Name:
Juniperus monosperma Shrubby Woodland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This woodland alliance is characterized by diagnostic tree species <i>Juniperus monosperma</i> that forms an open to dense tree layer. At higher elevations and relatively mesic sites, such as along drainages, <i>Juniperus scopulorum</i> may be present and sometimes dominant. In southern transitional areas with ~Madrean Pinyon - Juniper Woodland Group (G200)$$ in central New Mexico, <i>Juniperus deppeana</i> may be present but not dominant. Other conifers, including <i>Pinus edulis</i>, are absent or accidental with very low cover. The understory is characterized by shrubs that typically form an open to moderately dense layer. Characteristic shrubs are many and include <i>Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia frigida, Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Cercocarpus montanus, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa, Fallugia paradoxa, Forestiera pubescens, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Holodiscus dumosus, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Quercus gambelii, Quercus x pauciloba, Quercus turbinella, Ribes cereum, Rhus trilobata</i>, and <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>. Similar scattered shrubs frequently characterize sparse and rocky understory woodland stands and so those types are included in this alliance. The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderate and composed of grasses often with diverse but low cover of forbs. Common species may include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum nelsonii, Achnatherum scribneri, Andropogon hallii, Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua gracilis, Bouteloua hirsuta, Hesperostipa comata, Hesperostipa neomexicana, Pleuraphis jamesii</i>, and <i>Schizachyrium scoparium</i>. This alliance also includes sparse understory stands often with scattered shrubs and grasses. These woodlands occur on warm, dry mountains and foothills in southern Colorado east of the Continental Divide and in mountains and plateaus of northern and central New Mexico, extending east on breaks in the southeastern Great Plains. Stands occur on nearly level surfaces to steep, rocky slopes in canyons, on hillsides, and on mesatops, but also occur on stream terraces and on deep sands. Elevations range from 1200-2100 m. Aspect does not seem important except in elevational extremes for a given latitude. Sites are typically dry with shallow, rocky, calcareous, alkaline soils. Soil textures range from sandy loam to clay soils typically derived from limestone, sandstone or shale.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38794-{94177A6D-6239-4EA4-AB79-1BEB1F6541F5}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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