Print Report

CEGL008628 Pinus jeffreyi / Ceanothus cordulatus Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Jeffrey Pine / Mountain Whitethorn Woodland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association ranges throughout the upper montane of the central and southern Sierra Nevada in California, although stands become more common to the north of the San Joaquin River and in the eastern Sierra Nevada. Elevations range from 2074 to 2867 m (6800-9400 feet), but stands are most commonly below 2440 m (8000 feet). Aspects are usually southeastern through southwestern on slopes that are gentle or moderate. Stands are located in middle and lower slope positions. Soils are usually formed in place over granitic or volcanic bedrock, and are generally deep, sandy loams. Soils are usually excessively drained, and soil temperatures are among the highest in the upper montane of the Sierra Nevada. Stands in this association are open woodlands with scattered, sometimes large patches of shrubs. Total tree cover is among the lowest of the forested associations of the upper montane of the Sierra Nevada. The shrub cover is significantly higher than other sites. The overstory is distinguished by the presence of Pinus jeffreyi, which averages 16% cover. Abies magnifica is generally present, and Pinus contorta var. murrayana or Abies lowiana may occasionally also be present. Where Pinus jeffreyi is not the dominant tree, the understories are dominated by Ceanothus cordulatus, Artemisia tridentata, Purshia tridentata, or Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus and indicate the association. The shrub layer is often a mix of species in two distinct types that occur on the westside or eastside forests. Westside stands tend to be clearly dominated by Ceanothus cordulatus, whereas eastside stands tend to be mixed low-shrub communities. Westside stands are dominated by Ceanothus cordulatus sometimes mixed with Artemisia tridentata. Eastside stands can be dominated by any one of four species: Ceanothus cordulatus, Artemisia tridentata, Purshia tridentata, or Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus. Arabis platysperma, Gayophytum eriospermum, Elymus elymoides, and Achnatherum lemmonii are the most frequent species in the herb layer.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

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: Stands in this association are open woodlands with scattered, sometimes large patches of shrubs. Total tree cover is among the lowest of the forested associations of the upper montane of the Sierra Nevada. The shrub cover is significantly higher than other sites. The overstory is distinguished by the presence of Pinus jeffreyi, which averages 16% cover. Abies magnifica is generally present, with an average 15% cover, and Pinus contorta var. murrayana and Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana) may occasionally also be present. In a few cases, Pinus jeffreyi may be the only member of the overstory, while other stands may be dominated by Abies magnifica, Pinus contorta var. murrayana, and Abies lowiana. In these cases the understories are dominated by Ceanothus cordulatus, Artemisia tridentata, Purshia tridentata, or Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus and indicate the association. The shrub layer is often a mix of species in two distinct types that occur on the westside or eastside forests. Westside stands are dominated by Ceanothus cordulatus sometimes mixed with Artemisia tridentata. Eastside stands can be dominated by any one of four species: Ceanothus cordulatus, Artemisia tridentata, Purshia tridentata, or Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus. Usually two of the four species occur on any particular site, but stands dominated by Artemisia tridentata, Purshia tridentata, or Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus on the eastside generally do not contain Ceanothus cordulatus. Westside stands tend to be clearly dominated by Ceanothus cordulatus, whereas eastside stands tend to be mixed low-shrub communities. Arabis platysperma, Gayophytum eriospermum, Elymus elymoides, and Achnatherum lemmonii are the most frequent species in the herb layer, which varies depending on soil moisture. Conifer regeneration is low, with no one species dominating.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Elevations range from 2074 to 2867 m (6800-9400 feet), but stands are most commonly below 2440 m (8000 feet). Aspects are usually southeastern through southwestern on slopes that are gentle or moderate. Stands are located in middle and lower slope positions. Soils are usually formed in place over granitic or volcanic bedrock, and are generally deep, sandy loams. Soils are usually excessively drained, and soil temperatures are among the highest in the upper montane of the Sierra Nevada. Litter thickness is generally less, and cover of bare ground and gravel are generally more, than other types.
Geographic Range: This association ranges throughout the upper montane of the central and southern Sierra Nevada in California, although stands become more common to the north of the San Joaquin River and in the eastern Sierra Nevada.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA


Confidence Level: High

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.Nd Vancouverian Forest & Woodland Division D192 1.B.2.Nd
Macrogroup 1.B.2.Nd.2 Incense-cedar - Jeffrey Pine - Sierra White Fir Forest Macrogroup M023 1.B.2.Nd.2
Group 1.B.2.Nd.2.a Incense-cedar - Sugar Pine - Sierra White Fir Forest & Woodland Group G344 1.B.2.Nd.2.a
Alliance A3676 Jeffrey Pine - Washoe Pine Mixed Conifer Woodland Alliance A3676 1.B.2.Nd.2.a
Association CEGL008628 Jeffrey Pine / Mountain Whitethorn Woodland CEGL008628 1.B.2.Nd.2.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus jeffreyi / Ceanothus cordulatus (Sawyer et al. 2009) [87.020.10]
= Pinus jeffreyi / Ceanothus cordulatus Woodland (Wieslander 1935)
= Pinus jeffreyi/Ceanothus cordulatus Woodland [Provisional] (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Jeffrey Pine / Mountain Whitethorn - Sagebrush Association (Potter 1998)
Concept Author(s): T. Keeler-Wolf et al. (2012)

Author of Description: T. Keeler-Wolf

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-03-02
  • Keeler-Wolf, T., M. Schindel, S. San, P. Moore, and D. Hickson. 2003a. Classification of the vegetation of Yosemite National Park and surrounding environs in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera and Mono counties, California. Unpublished report by NatureServe in cooperation with the California Native Plant Society and California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, Sacramento, CA.
  • Keeler-Wolf, T., P. E. Moore, E. T. Reyes, J. M. Menke, D. N. Johnson, and D. L. Karavidas. 2012. Yosemite National Park vegetation classification and mapping project report. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/YOSE/NRTR--2012/598. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Potter, D. A. 1998. Forested communities of the upper montane in the central and southern Sierra Nevada. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Albany, CA. 319 pp.
  • Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
  • Wieslander, A. E. 1935. A vegetation type map of California. Madroño 3:140-144.