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CEGL002977 Cercocarpus intricatus Slickrock Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Littleleaf Mountain-mahogany Slickrock Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sparse shrubland association occurs on exposed sandstone slickrock in the Colorado Plateau. Total vegetation cover is less than 15% and often less than 5%. Cercocarpus intricatus is dominant or codominant, with lesser cover by other shrubs such as Amelanchier utahensis, Arctostaphylos patula, Artemisia bigelovii, Cercocarpus montanus, Glossopetalon spinescens var. meionandrum, Ephedra viridis, or Fraxinus anomala. The herbaceous layer is diverse, variable and low in cover. Occasional dwarfed individuals (often only 1-1.5 m tall) of Pinus edulis or Juniperus osteosperma may occur with low cover. The herbaceous cover is sparse and frequently includes Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, and Pleuraphis jamesii. Forbs are variable among plots and only have trace cover. Stands are restricted to exposures of massive sandstones such as on the Colorado Plateau. Elevations range between 1196 and 2348 m (3920-7700 feet), while slopes and aspects vary widely. The density of the vegetation is limited by the availability of crevices and shallow depressions where sandy soil collects and plants can root. Soils are rapidly drained loamy sands derived from Navajo sandstone, White Rim sandstone of the Cutler Group, or Cedar Mesa sandstone. Most of the surface is sandstone, sometimes with high cover of lichens. Litter and biological soil crusts have sparse to low cover.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This Cercocarpus intricatus sparse shrub association is restricted to exposures of sandstone. Germination sites for vascular plant species are limited to cracks and small depressions in the bedrock where soil collects. Total vegetation cover is less than 20% and often is 5% or less. Cercocarpus intricatus is dominant or codominant, with between 1 and 20% cover. Most stands contain other shrubs as well, including Amelanchier utahensis, Arctostaphylos patula, Artemisia bigelovii, Cercocarpus montanus, Coleogyne ramosissima (minor, if present), Ephedra viridis, Fraxinus anomala, or Glossopetalon spinescens var. meionandrum (= Forsellesia meionandra). The herbaceous layer is diverse, variable and low in cover. Grasses such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, and Pleuraphis jamesii are most common, with trace cover of a variety of forbs. Occasional dwarfed individuals (often only 1-1.5 m tall) of Pinus edulis or Juniperus osteosperma may occur. Colorful lichens may cover much of the surface of the exposed bedrock.
Dynamics: This community exists because soil is held in cracks in the bedrock and precipitation runoff also tends to concentrate in these cracks. The structure and density of the community is controlled by the degree of fracturing of the sandstone.
Environmental Description: This sparse shrubland association is restricted to exposures of massive sandstones such as the Navajo, Weber, Cedar Mesa, White Rim, Kayenta and Wingate formations on the Colorado Plateau. Elevations range between 1196 and 3920m (4630-7700 feet), slopes range from level to vertical, and all aspects are possible. The vegetation roots in crevices where sandy soil collects. Up to 99% of the surface is exposed bedrock or rock and gravel from fractured bedrock, sometimes nearly covered by lichens. Soils are rapidly drained loamy sands derived from Navajo sandstone, White Rim sandstone of the Cutler Group, or Cedar Mesa sandstone. Litter and biological soil crusts have sparse to low cover.
Geographic Range: This Colorado Plateau association has been described from several National Park Service units in southern and eastern Utah and western Colorado with extensive exposures of massive sandstones.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688952
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.B Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S11 | 3.B |
| Formation | 3.B.1 Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F033 | 3.B.1 |
| Division | 3.B.1.Ne Western North American Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D040 | 3.B.1.Ne |
| Macrogroup | 3.B.1.Ne.6 Saltbush species - Joint-fir species - Buckwheat species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Macrogroup | M118 | 3.B.1.Ne.6 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a Saltbush species - Mountain-mahogany species - Joint-fir species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Group | G570 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Alliance | A4051 Ponderosa Pine - Littleleaf Mountain-mahogany Bedrock Cliff & Canyon Wooded Scrub Alliance | A4051 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Association | CEGL002977 Littleleaf Mountain-mahogany Slickrock Sparse Vegetation | CEGL002977 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cercocarpus intricatus Slickrock Sparse Vegetation (Cogan et al. 2004)
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