Name:
Pinus edulis - Juniperus monosperma Shrubby Woodland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
These woodlands are characterized by diagnostic tree species <i>Pinus edulis</i> that forms an open to dense tree layer often with <i>Juniperus monosperma</i>. <i>Juniperus monosperma</i> may also dominate stands as long as there is significant presence of <i>Pinus edulis</i> (not accidental) to characterize the stand as a pinyon-juniper stand and not the more xeric, typically lower elevation <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> woodland. 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 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 tridentata, Atriplex canescens, Cercocarpus montanus, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Holodiscus dumosus, Quercus gambelii, Quercus x pauciloba, 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 and often with diverse but low cover of forbs. Common species may include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum nelsonii, Achnatherum scribneri, Andropogon hallii, Bouteloua gracilis, Festuca arizonica, Hesperostipa comata, Hesperostipa neomexicana, Muhlenbergia montana</i>, and <i>Pleuraphis jamesii</i>. This woodland alliance occurs 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 typically occur on nearly level to steep (to 80%), rocky slopes on hillsides and ridgetops on all aspects except in elevational extremes for a given latitude where low-elevation stands are restricted to the more mesic north slopes; canyons and high-elevation stands occur on south aspects. Sites are typically dry with shallow, rocky, calcareous and alkaline soils. Other sites include eroded "badlands," lava flows, and scree slopes.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38796-{A1507D6B-A4DC-4079-97C5-042F239D6A88}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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