Name:
Juniperus osteosperma / Leymus salinus Woodland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This sparse woodland association occurs on low- to mid-elevation hogbacks, colluvial slopes and badlands in the Colorado Plateau of western Colorado and eastern Utah. Elevations range from 1488 to 1997 m (4880-6550 feet), and most sites are on cooler north and east aspects. Slopes may be gentle to moderately steep (3-46% slope) and are generally underlain by Mesozoic marine shales of the Morrison Formation or Mancos shale. Colluvium from sandstone cliffs or outcrops upslope from the stand may cover the ground surface. Soils are rapidly drained and may be sandy loams or silty clays. The vegetation is characterized by a sparse to open canopy of <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> with between 1 and 25% cover. <i>Pinus edulis</i> is either absent or present in very low amounts in the canopy, although <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> and <i>Pinus edulis</i> seedlings may be present. There is no shrub layer, but scattered short and dwarf-shrubs may total up to 10% cover in more heavily vegetated stands. Common species include <i>Atriplex confertifolia, Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia nova, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Glossopetalon spinescens var. meionandrum, Ephedra viridis, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Opuntia erinacea, Opuntia polyacantha, Shepherdia rotundifolia</i>, and <i>Yucca harrimaniae</i>. The herbaceous layer is dominated by <i>Leymus salinus</i> with between 1 and 25% cover. The remainder of the herbaceous cover is sparse but diverse. Additional graminoids present include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Pleuraphis jamesii, Poa fendleriana</i>, and <i>Poa secunda</i>. Forbs include <i>Arenaria hookeri, Arenaria fendleri, Calochortus gunnisonii, Cymopterus bulbosus, Cymopterus purpureus, Eriogonum umbellatum, Leptodactylon pungens, Lepidium montanum, Oenothera pallida, Phlox austromontana, Petradoria pumila, Phlox hoodii, Sphaeralcea coccinea, Streptanthella longirostris, Stenotus acaulis</i>, and <i>Xylorhiza venusta</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.31958.CEGL003109
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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