Print Report
CEGL002783 Jamesia americana - (Physocarpus monogynus, Holodiscus dumosus) Rock Outcrop Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Five-petal Cliffbush - (Mountain Ninebark, Rockspirea) Rock Outcrop Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This foothill and montane rock outcrop shrubland is found in the southern Rocky Mountains from central Colorado to northern New Mexico. Many of these sites are small, but some of the best examples grow from very large cliff faces on the upper shoulders of large hills. Sites are moderately steep to very steep with cooler northerly aspects at lower elevations and warmer southerly aspects at higher elevations, which range from 1890 and 2715 m (6210-8900 feet). Substrates are dominated by various rock types , such as bedrock outcrop, boulders, and talus. Vegetation is characterized by open to dense stands of mesic forest shrubs that are variously dominated by Jamesia americana, Physocarpus monogynus, Holodiscus dumosus, and Philadelphus microphyllus. Scattered trees may be present, including Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii saplings and mature trees, but cover is less than 5%. Many other shrubs may be present, such as Rubus deliciosus and Ribes cereum. However, Quercus gambelii and Acer glabrum are poorly represented or absent. The herbaceous layer is variable and may be sparse to moderately dense. Common species include Bouteloua gracilis, Muhlenbergia montana, and Poa fendleriana often well-represented along with seeded Bromus inermis and Festuca idahoensis. Forbs can also be well-represented and typically include Artemisia dracunculus or Artemisia ludoviciana.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
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: Vegetation is characterized by open to dense stands of mesic forest shrubs that are variously dominated by Jamesia americana, Physocarpus monogynus, Holodiscus dumosus, and Philadelphus microphyllus. Scattered trees may be present, including Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii saplings and mature trees, but cover is less than 5%. Many other shrubs may be present, such as Rubus deliciosus and Ribes cereum. However, Quercus gambelii and Acer glabrum are poorly represented or absent. The herbaceous layer is variable and ranges from sparse to moderately dense.
Within Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in central Colorado in the vicinity of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, this shrubland is relatively sparse because of the large boulders that are strewn on the landscape or appear as outcropping bedrock. Often, the lichens covering these rocks provide large amounts of foliar cover, at times from 30-60%. Typically, the dominant shrubs are from 1-2 m in height and provide foliar cover from approximately 10-25% across the rock outcrops. Jamesia americana, Rubus deliciosus, and Ribes cereum shrubs are always present, and lesser amounts of Prunus virginiana, Cercocarpus montanus, and Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda are sometimes observed. Common graminoids associated with these dry exposures include Muhlenbergia montana and Bouteloua gracilis, which provide foliar cover from 5-10% on most outcrops. Because the rock outcrops shed water and direct runoff to small drainages and protected sites, it is not unusual to have some more mesic graminoid species present, including Deschampsia cespitosa, Bromus inermis, and Poa pratensis. A few moist, protected sites support ferns, e.g., Woodsia spp. and Dryopteris filix-mas. Forbs rarely contribute more than 1-2% foliar cover on the rock outcrop formations and a variety are present. Non-vegetative cover within rock outcrops is typically that of boulders, small rock, and bare soil, which approach 55-95% ground cover values. Jamesia americana shrubs often grow at the base of some boulders and drape around the sides much like a curtain, resulting in only a minor foliar cover value for the shrub.
Within Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico, vegetation is characterized by open to dense stands of mesic forest shrubs that are variously dominated by Jamesia americana, Physocarpus monogynus, Holodiscus dumosus, and Philadelphus microphyllus. Scattered Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii saplings and mature trees can occur, but cover is less than 5%. Quercus gambelii and Acer glabrum are poorly represented or absent. Grass cover can be high with Poa fendleriana often well-represented along with Festuca idahoensis and seeded introduced species Bromus inermis. Forbs can also be well-represented and typically include abundant Artemisia dracunculus or Artemisia ludoviciana.
