Name:
Pinus edulis - Juniperus osteosperma / (Shepherdia rotundifolia, Amelanchier utahensis) Wooded Shrubland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This wooded shrubland association occurs on the slopes of mesas, buttes and plateaus in southern Utah. The typical occurrence is located on the lower and middle sections of a shale slope that is overlain by rockfall from the sandstone or conglomerate that caps the landform. Most sites are moderately steep to steep (up to 85% slope), occur between 1422 and 2348 m (4665-7700 feet) elevation, and are oriented to cooler north to northeastern aspects. A smaller number of occurrences, usually at higher elevations, occupy west-facing slopes. The unvegetated surface has sparse to low cover of litter and low to high exposure of bare soil, gravel and large rocks. Large rocks cover up to 40% of the ground surface. Parent materials are typically shales of the Moenkopi, Chinle, Cutler or Carmel formations, modified by colluvial fragments of overlying conglomerate or sandstones. Soils are rapidly drained silt loams, sandy loams and clay loams. The vegetation is characterized by a sparse to moderately closed canopy (5-30%) of <i>Pinus edulis</i>, often accompanied by <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i>. In rare cases on barren shales, the tree element is nearly absent. The shrub layer is mixed, but <i>Amelanchier utahensis</i> or <i>Shepherdia rotundifolia</i> are present (usually both). Other shrubs often present include <i>Cercocarpus montanus, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Eriogonum corymbosum, Eriogonum microthecum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Symphoricarpos longiflorus</i>, and <i>Mahonia fremontii</i>. The herbaceous layer is moderate to high in terms of species diversity and typically provides sparse to moderate cover. Common graminoids include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa comata, Leymus salinus</i>, and <i>Pleuraphis jamesii</i>. Forbs that are occasionally present include <i>Cryptantha flava, Machaeranthera grindelioides, Penstemon utahensis, Phlox austromontana, Lepidium montanum, Stanleya pinnata, Streptanthella longirostris</i>, and <i>Tetraneuris acaulis</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.31977.CEGL002334
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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