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CEGL000846 Pinus ponderosa / Artemisia nova Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine / Black Sagebrush Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This Colorado Plateau woodland has been reported from mountains and plateaus in southern Utah and northern Arizona. Stands occur on rocky ridges and benches with various aspects. Elevation ranges from 2100-2750 m (6900-9000 feet). Substrates are typically shallow, gravelly loam, clay loam or silt loam soils derived from basalt or a mix of colluvial shale and sandstone, sometimes with an impermeable subsurface horizon that restricts rooting. Some sites are known to have seasonally high water tables. The vegetation is characterized by an open tree canopy (5-30% cover) that is dominated by Pinus ponderosa. Scattered Juniperus scopulorum or Pinus flexilis trees may also be present. Artemisia nova or Artemisia arbuscula dominates the typically sparse dwarf-shrub layer with 5-20% cover. Occasionally, this association may occur as a very sparse woodland, with total vegetation cover not exceeding 15%. Other shrub species present may include Purshia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria parryi, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Quercus gambelii, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Tetradymia canescens. If Quercus gambelii is present, it has less than 5% cover and much less cover than Artemisia. The sparse herbaceous layer (<10% cover) is primarily composed of graminoids with scattered forbs and includes Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Carex rossii, Elymus elymoides, Leymus salinus, Piptatheropsis micrantha, Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda, Eriogonum alatum, Eriogonum racemosum, Opuntia spp., and Penstemon caespitosus.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Must have Artemisia nova, which is a short sagebrush shrub found from northwestern New Mexico and northern Arizona (Kaibab Plateau and Grand Canyon) north to Oregon and Idaho. The open stand structure of Pinus ponderosa combines with a denser structure in woodland species and greater than 5% cover of shrubs.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is characterized by a typically open (5-30% cover) to moderately dense (60%) tree canopy that is dominated by Pinus ponderosa. Scattered Juniperus monosperma, Juniperus scopulorum, Pinus edulis, or Pinus flexilis trees may also be present. Artemisia nova dominates the typically sparse dwarf-shrub layer with 5-20% cover. Occasionally, this association may occur as a very sparse woodland, with total vegetation cover not exceeding 15%. Other shrub species present may include Purshia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria parryi, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Quercus gambelii, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Tetradymia canescens. If Quercus gambelii is present, it has less than 5% cover and much less cover than Artemisia. The sparse but often diverse herbaceous layer (<10% cover) is primarily composed of graminoids with scattered forbs and includes Achnatherum hymenoides, Antennaria parvifolia, Bouteloua gracilis, Carex rossii, Elymus elymoides, Erigeron divergens, Leymus salinus (= Elymus salinus), Piptatheropsis micrantha (= Piptatherum micranthum), Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda, Eriogonum alatum, Eriogonum racemosum, Hymenoxys richardsonii, Ipomopsis aggregata, Opuntia spp., Penstemon caespitosus, and Sporobolus contractus.
Dynamics: These woodlands are thought to have a longer fire-return interval than most other Pinus ponderosa-dominated woodlands because of the presence of Artemisia nova, which is easily killed by all fire intensities (Roberts et al. 1992). Artemisia nova does not sprout after burning; sites must be re-established by seed from off-site plants. However, the typically sparse understory of most ponderosa pine - black sagebrush woodland occurrences is unlikely to carry a hot fire (FEIS 2001).
When exposed to fire, West and Hassan (1985) found no evidence of Artemisia nova re-establishment up to 2 years following a late-July fire. Most black sagebrush seeds are dispersed close to the parent plant; therefore, mosaic burning patterns which leave unburned patches speed recovery. Favorable precipitation following burning also aids in seedling establishment (Wright et al. 1979).
When exposed to fire, West and Hassan (1985) found no evidence of Artemisia nova re-establishment up to 2 years following a late-July fire. Most black sagebrush seeds are dispersed close to the parent plant; therefore, mosaic burning patterns which leave unburned patches speed recovery. Favorable precipitation following burning also aids in seedling establishment (Wright et al. 1979).
Environmental Description: This Colorado Plateau woodland has been reported from hills, mountains and plateaus in southern Utah and northern Arizona. Stands occur on rocky ridges and benches with various aspects. Sites are on gentle to moderate slopes. Elevation ranges from 2100-2750 m (6900-9000 feet). Substrates are typically shallow, gravelly loam, sandy loam, clay loam or silt loam soils derived from basalt or a mix of colluvial shale and sandstone, sometimes with an impermeable subsurface horizon that restricts rooting. Some sites are known to have seasonally high water tables.
Geographic Range: This association occurs on mountains and plateaus in southern Utah and northern Arizona. Local in northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, and southern Colorado. Widespread in southern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, NM, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683460
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division | D194 | 1.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nb.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup | M022 | 1.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b Ponderosa Pine Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Group | G228 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Alliance | A3398 Ponderosa Pine Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3398 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Association | CEGL000846 Ponderosa Pine / Black Sagebrush Woodland | CEGL000846 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus ponderosa / Artemisia arbuscula (USFS 1987a)
= Pinus ponderosa / Artemisia arbuscula Plant Association (Larson and Moir 1987)
= Pinus ponderosa / Artemisia nova (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
? Pinus ponderosa / Artemisia nova Habitat Type (Youngblood and Mauk 1985)
? Ponderosa Pine / Black Sagebrush Habitat Type (Roberts et al. 1992)
= Pinus ponderosa / Artemisia arbuscula Plant Association (Larson and Moir 1987)
= Pinus ponderosa / Artemisia nova (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
? Pinus ponderosa / Artemisia nova Habitat Type (Youngblood and Mauk 1985)
? Ponderosa Pine / Black Sagebrush Habitat Type (Roberts et al. 1992)
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