Name:
Pinus ponderosa / Cercocarpus montanus Woodland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This woodland occurs on the driest aspects that support coniferous woodlands of Pinus ponderosa in the southern Rocky Mountains. Typically, this association occurs on dry rocky hillsides just above the shrubland zone, on shallow, rocky loam soils. Aspects are predominately south, southeast and southwest, on ridgetops and adjacent upper slopes that are moderate to steep (18-60%), at 5570-8900 feet elevation. This is an open woodland with scattered trees, generally with less than 50% cover of Pinus ponderosa. Juniperus scopulorum and Pseudotsuga menziesii individuals may be present. The community is open in appearance with a matrix of shrubs, predominantly Cercocarpus montanus and Ribes cereum. Other shrubs present may include Artemisia frigida, Purshia tridentata, Yucca glauca, and Quercus gambelii. Herbaceous cover ranges from 10-70%. Grasses are typically more abundant than forbs and commonly include one or more of the following species: Bromus tectorum, Elymus albicans, Festuca arizonica, Carex rossii, Elymus lanceolatus, Hesperostipa comata, Bouteloua gracilis, Muhlenbergia montana, and Koeleria macrantha (= Koeleria cristata). Forb species include Artemisia ludoviciana, Geranium spp., Heterotheca fulcrata (= Chrysopsis fulcrata), Grindelia subalpina, Argentina anserina, Cryptantha thyrsiflora, and Eriogonum umbellatum.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.25716.PINUSPONDEROSAC
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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