Name:
Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum / Purshia tridentata Southern Rocky Mountain Woodland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This <i>Pinus ponderosa</i> woodland occurs in montane zones in the Rocky Mountains and in sheltered canyons and high plateaus in the Colorado Plateau, from Colorado and Utah. Stands tend to occupy south-facing, moderate to somewhat steep slopes (10-49%) in the Rockies, whereas Colorado Plateau stands prefer northern and eastern slopes and benches. Elevations range from 2165 to 2760 m (7100-9040 feet). Soils are relatively deep, mesic, well-drained sandy loams or loamy sands derived from sandstone, granite, colluvium or alluvium. Ground cover of litter and duff is often significant (30-60%). This <i>Pinus ponderosa</i> woodland is strongly dominated by <i>Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum</i>, often in open stands (10-40% cover) 10 to 35 m tall. <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii, Juniperus scopulorum, Pinus edulis</i>, and <i>Populus tremuloides</i> are common associates. The shrub layer is characterized and dominated by <i>Purshia tridentata</i>, although cover may be as low as 1% in sparsely vegetated stands. Additional species include <i>Quercus gambelii</i> (<10% cover), <i>Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia tridentata, Mahonia repens, Ribes cereum</i>, and <i>Juniperus communis</i>. The herbaceous layer is inversely proportional to shrub cover and is dominated by graminoids, especially <i>Muhlenbergia montana</i>. Additional graminoids include <i>Bouteloua gracilis, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Danthonia parryi, Poa fendleriana, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Hesperostipa comata, Leucopoa kingii</i>, and <i>Festuca idahoensis</i>. Forbs are present and often diverse but have low cover. Forb composition largely depends on geographic region but often includes <i>Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis, Antennaria</i> spp., <i>Artemisia ludoviciana, Eriogonum racemosum, Penstemon virens</i>, and <i>Sedum lanceolatum</i>, among many others. Bare ground and needle duff can be prevalent in some stands.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34393-{D306D985-9C7A-456A-9300-97D66D56CBB6}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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