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Pinus edulis - Juniperus osteosperma / Opuntia fragilis Woodland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Pinus edulis - Juniperus osteosperma / Opuntia fragilis Woodland
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This rare, open woodland association is currently documented only from Capitol Reef National Park in southeastern Utah; this summary is derived from plots sampled in the park in 2003 and 2004. It is restricted to eolian deposits on benches and valley floors on sites that slope gently (5-15%), occur between 2067 and 2298 m elevation, and are oriented to southeastern aspects. Sand and litter cover most of the unvegetated surface, although biological soil crusts provide up to 40% cover. Parent materials include Wingate and Navajo sandstone eroded and redeposited as eolian sands. Soils are rapidly drained sands, sandy loams, and loamy sands. Total vegetation cover generally does not exceed 50% and is characterized by an open canopy, typically 2-10 m tall, of <i>Pinus edulis</i> and <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> that range in cover from 15 to 40%, and an understory dominated by <i>Opuntia fragilis</i> that ranges in cover from 15 to 55%. Associated shrubs include <i>Picrothamnus desertorum (= Artemisia spinescens)</i> and <i>Ericameria nauseosa</i>. The herbaceous layer is diverse in terms of species composition and provides sparse to moderate cover. Common graminoids include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis</i>, and <i>Muhlenbergia pungens</i>. Forbs typically provide less than 1% total cover per species. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.32019.CEGL002374
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.2.769218 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Two-needle Pinyon - Utah Juniper / Brittle Prickly-pear Woodland
  Scientific: Pinus edulis - Juniperus osteosperma / Opuntia fragilis Woodland
  Code: CEGL002374