Name:
Pinus ponderosa / Muhlenbergia montana Woodland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This widespread woodland occurs at foothill and lower montane elevations in the southern Rocky Mountains, extending south to the mountains of western Texas, and west to the Mogollon Rim and Colorado Plateau. Elevation ranges from 2150-2870 m (7050-9400 feet). Stands occur on bottomlands, elevated plains, cinder cones, piedmont slopes, mesas, foothills, and mountains. Sites include gentle to steep slopes on all aspects, but are more common on southern and western aspects, especially at higher elevations. Substrates are variable but are typically shallow, rocky, coarse-textured soils derived from granitic or cinder parent materials. There is considerable cover of bare soil and exposed bedrock. The vegetation is characterized by an open to moderately dense evergreen, needle-leaved tree canopy to 10-30 m tall that is dominated or codominated by Pinus ponderosa. Associated tree species vary geographically. Pinus edulis, Pinus discolor, and Juniperus spp. may be important in the tree canopy. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus flexilis, and Populus tremuloides may also be present but are considered accidental. The typically moderately dense herbaceous layer has greater cover than the shrub layer and is dominated by graminoids. Muhlenbergia montana, a warm-season, medium-tall perennial, typically dominates the herbaceous layer and is diagnostic of this association. Common graminoid associates include Aristida spp., Blepharoneuron tricholepis, Bouteloua gracilis, Carex geophila, Carex rossii, Elymus elymoides, Koeleria macrantha, Poa fendleriana, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Festuca arizonica, Muhlenbergia virescens, Muhlenbergia dubia, Muhlenbergia emersleyi, and Hesperostipa spp. are typically absent. Quercus gambelii may be present with low cover (to 5%) in the sparse shrub layer (<10% cover). Other scattered shrubs may include Artemisia tridentata, Cercocarpus montanus, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa, Purshia tridentata, Rhus trilobata, or Yucca baccata. Forb cover is typically sparse.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.21226.PINUSPONDEROSAM
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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