Within Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in central Colorado in the vicinity of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, this shrubland is relatively sparse because of the large boulders that are strewn on the landscape or appear as outcropping bedrock. Often, the lichens covering these rocks provide large amounts of foliar cover, at times from 30-60%. Typically, the dominant shrubs are from 1-2 m in height and provide foliar cover from approximately 10-25% across the rock outcrops. Jamesia americana, Rubus deliciosus, and Ribes cereum shrubs are always present, and lesser amounts of Prunus virginiana, Cercocarpus montanus, and Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda are sometimes observed. Common graminoids associated with these dry exposures include Muhlenbergia montana and Bouteloua gracilis, which provide foliar cover from 5-10% on most outcrops. Because the rock outcrops shed water and direct runoff to small drainages and protected sites, it is not unusual to have some more mesic graminoid species present, including Deschampsia cespitosa, Bromus inermis, and Poa pratensis. A few moist, protected sites support ferns, e.g., Woodsia spp. and Dryopteris filix-mas. Forbs rarely contribute more than 1-2% foliar cover on the rock outcrop formations and a variety are present. Non-vegetative cover within rock outcrops is typically that of boulders, small rock, and bare soil, which approach 55-95% ground cover values. Jamesia americana shrubs often grow at the base of some boulders and drape around the sides much like a curtain, resulting in only a minor foliar cover value for the shrub.
Within Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico, vegetation is characterized by open to dense stands of mesic forest shrubs that are variously dominated by Jamesia americana, Physocarpus monogynus, Holodiscus dumosus, and Philadelphus microphyllus. Scattered Abies concolor and Pseudotsuga menziesii saplings and mature trees can occur, but cover is less than 5%. Quercus gambelii and Acer glabrum are poorly represented or absent. Grass cover can be high with Poa fendleriana often well-represented along with Festuca idahoensis and seeded introduced species Bromus inermis. Forbs can also be well-represented and typically include abundant Artemisia dracunculus or Artemisia ludoviciana.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This foothill and montane rock outcrop shrubland is found in the southern Rocky Mountains from central Colorado to northern New Mexico. Sites are moderately steep to very steep with cooler northerly aspects at lower elevations and warmer southerly aspects at higher elevations, which range from 1890 and 2715 m (6210-8900 feet). Substrates are dominated by various rock types, such as bedrock outcrop, boulders, and talus. Within Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in central Colorado in the vicinity of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest, this shrubland occupies nearly every rock outcrop, regardless of size. Many of these sites are small, but the best examples grow from very large cliff faces on the upper shoulders of large hills. The slopes are steep (30-60%) and a few appear vertical. The aspect is predominantly southerly, but a few western exposures occur (150-270°). Elevation here ranges from 2530-2715 m (8300-8950 feet). The exposures are large Pikes Peak granite boulders that have sometimes weathered and cracked. The shrubs grow within the cracks on the rocks and around the base of the rocks where accumulations of small gravel and soil occur. Within Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico, this mid-elevation association occurs between 1890 and 2430 m (6210-7970 feet) on slopes with low solar exposure (mostly northerly aspects). Slopes are very steep (70-120%), boulder-strewn or taluslike, and unstable. Soils are mapped as either rocky Inceptisols with little development, or as simply rock outcrop. The ground surface is characterized by many shrubs rooted among boulders, rocks, and cobbles with scattered bunch grasses intermixed.
Geographic Range: This association is reported from central Colorado, known only from the Front Range, as well as in north-central New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684890
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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 | A3736 Singleleaf Ash - Skunkbush Sumac - Cliff Fendlerbush Talus & Rock Outcrop Shrubland Alliance | A3736 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.a |
| Association | CEGL002783 Five-petal Cliffbush - (Mountain Ninebark, Rockspirea) Rock Outcrop Shrubland | CEGL002783 | 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: No Data Available
- Muldavin, E., A. Kennedy, C. Jackson, P. Neville, T. Neville, K. Schulz, and M. Reid. 2011b. Vegetation classification and map: Bandelier National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2011/438. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, T. Neville, P. Arbetan, A. Fettes, A. Kennedy, and L. Arnold. 2011d. A vegetation classification and map: Capulin Volcano National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SOPN/NRTR--2011/461. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 158 pp.
- Owns, T., project coordinator, et al. 2004. U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service. 390 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.