Print Report
CEGL001070 Amelanchier (utahensis, alnifolia) - Cercocarpus montanus Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Utah Serviceberry, Saskatoon Serviceberry) - Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: The description for this association is based on information from Colorado and Utah; its characteristics in Nevada are unknown and will be described when more information becomes available. This plant association is found on moderate to steeply sloping colluvial slopes, canyons, ridges and in alcoves. Sites may be oriented to any aspect. Elevation ranges between 1586 and 2595 m (5200-8500 feet). Relative to other mixed mountain shrub types, it is found on the driest sites with the least soil development and relatively low diversity. Soils range from shallow to deep but are generally always rocky with a high cover of surface rock. The vegetation is characterized by a more open shrub layer and a sparse understory relative to other mixed mountain shrub types. Total vegetation cover often does not exceed 50%. Amelanchier utahensis and Cercocarpus montanus are the dominants of as many as 16 shrub species in this association. Typical associated shrub species include Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Eriogonum corymbosum, Peraphyllum ramosissimum, Purshia tridentata, Rhus trilobata, Fraxinus anomala, and Tetradymia canescens. Symphoricarpos oreophilus can dominate the lower shrub layer, which may also include Brickellia microphylla, Eriogonum microthecum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Mahonia repens, and Paxistima myrsinites. Succulents such as Opuntia spp. or Yucca spp. may also have minor cover. If Quercus gambelii is present, cover is low (<5%). Scattered trees of Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum, or Pinus edulis may be present in some stands. Achnatherum hymenoides is the most common species in the diverse herbaceous layer. Other graminoid species may include Poa fendleriana, Koeleria macrantha, Achnatherum lettermanii, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Elymus lanceolatus, Hesperostipa comata, and Leymus salinus. Forb species may include Arenaria fendleri, Chaenactis douglasii, Cryptantha flava, Cymopterus purpureus, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Eriogonum umbellatum, Galium coloradoense, Heterotheca villosa, Lepidium montanum, Lithospermum ruderale, Petradoria pumila, Phlox longifolia, Physaria acutifolia, Senecio integerrimus, Sphaeralcea coccinea, Stanleya pinnata, Stenotus acaulis, and Streptanthella longirostris. Disturbed sites may have high cover of Bromus tectorum.
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: The vegetation is characterized by a more open shrub layer with a sparse understory relative to other mixed mountain shrub types. Total vegetation cover often does not exceed 50%. Amelanchier utahensis and Cercocarpus montanus are the dominants of as many as 16 shrub species in this association. Typical shrub species include Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Eriogonum corymbosum, Peraphyllum ramosissimum, Purshia tridentata, Rhus trilobata, Fraxinus anomala, and Tetradymia canescens. Symphoricarpos oreophilus can dominate the lower shrub layer, which may also include Brickellia microphylla, Eriogonum microthecum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Mahonia repens, and Paxistima myrsinites. Scattered individuals of Juniperus osteosperma and Pinus edulis may occur. Succulents such as Opuntia spp. or Yucca spp. may also have minor cover. Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides) is the most common species in the diverse herbaceous layer. Other graminoid species may include Poa fendleriana, Koeleria macrantha, Achnatherum lettermanii, Cymopterus purpureus, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Elymus lanceolatus, Hesperostipa comata, and Leymus salinus. Forb species may include Arenaria fendleri, Chaenactis douglasii, Cryptantha flava, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Eriogonum umbellatum, Galium coloradoense, Heterotheca villosa, Lepidium montanum, Lithospermum ruderale, Petradoria pumila, Phlox longifolia, Physaria acutifolia, Senecio integerrimus, Sphaeralcea coccinea, Stanleya pinnata, Stenotus acaulis, and Streptanthella longirostris, Tetraneuris acaulis (= Hymenoxys acaulis). Disturbed sites may have high cover of Bromus tectorum.
Dynamics: This may be an ecotone community since Amelanchier utahensis is often seen growing on moister lower sections of a slope with Cercocarpus montanus above on the drier sections.
Environmental Description: The description for this association is based on information from Colorado and Utah; its characteristics in Nevada are unknown and will be described when more information becomes available. This plant association is found on moderate to steeply sloping colluvial slopes, canyons, ridges and in alcoves. Sites may be oriented to any aspect. Elevations range between 1586 and 2500 m (5200-8200 feet). Relative to other mixed mountain shrub types, it is found on the driest sites with the least soil development and relatively low diversity. Exposed ground is moderate to extensive, averaging 40%. Soils range from shallow to deep, from loams to silty clays, but are generally always rocky with a high cover of surface rock.
Geographic Range: This association is documented from stands in western Colorado and southern and eastern Utah. It has been reported from Nevada and is likely to occur in xeric areas of mixed mountain shrubland throughout the plateaus and foothills of Colorado and in higher elevations of the Colorado Plateau, western Rocky Mountains and Intermountain West.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NV, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688395
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nf Western North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D022 | 2.B.2.Nf |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nf.1 Gambel Oak - Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Bitterbrush species Southern Rocky Mountain Montane Shrubland Macrogroup | M049 | 2.B.2.Nf.1 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nf.1.b Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Wavyleaf Oak - Skunkbush Sumac Foothill Shrubland Group | G276 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.b |
| Alliance | A3732 Utah Serviceberry - Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Littleleaf Mountain-mahogany Shrubland Alliance | A3732 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.b |
| Association | CEGL001070 (Utah Serviceberry, Saskatoon Serviceberry) - Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany Shrubland | CEGL001070 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Amelanchier utahensis - Cercocarpus montanus Association (Vories 1974)
? PEU-14 - Mixed Mountain Shrub/Dark Brown Loams (Tiedemann 1978) [Phyto-edaphic classification unit dominated by Amelanchier utahensis and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. No Cercocarpus montanus present.]
? PEU-14 - Mixed Mountain Shrub/Dark Brown Loams (Tiedemann 1978) [Phyto-edaphic classification unit dominated by Amelanchier utahensis and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. No Cercocarpus montanus present.]
- 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.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
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- Tiedemann, J. A. 1978. Phyto-edaphic classification of the Piceance Basin. Unpublished dissertation, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 281 pp.
- Von Loh, J., K. Landgraf, A. Evenden, T. Owens, S. Blauer, and M. Reid. 2007. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Colorado National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2007/061. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 564 pp.
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- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.