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Quercus gambelii / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Quercus gambelii / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This shrubland association is found in foothills, plateaus and mountains from western Texas to southern and western Colorado and throughout southern Utah north into the Wasatch Range, and likely occurs in northern Arizona. It is a mesic upland and non-obligate riparian community. Some stands appear to be transitional between riparian areas and drier upland communities such as <i>Artemisia</i> spp. It occurs on cool, moist sites, such as along drainages in canyons and steep draws in more xeric areas, and as a mesic upland shrubland forming extensive stands on cooler northern slopes. Substrates are typically deep, well-drained sandy loam to clay loam derived from alluvium or colluvium. The vegetation is characterized by an open to closed, typically tall-shrub layer (2-5 m tall) that is dominated by <i>Quercus gambelii</i>. The understory is composed of a short-shrub layer that is dominated by <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i> or a closely related local <i>Symphoricarpos</i> species such as <i>Symphoricarpos rotundifolius</i> or <i>Symphoricarpos palmeri</i>. Other mesic shrubs may be present, including <i>Amelanchier</i> spp., <i>Prunus virginiana, Robinia neomexicana</i>, and <i>Brickellia</i> sp. In some stands, the <i>Quercus gambelii</i> develop into small trees that form a tree canopy. These "woodlands" are included in this association because their floristic composition is identical to the tall shrublands. In other stands the oak is mostly under 2 m tall, forming a short-shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderately dense, depending on density of woody canopy, and is often dominated by graminoids, such as species of <i>Achnatherum, Bromus, Elymus, Poa</i>, and <i>Koeleria</i>. Common forbs include <i>Vicia americana, Thalictrum fendleri</i>, and <i>Achillea millefolium</i>. Occasionally, tree species are present in the overstory. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:30026-{1C694838-DB22-484F-813F-F417BC4A6D2A}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 17
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 24-Feb-2009 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687869 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL001117
  Translated: Gambel Oak / Mountain Snowberry Shrubland
  Scientific: Quercus gambelii / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Quercus gambelii / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Shrubland
(similar) CEGL001117
(similar) Quercus gambelii / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Shrubland