Name:
Quercus gambelii - Symphoricarpos oreophilus Shrubland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This shrubland alliance occurs in the Colorado Plateau and southern Rocky Mountains and is characterized by dominance or codominance of <i>Quercus gambelii</i> in a moderately dense to dense tall- or short-shrub layer, typically 2-5 m tall, but can also occur as 1-m tall clumps to small trees over 5 m tall. The variable structure includes patches of oak shrubs with grass growing in between, dense oak thickets with little understory, and relatively mesic, tall shrublands with a rich understory of short shrubs, grasses and forbs. Scattered trees are occasionally present in stands and typically include species of <i>Pinus</i> or <i>Juniperus</i>. Characteristic shrubs that may codominate or form a separate short-shrub layer include <i>Amelanchier alnifolia, Amelanchier utahensis, Artemisia tridentata, Cercocarpus montanus, Fendlera rupicola, Prunus virginiana, Rhus trilobata, Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>, and <i>Symphoricarpos rotundifolius</i>. The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderately dense, ranging from 1-40% cover and is dominated by perennial graminoids, particularly <i>Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua gracilis, Carex geyeri, Carex inops, Elymus arizonicus, Festuca thurberi, Koeleria macrantha, Muhlenbergia montana, Hesperostipa comata</i>, and <i>Poa fendleriana</i>. Many forb and fern species can occur, but none has much cover. Stands occur in the foothills and lower montane slopes, mesas and canyons. Elevations range from 1550-2950 m. Sites range from nearly level mesatops to steep (to 80%), rocky slopes on upper slopes and ridgetops. Other stands occur in canyon bottoms and along drainages. Soils are generally deep, coarse-textured, and well-drained.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38949-{169B9F52-AAA0-4951-B931-96CB3F1CD80E}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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