Name:
Pinus arizonica - Pinus engelmannii - Pinus leiophylla Woodland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This woodland alliance occurs in mountains below the Mogollon Rim in southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and northern Mexico. Woodlands included in this alliance are characterized by an open tree canopy, 10-25 m tall, dominated by the Madrean evergreen conifer trees <i>Pinus arizonica, Pinus engelmannii, Pinus leiophylla</i>, or less commonly, <i>Pinus ponderosa</i>, which often occurs at higher elevation or in the northern extent of the alliance. The moderately dense subcanopy is dominated by evergreen trees, such as <i>Quercus emoryi, Quercus hypoleucoides</i>, or <i>Quercus rugosa</i>, with a diverse mixture of small trees that may include <i>Juniperus deppeana, Pinus discolor, Pinus edulis, Quercus arizonica</i>, or <i>Quercus grisea</i>. The shrub layer is typically moderately dense to dense depending on the density of the tree canopy, and is often dominated by the same <i>Quercus</i> species that make up the tree subcanopy and other shrubs, such as <i>Agave parryi, Arbutus arizonica, Ceanothus fendleri, Garrya wrightii, Quercus gambelii, Quercus toumeyi, Quercus turbinella, Rhus trilobata</i>, and <i>Yucca madrensis</i>. The herbaceous layer is composed primarily of perennial graminoids, particularly <i>Muhlenbergia longiligula</i> and <i>Piptochaetium fimbriatum</i>, which can dominate the understory when the shrub layer is sparse. Forb diversity may be high, but few species have much cover. Diagnostic of this woodland alliance is the tree canopy dominated by <i>Pinus engelmannii, Pinus leiophylla, Pinus arizonica</i>, or more northern species <i>Pinus ponderosa</i> as long as Madrean species characterize the understory. Sites range from mesic, nearly level washes, stream terraces, toeslopes, benches and terraces to very steep, rocky, xeric mountain slopes. Aspect is variable depending on elevation. Soils range from moderately deep alluvium to shallow, lithic colluvium and residuum. Elevation ranges from 1460-2400 (2700) m. Aspect varies with elevation. Soils range from moderately deep alluvium to shallow, lithic colluvium and residuum.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38405-{F3583723-09EE-4E6E-8D30-B34DFEB00F74}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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