Print Report
CEGL000877 Pinus ponderosa / Rockland Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine / Rockland Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sparse Pinus ponderosa woodland occurs on extensive bedrock outcrop substrate in the southern Rocky Mountains from northern Colorado south to New Mexico and Arizona. It occurs over exposures of sandstone, basalt or granite on gentle to steep slopes (10-60%) with primarily south-facing aspects, although it can occur on other aspects provided the bedrock substrate is present. Elevation range for this association is from 2000 to 2760 m (6560-9040 feet). Soils are shallow (<10 cm) and restricted to joints in bedrock outcrops. The sparse canopy is dominated by Pinus ponderosa with up to 50% cover. Trees are often stunted and grow from rock fissures. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum, Pinus edulis, or Pinus strobiformis may be present as associates. Natural regeneration of canopy species tends to be very slow. Shrub and herb layers are variable and sparse. Shrubs tend to occur in scattered patches between boulders and bedrock. Species can include Amelanchier spp., Quercus gambelii, Quercus grisea, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Cercocarpus montanus, Fallugia paradoxa, Jamesia americana, Juniperus communis, Purshia tridentata, Ribes cereum, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Yucca spp. Herbaceous cover is likewise patchy. Muhlenbergia montana occurs with highest constancy. Additional graminoids include Muhlenbergia straminea, Festuca arizonica, Elymus arizonicus, Calamagrostis purpurascens, Carex geophila, Bouteloua curtipendula, Blepharoneuron tricholepis, Poa fendleriana, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Forbs are variable but can be diverse. In addition to the sparse Pinus ponderosa canopy, exposed bedrock is diagnostic for this association and can have from 50-90% cover. Lichen and moss growing on exposed bedrock can be extensive.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Exposed rock outcroppings or very shallow (<10 cm [4 inches] deep); soil comprises 50-90% of the surface. Understory species are scarce and trees include Pinus ponderosa, Pinus edulis, and/or Juniperus spp.
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: The sparse canopy of this rock outcrop woodland is dominated by Pinus ponderosa with 10-50% cover. Trees are often stunted and grow from rock fissures. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus strobiformis, Juniperus scopulorum, Juniperus osteosperma, or Pinus edulis may be present as associates. Natural regeneration of canopy species tends to be very slow because of the lack of suitable germination sites. Shrub and herb layers are variable and sparse. Shrubs tend to occur in scattered patches between boulders and bedrock. Species can include Amelanchier spp., Artemisia tridentata, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Quercus gambelii, Quercus grisea, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Cercocarpus montanus, Fallugia paradoxa, Jamesia americana, Juniperus communis, Purshia tridentata, Ribes cereum, or Yucca spp. Herbaceous cover is likewise patchy. Muhlenbergia montana occurs with highest constancy. Additional graminoids include Muhlenbergia straminea (= Muhlenbergia virescens), Festuca arizonica, Elymus arizonicus (= Agropyron arizonicum), Calamagrostis purpurascens, Carex geophila, Bouteloua curtipendula, Blepharoneuron tricholepis, Poa fendleriana, Elymus elymoides, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Forbs are variable but can be diverse. Species can include Solidago spp., Artemisia ludoviciana, Geranium spp., Heterotheca villosa, Sedum lanceolatum, Arenaria congesta, Petradoria pumila, Packera fendleri, and Potentilla fissa. In addition to the sparse Pinus ponderosa canopy, exposed bedrock is diagnostic for this association and can have from 50-90% cover. Lichen and moss growing on exposed bedrock can be extensive.
Dynamics: No single fire regime characterizes this association. Extensive rock outcrops and low fuel loading due to sparse vegetation prevent widespread fires from occurring. However, individual trees may be scarred from repeated lightning strikes and/or surface fires.
Environmental Description: This sparse Pinus ponderosa woodland occurs over extensive bare rock outcrops on gentle to steep slopes (10-60%) with primarily south-facing aspects, although it can occur on other aspects provided the bedrock substrate is present. Elevation ranges from 2000 to 2760 m (6560-9040 feet). Soils are shallow (<10 cm) and restricted to crevices in bedrock outcrops. The exposed substrate may be granite, sandstone, basalt or quartzite. Up to 90% the ground surface is sandstone slabs and large rocks and boulders, although the rock may be obscured by pine needle litter. In addition to the sparse Pinus ponderosa canopy, exposed bedrock is diagnostic for this association.
Geographic Range: This Pinus ponderosa woodland on bedrock outcrop substrate occurs in the southern Rocky Mountains from northern Colorado and Utah south to New Mexico and Arizona.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, NM, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687274
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5?
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.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup | M022 | 1.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b Ponderosa Pine Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Group | G228 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Alliance | A3398 Ponderosa Pine Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3398 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Association | CEGL000877 Ponderosa Pine / Rockland Woodland | CEGL000877 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus ponderosa / Rockland Habitat Type (Fitzhugh et al. 1987)
= Pinus ponderosa / Rockland Plant Association (Larson and Moir 1987)
= Pinus ponderosa / rockland (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Pinus ponderosa / Rockland Plant Association (Larson and Moir 1987)
= Pinus ponderosa / rockland (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
- Alexander, B. G., Jr., E. L. Fitzhugh, F. Ronco, Jr., and J. A. Ludwig. 1987. A classification of forest habitat types of the northern portion of the Cibola National Forest, NM. General Technical Report RM-143. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 35 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.
- Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2008a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Dinosaur National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR-2008/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 814 pp.
- Fitzhugh, E. L., W. H. Moir, J. A. Ludwig, and F. Ronco, Jr. 1987. Forest habitat types in the Apache, Gila, and part of the Cibola national forests. General Technical Report RM-145. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 116 pp.
- 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.
- Lindsey, A. A. 1951. Vegetation and habitats in a southwestern volcanic area. Ecological Monographs 21(3):227-253.
- Salas, D., J. Stevens, and K. Schulz. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Technical Memorandum No. 8260-05-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 161 pp. plus Appendices A-L (733 pp.).
- Stuever, M. C., and J. S. Hayden. 1997a. Plant associations of Arizona and New Mexico, edition 3. Volume 1: Forests. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region. Habitat Typing Guides. 291 pp.
- 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.