Print Report

CEGL001110 Quercus gambelii / Amelanchier utahensis Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gambel Oak / Utah Serviceberry Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: The vegetation of this association is characterized by a sparse to dense (10-100% canopy coverage) tall-shrub layer (2-5 m tall) codominated by Quercus gambelii and Amelanchier utahensis. Common shrub associates include Artemisia tridentata and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Cercocarpus montanus is absent or poorly represented (<5% cover). Other shrubs and dwarf-shrubs present with low cover may include Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra viridis, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Mahonia repens, Opuntia spp., Purshia tridentata, and Prunus virginiana. Graminoids, such as Pascopyrum smithii, Achnatherum hymenoides, Carex geyeri, Hesperostipa comata, or Poa fendleriana, dominate the sparse herbaceous layer (<10% total cover). Common forbs include Achillea millefolium, Artemisia ludoviciana, Allium acuminatum, Comandra umbellata, Erigeron speciosus, Lathyrus lanszwertii, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Packera multilobata, Phlox austromontana, Thalictrum fendleri, and Vicia americana. Occasionally, scattered individual trees are present in the overstory, including Pinus edulis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Juniperus osteosperma. Stands occur in canyons, or on mesas, benches, plateaus, ridges, foothills scarps and mountains in in southern Utah and western Colorado. Elevation ranges from 1173 to 2700 m (3850-8860 feet). Slopes are gentle to steep (1-100%) and may be oriented to any aspect. Soil are generally deep, well-developed and are derived from a variety of sources, including sandstones, shales and metamorphic rocks.

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. This plant association is similar to other montane Gambel oak shrublands except for the codominance of Amelanchier utahensis with only minor amounts (<10% or 5% cover, respectively) of Artemisia tridentata or Cercocarpus montanus.

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

Floristics: This association is characterized by a sparse to dense (10-100% cover) tall-shrub layer (2-5 m tall) that is dominated by Quercus gambelii and codominated by Amelanchier utahensis. Sparse stands tend to occur in areas that have burned recently. Common associates include Artemisia tridentata and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Cercocarpus montanus is absent or poorly represented (<5% cover). Other shrubs and dwarf-shrubs present with low cover may include Atriplex canescens, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Eriogonum corymbosum, Eriogonum microthecum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Mahonia repens, Opuntia spp., Prunus virginiana, Purshia tridentata, Rhus aromatica, Shepherdia rotundifolia, and Symphoricarpos longiflorus. Graminoids, such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Carex geyeri, Hesperostipa comata, Leymus salinus, Pascopyrum smithii, Phragmites australis, Poa fendleriana, or Sporobolus cryptandrus, dominate the sparse herbaceous layer (<10% total cover). The introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum can also be present. Common forbs include Achillea millefolium, Amsonia tomentosa, Artemisia ludoviciana, Allium acuminatum, Comandra umbellata, Erigeron speciosus, Lathyrus lanszwertii, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Packera multilobata, Phlox austromontana, Stephanomeria pauciflora, Tetraneuris acaulis (= Hymenoxys acaulis), Thalictrum fendleri, Vicia americana, Scabrethia scabra (= Wyethia scabra), or Xylorhiza tortifolia. Occasionally, tree species are present in the overstory, including Pinus edulis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Juniperus osteosperma.

Dynamics:  Fire is important in maintaining montane shrublands, as burning eliminates coniferous trees but not the fire-adapted shrub species. Quercus gambelii is a fire-adapted species with a well-developed root system it uses to draw moisture from a large volume of soil allowing for rapid resprouting after fire (Clary 1992). Muldavin et al. (1998b) reported that in the Organ Mountains in southwestern New Mexico after a severe fire, Quercus gambelii resprouted into a dense thicket that excluded both herbaceous understory and conifer species. Amelanchier utahensis also sprouts from the root crown after above-ground parts of the plant are killed by fire (Carmichael et al. 1978). It 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).
Environmental Description:  This mountain shrubland occurs in southern Utah and western Colorado. Elevation ranges from 1173 to 2700 m (3850-8860 feet). Stands occur in canyons or on mesas, benches, plateaus, ridges, foothills scarps and mountains. Slopes are gentle to steep (1-100%) and may be oriented to any aspect. Soil are generally deep, well-developed and are derived from a variety of sources, including sandstones, shales and metamorphic rocks.
Geographic Range: This montane shrubland occurs in Colorado Plateau, Utah High Plateaus and southern Rocky Mountains in northern Arizona, southern Utah and western Colorado.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CO, UT


