Name:
Holodiscus dumosus Rock Outcrop Sparse Vegetation
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This sparsely vegetated association is described from Curecanti National Recreation Area and nearby Gunnison National Forest in western Colorado, but it likely occurs elsewhere in the southern Rocky Mountains. Stands are found on the upper edges and ledges of mesa cliffs, talus deposits below cliffs, on cliffs in canyons or gorges, boulder fields and on ridgetop outcrops. Sites are moderately sloped to steep (20-140% slopes) and occur between 2205 and 3075 m (7230-10,080 feet) elevation. Stands occur on all aspects but are mostly southerly at higher elevations. The ground surface has high cover of bedrock, large and small rocks, and bare soil. Soils are rapidly drained gravelly sandy loams. The vegetation is characterized by a sparse to open canopy of <i>Holodiscus dumosus</i> up to 2 m tall. Scattered trees such as <i>Juniperus scopulorum, Pinus contorta, Pinus edulis, Pinus flexilis, Pinus ponderosa</i>, and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> are occasionally present as saplings from 1.5-3 m tall. The tall shrub <i>Acer glabrum</i> may be present and provide sparse cover. The associated short and dwarf-shrubs are diverse and include <i>Amelanchier utahensis, Artemisia frigida, Brickellia grandiflora, Fendlera rupicola, Mahonia repens, Philadelphus microphyllus, Prunus virginiana, Ribes cereum, Ribes inerme</i>, and <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>. The herbaceous layer is a moderately diverse to depauperate mixture of graminoids and forbs contributing low to moderate cover. Common graminoids include <i>Bouteloua gracilis, Bromus porteri, Carex geyeri, Elymus elymoides, Muhlenbergia montana, Piptatherum micranthum, Poa fendleriana, Poa pratensis</i>, and <i>Poa secunda</i>; various forbs may include <i>Antennaria parvifolia, Artemisia frigida, Artemisia ludoviciana, Artemisia michauxiana, Eriogonum cernuum, Galium</i> spp., <i>Heterotheca villosa, Penstemon teucrioides, Saxifraga bronchialis ssp. austromontana, Saxifraga odontoloma</i>, and <i>Selaginella</i> sp.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.31963.CEGL002801
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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