Print Report

CEGL000744 Juniperus scopulorum - Cercocarpus ledifolius Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rocky Mountain Juniper - Curl-leaf Mountain-mahogany Woodland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This woodland is known from Montana and southern Utah, and may occur in similar environmental settings in between. It occurs on steep slopes, ridges and canyons, generally with southern exposures. The known elevation range is 1675 to 2610 m (5500-8560 feet). This is an open, short-statured woodland dominated by Cercocarpus ledifolius mixed with Juniperus scopulorum. Other trees present may include Pinus edulis, Pinus ponderosa, and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Other species generally have low cover and include Quercus gambelii, Arctostaphylos patula, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Mahonia repens. Grasses and forbs present may include Achnatherum hymenoides, Poa fendleriana, Artemisia frigida, and Opuntia polyacantha.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association is only reported from southwestern Montana, but is likely to be more extensive.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This is an open, short-statured woodland dominated by Cercocarpus ledifolius mixed with Juniperus scopulorum. Other trees present may include Pinus edulis, Pinus ponderosa, and Pseudotsuga menziesii. Other species generally have low cover and include Quercus gambelii, Arctostaphylos patula, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Mahonia repens. Grasses and forbs present may include Achnatherum hymenoides, Poa fendleriana, Artemisia frigida, and Opuntia polyacantha.

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  It occurs on steep slopes, ridges and canyons, generally with southern exposures. The known elevation range is 1675 to 2610 m (5500-8560 feet).

Geographic Range: This woodland is known from Montana and southern Utah, and may occur in similar environmental settings in between.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  MT, UT, WY




Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G3?

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Juniperus scopulorum - Cercocarpus ledifolius Community Type (Cooper et al. 1995)
= Juniperus scopulorum - Cercocarpus ledifolius Community Type (DeVelice 1992)

Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 02-27-09

  • 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.
  • Cooper, S. V., P. Lesica, R. L. DeVelice, and T. McGarvey. 1995. Classification of southwestern Montana plant communities with emphasis on those of Dillon Resource Area, Bureau of Land Management. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 154 pp.
  • DeVelice, R. L. 1992. Classification of the plant communities of Beaverhead, Silver Bow, and Madison counties, Montana. Volume I (text). Prepared for the Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 35 pp.
  • MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
  • Stevens, J. E., D. S. Jones, and K. J. Benner. 2015. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRYN/NRR--2015/1070. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 350 pp.
  • Tendick, A., B. Friesen, G. Kittel, P. Williams, J. Coles, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2011a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Cedar Breaks National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2011/470. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • 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.