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CEGL000966 Cercocarpus ledifolius / Prunus virginiana Scrub
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Curl-leaf Mountain-mahogany / Chokecherry Scrub
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occupies slopes and ridgelines of high plateaus between 2450 and 2650 m (8040-8700 feet) elevation in northwestern Colorado and has been reported from eastern Oregon, as well as from the Ruby and Jarbidge mountains of Nevada. Stands occur on level to moderate slopes that generally face north to east, with a few stands on southeast exposures. Soils are deep sandy loams, but most stands also include outcrops or boulders of the underlying sandstone or limestone bedrock. The vegetation is characterized by an arborescent canopy of Cercocarpus ledifolius shrubs with at least 25% cover and up to 5 m tall. In some stands, scattered individual Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus ponderosa, or Populus tremuloides will emerge from the Cercocarpus canopy. The shrub layer is diverse, relatively dense, and is characterized by the presence (and often dominance) of Prunus virginiana. Other common shrubs include Amelanchier alnifolia, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Artemisia tridentata, Rosa woodsii, Mahonia repens, and Paxistima myrsinites. A variety of grasses and forbs are present in a diverse ground layer and may include Stenotus acaulis, Arenaria spp., Comandra umbellata, or Hackelia patens. Pseudoroegneria spicata is sparse to absent in these stands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is distinguished from other Cercocarpus ledifolius woodlands by its relatively dense, well-developed tall-shrub understory.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This tall shrubland association is characterized by an arborescent canopy of Cercocarpus ledifolius with at least 25% cover up to 5 m tall. In some stands, scattered individual Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus ponderosa, or Populus tremuloides will emerge from the canopy. The shrub layer is diverse, relatively dense, and is characterized by the presence (and often dominance) of Prunus virginiana. Other common shrubs include Amelanchier alnifolia, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Artemisia tridentata, Rosa woodsii, Mahonia repens, and Paxistima myrsinites. A variety of grasses and forbs are present in a diverse ground layer and may include Stenotus acaulis, Arenaria spp., Comandra umbellata, or Hackelia patens. Pseudoroegneria spicata is sparse to absent in these stands.
Dynamics: These stands are subject to fire and, when burned, will sometimes re-sprout. However, Cercocarpus ledifolius is a slow-growing species and centuries will elapse before the arboreal canopy re-develops. Despite the presence of scattered aspen, ponderosa pine or Douglas-fir trees emerging from the tall-shrub canopy of Cercocarpus ledifolius woodlands, there is little evidence that these stands will eventually be taken over by the taller trees (e.g., few or no seedlings are present).
Environmental Description: This association occupies slopes and ridgelines of high plateaus between 2450 and 2650 m (8040-8700 feet) elevation in northwestern Colorado and has been reported from eastern Oregon, as well as from the Ruby and Jarbidge mountains of Nevada. Stands occur on level to moderate slopes that generally face north to east, with a few stands on southeast exposures. Soils are deep sandy loams, but most stands also include outcrops or boulders of the underlying sandstone or limestone bedrock.
Geographic Range: This association has been reported from scattered locations in the Great Basin, Columbia Basin, and Uinta Basin of Colorado, Nevada and possibly Oregon and California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA?, CO, NV, OR?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688734
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
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.Nc Western North American Pinyon - Juniper Woodland & Scrub Division | D010 | 1.B.2.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nc.1 Singleleaf Pinyon - Utah Juniper - Western Juniper Intermountain Woodland Macrogroup | M896 | 1.B.2.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nc.1.d Curl-leaf Mountain-mahogany Woodland & Scrub Group | G249 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.d |
| Alliance | A0828 Curl-leaf Mountain-mahogany Scrub Alliance | A0828 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.d |
| Association | CEGL000966 Curl-leaf Mountain-mahogany / Chokecherry Scrub | CEGL000966 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cercocarpus ledifolius / Prunus virginiana Scrub (Lewis 1975a)
- 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.
- Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2008a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Dinosaur National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR-2008/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 814 pp.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- Lewis, M. E. 1975a. Plant communities of the Jarbidge Mountain Complex, Humboldt National Forest. Unpublished report compiled for USDA Forest Service, Region IV, Ogden, UT. 22 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.