Print Report
CEGL000784 Pinus edulis / Muhlenbergia dubia Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Two-needle Pinyon / Pine Muhly Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs on moderate slopes of predominantly southeastern aspects at elevations from 1830 to 2225 m (6000-7300 feet). The slopes are often slightly to moderately rocky. Pinus edulis dominates the abundant tree layer, with Juniperus deppeana and Juniperus monosperma also present. There is a sparse shrub understory, primarily of Quercus x pauciloba. The grass layer is abundant to luxuriant and is dominated by Muhlenbergia dubia. Other grasses present are Piptochaetium fimbriatum, Bouteloua gracilis, Bouteloua curtipendula, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Andropogon gerardii. This plant association occurs at higher elevations than most of the Pinus edulis series. On north-facing slopes, Pinus ponderosa may be common. No phases have been described or suggested for this association.
Diagnostic Characteristics: A savanna (grassy) woodland with an overstory dominated by Juniperus deppeana and Pinus edulis. Muhlenbergia dubia dominates the grass understory, but other grasses are present. There is a sparse shrub understory, primarily of Quercus x pauciloba.
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: This woodland association is characterized by an open-tree canopy of the evergreen needle-leaved trees Pinus edulis and Juniperus deppeana, and moderate regeneration of Juniperus deppeana. The shrub layer is sparse (averaging 7% cover) and composed of the deciduous shrubs Quercus x pauciloba (= Quercus undulata) and Rhus trilobata. The herbaceous layer is grassy and averages 47% cover. The perennial grass Muhlenbergia dubia dominates. Several other grasses can be common, such as Piptochaetium fimbriatum, Bouteloua gracilis, Bouteloua curtipendula, and Muhlenbergia emersleyi.
Dynamics: Fire is probably a major disturbance factor.
Environmental Description: This association is found in the foothills zone of a mountainous region with a semi-arid climate. Annual precipitation averages 41 cm; more than 50% of it falls during July through September, while the spring and fall months are dry. Winter precipitation falls as snow and provides for soil saturation during the spring snowmelt. This association occurs from 1830 to 2225 m (6000-7300 feet) elevation on moderately steep slopes, primarily of southeastern aspect. Most sites are somewhat rocky, with 10-30% ground cover by rocks. This association is one of the highest elevation and mesic pinyon-juniper communities in this region. North-facing slopes at this elevation often support ponderosa pine stands.
Geographic Range: This woodland association is presently known from the Sacramento and Guadalupe mountains of south-central New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688112
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Nd Madrean-Balconian Forest & Woodland Division | D060 | 1.B.1.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Nd.1 Alligator Juniper - Mexican Pinyon - Arizona White Oak Madrean Lowland Evergreen Woodland Macrogroup | M010 | 1.B.1.Nd.1 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Nd.1.c Mexican Pinyon - Border Pinyon - Redberry Juniper Woodland Group | G200 | 1.B.1.Nd.1.c |
| Alliance | A3132 Mexican Pinyon - Border Pinyon - Two-needle Pinyon / Grass Understory Woodland Alliance | A3132 | 1.B.1.Nd.1.c |
| Association | CEGL000784 Two-needle Pinyon / Pine Muhly Woodland | CEGL000784 | 1.B.1.Nd.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus edulis - Juniperus deppeana / Muhlenbergia dubia (Kennedy 1983b)
= Pinus edulis / Muhlenbergia dubia (Stuever and Hayden 1997b)
= Pinus edulis / Muhlenbergia dubia (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.
- Kennedy, K. L. 1983a. A habitat-type classification for the pinyon-juniper woodlands of the Lincoln National Forest. Unpublished thesis, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces. 87 pp.
- Kennedy, K. L. 1983b. A habitat type classification of the pinyon-juniper woodlands of the Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico. Pages 54-61 in: W. H. Moir and L. Hendzel, technical coordinators. Proceedings of the workshop on southwestern habitat types, April 6-8, 1983, Albuquerque, New Mexico. USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. 110 pp.
- Moir, W. H., and J. O. Carleton. 1987. Classification of pinyon-juniper (P-J) sites on national forests in the Southwest. Pages 216-226 in: R. L. Everett, editor. Proceedings of the Pinyon-Juniper Conference, Reno, NV, 13-16 January 1986. General Technical Report. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 581 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.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.