Print Report

CEGL001067 Amelanchier utahensis Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Utah Serviceberry Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This mountain shrubland association occurs at middle elevations in the foothills, mountains and mesas in north-central Utah, the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin of the western U.S. The sparse to moderately dense tall-shrub layer (10-60% cover) is dominated by the cold-deciduous shrub Amelanchier utahensis. Symphoricarpos oreophilus often dominates in the short-shrub layer. Other shrub associates may include low cover of Acer grandidentatum, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra viridis, Mahonia repens, Purshia tridentata, Rhus trilobata, and Rosa woodsii. Quercus gambelii may also be present, but it is always poorly represented (<5%). Tree species are sometimes present with the tall shrubs or as a very sparse emergent layer. The sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer is a mixture of perennial graminoids and forbs. Introduced species such as Agropyron cristatum and Bromus tectorum are common in disturbed stands. Stands occur on moderate to steep slopes characterized by talus or rockfall from further upslope. It is found on relatively warm southern aspects in the Wasatch Mountains but also occurs on northern aspects or in cold-air drainages at lower elevations and more southern latitudes. Substrates are moderately deep, rocky loams and clays.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The vegetation is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense (10-60% cover) tall-shrub layer dominated by the cold-deciduous shrub Amelanchier utahensis. Symphoricarpos oreophilus often forms a short-shrub layer. Other shrub associates may include low cover of Acer glabrum, Acer grandidentatum, Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Fraxinus anomala, Mahonia repens, Purshia tridentata, Rhus trilobata, and Rosa woodsii. Quercus gambelii may also be present, but it is always poorly represented (<5% cover). Short trees of Pinus edulis, Juniperus osteosperma, or Juniperus scopulorum may be mixed in with the tall shrubs or emerge above as a very sparse tree layer. The sparse to moderate herbaceous layer is a mixture of perennial graminoids and forbs. Graminoid species include Achnatherum nelsonii ssp. dorei (= Stipa columbiana), Bromus carinatus, Koeleria macrantha, Leymus salinus, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Poa fendleriana. Forb species include Astragalus spp., Balsamorhiza sagittata, Chenopodium fremontii, Eriogonum spp., Machaeranthera canescens, Mertensia spp., Penstemon spp., and Piptatheropsis micrantha (= Oryzopsis micrantha). Introduced graminoid species such as Agropyron cristatum and Bromus tectorum are common in disturbed stands.

Dynamics:  Fire is important in maintaining the montane shrublands, as burning eliminates Juniperus osteosperma and Pinus edulis trees and other less fire-tolerant species. Amelanchier utahensis will sprout from the root crown after aboveground parts of the plant are killed by fire (Carmichael et al. 1978). The shrub may be slightly harmed by fire, depending on moisture conditions, but is considered to be fire-tolerant and will persist or increase after burning (Carmichael et al. 1978, Crane 1982). Steeper sites are often on active slopes with erosion moving rocks and soils further downslope and also bringing materials to these sites from further upslope.
Environmental Description:  This shrubland association occurs on foothills, canyons, ridges, mountains and mesas at elevations from 1326-2440 m (4345-8000 feet). Stands occur on moderate to steep slopes (9-46°) with a high proportion of talus or rockfall. It is found on relatively warm southern aspects in the Wasatch Mountains (Yake and Brotherson 1979) but also occurs on northern aspects or in cold-air drainages at lower elevations and more southern latitudes. Substrates are rapidly drained, moderately deep, rocky or sandy soils that range from sand to silt loams and clays. Parent materials include volcanic cinder, and alluvial or colluvial deposits of sandstone and shale. Canyons slopes are often shaly with sandstone cobble veneer.
Geographic Range: This shrubland association occurs in the foothills and mountain areas in the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, Southern Rockies, and Wyoming Basins in northern Arizona, southern and north-central Utah, east-central Nevada, western Colorado, southwestern Wyoming, and likely elsewhere in the western U.S.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CO, NV, UT, WY


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation F012 2.B.2
Division 2.B.2.Nf Western North American Grassland & Shrubland Division D022 2.B.2.Nf
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Nf.1 Gambel Oak - Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Bitterbrush species Southern Rocky Mountain Montane Shrubland Macrogroup M049 2.B.2.Nf.1
Group 2.B.2.Nf.1.b Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Wavyleaf Oak - Skunkbush Sumac Foothill Shrubland Group G276 2.B.2.Nf.1.b
Alliance A3732 Utah Serviceberry - Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Littleleaf Mountain-mahogany Shrubland Alliance A3732 2.B.2.Nf.1.b
Association CEGL001067 Utah Serviceberry Shrubland CEGL001067 2.B.2.Nf.1.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Amelanchier utahensis Potential Native Plant Community (Eddleman and Jaindl 1994)
= Serviceberry Habitat Type (Yake and Brotherson 1979)
Concept Author(s): K.A. Schulz

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz, J. Drake and G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 07-14-16
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