Name:
Pinus edulis - Juniperus (monosperma, deppeana) / Quercus gambelii Woodland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This widespread woodland association is known from the southern Rocky Mountains, occurring from south-central Colorado (east of the Continental Divide) to south-central New Mexico extending east into the western Great Plains on hills, escarpments, canyons, and other breaks. Elevations normally range from 1509-2665 m but may be higher in stands in southern New Mexico. Sites are variable but generally are relatively mesic. Stands occur on flat to moderate slopes along drainages and on mesatops, and on moderate to steep, rocky slopes of foothills, mountains and canyons, especially in draws where soil moisture is concentrated, or on northern aspects or where shaded by upper canyon walls. The soils are variable and range from deep to shallow, silty clay to sandy loam, and often gravelly. Litter from <i>Quercus gambelii</i> and other shrubs is often extensive (over 50% cover). The vegetation is characterized by an open to moderately dense tree canopy (10-60% cover) codominated by <i>Pinus edulis</i> and <i>Juniperus</i> spp. The species of <i>Juniperus</i> varies with geography and elevation. <i>Juniperus monosperma</i> is common in north-central New Mexico and southern Colorado and <i>Juniperus deppeana</i> is common in southern New Mexico. <i>Juniperus scopulorum</i> is more common in higher elevation stands and along drainages. <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> is absent. An occasional <i>Pinus ponderosa</i> tree may be present in some stands. <i>Quercus gambelii</i> dominates the often patchy, moderately dense tall-shrub layer with at least 5% cover, but often over 25% cover. <i>Amelanchier utahensis, Cercocarpus montanus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>, or species of <i>Yucca</i> and <i>Opuntia</i> are common shrub associates. Herbaceous cover is variable, ranging from sparse to moderately dense, but generally dominated by graminoids (>5% cover) with scattered forbs. Associated graminoids include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Elymus elymoides, Festuca arizonica, Koeleria macrantha, Muhlenbergia montana, Poa fendleriana</i>, and <i>Schizachyrium scoparium</i>.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34397-{5B865497-6E52-4362-BAB3-10157020FB4B}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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