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CEGL000807 Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Limber Pine / Common Juniper Woodland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This limber pine woodland is found in the montane and subalpine zones of the western United States. It occurs on dry, exposed, rocky sites such as rock outcrops, ridges, slope crests, and high flat benches from 2530 to 3390 m (8300-11,100 feet) in elevation in the southern Rocky Mountains and 1400 to 2530 m (4600-8300 feet) in the northern Rocky Mountains. It also occurs on gentle to moderately steep slopes with variable aspect. Soils are predominantly shallow, coarse-textured, and rapidly drained with high soil-surface temperatures. The tree canopy is generally open in character and comprised predominantly of Pinus flexilis. Tree canopy associates include Pinus contorta and Picea engelmannii at higher elevations and Pinus ponderosa at lower elevations, with Pseudotsuga menziesii and occasionally Pinus albicaulis in the northern portion of the range. A sparse low-shrub layer is present and characterized by Juniperus communis. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi also has high constancy in this type, although less total cover than Juniperus communis. Additional shrubs can include Jamesia americana, Paxistima myrsinites, Ribes cereum, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Vaccinium spp., and Juniperus horizontalis. The herbaceous layer is likewise sparse. Species commonly occurring include Achnatherum hymenoides, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Festuca brachyphylla, Leucopoa kingii, Poa fendleriana, Antennaria rosea, Erigeron flagellaris, Lupinus argenteus, Arenaria fendleri, Frasera speciosa, Geranium caespitosum var. fremontii, Penstemon virens, Potentilla fissa, and Sedum lanceolatum. On calcareous substrates in the northern portion of the range, forbs often include Clematis columbiana, Arnica cordifolia, Eurybia conspicua, Campanula rotundifolia, Galium boreale, and Astragalus miser. The ground layer has a high proportion of unvegetated surface that is often composed of gravel and rock.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: There is overlap in concept between this association (CEGL000807) and ~Pinus flexilis / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Woodland (CEGL000802)$$. Both associations include stands with woodland understory codominated by Arctostaphylos uva-ursi and Juniperus communis. Rangewide analysis and review of plots classified to both associations are needed to determine if these similar associations should be combined or somehow refined to better represent the vegetation structure of these stands that occur along the Rocky Mountain cordillera. See Achuff et al. (1997, 2002a) and Johnston (1987) for reviews of some of the pertinent literature. The northern expressions of this type that occur on calcareous substrates differ floristically from the non-calcareous expressions in the rest of the geographic range. With further data, these may warrant recognition as a different type.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The tree canopy of this woodland association is generally open in character and comprised predominantly of Pinus flexilis. Tree canopy associates include Pinus contorta and Picea engelmannii at higher elevations and Pinus ponderosa at lower elevations, with Pseudotsuga menziesii and occasionally Pinus albicaulis in the northern portion of the range. A sparse low-shrub layer is present and characterized by Juniperus communis. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi also has high constancy in this type, although less total cover than Juniperus communis. Additional shrubs can include Jamesia americana, Paxistima myrsinites, Ribes cereum, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Vaccinium spp., and Juniperus horizontalis. The herbaceous layer is likewise sparse. Species commonly occurring include Poa fendleriana, Achnatherum hymenoides, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Festuca brachyphylla, Leucopoa kingii, Antennaria rosea, Erigeron flagellaris, Lupinus argenteus, Arenaria fendleri, Frasera speciosa, Geranium caespitosum var. fremontii (= Geranium fremontii), Penstemon virens, Potentilla fissa, and Sedum lanceolatum. On calcareous substrates in the northern portion of the range, forbs often include Clematis columbiana (= Clematis pseudoalpina), Arnica cordifolia, Eurybia conspicua (= Aster conspicuus), Campanula rotundifolia, Galium boreale, and Astragalus miser.

Dynamics:  Pinus flexilis is well-adapted to surface fire when mature. It is thought that plant associations characterized by Pinus flexilis have relatively long fire-return intervals on the order of 50-100 years (Jones and Ogle 2000). Pinus flexilis is highly susceptible to white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola), which can decimate stands (Burns and Honkala 1990a); however, it is susceptible to pine bark beetle (Ips spp.). The prevalence and severity of white pine blister rust in Pinus flexilis populations within and adjacent to Glacier National Park and along the Rocky Mountain Front is becoming quite evident. Heavy mortality has been noted in all size classes of Pinus flexilis; on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation it has been extirpated in some stands and on U.S. Forest Service lands to the south, mortality has been sufficient to convert stands to an "un-treed" status (Pinus flexilis / Festuca campestris becoming Festuca campestris - Festuca idahoensis or Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Festuca campestris) or has left Pseudotsuga as the dominant tree by default.
Environmental Description:  This limber pine woodland is found in the montane and subalpine zones of the western United States. It occurs on dry, exposed, rocky sites such as rock outcrops, ridges, slope crests, and high flat benches from 2530 to 3390 m (8300-11,100 feet) in elevation in the southern Rocky Mountains and 1400 to 2530 m (4600-8300 feet) in the northern Rocky Mountains. It also occurs on gentle to moderately steep slopes with variable aspect. Soils are predominantly shallow, coarse-textured, and rapidly drained with high soil-surface temperatures. The ground layer has a high proportion of unvegetated surface that is often composed of gravel and rock.
Geographic Range: This limber pine woodland association is found in the montane and subalpine zones of the western United States, from Montana, Idaho, and Oregon south to Colorado and Utah. It may also occur in Nevada and California.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AB, CA?, CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.5 Subalpine Fir - Engelmann Spruce - Whitebark Pine Rocky Mountain Forest Macrogroup M020 1.B.2.Nb.5
Group 1.B.2.Nb.5.e Limber Pine - Bristlecone Pine Rocky Mountain Subalpine-Montane Woodland Group G221 1.B.2.Nb.5.e
Alliance A0540 Limber Pine Rocky Mountain Woodland Alliance A0540 1.B.2.Nb.5.e
Association CEGL000807 Limber Pine / Common Juniper Woodland CEGL000807 1.B.2.Nb.5.e
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis (Jones and Ogle 2000)
= Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Community (Jones 1992b)
= Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
= Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1980)
= Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Hess 1981)
= Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Alexander 1986)
= Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Wasser and Hess 1982)
= Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1983)
= Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Steele et al. 1981)
= Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Habitat Type (Hess and Alexander 1986)
= Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Pinus flexilis / Juniperus communis Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
< Pinus flexilis Community Type (Cole 1982)
= Limber pine / common juniper - Rocks Ecological Type (Johnston et al. 2001)
< O27: Pinus flexilis / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi vegetation type (Achuff et al. 1997)
Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

Author of Description: S.L. Neid, J. Coles and M.S. Reid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 04-25-07
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