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CEGL002914 Cercocarpus montanus / Muhlenbergia montana Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany / Mountain Muhly Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is part of the lower montane-foothills shrubland ecosystem within the eastern slope of the southern Rocky Mountains between 2410 and 2623 m (7900-8600 feet) in elevation. This ecosystem may occur as a mosaic of two or three plant associations often surrounded by grasslands or woodlands. These slopes are typically oriented southerly, between approximately 125° and 190°, although a few ridges are more westerly trending. The slopes are steep, from 7-22%, and are rapidly drained. This shrubland occupies gravelly substrates and rocky sites on the dry, upper steep slopes (25-56%) of hills and ridges. The vegetation is characterized by an open to moderately dense short-shrub layer (<2 m) dominated by Cercocarpus montanus, typically with a lush herbaceous layer dominated by Muhlenbergia montana. Cercocarpus montanus shrubs are scattered on these sites, e.g., the canopies rarely overlap, unlike very dense stands that grow at lower elevations in Colorado and nearby states. Along with Cercocarpus montanus, a few Ribes cereum or Rhus trilobata shrubs occur on most sites. Because this type occupies canopy breaks in foothill and montane woodlands or is occasionally invaded by Pinus ponderosa trees, it is not unusual to have some foliar cover provided by tree canopies. Total vegetation cover for Cercocarpus montanus stands was estimated at from 40-70%, depending on the amount of understory herbaceous growth. Dwarf-shrubs, typically Yucca glauca, Artemisia frigida, Opuntia polyacantha, and young Cercocarpus montanus, are present but often provide less than 5% foliar cover. The herbaceous layer is generally dominated by graminoids, particularly Muhlenbergia montana, Festuca arizonica, and Bouteloua gracilis.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Some stands of this associations are very similar to ~Cercocarpus montanus / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland (CEGL001092)$$ and may be codominated by Hesperostipa comata. However, Muhlenbergia montana will be absent or low cover in stands of ~Cercocarpus montanus / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland (CEGL001092)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This shrubland association is characterized by an open to moderately dense short-shrub layer (<2 m) dominated by Cercocarpus montanus, typically with a lush herbaceous layer dominated by Muhlenbergia montana. Other shrubs often include a few Ribes cereum or Rhus trilobata on most sites. Because this type occupies breaks in the tree canopy, it is occasionally invaded by Pinus ponderosa trees, and it is not unusual to have some foliar cover provided by tree canopies. The shrub canopies rarely overlap, unlike very dense stands that grow at lower elevations in Colorado and nearby states. Many stands have a relatively sparse shrub layer and can actually be dominated by graminoids, particularly Muhlenbergia montana, with Hesperostipa comata and Bouteloua gracilis often codominant. Total vegetative cover for Cercocarpus montanus stands was estimated at from 40-70%, depending on the amount of understory herbaceous growth. Dwarf-shrubs, typically Yucca glauca, Artemisia frigida, and young Cercocarpus montanus, are present but usually provide less than 5% foliar cover. The herbaceous layer is a mixture of grasses and forbs. Associated species include Achnatherum scribneri, Bouteloua gracilis, Carex geyeri, Elymus albicans (= Elymus lanceolatus ssp. albicans), Festuca arizonica, and the perennial forbs Helianthus pumilus, Heterotheca villosa, Potentilla fissa, and Scutellaria brittonii. Introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum is often present.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This shrubland association is part of the lower montane-foothills shrubland ecosystem found in the Front Range of Colorado, generally occurring between 2155 and 2623 m (7065-8600 feet) in elevation. This association may occur as a mosaic of two or three plant associations often surrounded by grasslands or woodlands. This shrubland occupies gravelly substrates and rocky sites on the dry, upper steep slopes (25-56%) of hills and ridges. These slopes are typically oriented southerly, between approximately 125° and 190°, although a few ridges are more westerly trending. The slopes are steep, from 7-25%, and are rapidly drained. Substrates are typically rocky soils.
Geographic Range: This foothill to lower montane shrubland association occurs on the east slope of the southern Rocky Mountains in Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684416
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GU
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 | A3733 Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Wavyleaf Oak Shrubland Alliance | A3733 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.b |
| Association | CEGL002914 Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany / Mountain Muhly Shrubland | CEGL002914 | 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: = Cercocarpus montanus / Muhlenbergia montana Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
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- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.