Name:
Amelanchier utahensis - Artemisia tridentata (ssp. vaseyana, ssp. wyomingensis) Shrubland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This association has been described from Dinosaur National Monument, the Roan Plateau and the Piceance Basin in northwestern Colorado and adjacent Utah. It also occurs in southwestern Wyoming. Sites are on level to moderately sloping hills, valleys and benches. Elevation ranges from 2165 to 2600 m, and stands may be oriented to any aspect. The deep, well-drained soils are derived from sandstone, shale, loess or limestone and range in texture from clay loam and silt loam to loamy sand. Organic litter is typically a significant component of the ground surface cover. The vegetation is characterized by the codominance in the canopy of <i>Artemisia tridentata</i> (ssp. <i>vaseyana</i> or ssp. <i>wyomingensis</i>, or sometimes a hybrid of the two) and <i>Amelanchier utahensis</i> with 15 to 55% total cover. It often takes the appearance of a tall shrubland type in which clumps of serviceberry grow in a matrix of sagebrush. Although serviceberry and sagebrush are visually dominant, in some stands <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i> may have the highest cover of the three shrub species. <i>Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Mahonia repens</i>, and <i>Purshia tridentata</i> may be minor components of the shrub canopy. <i>Quercus gambelii</i>, if present, has less than 1% cover. Graminoids tend to dominate the well-developed herbaceous layer; typical species are <i>Pascopyrum smithii (= Agropyron smithii), Melica spectabilis (= Bromelica spectabilis), Carex geyeri, Koeleria macrantha, Poa fendleriana, Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei (= Stipa columbiana), Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata)</i>, and <i>Achnatherum lettermanii (= Stipa lettermanii)</i>. The forb component of the understory is usually diverse and may contribute significant cover, especially in stands that have been grazed. <i>Achillea millefolium, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Comandra umbellata, Crepis acuminata, Eriogonum umbellatum, Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus (= Lathyrus leucanthus), Lupinus argenteus, Penstemon caespitosus, Sphaeralcea coccinea</i>, and <i>Viola nuttallii</i> are common species. <i>Poa pratensis</i> may be the dominant grass in areas that have a history of grazing.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.31508.CEGL002820
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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