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Quercus gambelii - Robinia neomexicana / Carex inops ssp. heliophila Shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Quercus gambelii - Robinia neomexicana / Carex inops ssp. heliophila Shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This association is only known to occur at Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico. The current description is based on data received from there and will be updated when additional inventory data are available. This association occurs on sites with moderate to high solar exposure that increases with elevation. Stands occur on steep canyon and mountain slopes (30-65% slope) to gently rolling mesatops (&lt;10%). Soils are mapped primarily as rocky but well-developed Mollisols or as poorly developed and rocky Inceptisols derived from latite, dacite, or rhyolitic tuff alluvium and colluvium parent materials. The ground surface is characterized by scattered bunchgrasses and sedges intermixed with litter, exposed soil, rock, and gravel; some sites are very rocky. This montane shrubland occurs across a wide elevational gradient between 1980 and 2900 m (6500-9550 feet). It typically occurs in burned areas that once supported pine and mixed conifer forests. Shrub cover can exceed 80% and is dominated by deciduous broadleaf <i>Quercus gambelii</i> and <i>Robinia neomexicana</i> (occasionally <i>Quercus gambelii</i> can be present as mature trees). Common to abundant shrub associates may include <i>Ceanothus fendleri, Physocarpus monogynus, Rosa woodsii, Rubus idaeus</i>, and <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>. Tree seedlings and saplings (including <i>Abies concolor, Pinus ponderosa</i>, and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>) may be present. The herbaceous layer is rich in species, but variable in cover (5-70%). Graminoids are most abundant with <i>Carex inops ssp. heliophila</i> and other deer sedges (<i>Carex geophila, Carex occidentalis</i>, and <i>Carex rossii</i>) diagnostic and often abundant. Common associates include <i>Koeleria macrantha</i> and <i>Poa fendleriana</i>. On sites that have been seeded following fire, <i>Agropyron cristatum, Bromus catharticus, Bromus inermis, Elymus trachycaulus</i>, and <i>Pascopyrum smithii</i>, among others, can be common to abundant. While forbs are diverse, composition is variable from stand to stand, and cover is usually less than 5%. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34139-{8515306E-6084-433C-ADF4-02C31B3A783D}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 30-Mar-2009 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.821393 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005379
  Translated: Gambel Oak - New Mexico Locust / Sun Sedge Shrubland
  Scientific: Quercus gambelii - Robinia neomexicana / Carex inops ssp. heliophila Shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Quercus gambelii - Robinia neomexicana / Carex inops ssp. heliophila Shrubland