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Quercus gambelii - Robinia neomexicana / Muhlenbergia montana Shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Quercus gambelii - Robinia neomexicana / Muhlenbergia montana 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 mid-elevation association occurs on sites with low to high solar exposure that increases with elevation. Stands occur on gentle to moderate slopes (5-20%) including rolling mesatops and mountain shoulder slopes, and occasionally on steep canyon slopes (&gt;40%). Soils are primarily well-developed Mollisols derived from pumice, or occasionally fine-textured Alfisols derived from eolian deposits over rhyolitic tuff residuum. The ground surface is typically characterized by scattered bunchgrasses amid litter, pumice gravel, or exposed soil. Elevation ranges between 2050 and 2585 m (6720-8480 feet). This montane shrubland 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, Cercocarpus montanus, Quercus x pauciloba, Rosa woodsii</i>, and <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>. Tree seedlings and saplings (<i>Abies concolor, Pinus ponderosa</i>, and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>) may be present. The herbaceous layer is moderately rich in species but variable in cover (5-50%). A grassy understory is diagnostic and is characterized by well-represented to abundant <i>Muhlenbergia montana</i> with <i>Blepharoneuron tricholepis</i> and <i>Schizachyrium scoparium</i> as occasional codominants. <i>Andropogon gerardii, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides</i>, or <i>Poa fendleriana</i> are also common associates. On sites that have been seeded following fire, <i>Bromus inermis, Festuca idahoensis</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:34140-{9390032A-9FC3-49F4-8D91-5B31182F44D3}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 30-Mar-2009 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.821425 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005380
  Translated: Gambel Oak - New Mexico Locust / Mountain Muhly Shrubland
  Scientific: Quercus gambelii - Robinia neomexicana / Muhlenbergia montana Shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Quercus gambelii - Robinia neomexicana / Muhlenbergia montana Shrubland