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CEGL002752 Fraxinus anomala Riparian Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Singleleaf Ash Riparian Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This riparian woodland is found in deep canyons and mountains on the Colorado Plateau in Utah and western Colorado. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense (30-50%) cold-deciduous tall-shrub (2-5 m) canopy that is dominated by Fraxinus anomala. Other tall shrubs that may be present include Amelanchier alnifolia and Quercus gambelii. Short shrubs present include Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Holodiscus dumosus, Rhus trilobata, Symphoricarpos rotundifolius, and the vine Vitis arizonica. Herbaceous species are variable and contribute minimal cover. Stands occur between 1430 and 2043 m (4700-6700 feet) elevation, and are restricted to mesic sites, such as near seeps, springs and ephemeral stream channels, or on lower colluvial slopes where additional soil moisture is available. In rare cases, it occurs on upland sites where fractured bedrock concentrates runoff to create small areas of mesic conditions. Substrates are nearly always derived from colluvium but are often redistributed into alluvial deposits. Soils have large amounts of gravel and cobble. Parent material is typically sandstone.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau. This association is known from several locations in the Colorado Plateau region: the Roan Plateau and Colorado National Monument in western Colorado, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Zion National Park, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. More survey and classification work are needed to fully describe this association rangewide. Fraxinus anomala is present in many montane shrubland and woodland communities on the Colorado Plateau but is only a dominant species in this association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is characterized by a moderately dense (30-50%) cold-deciduous tall-shrub canopy typically 2-5 m tall and dominated by Fraxinus anomala. Associated tall shrubs include Amelanchier alnifolia and Quercus gambelii. Taller trees are sometimes present and include Juniperus osteosperma, Pinus edulis, or Pseudotsuga menziesii. Short shrubs contribute low cover and include Brickellia longifolia, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra viridis, Ephedra torreyana, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Holodiscus dumosus, Rhus trilobata, Symphoricarpos rotundifolius, Vitis arizonica, and Yucca angustissima. Herbaceous species are variable and contribute minimal cover. Common species include Achnatherum hymenoides, Amsonia tomentosa, Artemisia ludoviciana, Elymus elymoides, Eriogonum spp., Hesperostipa comata, Leymus salinus, Lepidium fremontii, Machaeranthera canescens, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Poa fendleriana. Disturbed sites may contain the non-native Bromus tectorum.
Dynamics: Fraxinus anomala is a shade-intolerant species requiring full exposure to sunlight and, like other ash species, may reproduce vegetatively from root crowns following fire or logging.
Environmental Description: This woodland association is found in deep canyons and mountains on the Colorado Plateau in southwestern Utah and western Colorado. Elevation ranges from 1430 to 2043 m (4700-6700 feet). Climate is semi-arid; however, this vegetation is restricted to mesic sites, such as near seeps, springs and ephemeral stream channels, on fractured bedrock or on lower colluvial slopes where additional soil moisture is available. Sites are flat to gently sloping and may have any aspect. Substrates are nearly always derived from colluvium but often have been transported or redistributed by water to form alluvial deposits. Soils have large amounts of gravel and cobble and are well-drained to rapidly drained. Parent material is typically sandstone but can be shale, colluvium or other materials.
Geographic Range: This woodland association is known from inventory done by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management in the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah and western Colorado. It may occur in similar habitats in Arizona and New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ?, CO, NM?, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685958
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GUQ
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nd Western North American Interior Flooded Forest Division | D013 | 1.B.3.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nd.2 Interior Warm & Cool Desert Riparian Forest Macrogroup | M036 | 1.B.3.Nd.2 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b Western Interior Riparian Forest & Woodland Group | G797 | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b |
| Alliance | A3796 Box-elder - Singleleaf Ash - Netleaf Hackberry Riparian Woodland Alliance | A3796 | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b |
| Association | CEGL002752 Singleleaf Ash Riparian Woodland | CEGL002752 | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Fraxinus anomala Woodland (Cogan et al. 2004)
= Fraxinus anomala Woodland (Kittel et al. 1999a)
= Fraxinus anomala Woodland (Kittel et al. 1999a)
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- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.