Name:
Quercus gambelii / Prunus virginiana Shrubland
Reference:
Description:
This montane shrubland association has been described from mountains of western Colorado and plateaus of southwestern Utah. Elevation ranges from 2000-2737 m (6560-8977 feet). Sites include nearly level mesas, talus slopes, hillslopes, benches, gullies and streambeds to steep mountain slopes (to 34°). North and northwest aspects are most frequent, but stands are reported from all aspects. Sites are often relatively mesic, occurring at the base of cliff bands and talus slopes, on concave slopes, near rivers and along drainages. Soils are often deep, well-drained clay loam derived from sandstone; however, substrates are variable and are derived from a variety of parent materials. The vegetation is characterized by an open to dense tall-shrub layer (2-5 m tall) that is dominated by <i>Quercus gambelii</i> with a open to moderately dense short-shrub layer dominated by <i>Prunus virginiana</i>,. Scattered trees ( especially <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>) may be present with low cover. If <i>Amelanchier alnifolia</i> or <i>Amelanchier utahensis</i> are present, they are subdominant in the short-shrub layer, although they may have up to 25% cover. Other shrubs present with low cover (typically <5%) include <i>Acer glabrum, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Cornus sericea, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Philadelphus microphyllus, Rhus trilobata, Ribes cereum, Ribes inerme, Rosa woodsii, Salix geyeriana, Salix scouleriana</i>, and <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>. <i>Holodiscus dumosus</i> is common on many of the talus sites, often forming its own community about the oak-choke cherry shrubland. <i>Salix exigua</i> is abundant in one streambed plot. The herbaceous layer varies from absent to moderate (0-30% cover). Common herbaceous species include graminoids, such as <i>Carex geyeri, Deschampsia caespitosa, Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata</i>, and <i>Poa fendleriana</i>, and forbs, including <i>Artemisia ludoviciana, Galium boreale, Maianthemum stellatum, Solidago canadensis, Thalictrum fendleri, Vicia americana</i>, and <i>Wyethia amplexicaulis</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.36551.CEGL005994
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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