Print Report
CEGL001068 Amelanchier utahensis - Mixed Shrub / Carex geyeri Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Utah Serviceberry - Mixed Shrub / Geyer''s Sedge Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs on the rocky slopes and summits of hills and ridges in western and north-central Colorado. A few stands occur in the bottom of dry gullies. Elevations range from 2225 to 2765 m (7300-9070 feet), and stands tend to occur on gentle to moderately steep north- or east-facing slopes. Substrates include volcanic or sedimentary rock as well as landslides. The moderately dense to dense shrub layer is variable in its composition and dominance, but is characterized by relatively high cover of Amelanchier utahensis, a lack of Quercus gambelii and relatively low cover by Artemisia tridentata (ssp. vaseyana or ssp. wyomingensis). Other shrubs, including Cercocarpus montanus, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Purshia tridentata, may be present and sometimes may be codominant with the Amelanchier. The herbaceous layer tends to be relatively sparse, rarely exceeding 20% total cover. Carex geyeri has at least 5% cover, and many other graminoids and forbs may be present in small amounts, including Achnatherum lettermanii, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Galium boreale, Lupinus sp., Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus, Poa pratensis, Allium acuminatum, Achillea millefolium, and Pseudostellaria jamesiana. Grazing by domestic animals decreases the cover of Carex geyeri and increases the cover of Poa pratensis, and browsing by elk may hedge the dominant shrub species.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Tiedemann et al. (1987) describe a community dominated by Amelanchier alnifolia. The other references used in this description describe communities dominated by Amelanchier utahensis. Because it can be difficult to distinguish the two species, it makes sense to include all stands dominated by either species of Amelanchier in this association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This tall shrubland association is variable in its shrub composition and dominance but is characterized by relatively high cover of Amelanchier utahensis, a lack of Quercus gambelii and relatively low cover by Artemisia tridentata (ssp. vaseyana or ssp. wyomingensis). Other shrubs, including Cercocarpus montanus, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Purshia tridentata, may be present and sometimes may be codominant with the Amelanchier. Total shrub cover ranges from 25% to more than 100% in these moderately dense to dense stands, and the shrub layer may be 1-2 m tall. Because of the dense shade cast by the shrub layer, the herbaceous layer tends to be relatively sparse, rarely exceeding 20% total cover. Carex geyeri has at least 5% cover, and many other graminoids and forbs may be present, including Achnatherum lettermanii, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Galium boreale, Lupinus sp., Lathyrus lanszwertii var. leucanthus, Poa pratensis, Allium acuminatum, Achillea millefolium, and Pseudostellaria jamesiana.
Dynamics: Grazing by domestic animals decreases the cover of Carex geyeri and increases the cover of Poa pratensis (Baker 1982b).
Environmental Description: This association occurs on the slopes and summits of hills and ridges in western and north-central Colorado. A few stands occur in the bottom of dry gullies. Elevations range from 2225 to 2765 m (7300-9070 feet), and stands tend to occur on gentle to moderately steep north- or east-facing slopes. Substrates include volcanic or sedimentary rock as well as landslides. Soil textures vary, but soils are often quite rocky.
Geographic Range: This association is known to occur in western and north-central Colorado. It is likely to occur in southwestern Wyoming and northeastern Utah on similar substrates (especially Green River Shale and Uinta Formation).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT?, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684724
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
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 | CEGL001068 Utah Serviceberry - Mixed Shrub / Geyer''s Sedge Shrubland | CEGL001068 | 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 - Artemisia tridentata - Cercocarpus montanus - Purshia tridentata - Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Carex geyeri (Baker 1982b)
= Amelanchier utahensis - Symphoricarpos oreophilus (Baker 1982b)
= Amelanchier utahensis - Symphoricarpos oreophilus (Baker 1982b)
- Baker, W. L. 1982b. Natural vegetation of the Piceance Basin, Colorado. Appendix D, pages 1-113 in: J. S. Peterson and W. L. Baker, editors. Inventory of the Piceance Basin, Colorado. Unpublished report for the Bureau Land Management, Craig, CO.
- Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- Coles, J., A. Tendick, J. Von Loh, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/361. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Current, F. B. 1984. The distribution and description of the vegetation of Battle Mountain as explained by abiotic factors. Unpublished dissertation, University of Wyoming, Laramie.
- Keammerer, W. R., and S. J. Peterson. 1981. Vegetation studies on the Naval Oil Shale Reserve. Unpublished report prepared for TRW Energy Systems Group, McLean, Virginia, by Stoecker-Keammerer and Associates, Ecological Consultants, Boulder, CO. 77 pp.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, P. Williams, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Curecanti National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/408. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 797 pp.
- Tiedemann, J. A., R. E. Francis, C. Terwilliger, Jr., and L. H. Carpenter. 1987. Shrub-steppe habitat types of Middle Park, Colorado. Research Paper RM-273. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 20 pp.
- Vories, K. C. 1974. A vegetation inventory and analysis of the Piceance Basin and adjacent drainages. Unpublished thesis. Western State College of Colorado, Gunnison. 243 pp.
- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.