Name:
Pinus edulis - Juniperus osteosperma / Ephedra torreyana - Artemisia bigelovii Woodland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This open woodland association currently is documented only from Capitol Reef National Park in southeastern Utah, where it is common and widespread; this summary is derived from plots sampled in the park in 1986, 1988 and 2003. Stands occur on low ridges, hills, and benches with gentle slopes (not exceeding 15%) between 1677 and 1982 m (5500-6500 feet) elevation. Aspect is not important in determining the distribution of this association. The unvegetated surface is mostly covered by gravel and rocks; this fact is diagnostic of the community along with the species composition. Most stands occur in areas where lenses of sandstone are interbedded among thin layers of shale, as occurs in the Chinle, Morrison, Moenkopi and Carmel formations. Soils are shallow, rapidly drained silt loams, sandy clays, and sandy loams. Total vegetation cover ranges from 4 to 70%. The vegetation is characterized by an open canopy, typically 1-5 m tall, of <i>Pinus edulis</i> and <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> trees that range in cover from 1 to 30%, and a diverse shrub understory that includes <i>Artemisia bigelovii</i> and <i>Ephedra torreyana</i> as dominants or codominants. Other shrubs present include <i>Fraxinus anomala, Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra viridis, Eriogonum corymbosum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha</i>, and <i>Shepherdia rotundifolia</i>. The herbaceous layer is moderate in species diversity but typically provides little cover. Common graminoids include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata</i>, and <i>Pleuraphis jamesii</i>. Forbs may include <i>Lepidium montanum, Phacelia crenulata, Sphaeralcea coccinea</i>, and <i>Thelesperma subnudum</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.32029.CEGL002369
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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