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CEGL000708 Juniperus monosperma / Bouteloua curtipendula Open Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: One-seed Juniper / Sideoats Grama Open Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This woodland association is known to occur in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. It occurs on sites with moderate solar exposure, on all aspects of lower hillslopes or on alluvial terraces in or adjacent to canyon bottom floodplains. This association can also occur on steep, colluvial slopes of escarpments, dipslopes of moderate slope, and occasionally on lower toeslopes and valley bottoms. Soils are shallow, gravelly to rocky and are derived from basalt, andesite, or tuff colluvium, or mixed mineralogy alluvium. Slope sites tend to be rocky and gravelly, while terraces are less so, but with significant exposed soil and litter accumulation. Boulders and bedrock may occupy 50% of the site. Soils may also be loamy Inceptisols and Mollisols derived from sedimentary limestone and calcitic sandstone. Elevation ranges from 1500 to 2300 m (5000-7500 feet).
Within the Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico, this low-statured woodland is characterized by mature Juniperus monosperma trees forming sparse to open canopies (10-35%) with scattered Pinus edulis seedlings or saplings in the subcanopy. Shrubs are poorly represented but may include succulents such as Opuntia spp. Scattered graminoids are found in the inter-tree spaces with Bouteloua curtipendula the most abundant and dominant, with an assortment of other plains grassland species present but not dominant. Within the adjacent Los Alamos region, this is the dominant community type in the juniper savanna. Numerous shrub species may be present with frequencies ranging from 30 to 40%. However, overall shrub coverages are low. The understory vegetation tends to be graminoid; however, the overall grass coverage may be as little as 5%. One or more of Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Lycurus phleoides, or Pleuraphis jamesii represents up to 50% of the overall grass coverage. Bouteloua gracilis or Bouteloua hirsuta may also be abundant.
At White Sands Missile Range, this juniper woodland occurs on steep rocky slopes. Juniperus monosperma is the dominant tree in the very open to moderately open tree canopy. Pinus edulis may be present, but it is only an occasional or minor associate. Bouteloua curtipendula is the dominant grass species. Bouteloua gracilis, Bouteloua hirsuta, and Aristida purpurea can be abundant but not dominant; Hesperostipa neomexicana can occur under the tree canopies. The shrub layer is very diverse but is generally under 5% cover. Forb diversity is likewise very high, but forb cover is very low and not consistent in composition from stand to stand. Within Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in Texas, this community is dominated by Juniperus monosperma with an understory of smaller shrubs, grasses and forbs. The amount of juniper in the community has generally increased over the past several decades. More mesic slopes facing east or north grow larger juniper and tend to have more species diversity. The most common grass is Bouteloua curtipendula, which is well-distributed throughout the community.
Within the Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico, this low-statured woodland is characterized by mature Juniperus monosperma trees forming sparse to open canopies (10-35%) with scattered Pinus edulis seedlings or saplings in the subcanopy. Shrubs are poorly represented but may include succulents such as Opuntia spp. Scattered graminoids are found in the inter-tree spaces with Bouteloua curtipendula the most abundant and dominant, with an assortment of other plains grassland species present but not dominant. Within the adjacent Los Alamos region, this is the dominant community type in the juniper savanna. Numerous shrub species may be present with frequencies ranging from 30 to 40%. However, overall shrub coverages are low. The understory vegetation tends to be graminoid; however, the overall grass coverage may be as little as 5%. One or more of Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Lycurus phleoides, or Pleuraphis jamesii represents up to 50% of the overall grass coverage. Bouteloua gracilis or Bouteloua hirsuta may also be abundant.
At White Sands Missile Range, this juniper woodland occurs on steep rocky slopes. Juniperus monosperma is the dominant tree in the very open to moderately open tree canopy. Pinus edulis may be present, but it is only an occasional or minor associate. Bouteloua curtipendula is the dominant grass species. Bouteloua gracilis, Bouteloua hirsuta, and Aristida purpurea can be abundant but not dominant; Hesperostipa neomexicana can occur under the tree canopies. The shrub layer is very diverse but is generally under 5% cover. Forb diversity is likewise very high, but forb cover is very low and not consistent in composition from stand to stand. Within Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in Texas, this community is dominated by Juniperus monosperma with an understory of smaller shrubs, grasses and forbs. The amount of juniper in the community has generally increased over the past several decades. More mesic slopes facing east or north grow larger juniper and tend to have more species diversity. The most common grass is Bouteloua curtipendula, which is well-distributed throughout the community.
Diagnostic Characteristics: A juniper woodland, often on steep, rocky slopes. Juniperus monosperma is the dominant tree, although Pinus edulis may be present but is usually only occasional or minor climax species. Bouteloua curtipendula is common.
