Name:
Juniperus grandis - Pinus albicaulis Woodland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This alliance consists of stands dominated by <i>Juniperus grandis</i> (mostly in the central and southern Sierra Nevada), <i>Pinus albicaulis</i> and <i>Pinus contorta var. murrayana</i>; other important conifers may include <i>Pinus flexilis</i> (but only in small patches on the eastern flank of the Sierra Nevada escarpment when it does occur) and <i>Pinus monticola</i> (not in Transverse or Peninsular ranges). Important shrubs include <i>Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysolepis sempervirens</i>, and <i>Holodiscus discolor</i>. Grasses and forbs include <i>Carex rossii, Carex filifolia, Poa wheeleri, Eriogonum incanum, Penstemon newberryi</i>, and <i>Penstemon davidsonii</i>. This alliance occurs on ridges and rocky slopes around timberline at 2900 m (9500 feet) elevation in the southern Sierra Nevada and Transverse and Peninsular ranges, up to 3500 m (11,800 feet) in the Sierra Nevada, and 2450 m (8000 feet) in the southern Cascades. Due to landscape position, rocky substrates, and very thin soils, these are harsh sites exposed to desiccating winds with ice and snow blasts. Tree species sometimes occur as krummholz growth forms with a wind-pruned, prostrate, and/or shrublike appearance, but in more protected sites they form true woodland physiognomy. In addition, a short growing season limits plant growth.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38842-{B9AF57F5-8592-4144-BE3D-A12202061D1F}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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