Name:
Pinus edulis - Juniperus spp. / Poa fendleriana Woodland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This association is widespread and common throughout the Colorado Plateau of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. It occurs on the slopes of canyons, ridges, toeslopes, alluvial fans, benches and plateaus at elevations ranging from 1525 to 2560 m (5000-8400 feet). Stands may occur on slopes ranging from 7 to 48% that are oriented to any aspect. Most stands are on sandy soils, with a few on silt loam or clay loam soils derived from sedimentary, granitic or metamorphic rocks. Total vegetation cover ranges from 40% to more than 75%. This woodland association is characterized by an open to moderately closed, mixed canopy of <i>Pinus edulis</i> and <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> 2-10 m tall. In the southern part of the range, <i>Juniperus monosperma</i> and <i>Juniperus scopulorum</i> may be present in the canopy. The understory is dominated by the bunchgrass <i>Poa fendleriana</i> with between 1 and 25% cover. Scattered shrubs fail to form a stratum but may include <i>Amelanchier utahensis, Artemisia nova, Cercocarpus montanus, Ephedra viridis, Quercus gambelii, Purshia tridentata, Yucca baccata, Opuntia</i> spp., <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Fallugia paradoxa</i>, and <i>Fendlera rupicola</i>. Other common herbaceous species (always with less cover than <i>Poa fendleriana</i>) include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Koeleria macrantha, Muhlenbergia montana, Blepharoneuron tricholepis, Pascopyrum smithii, Bouteloua gracilis, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Mirabilis multiflora, Penstemon linarioides</i>, and <i>Petradoria pumila</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.32027.CEGL000787
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
