Name:
Juniperus osteosperma Colorado Plateau Shrubby Woodland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
Stands have a short, typically open to moderately dense tree canopy with an understory characterized by shrubs. Tree canopy is dominated by <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> with <i>Juniperus scopulorum</i> becoming important and sometimes dominant at higher elevations and on relatively mesic sites such as along drainages. <i>Pinus</i> species are absent or accidental with very low cover. Shrubs typically dominate the understory and form an open to moderately dense layer. Scattered shrubs frequently characterize the sparse and rocky understory. Characteristic shrubs are many, including <i>Artemisia arbuscula, Artemisia nova, Artemisia tridentata, Cercocarpus intricatus, Cercocarpus montanus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Mahonia fremontii, Quercus gambelii</i>, and <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>. The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderate and composed of grasses and often diverse forbs. Common species may include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa comata, Hesperostipa neomexicana, Leymus salinus, Pleuraphis jamesii</i>, and <i>Pseudoroegneria spicata</i>. The non-native, invasive annual grass <i>Bromus tectorum</i> may be abundant and dominate the herbaceous layer of highly disturbed stands. This alliance also includes sparse understory stands often with scattered shrubs and grasses. The core distribution of this juniper alliance is semi-arid canyons, foothills, plateaus and low mountains in the Colorado Plateau, but it extends out into adjacent ecoregions primarily west into the Great Basin and north and east into the foothills of the central and southern Rocky Mountains. Stands have been observed on north-facing steep slopes along bluffs of the Snake River in southeastern Idaho. Stands occur on a variety of sites, including alluvial fans and stream terraces, colluvial slopes, benches, ledges, hills, ridges, mesas, and badlands. Sites range from level to steep terrain that may be oriented to any aspect. Elevation of most stands ranges from 1220 to 2260 m (4000-7400 feet). Soils are often calcareous, shallow, poorly developed, rapidly to well-drained sands, sandy clays, or clay loams derived from shales, sandstones, or a mix of the two.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:39556-{F11DA12C-DC3F-4191-B444-EBBE248F8468}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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