Print Report
CEGL000981 Quercus turbinella - Juniperus osteosperma Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sonoran Scrub Oak - Utah Juniper Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This scrub oak shrubland association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in Arizona. It is also reported from Nevada and Wyoming and possibly Utah. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It typically occurs on moderate to steep (15-40°) mid and upper sideslopes at 1075 to 1825 m (3475-6025 feet) elevation, across all aspects. Soils are rapidly-drained sandy or silty loams derived from sandstone or limestone. This predominantly shrub-dominated community supports an open and scattered tree layer. Juniperus osteosperma dominates and characterizes this stratum but typically assumes a stunted and shrublike physiognomy. Other tall shrubs are essentially absent. Along with Juniperus osteosperma, the short shrub Quercus turbinella codominates this association. Rhus trilobata, Yucca baccata, and Ephedra aspera also frequently occur in the short-shrub layer, while up to 25 different species can sporadically occur here. Gutierrezia sarothrae and occasionally Thamnosma montana occur in the dwarf-shrub layer. Graminoid cover is relatively sparse; Achnatherum speciosum occurs in most stands, while Aristida purpurea and Poa fendleriana sometimes occur as well. Forb composition varies considerably among stands, and approximately 60 different species can occur in the forb understory.
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: This predominantly shrub-dominated community supports an open and scattered tree layer. Juniperus osteosperma dominates and characterizes this stratum but typically assumes a stunted and shrublike physiognomy. Other tall shrubs are essentially absent. Along with Juniperus osteosperma, the short shrub Quercus turbinella codominates this association. Rhus trilobata, Yucca baccata, and Ephedra aspera (= Ephedra fasciculata) also frequently occur in the short-shrub layer, while up to 25 different species can sporadically occur here. Gutierrezia sarothrae and occasionally Thamnosma montana occur in the dwarf-shrub layer. Graminoid cover is relatively sparse; Achnatherum speciosum occurs in most stands, while Aristida purpurea and Poa fendleriana sometimes occur as well. Forb composition varies considerably among stands, and approximately 60 different species can occur in the forb understory.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This scrub oak shrubland typically occurs on moderate to steep (15-40°) mid and upper sideslopes at 1075 to 1825 m (3475-6025 feet) elevation, across all aspects. Soils are rapidly-drained sandy or silty loams derived from sandstone or limestone.
Geographic Range: This association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in Arizona. It is also reported from Nevada and Wyoming and possibly Utah. More survey work is needed to fully document its global range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NV, UT?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689455
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4?
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.Ng Western North American Interior Chaparral Division | D061 | 2.B.2.Ng |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Ng.2 Sonoran Scrub Oak - Pointleaf Manzanita - Desert Ceanothus Warm Interior Chaparral Macrogroup | M091 | 2.B.2.Ng.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Ng.2.b Sonoran Scrub Oak - Desert Ceanothus - Mexican Manzanita Chaparral Group | G281 | 2.B.2.Ng.2.b |
| Alliance | A0793 Sonoran Scrub Oak Chaparral Alliance | A0793 | 2.B.2.Ng.2.b |
| Association | CEGL000981 Sonoran Scrub Oak - Utah Juniper Shrubland | CEGL000981 | 2.B.2.Ng.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Evergreen Broad-Sclerophyll Shrub Formation at 4300-4800 feet. (Wells 1960)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Wells, P. V. 1960. Physiognomic intergradation of vegetation on the Pine Valley Mountains in southwestern Utah. Ecology 41:553-556.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.