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CEGL002943 Pinus ponderosa / Bromus inermis Ruderal Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine / Smooth Brome Ruderal Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a woodland of native Pinus ponderosa with an exotic grass understory. While currently reported from the Colorado Front Range and southwestern Utah, it undoubtedly is more widespread in the West. Bromus inermis has been seeded in thousands of hectares as pasture grass throughout the western U.S. It requires some sort of subirrigation or moisture, so is found escaped into riparian areas, draws and hollows. In some places the seeding took place beneath mature Pinus ponderosa trees, and in other locations, Pinus ponderosa is slowly invading the Bromus inermis pasture. Stands are dominated by Bromus inermis with 30-40% foliar cover, with an open, park-like structure to the overstory canopy of trees, either mature or young sapling size, contributing around 20% canopy cover.
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: Pinus ponderosa comprises the tree canopy with over 20% cover as young, invading trees into the grassland or as mature, very tall trees. These soils were disturbed historically to seed Bromus inermis pastures, and it is also possible that some site leveling occurred, disturbing the soil structure. Graminoids contribute approximately 40% foliar cover with most provided by the exotic Bromus inermis and presence of Poa pratensis. Native grasses invading these stands include Muhlenbergia filiculmis (approximately 10% foliar cover), Festuca arizonica, Koeleria macrantha, Elymus elymoides, and Bouteloua gracilis. Forbs are diverse, but account for less than 5% foliar cover. The most abundant forbs are Convolvulus arvensis (exotic), Heterotheca villosa, Lupinus argenteus, Lotus utahensis, Achillea millefolium, along with Hymenoxys richardsonii, Oxytropis lambertii, Gaura coccinea, and Heterotheca fulcrata (= Chrysopsis fulcrata).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands growing from previously disturbed soils, resulting from potato and small grain farming, are rooted in a gravel substrate derived from granite or sandstone bedrock, with little or no soil development. It occurs on gently sloping drainages on moderately well-drained sandy loam soil. Elevation is 6700 to 8500 feet. In one stand the young trees occupy the pasture area adjacent to established woodland and forest stands, as an extension of those stands on slopes of approximately 5%. In other stands, mature trees are the overstory canopy.
Geographic Range: This association has been described from southern Utah and central Colorado, and is likely to occur anywhere within the Ponderosa Pine belt where Bromus inermis has been seeded as hay pasture.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, MT, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689172
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division | D194 | 1.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nb.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup | M022 | 1.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b Ponderosa Pine Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Group | G228 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Alliance | A3398 Ponderosa Pine Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3398 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Association | CEGL002943 Ponderosa Pine / Smooth Brome Ruderal Woodland | CEGL002943 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus ponderosa / Bromus inermis Semi-natural Woodland (Cogan et al. 2004)
- Cogan, D., M. Reid, K. Schulz, and M. Pucherelli. 2004. Zion National Park, Utah 1999-2003. Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-03-01. Remote Sensing and GIS Group Technical Service Center, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. Appendix F: Vegetation Association Descriptions for Zion.
- Cooper, S. V. 2003. Assessment of Kootenai National Forest vegetation types with potential for Silene spaldingii in the Tobacco Plains, Rexford Bench and Salish Range foothills. Unpublished report to Kootenai National Forest, Supervisor''s Office. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 33 pp. plus appendices.
- Owns, T., project coordinator, et al. 2004. U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service Vegetation Mapping Program: Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service. 390 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.