Name:
Amelanchier utahensis - Artemisia tridentata (ssp. vaseyana, ssp. wyomingensis) Shrubland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This association is occurs in the highlands of northwestern Colorado and northeastern and southeastern Utah. It also is found southwestern Wyoming and in east-central Nevada. The vegetation is characterized by the codominance in the canopy of <i>Artemisia tridentata</i> (<i>ssp. vaseyana</i> or <i>ssp. wyomingensis</i>, or sometimes a hybrid of the two) and <i>Amelanchier utahensis</i> with 15 to 75% total cover. It often takes the appearance of a tall shrubland in which clumps of serviceberry grow in a matrix of sagebrush. <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i> may also have high cover in some stands. <i>Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Mahonia repens</i>, and <i>Purshia tridentata</i> may be minor components of the shrub canopy. <i>Quercus gambelii</i>, if present, has less than 1% cover. Graminoids tend to dominate the well-developed herbaceous layer; typical species are <i>Achnatherum lettermanii, Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei, Carex geyeri, Hesperostipa comata, Koeleria macrantha, Pascopyrum smithii</i>, and <i>Poa fendleriana</i>. The forb component of the understory is usually diverse and may contribute significant cover, especially in stands that have been grazed. <i>Achillea millefolium, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Comandra umbellata, Crepis acuminata, Eriogonum umbellatum, Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus, Lupinus argenteus, Penstemon caespitosus, Sphaeralcea coccinea</i>, and <i>Viola nuttallii</i> are common species. <i>Poa pratensis</i> may be the dominant grass in areas that have a history of grazing. Sites are on level to moderately sloping hills, valleys and benches. Elevation ranges from 1848 to 2600 m, and stands may be oriented to any aspect. The deep, well-drained soils are derived from sandstone, shale, loess or limestone and range in texture from clay loam and silt loam to loamy sand. Organic litter is typically a significant component of the ground surface cover.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:31722-{445E4259-F07F-4940-8152-47CEA9A31E79}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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