Name:
Juniperus osteosperma / Artemisia tridentata Woodland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This sparse woodland association has been reported from semi-arid foothills, plateaus and mountains throughout much of the western Rocky Mountains, Colorado Plateau, and Great Basin. Elevation ranges from 1220-2260 m (4000-7400 feet). This community generally occurs on a variety of slopes and aspects, often at the break between foothill and basin. Soils are generally coarse-textured, calcareous alluvium derived from sandstone and shale. Evidence of erosion such as gullies and rills is not uncommon. There are generally significant amounts of bare ground, litter, and desert pavement at the soil surface. Rock cover is variable. The vegetation is characterized by an open tree canopy dominated by Juniperus osteosperma with Artemisia tridentata dominating the sparse to moderately dense short-shrub layer. Tree canopy cover values are over 5%, but typically less than 15%. Other shrubs, such as Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Artemisia nova, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra nevadensis, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia spp., or Purshia stansburiana, may be present, but generally with low cover. The sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer is dominated by graminoids such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida spp., Bouteloua spp., Carex filifolia, Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata, Pleuraphis jamesii (= Hilaria jamesii), Pascopyrum smithii, Poa secunda, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Sporobolus spp., and introduced annual Bromus spp. Associated forbs may include Artemisia frigida, Eriogonum spp., Gayophytum racemosum, Leptodactylon pungens, Phlox hoodii, and Plantago patagonica.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.23428.JUNIPERUSOSTEOS
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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