Print Report
CEGL000860 Pinus ponderosa / Juniperus horizontalis Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine / Creeping Juniper Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This woodland association has been described from north-central (Little Rocky Mountains) and the plains of northeastern Montana. All occurrences are below 1160 m (3800 feet) on calcareous shales and sandstones of rolling uplands and foothills, generally on slope shoulders. Except for accidentals of Pseudotsuga menziesii and very scattered Juniperus scopulorum, Pinus ponderosa is the only tree present, with somewhat stunted specimens comprising between 40% and 70% canopy cover. The undergrowth is rather depauperate in species diversity. Juniperus horizontalis is always the dominant species but varies enormously in cover, from 10-70% (even greater cover noted in reconnaissance). Juniperus communis can also attain high cover values but is not consistently present. Rhus trilobata and Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis are highly constant but seldom comprise more than 5% cover. There is a strong difference between the stands in the Little Rocky Mountains, which have a very depauperate graminoid cover, and those of northeastern Montana wherein Pseudoroegneria spicata and Pascopyrum smithii can attain canopy covers of greater than 30%. The forb component seldom has more than a trace amount of any species; those with the greatest constancy are Solidago missouriensis, Thermopsis rhombifolia, and Linum perenne. Structurally and compositionally this association is similar to both ~Pinus ponderosa / Juniperus communis Woodland (CEGL000859)$$ and ~Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Woodland (CEGL000807)$$.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Only 6 plots have been documented for this association and limited reconnaissance notes recorded in the course of the Northern Great Plains Ecoregion Rapid Ecological Survey. This type is relatively easily distinguished from other Pinus ponderosa-dominated types by its abundance of Juniperus horizontalis, though it could be confused with ~Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Woodland (CEGL000807)$$ growing on poor sites if one rushed to judgment on the tree species dominant.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Except for accidentals of Pseudotsuga menziesii and very scattered Juniperus scopulorum, Pinus ponderosa is the only tree present, with somewhat stunted specimens comprising between 40% and 70% canopy cover. The undergrowth is rather depauperate in species diversity. Juniperus horizontalis is always the dominant species but varies enormously in cover, from 10-70% (even greater cover noted in reconnaissance). Juniperus communis can also attain high cover values but is not consistently present. Rhus trilobata and Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis are highly constant but seldom comprise more than 5% cover. There is a strong difference between the stands in the Little Rocky Mountains, which have a very depauperate graminoid cover, and those of northeastern Montana wherein Pseudoroegneria spicata and Pascopyrum smithii can attain canopy covers of greater than 30%. The forb component seldom has more than a trace amount of any species; those with the greatest constancy are Solidago missouriensis, Thermopsis rhombifolia, and Linum perenne.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: All occurrences are below 1160 m (3800 feet) on calcareous shales and sandstones of rolling uplands and foothills, generally on slope shoulders.
Geographic Range: This woodland association has been described from the Little Rocky Mountains in north-central Montana and the plains of northeastern Montana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685334
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
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.e Ponderosa Pine Northwestern Great Plains Forest & Woodland Group | G216 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.e |
| Alliance | A3464 Ponderosa Pine Dry-Mesic Black Hills Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3464 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.e |
| Association | CEGL000860 Ponderosa Pine / Creeping Juniper Woodland | CEGL000860 | 1.B.2.Nb.2.e |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus ponderosa / Juniperus horizontalis Woodland (DeVelice et al. 1995)
- 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.
- DeVelice, R. L., S. V. Cooper, J. T. McGarvey, J. Lichthardt, and P. S. Bourgeron. 1995. Plant communities of northeastern Montana: A first approximation. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 116 pp.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Roberts, D. W. 1980. Forest habitat types of the Bear''s Paw Mountains and Little Rocky Mountains, Montana. Unpublished thesis, Department of Forestry, University of Montana, Missoula. 116 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.