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CEGL000750 Juniperus scopulorum / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rocky Mountain Juniper / Little Bluestem Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This plant association is a "scarp woodland" known from shallow, rocky, calcareous, generally north-facing slopes of the Central Shortgrass Prairie (Ecoregion 27) of northern Colorado, southern Nebraska, and Wyoming between 1615-1680 m (5300-5500 feet). It may be considered a relict plant association of a formerly widespread plains woodland. As with most relicts, the composition of individual stands varies considerably. Juniperus scopulorum (40-45% cover) is always present in this association. A few stands consist of this species only. More commonly Pinus flexilis (0-20% cover) or Pinus ponderosa (0-20% cover), and often both, occur. The shrub layer in this association is generally poorly developed but may include Rhus trilobata, Ribes cereum, or Prunus virginiana. Schizachyrium scoparium dominates the herb layer of stands in good condition, with 15-30% cover. Calamovilfa longifolia, Bouteloua curtipendula (2-5% cover),and Bouteloua gracilis (5-15% cover) are often present and may be codominant. Fire suppression may increase the density of trees, while heavy grazing pressure may decrease the cover of Schizachyrium scoparium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Seven stands are documented, of which none have more than ocular estimates for plot data.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This type may be considered a relict plant association of a formerly widespread plains woodland. As with most relicts, the composition of individual stands varies considerably. Juniperus scopulorum (40-45% cover) is always present in this association. A few stands consist of this species only. More commonly Pinus flexilis (0-20% cover) or Pinus ponderosa (0-20% cover), and often both, occur. The shrub layer in this association is generally poorly developed but may include Rhus trilobata, Ribes cereum, or Prunus virginiana. Schizachyrium scoparium dominates the herb layer of stands in good condition, with 15-30% cover. Calamovilfa longifolia, Bouteloua curtipendula (2-5% cover),and Bouteloua gracilis (5-15% cover) are often present and may be codominant.
Dynamics: Fire suppression may increase the density of trees, while heavy grazing pressure may decrease the cover of Schizachyrium scoparium.
Environmental Description: This plant association is a "scarp woodland" known from shallow, rocky, calcareous, generally north-facing slopes of the Central Shortgrass Prairie (Ecoregion 27) of northern Colorado, southern Nebraska, and Wyoming between 1615-1680 m (5300-5500 feet).
Geographic Range: The association has been documented in Colorado, Nebraska, and reported for Wyoming (Pine Buffs).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NE, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684939
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division | D194 | 1.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nb.2 Ponderosa Pine - Douglas-fir - Limber Pine Central Rocky Mountain Dry Forest Macrogroup | M501 | 1.B.2.Nb.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.2.d Limber Pine - Rocky Mountain Juniper Rocky Mountain Foothill Woodland Group | G209 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.d |
| Alliance | A3427 Rocky Mountain Juniper - Utah Juniper / Grass Understory Central Rocky Mountain Woodland Alliance | A3427 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.d |
| Association | CEGL000750 Rocky Mountain Juniper / Little Bluestem Woodland | CEGL000750 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Arroyo vegetation type (Badaracco 1971)
< Scarp Woodland Vegetation Type (Badaracco 1971)
< Scarp Woodlands (Wells 1965)
< Scarp Woodland Vegetation Type (Badaracco 1971)
< Scarp Woodlands (Wells 1965)
- Badaracco, R. J. 1971. An interpretive resource analysis of Pawnee Buttes, Colorado. Unpublished dissertation, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 341 pp.
- 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/]
- Goodding, L. N. 1923. An interesting area of limber pine extending into southwestern Nebraska. Journal of Forestry 21:175-176.
- Moran, P. 1981a. Patterns of plant life at Pawnee National Grassland: A manual for the interpreter. Unpublished report prepared for the Pawnee National Grasslands, Greeley, CO. 88 pp.
- Ramaley, F. 1909. The silva of Colorado. IV. Forest formations and forest trees. University of Colorado Studies 6:249-281.
- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
- Wells, P. V. 1965. Scarp woodlands, transported soils, and concept of grassland climate in the Great Plains region. Science 148:246-249.
- Wells, P. V. 1970a. Postglacial vegetational history of the Great Plains. Science 167:1574-1582.
- Wells, P. V. 1970b. Historical factors controlling vegetation patterns and floristic distributions in the central plains region of North America. Pages 211-221 in: W. Dort and J. D. Jones, editors. Pleistocene and recent environments of the central Great Plains. University of Kansas Press, Lawrence.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.