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Pinus ponderosa / Robinia neomexicana Woodland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Pinus ponderosa / Robinia neomexicana Woodland
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This association is only known to occur at Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico. The current description is based on data received from there and will be updated when additional inventory data are available. This mid-elevation association occurs on sites with moderate to high solar exposure that increases with elevation. Sites vary from gentle on rolling mesatops (5-20% slope) to moderate slopes on the shoulders and upper slopes of canyons (up to 30% slope). Soils are primarily mapped as well-developed, finer-textured Alfisols or Mollisols derived from rhyolitic colluvium and slope alluvium, and occasionally as rocky Inceptisols or rock outcrop. The ground surface is characterized by scattered bunchgrasses and sedges intermixed with litter and bare soil. Most stands occur on sites that have been burned by wildfire within the last 30 years. Elevation ranges from 2050 to 2630 m (6700-8625 feet).<br /><br />This is a tall coniferous woodland that ranges from open woodland to closed-canopied forest with canopy coverage ranging from 20 to &gt;60%. <i>Pinus ponderosa</i> is dominant in the overstory, and seedlings and saplings may be present in the understory. Other conifers such as <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus flexilis</i>, and <i>Juniperus monosperma</i> are rare or incidental. A well-developed shrub layer is diagnostic, with <i>Robinia neomexicana</i> dominant and well-represented with cover as high as 40%. <i>Quercus gambelii</i> may be present but cover is less than 5%. Other common shrubs that may be present include <i>Ceanothus fendleri</i> and <i>Rosa woodsii</i>. The herbaceous layer is also well-developed and diverse. Dominant graminoids include <i>Elymus elymoides, Koeleria macrantha, Muhlenbergia montana</i>, and <i>Poa fendleriana</i>. Numerous <i>Carex</i> species may also be present. Sites that were artificially seeded after fire may be dominated (up to 90% cover) by introduced species such as <i>Bromus inermis, Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus, Festuca idahoensis</i>, and <i>Pascopyrum smithii</i>. While forbs are diverse, composition is variable and usually less than 5% total cover. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.31776.CEGL005374
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.2.820840 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Ponderosa Pine / New Mexico Locust Woodland
  Code: CEGL005374
  Scientific: Pinus ponderosa / Robinia neomexicana Woodland