Name:
Pinus edulis - Juniperus osteosperma / Quercus havardii var. tuckeri Woodland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This woodland association occurs on deep accumulations of eolian and alluvial sands on canyon and valley floors, in intermittent washes, and on dunes and sandsheets on plateaus and benches in southeastern Utah. It is located on level to gently sloping (0-11%) sites between 1445 and 1868 m (4740-6130 feet) elevation. Aspect apparently does not influence the distribution of this association, although it does influence the vegetative composition somewhat. Bare soil and sand cover most of the unvegetated surface, although there is sometimes low cover of bedrock or gravel, and biological soil crusts can provide up to 30% cover. Geologic substrates include various sandstones, which for the most part have eroded and been redeposited as eolian sands. Soils are rapidly drained, moderately deep loamy sands, sandy loams, and sands. Total vegetation cover ranges from 21% to more than 100%. The open tree canopy of <i>Pinus edulis</i> and <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> is typically 2-5 m tall and ranges in cover from 10 to 50%. <i>Fraxinus anomala</i> may occasionally occur as a canopy tree with sparse cover. The understory is dominated by clumps of <i>Quercus havardii var. tuckeri</i> that range in cover from 5 to 65%. Associated shrubs vary depending on the aspect and the amount of soil moisture available; cooler, more mesic stands include <i>Amelanchier utahensis, Cercocarpus intricatus, Cercocarpus montanus, Mahonia fremontii</i>, and <i>Shepherdia rotundifolia</i>. In more exposed, drier stands these shrubs are mostly replaced by <i>Artemisia bigelovii, Ephedra viridis, Eriogonum microthecum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha</i>, and <i>Yucca harrimaniae</i>. The herbaceous layer is more consistent in species composition yet provides only sparse cover. Common graminoids include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Muhlenbergia pungens</i>, and <i>Pleuraphis jamesii</i>. Forbs often present include species typical of sandy sites: <i>Cryptantha flava, Tetraneuris acaulis (= Hymenoxys acaulis), Lepidium montanum</i>, and <i>Streptanthella longirostris</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.31115.CEGL002497
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
