elevations (1800-3300 m) of the central and southern Rocky Mountains, usually in moist, concave topographic positions. These communities often occupy sites that are protected from extreme sun and wind, within Pinus ponderosa or Pseudotsuga menziesii montane forests. These forests are typically most common on north-facing slopes, which can be gentle to steep. These forests are characterized by the dominance of Picea pungens in the forest canopy and usually represent a mesic phase of the mixed conifer forests of the southern Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau. Other conifers are usually present in these stands, depending upon geographic location, site moisture, and stand history. Common associates include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Abies lasiocarpa, and Pinus ponderosa. Populus tremuloides is the only widespread hardwood associate. The shrub layer is usually of only moderate cover and dominated by ericaceous or cold-deciduous species, with the latter group increasing with soil moisture or proximity to watercourses. Common species include Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Juniperus communis, Mahonia repens, and Rubus parviflorus. Due to favorable soil moisture, the herbaceous layer is usually a diverse mixture of forbs and graminoids, including Packera cardamine (= Senecio cardamine), Fragaria virginiana, Linnaea borealis, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Erigeron eximius, Thalictrum fendleri, Maianthemum stellatum, and Achillea millefolium. Adjacent vegetation is usually Pinus ponderosa - Pseudotsuga menziesii forests at the upslope margin and herbaceous or woody riparian communities where this vegetation grades into streamside wetlands.  Accession Code: VB.CC.18894.PICEAPUNGENSJUN Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Nov-2014
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Picea pungens Forest Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Translated: Blue Spruce / Common Juniper Forest   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684327 NatureServe Explorer   Code: CEGL000392   Scientific: Picea pungens / Juniperus communis Forest (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Picea pungens / Juniperus communis Forest