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G5

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.a Gambel Oak - Serviceberry species - Chokecherry Southern Rocky Mountain Montane Shrubland Group G277 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Alliance A3735 Gambel Oak - Mountain Snowberry Shrubland Alliance A3735 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL001110 Gambel Oak / Utah Serviceberry Shrubland CEGL001110 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Mountain Brush Community (Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. 1987)
Concept Author(s): K.A. Schulz

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

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 07-14-16
  • 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/]
  • Carmichael, R. S., O. D. Knipe, C. P. Pase, and W. W. Brady. 1978. Arizona chaparral: Plant associations and ecology. Research Paper RM-202. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 16 pp.
  • Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. 1987. Draft vegetation in formation for the Alton Coal Mining Project. Volume 6, Chapter 3, Appendix 3.6-B, pages 1-41 in: Mining & Reclamation Plan for Alton Mine, Utah International, Inc., Utah Division of Oil, Gas & Mining ACT/025/003.
  • Clark, D., M. Dela Cruz, T. Clark, J. Coles, S. Topp, A. Evenden, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Capitol Reef National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/187. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 882 pp.
  • Clary, W. P. 1992. Ecology and values of Gambel oak woodlands. Pages 87-95 in: Ecology and management of oak and associated woodlands. General Technical Report RM-218. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 224 pp.
  • Cogan, D., M. Reid, K. Schulz, and M. Pucherelli. 2004. Zion National Park, Utah 1999-2003. Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-03-01. Remote Sensing and GIS Group Technical Service Center, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. Appendix F: Vegetation Association Descriptions for Zion.
  • 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.
  • Coles, J., J. Von Loh, A. Evenden, G. Manis, G. Wakefield. and A. Wight. 2008c. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Natural Bridges National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2008/077. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 390 pp.
  • Crane, M. F. 1982. Fire ecology of Rocky Mountain Region forest habitat types. USDA Forest Service final report. 272 pp.
  • Kearsley, M. J. C., K. Green, M. Tukman, M. Reid, M. Hall, T. J. Ayers, and K. Christie. 2015. Grand Canyon National Park-Grand Canyon / Parashant National Monument vegetation classification and mapping project. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRCA/NRR--2015/913. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 75 pp. plus appendices.
  • Muldavin, E., G. Harper, P. Neville, and Y. Chauvin. 1998b. The vegetation of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Volume II. Vegetation map. Final report for Cooperative Agreement No. 14-16-00-91-233 White Sands Missile Range, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Nature Conservancy and the University of New Mexico.
  • Reid, M. S., and M. E. Hall. 2010. Vegetation classification of Grand Canyon National Park. Draft report submitted to National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Romme, W. H., K. D. Heil, J. M. Porter, and R. Fleming. 1993. Plant communities of Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. USDI National Park Service, Technical Report NPS/NAUCARE/NRTER-93/02. Cooperative Park Studies Unit, Northern Arizona University. 37 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.
  • Tendick, A., J. Spence, M. Reid, K. Shulz, G. Kittel, K. Green, A. Wight, and G. Wakefield. 2017. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRR—2017/1500. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 1464 pp.
  • Thomas, K. A., M. L. McTeague, L. Ogden, M. L. Floyd, K. Schulz, B. Friesen, T. Fancher, R. Waltermire, and A. Cully. 2009b. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Mesa Verde National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/SCPN/NRR--2009/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 352 pp.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.