Name:
Cercocarpus ledifolius Shrubby Woodland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
The vegetation in this alliance is characterized by an open to moderately dense canopy of <i>Cercocarpus ledifolius</i>. These woodlands may occur as scattered communities in arid steppe or on rocky outcrops or steep escarpments within forests. Steppe woodlands typically have only <i>Cercocarpus ledifolius</i> in the overstory canopy, but <i>Juniperus occidentalis, Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum, Pinus edulis</i>, or <i>Pinus monophylla</i> occur locally. The understory is characterized by an open to dense short-shrub layer. Shrub cover is over 10% or, if less, exceeds herbaceous cover. Characteristic shrub species include <i>Amelanchier alnifolia, Arctostaphylos patula, Artemisia tridentata, Ericameria nauseosa, Holodiscus dumosus, Prunus virginiana, Purshia tridentata, Quercus gambelii, Ribes</i> spp., <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>, and <i>Symphoricarpos rotundifolius</i>. Stands with sparse understories are included in this alliance because these stands usually have similar scattered shrubs present. A sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer may be present and is typically dominated by bunchgrasses, including <i>Achnatherum</i> spp., <i>Calamagrostis rubescens, Elymus elymoides, Festuca idahoensis, Leymus ambiguus</i>, and <i>Pseudoroegneria spicata</i>. Diverse forbs may be present but usually with low cover. Plant associations in this alliance occur in semi-arid steppe and cool temperate mountainous habitats of the interior western United States. These woodlands often form small patchy stands on rocky outcrops or escarpments in forested areas, or may form the only tree cover in steppe regions. Elevations range from 1600 to 2835 m (5250-9300 feet). Annual precipitation averages 25-45 cm, with a significant proportion falling as winter snow. Soils are typically rocky and immature, and of coarser texture than soils of adjacent coniferous woodlands or forests.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38077-{E05BA793-C8C0-4BDE-A77A-88191A9C06AF}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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