Name:
Cercocarpus montanus Madrean Montane Chaparral Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This alliance includes shrublands dominated by <i>Cercocarpus montanus</i> in the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico, Arizona, and northern Mexico. Vegetation is characterized by an open to moderately dense shrub canopy dominated or codominated by <i>Cercocarpus montanus</i> with other shrubs common in interior chaparral such as <i>Ericameria laricifolia, Garrya flavescens, Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera, Rhus virens var. choriophylla, Robinia neomexicana</i>, and stem succulents such as <i>Agave parryi, Dasylirion wheeleri, Nolina microcarpa, Opuntia engelmannii, Cylindropuntia imbricata</i>, and <i>Yucca baccata</i>. Chaparral species <i>Arctostaphylos pungens, Arctostaphylos pringlei, Ceanothus greggii</i>, and <i>Quercus turbinella</i> are absent or present with low cover (not codominant). Scattered trees may also be present with low cover, including <i>Pinus edulis, Juniperus monosperma</i>, and <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i>. Open stands may have an abundant herbaceous layer characterized by Madrean perennial grasses such as <i>Muhlenbergia pauciflora</i> and <i>Muhlenbergia emersleyi</i>, although many other herbaceous species may be present to abundant. Shrublands included in this alliance are found on breaks and foothill, mountain and canyon slopes throughout much of the southwestern U.S. Elevations range from 1500-2500 m. Sites are variable but are generally xeric and rocky with moderate to very steep slopes. Substrate is typically thin, well-drained, poorly developed lithic soils with abundant rock outcrops. Parent material is variable and includes alluvium, colluvium and residuum from igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary rocks.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:39005-{54D9C08D-4D51-47A2-9085-C0156C872777}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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