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CEGL001116 Quercus gambelii / Robinia neomexicana / Symphoricarpos rotundifolius Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gambel Oak / New Mexico Locust / Roundleaf Snowberry Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This poorly known association is reported from the Sandia Mountains in north-central New Mexico and the Mogollon Rim in north-central Arizona. Sites include steep, exposed slopes at higher elevation, or north aspect midslopes and riparian areas in canyons at lower elevation. Slopes and aspects are variable. Substrates are generally coarser textured soils with a high percentage of mixed gravel, cobble and/or boulder-sized rock. Vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to dense, deciduous tall-shrub layer that is dominated by Quercus gambelii with Robinia neomexicana often codominating. Scattered conifer trees may be present including Pinus edulis, Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Juniperus spp. Riparian stands may have an occasional Acer negundo tree or Salix spp. shrub. The short-shrub layer is dominated by species of Symphoricarpos that vary depending on geography and include Symphoricarpos rotundifolius, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Symphoricarpos palmeri. Other shrubs may include Amelanchier utahensis, Chamaebatiaria millefolium, Forestiera pubescens, or Rosa woodsii. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse because of shading from dense shrub cover. Associates include Achillea millefolium, Artemisia ludoviciana, Campanula rotundifolia, Hedeoma drummondii, Heterotheca villosa, Penstemon spp., Poa fendleriana, Solidago velutina, and Thalictrum fendleri.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This poorly known plant association is reported both as chaparral from Sandia Mountains in New Mexico and riparian vegetation canyons in northern Arizona. It is similar to stands of ~Quercus gambelii / Robinia neomexicana Shrubland (CEGL001115)$$ described from the Mazatzal Mountains in central Arizona (Warren and Treadwell 1980) and stands of ~Quercus gambelii / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Shrubland (CEGL001117)$$ described from White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico (Muldavin et al. 2000b). These related stands are all dominated by Quercus gambelii with Symphoricarpos spp. and Robinia neomexicana potentially present. Further review is needed to better understand this association and its relationship to the other associations.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is characterized by a moderately dense to dense, deciduous tall-shrub layer that is dominated by Quercus gambelii with Robinia neomexicana often codominating. Scattered conifer trees may be present including Pinus edulis, Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Juniperus scopulorum, Juniperus osteosperma, or Juniperus monosperma. Riparian stands may have an occasional Acer negundo tree or Salix spp. shrub. The short-shrub layer is dominated by species of Symphoricarpos that vary depending on geography and include Symphoricarpos rotundifolius, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Symphoricarpos palmeri. Other shrubs may include Amelanchier utahensis, Chamaebatiaria millefolium, Forestiera pubescens, or Rosa woodsii. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse because of shading from dense shrub cover. Associates include Achillea millefolium, Artemisia ludoviciana, Campanula rotundifolia, Hedeoma drummondii, Heterotheca villosa, Penstemon spp., Poa fendleriana, Solidago velutina, and Thalictrum fendleri.
Dynamics: Seems to occur on sites at higher elevation that are too dry for conifer trees to dominate, and on relatively mesic sites at lower elevation.
Environmental Description: This poorly known shrubland association is reported from the Sandia Mountains in north-central New Mexico and the Mogollon Rim in northern central Arizona. Elevation ranges from 1510-3050 m (4950-10,000 feet). Sites include steep, exposed sites at higher elevations or north aspect midslopes and riparian areas in canyons at lower elevations. Slopes and aspects are variable. Substrates are generally coarser textured soils with a high percentage of mixed gravel, cobble and/or boulder-sized rock. Litter cover is often over 10%.
Geographic Range: This association is reported from central New Mexico and northern central Arizona along the Mogollon Rim.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689005
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GU
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.a Gambel Oak - Serviceberry species - Chokecherry Southern Rocky Mountain Montane Shrubland Group | G277 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.a |
| Alliance | A3738 Gambel Oak - New Mexico Locust Shrubland Alliance | A3738 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.a |
| Association | CEGL001116 Gambel Oak / New Mexico Locust / Roundleaf Snowberry Shrubland | CEGL001116 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Gambel Oak - New Mexico Locust - Deerbrush Association (Warren and Treadwell 1980)
- 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.
- Hansen, M., J. Coles, K. A. Thomas, D. Cogan, M. Reid, J. Von Loh, and K. Schulz. 2004a. USGS-NPS National Vegetation Mapping Program: Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona, vegetation classification and distribution. U.S. Geological Survey Technical Report. Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ. 219 pp.
- Kearsley, M. J. C., K. Green, M. Tukman, M. Reid, M. Hall, T. J. Ayers, and K. Christie. 2015. Grand Canyon National Park-Grand Canyon / Parashant National Monument vegetation classification and mapping project. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRCA/NRR--2015/913. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 75 pp. plus appendices.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, and G. Harper. 2000b. The vegetation of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico: Volume I. Handbook of vegetation communities. Final report to Environmental Directorate, White Sands Missile Range. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 195 pp. plus appendices
- Reid, M. S., and M. E. Hall. 2010. Vegetation classification of Grand Canyon National Park. Draft report submitted to National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Warren, P. L., and B. D. Treadwell. 1980. Vegetation of the Three-Bar Wildlife Study Area, Mazatzal Mountains, Arizona. Unpublished report prepared for Arizona Game and Fish Department.
- Watson, J. R. 1912. Plant geography of north central New Mexico: Contributions from the Hull Botanical Laboratory. Botanical Gazette 54:194-217.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.