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: Within the Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico, this low-statured woodland is characterized by mature Juniperus monosperma trees forming sparse to open canopies (10-35%) with scattered Pinus edulis seedlings or saplings in the subcanopy. Shrubs are poorly represented but may include succulents such as Opuntia polyacantha, Opuntia phaeacantha, or Cylindropuntia imbricata. Scattered graminoids are found in the inter-tree spaces with Bouteloua curtipendula the most abundant and dominant. Bouteloua gracilis is usually present, but low in cover, along with an assortment of other plains grassland species such as Pleuraphis jamesii or Bouteloua hirsuta. Among forbs, Artemisia ludoviciana, Erigeron divergens, Ipomopsis longiflora, and Penstemon barbatus are the most frequent species, but cover is generally low. Overall, herbaceous species richness is moderate with 17 forb and 11 graminoid species recorded from this association.
Within the adjacent Los Alamos region, this is the dominant community type in the juniper savanna. Shrubs are present with frequencies ranging from 30 to 40%. However, overall shrub coverages are low. Typical shrub species include Artemisia tridentata, Fallugia paradoxa, Fendlera rupicola, Forestiera pubescens (= Forestiera neomexicana), and Quercus x pauciloba (= Quercus undulata). The understory vegetation tends to be graminoid; however, the overall grass coverage may be as little as 5%. One or more of Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Lycurus phleoides, or Pleuraphis jamesii (= Hilaria jamesii) represents up to 50% of the overall grass coverage. Bouteloua gracilis or Bouteloua hirsuta may also be abundant (Balice et al. 1997).
At White Sands Missile Range, this juniper woodland is often found on steep rocky slopes. Juniperus monosperma is the dominant tree in the very open to moderately open tree canopy. Pinus edulis may be present, but it is only an occasional or minor associate. Bouteloua curtipendula is the dominant among the 29 grass species reported for the type, and is well represented to luxuriant in the grassy inter-tree spaces. Bouteloua gracilis, Bouteloua hirsuta, and Aristida purpurea can be abundant but not dominant; Hesperostipa neomexicana (= Stipa neomexicana) can occur under the tree canopies. The shrub layer is very diverse (40+ species reported), but is generally under 5% cover. Common shrub species include Yucca baccata, Rhus trilobata, Opuntia phaeacantha, Nolina microcarpa, and Cercocarpus montanus. Forb diversity is likewise very high (69 species reported), but forb cover is very low and not consistent in composition from stand to stand. Melampodium leucanthum, Lesquerella fendleri, and Viguiera dentata are the most constant forbs and are the highest in cover (Muldavin et al. 2000b, 2000c).
Within Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in Texas, this community is dominated by Juniperus monosperma with an understory of smaller shrubs, grasses and forbs. The amount of juniper in the community has generally increased over the past several decades. More mesic slopes facing east or north grow larger juniper and tend to have more species diversity. Rhus trilobata is the most prominent shrub along with some occurrence of Dalea formosa and Mimosa borealis. The most common grass is Bouteloua curtipendula, which is well-distributed throughout the community. Other common grasses include Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua hirsuta, and Aristida purpurea. On more mesic slopes, Schizachyrium scoparium is often present in significant amounts. The most common forbs are Tetraneuris scaposa, Krameria lanceolata, Melampodium leucanthum, and Chaetopappa ericoides.
Within the adjacent Los Alamos region, this is the dominant community type in the juniper savanna. Shrubs are present with frequencies ranging from 30 to 40%. However, overall shrub coverages are low. Typical shrub species include Artemisia tridentata, Fallugia paradoxa, Fendlera rupicola, Forestiera pubescens (= Forestiera neomexicana), and Quercus x pauciloba (= Quercus undulata). The understory vegetation tends to be graminoid; however, the overall grass coverage may be as little as 5%. One or more of Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Lycurus phleoides, or Pleuraphis jamesii (= Hilaria jamesii) represents up to 50% of the overall grass coverage. Bouteloua gracilis or Bouteloua hirsuta may also be abundant (Balice et al. 1997).
At White Sands Missile Range, this juniper woodland is often found on steep rocky slopes. Juniperus monosperma is the dominant tree in the very open to moderately open tree canopy. Pinus edulis may be present, but it is only an occasional or minor associate. Bouteloua curtipendula is the dominant among the 29 grass species reported for the type, and is well represented to luxuriant in the grassy inter-tree spaces. Bouteloua gracilis, Bouteloua hirsuta, and Aristida purpurea can be abundant but not dominant; Hesperostipa neomexicana (= Stipa neomexicana) can occur under the tree canopies. The shrub layer is very diverse (40+ species reported), but is generally under 5% cover. Common shrub species include Yucca baccata, Rhus trilobata, Opuntia phaeacantha, Nolina microcarpa, and Cercocarpus montanus. Forb diversity is likewise very high (69 species reported), but forb cover is very low and not consistent in composition from stand to stand. Melampodium leucanthum, Lesquerella fendleri, and Viguiera dentata are the most constant forbs and are the highest in cover (Muldavin et al. 2000b, 2000c).
