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Cercocarpus intricatus - (Quercus turbinella) Mixed Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Cercocarpus intricatus - (Quercus turbinella) Mixed Shrubland Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This mixed shrubland association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It favors large slickrock expanses punctuated by shallow potholes and depressions filled with sand and typically occurs at 1375 to 1650 m (4500-5300 feet) elevation; however, one stand was sampled as high as 1850 m (6075 feet). This community chiefly occurs on flat to very gentle slopes (1-3°) and seems to show no preference for any particular aspect. Soils are well- to rapidly-drained sandy or silty loams. Sandstone bedrock (37%) dominates the ground cover. Stunted <i>Pinus edulis</i> and <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> assume shrublike forms and infrequently occur in this shrubland type. Other tall shrubs are essentially absent. A rich and varied short-shrub layer dominated by <i>Cercocarpus intricatus</i> and <i>Quercus turbinella</i> characterizes this association. No other individual species occurs at high cover, although at least 25 different short-shrub species can be present at low individual covers. <i>Ceanothus greggii, Glossopetalon spinescens, Nolina microcarpa</i>, and <i>Rhus trilobata</i> are among the most frequent components of this diverse assemblage. <i>Agave utahensis, Gutierrezia sarothrae</i>, and <i>Artemisia bigelovii</i> are the most frequent dwarf-shrubs, although at least 15 different species can occur. Scattered graminoids occur in fissures in the bedrock and shallow pockets of sandy soil. <i>Aristida purpurea</i> and <i>Tridens muticus</i> occur frequently, while <i>Achnatherum speciosum</i> and <i>Hesperostipa</i> spp. may occur in some stands. Forb cover is very sparse, although forb diversity can be very high; at least 50 different forb species can occur in this association. <i>Hymenopappus filifolius, Eriogonum alatum, Comandra umbellata, Heterotheca villosa, Psilostrophe sparsiflora, Chamaesyce fendleri</i>, and <i>Lesquerella arizonica</i> frequently occur at trace covers.  Accession Code: VB.CC.31657.CEGL005393 Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 17-Nov-2014 to: 01-May-2019
	status: accepted This Community's Level: association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.841789 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Littleleaf Mountain-mahogany - (Sonoran Scrub Oak) Mixed Shrubland   Scientific: Cercocarpus intricatus - (Quercus turbinella) Mixed Shrubland   Code: CEGL005393