Name:
Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Woodland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This limber pine woodland is found in the montane and subalpine zones of the western United States. It occurs on dry, exposed, rocky sites such as rock outcrops, ridges, slope crests, and high flat benches from 2530 to 3390 m (8300-11,100 feet) in elevation in the southern Rocky Mountains and 1400 to 2530 m (4600-8300 feet) in the northern Rocky Mountains. It also occurs on gentle to moderately steep slopes with variable aspect. Soils are predominantly shallow, coarse-textured, and rapidly drained with high soil-surface temperatures. The tree canopy is generally open in character and comprised predominantly of <i>Pinus flexilis</i>. Tree canopy associates include <i>Pinus contorta</i> and <i>Picea engelmannii</i> at higher elevations and <i>Pinus ponderosa</i> at lower elevations, with <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> and occasionally <i>Pinus albicaulis</i> in the northern portion of the range. A sparse low-shrub layer is present and characterized by <i>Juniperus communis</i>. <i>Arctostaphylos uva-ursi</i> also has high constancy in this type, although less total cover than <i>Juniperus communis</i>. Additional shrubs can include <i>Jamesia americana, Paxistima myrsinites, Ribes cereum, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Vaccinium</i> spp., and <i>Juniperus horizontalis</i>. The herbaceous layer is likewise sparse. Species commonly occurring include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Festuca brachyphylla, Leucopoa kingii, Poa fendleriana, Antennaria rosea, Erigeron flagellaris, Lupinus argenteus, Arenaria fendleri, Frasera speciosa, Geranium caespitosum var. fremontii, Penstemon virens, Potentilla fissa</i>, and <i>Sedum lanceolatum</i>. On calcareous substrates in the northern portion of the range, forbs often include <i>Clematis columbiana, Arnica cordifolia, Eurybia conspicua, Campanula rotundifolia, Galium boreale</i>, and <i>Astragalus miser</i>. The ground layer has a high proportion of unvegetated surface that is often composed of gravel and rock.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:29716-{8586DE86-498F-4117-88AF-F3A66BD2D16B}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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