Print Report
CEGL000737 Juniperus osteosperma - Juniperus monosperma / Sparse Understory Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Utah Juniper - One-seed Juniper / Sparse Understory Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This woodland association is currently only described from Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico. It is also reported from Arizona. Additional global information will be added as it becomes available. Stands are located along the slope of the landscape facing south. Black cryptobiotic crust is present in localized spots, with extensive trailing by rabbits and other species evident. The unvegetated surface is composed of small rocks, large rocks, litter and bare soil. At the time of sampling (2007), Artemisia tridentata was experiencing stress due to drought or other causes, as evidenced by many dead branches and low leaf production. Juniperus monosperma and Juniperus osteosperma are codominants in this association. No other tree species are found within this association. Common shrub species include Artemisia tridentata. Forbs include Gutierrezia sarothrae, Yucca harrimaniae, Chamaesyce spp., Heterotheca villosa, and Isocoma pluriflora. Cactus species include Cylindropuntia whipplei and Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea. Grasses include Pleuraphis jamesii, Aristida purpurea, and Elymus elymoides.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Understory is sparse, although annual plants may be well-represented. Juniper overstory is well-represented to abundant. Existing plants may be on pedestals, providing evidence of recent erosion.
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: Juniperus monosperma and Juniperus osteosperma are codominants in this association. No other tree species are found within this association. Common shrub species include Artemisia tridentata. Forbs include Gutierrezia sarothrae, Yucca harrimaniae, Chamaesyce spp., Heterotheca villosa, and Isocoma pluriflora (= Haplopappus heterophyllus). Cactus species include Cylindropuntia whipplei (= Opuntia whipplei) and Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea (= Opuntia erinacea). Grasses include Pleuraphis jamesii, Aristida purpurea, and Elymus elymoides. Overall, the herbaceous stratum ranges in cover from 5 to 35%.
Dynamics: Fires are infrequent due to the lack of surface fuels to enable most fire spread. Under extreme conditions (drought and wind), crown fires are possible. Juniperus osteosperma is usually killed when 60% or more of the tree crown is scorched. Low-intensity fires tend to kill trees under 90-120 cm (3-4 feet) tall (Tirmenstein 1986). Likewise, Juniperus monosperma is also susceptible to fire and is not considered a climax species in grasslands subject to frequent fires (Tirmenstein 1989b).
At the time of sampling at Aztec Ruins (2007), Artemisia tridentata was experiencing stress due to drought or other causes, as evidenced by many dead branches and low leaf production.
At the time of sampling at Aztec Ruins (2007), Artemisia tridentata was experiencing stress due to drought or other causes, as evidenced by many dead branches and low leaf production.
Environmental Description: This association commonly occurs between 1525 and 1950 m (5000-6400 feet) elevation on a wide variety of soils and parent materials, often adjoining grasslands of valley plains or piedmont slopes. It can occur on special sites such as erosional badlands or gypsum soils. At Aztec Ruins National Monument, stands are located along the slope of the landscape facing south. Black cryptobiotic crust is present in localized spots, with extensive trailing by rabbits and other species evident. The unvegetated surface is composed of small rocks, large rocks, litter and bare soil.
Geographic Range: This juniper woodland is widespread in New Mexico and Arizona.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686405
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
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.1 Singleleaf Pinyon - Utah Juniper - Western Juniper Intermountain Woodland Macrogroup | M896 | 1.B.2.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nc.1.a Two-needle Pinyon - Utah Juniper Woodland Group | G900 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.a |
| Alliance | A4371 Utah Juniper Colorado Plateau Shrubby Woodland Alliance | A4371 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.a |
| Association | CEGL000737 Utah Juniper - One-seed Juniper / Sparse Understory Woodland | CEGL000737 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Juniperus osteosperma - Juniperus monosperma / sparse (Stuever and Hayden 1997b)
- 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.
- Clary, W. P., M. B. Baker, Jr., P. F. O''Connell, T. N. Johnsen, Jr., and R. E. Campbell. 1974. Effects of pinyon-juniper removal on natural resource products and uses in Arizona. Research Paper RM-128. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 28 pp.
- Dalen, R. S., and W. R. Snyder. 1987. Economic and social aspects of pinyon-juniper treatment - then and now. Pages 343-350 in: R. L. Everett, editor. Proceedings - Pinyon-Juniper Conference, Reno, NV, 13-16 January 1986. General Technical Report INT-215. USDA Forest Service.
- Johnsen, T. N., Jr. 1962. One-seed juniper invasion of northern Arizona grasslands. Ecological Monographs 32:187-207.
- Larson, M., and W. H. Moir. 1986. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of southern New Mexico and central Arizona (north of the Mogollon Rim). USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. 76 pp.
- Larson, M., and W. H. Moir. 1987. Forest and woodland habitat types of northern New Mexico and northern Arizona. Edition 2. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM.
- Salas, D. E., D. Wegner, and L. Floyd-Hanna. 2009. Vegetation mapping and classification report: Aztec Ruins National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2009/244. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 90 pp.
- Stuever, M. C., and J. S. Hayden. 1997b. Plant associations of Arizona and New Mexico. Volume 2: Woodlands. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Habitat Typing Guides. 196 pp.
- Tirmenstein, D. A. 1986. Juniperus osteosperma. In: Fire Effects Information System [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/]
- Tirmenstein, D. A. 1989b. Juniperus monosperma. In: Fire Effects Information System [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/]
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1986. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of southern New Mexico and central Arizona (north of the Mogollon Rim). USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 140 pp. plus insert.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1987a. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of northern New Mexico and northern Arizona. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 170 pp. plus insert.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1987b. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of Arizona south of the Mogollon Rim and southwestern New Mexico. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 168 pp. plus insert.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.