Name:
Pinus edulis - Juniperus osteosperma / Sparse Understory Woodland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This variable woodland association is widespread in parts of western Colorado and eastern Utah. It is found most commonly on mid- to upper slopes, though other topographic positions are possible. It has been sampled at elevations between 1354 and 2389 m and on all aspects. At higher elevations, it tends toward southwestern aspects. Sites range from flat to moderately steep. The ground has variable amounts of litter and often has moderate to high amounts of gravel, rocks, and exposed bedrock. Cryptogamic cover is usually low to moderate, but some sites have up to 55-65% cover. Soils are always rapidly drained to moderately well-drained. Parent materials are also highly variable and can be sandstones, shales, or limestones. The lack of an understory may be due to high rock cover, low soil moisture, or a closed evergreen canopy of pinyon and juniper. This widespread association occurs as relatively sparse to moderately vegetated stands with total vegetation cover ranging from 10-75%. Sparsely vegetated stands (<10% total vegetation cover) composed of only trees are included as a best fit in this woodland association in extremely dry, rocky portions of the Colorado Plateau. The tree canopy is dominated by <i>Pinus edulis</i> and <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i>. Both typically range from 1-35% cover with some stands having canopy cover by one species up to 50%. The tree canopy is short, usually 2-10 m tall, and open to moderately closed. <i>Fraxinus anomala</i> has been observed in the canopy of some stands but always at no more than 5% cover. Several shrub species are commonly found in this association, but they occur as widely scattered individuals or an open shrub stratum. Scattered small <i>Pinus edulis</i> and <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> are found along with shrubs such as <i>Amelanchier utahensis, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Cercocarpus montanus, Ephedra viridis, Eriogonum microthecum, Shepherdia rotundifolia</i>, and <i>Opuntia</i> spp. The herbaceous layer is low in cover (<5%) and usually low in diversity. <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Bromus tectorum, Poa fendleriana</i>, and <i>Pleuraphis jamesii</i> are common graminoids. Forbs are not abundant, but typical species include <i>Descurainia pinnata, Cryptantha</i> spp., and <i>Tetraneuris acaulis</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.32003.CEGL002148
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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