Within Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in Texas, this community is dominated by Juniperus monosperma with an understory of smaller shrubs, grasses and forbs. The amount of juniper in the community has generally increased over the past several decades. More mesic slopes facing east or north grow larger juniper and tend to have more species diversity. Rhus trilobata is the most prominent shrub along with some occurrence of Dalea formosa and Mimosa borealis. The most common grass is Bouteloua curtipendula, which is well-distributed throughout the community. Other common grasses include Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua hirsuta, and Aristida purpurea. On more mesic slopes, Schizachyrium scoparium is often present in significant amounts. The most common forbs are Tetraneuris scaposa, Krameria lanceolata, Melampodium leucanthum, and Chaetopappa ericoides.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Within the Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico, this association occurs at lower elevations between 1665 and 1750 m (5460-5740 feet) on sites with moderate solar exposure. Stands occur either on southwesterly aspects of lower hillslopes or on alluvial terraces in or adjacent to canyon bottom floodplains. Accordingly, soils are shallow, gravelly to rocky and derived from basalt, andesite, or tuff colluvium, or mixed mineralogy alluvium. Slope sites tend to be rocky and gravelly, while terraces are less so, but with significant exposed soil and litter accumulation. Within the adjacent Los Alamos region, this community occupies all aspects at lower elevations and continues on south-facing aspects to 1768 m (5800 feet). To the south, this community extends to 1966 m (6450 feet) above sea level. Soils are stony and mostly derived from basalts. Boulders and bedrock may occupy 50% of the site (Balice et al. 1997). At White Sands Missile Range, this association typically occurs on steep, colluvial slopes of escarpments, dipslopes of moderate slope, and occasionally on lower toeslopes and valley bottoms. Soils are loamy Inceptisols and Mollisols derived from sedimentary limestone and calcitic sandstone. They tend to be gravelly, are often stony or rocky, and may be interrupted by outcrops (Muldavin et al. 2000b, 2000c). Elevation range is 1500 to 2300 m (5000-7500 feet).Within Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in Texas, this community occurs on moderate to steeply sloping shallow soils with moderate amounts of small rocks or gravel throughout the profile. These areas tend to be droughty and do not store great amounts of moisture in the soil.
Geographic Range: This woodland association is known to occur in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, NM, OK, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684901
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Nc Western North American Pinyon - Juniper Woodland & Scrub Division | D010 | 1.B.2.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nc.2 Two-needle Pinyon - One-seed Juniper Southern Rocky Mountain Woodland Macrogroup | M897 | 1.B.2.Nc.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nc.2.b One-seed Juniper Open Woodland Group | G252 | 1.B.2.Nc.2.b |
| Alliance | A3575 One-seed Juniper Wooded Grassland Alliance | A3575 | 1.B.2.Nc.2.b |
| Association | CEGL000708 One-seed Juniper / Sideoats Grama Open Woodland | CEGL000708 | 1.B.2.Nc.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Juniperus monosperma - Bouteloua curtipendula - Mimosa biuncifera Grassland (Anderson et al. 1985)
= Juniperus monosperma / Bouteloua curtipendula (Stuever and Hayden 1997b)
= Juniperus monosperma / Bouteloua curtipendula Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Juniperus monosperma / Bouteloua curtipendula Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Juniperus monosperma / Bouteloua curtipendula Plant Association (Larson and Moir 1987)
= Juniperus monosperma / Bouteloua curtipendula Woodland (Bell 2005)
= Oneseed Juniper/Sideoats Grama PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Juniperus monosperma/Bouteloua curtipendula: JUNMON/BOUCUR)]
= Juniperus monosperma / Bouteloua curtipendula (Stuever and Hayden 1997b)
= Juniperus monosperma / Bouteloua curtipendula Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Juniperus monosperma / Bouteloua curtipendula Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Juniperus monosperma / Bouteloua curtipendula Plant Association (Larson and Moir 1987)
= Juniperus monosperma / Bouteloua curtipendula Woodland (Bell 2005)
= Oneseed Juniper/Sideoats Grama PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Juniperus monosperma/Bouteloua curtipendula: JUNMON/BOUCUR)]
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