Name:
Juniperus occidentalis Grassy Open Woodland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
Vegetation within this woodland and savanna alliance is characterized by a sparse to open canopy of <i>Juniperus occidentalis</i> and a moderately dense to dense herbaceous layer. <i>Juniperus occidentalis</i> is typically the sole tree species; however, the tree form of <i>Cercocarpus ledifolius</i> may occasionally be present to codominant. Additionally, a sparse to open shrub layer (1-20% cover) may be present. The most common shrub is <i>Artemisia tridentata</i>, but others include <i>Artemisia arbuscula, Artemisia rigida, Cercocarpus ledifolius</i> (shrub form), <i>Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa, Purshia tridentata, Ribes cereum</i>, and <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>. The herbaceous layer is typically dominated by graminoids such as <i>Achnatherum occidentale, Achnatherum thurberianum, Carex geyeri, Carex filifolia, Festuca idahoensis, Koeleria macrantha, Leymus cinereus, Poa secunda</i>, and <i>Pseudoroegneria spicata</i>. Common forbs include <i>Achillea millefolium, Balsamorhiza</i> spp., and <i>Trifolium macrocephalum</i>. This woodland and savanna alliance is found on the Columbia Plateau and extends to the northern and western margins of the Great Basin, from southwestern Idaho to the eastern foothills of the Cascades, and south to the Modoc Plateau of northeastern California. Stands range in elevation from under 200 m along the Columbia River in central Washington to over 1800 m in southwestern Idaho. Generally soils are medium-textured, with abundant coarse fragments derived from volcanic parent materials. In central Oregon, the center of distribution, all aspects and slope positions occur. Where this type grades into relatively mesic forest or grassland habitats, the vegetation becomes restricted to rock outcrops or escarpments with excessively drained soils.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38784-{65775B89-EC22-45EA-9F88-6A56EAE927A3}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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