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CEGL001488 Juniperus osteosperma / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Wooded Grassland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Utah Juniper / Salmon Wildrye Wooded Grassland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This plant association is reported from the southern end of the Lemhi Range, Idaho, within the Beaverhead Mountains ecoregional section. The association occurs within a region of cool, arid climatic conditions. The average annual precipitation is 25.4-30.5 cm (10-12 inches). The plant association is typically located in lower slope positions, on relatively steep slopes, at 1585 to 2045 m (5200-6700 feet) elevation, on limestone parent materials. Little information is available regarding the structure and composition of this association. Stands are characterized by an open woodland structure dominated by Juniperus osteosperma. The understory is open; a shrub layer is not present. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis, an endemic to east-central Idaho. Grass cover is high, approximately 50-60%. No additional information is available on species composition or cover.

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: Little information is available regarding the structure and composition of this association. It is an open savanna-like vegetation, with a tree layer of scattered evergreen needle-leaved Juniperus osteosperma. There is no shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis, a perennial grass species commonly considered a bunchgrass due to its cespitose form, but which typically has rhizomes. This variety of grass is endemic to east-central Idaho. Cover of the graminoid layer is apparently high, roughly 50-60%. No other information is available on species composition or cover.

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  The region where the association occurs is to the east of a major mountain mass which strongly affects the climate of the region. The region is mountainous with high, massive ranges, dissected by deep valleys. The topography is controlled by fault-block activity, and much of the region has a linear basin-and-range topography typical of the Great Basin. The valleys are broad and gentle. The high mountains to the west create a rainshadow, allowing only occasional incursions of moisture-laden winter storms from the Pacific. Average annual precipitation is low, ranging from 18 cm (7 inches) in the valleys to roughly 114 cm (45 inches) at the highest elevations. There is a peak during May and June, when convective showers are common, but winters are relatively dry. Summers are cool, and winters cold. This plant association occurs in the foothills zone on relatively steep slopes, and where average annual precipitation is 25.4-30.5 cm (10-12 inches). Elevations range from 1585 to approximately 2045 m (5200-6700 feet). All exposed bedrock is limestone, with some interbedding of sandy limestone, and calcareous siltstone and sandstone. Soils are poorly developed, thin and rocky.

Geographic Range: The plant association occurs within the southwestern region of the Bitterroot Mountains ecoregional section, within east-central Idaho. The association is described from the southwestern foothills of the Lemhi Range, Idaho.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  ID




Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G1Q

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: No Data Available

Concept Author(s): M.S. Reid

Author of Description: M.S. Reid and S.K. Rust

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-08-93

  • 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.
  • Caicco, S. L., and C. A. Wellner. 1983c. Research Natural Area recommendation for Southwest Lemhi Range. Unpublished report prepared for USDI Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Falls District, Idaho by Idaho Natural Areas Coordinating Committee. On file at Idaho Conservation Data Center, Boise, ID.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.