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Pinus edulis / Achnatherum scribneri Open Woodland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Pinus edulis / Achnatherum scribneri Open Woodland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: The center of distribution for this association is the central mountain corridor of New Mexico with outliers in southeastern Colorado. It is specifically known from the Sierra Oscura, San Andres Mountains, and Organ Mountains of the south-central Rio Grande corridor, and likely in the Manzano, Sandia, and Sacramento mountains. This association is typically found at mid to high elevations of 1890-2590 m (6200-8500 feet), on north-facing mountain slopes. Slope positions vary from gentle dipslopes to steep escarpments. The larger stands are particularly evident on the long, gently sloping dipslopes of the major fault block mountains. Soils range from well-developed Mollisols or Alfisols with high nutrient status to drier and more poorly developed Inceptisols. Although gravel and cobble content can be high, water-holding capacity is probably moderate. Secondary calcium carbonate accumulations can occur, including indurated petrocalcic horizons, which can limit root penetration. At El Malpais National Monument in west-central New Mexico, this association occurs between 2135 and 2380 m (7000-7800 feet) in elevation on gently rolling mesatops, gentle footslopes and shoulder slopes of low hills, and steep sideslopes of low hills. Substrates are typically derived from Permian sandstone and occasionally limestone formations. Ground surface cover is variable and can be dominated by gravel, rock or litter. It is characterized by a moderately open to relatively dense and tall overstory of <i>Pinus edulis</i> (&gt;9 m [30+ feet]) with <i>Juniperus monosperma</i> (or occasionally <i>Juniperus deppeana</i>) scattered in the subcanopy. <i>Pinus edulis</i> regeneration is usually present, <i>Juniperus monosperma</i> less so. A grassy understory of well-represented to abundant <i>Achnatherum scribneri</i> or <i>Achnatherum lobatum</i> is diagnostic; <i>Bouteloua gracilis</i> often shares the dominance. <i>Muhlenbergia pauciflora</i> can be common but is clearly not the dominant. Scattered shrubs occur, but total shrub cover seldom exceeds 5%. <i>Cercocarpus montanus, Yucca baccata, Quercus x pauciloba</i>, and <i>Opuntia phaeacantha</i> are the most conspicuous shrub species. Forb species richness is high (66 species), and cover reaches 5% in some stands. They may commonly include <i>Hymenoxys richardsonii, Tetraneuris argentea</i>, and <i>Eriogonum jamesii</i>. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:29707-{82C4AE7C-F90A-4B6B-B755-C102E328B9F7}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 24-May-2010 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687328 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL000798
  Translated: Two-needle Pinyon / Scribner's Needlegrass Open Woodland
  Scientific: Pinus edulis / Achnatherum scribneri Open Woodland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) CEGL000798
(similar) Pinus edulis / Achnatherum scribneri Woodland
(similar) Pinus edulis / Achnatherum scribneri Woodland