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CEGL000861 Pinus ponderosa / Juniperus scopulorum Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine / Rocky Mountain Juniper Woodland
Colloquial Name: Ponderosa Pine / Rocky Mountain Juniper Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This ponderosa pine community is found along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains from the southwestern United States to the Canadian border, and on escarpments into the adjacent Great Plains. Stands have been found on moderate slopes with a variety of aspects, although north- and east-facing are most common. The soils are clay loams, sandy loams, and silt loams. The vegetation contains a moderately open to closed canopy that is 10-20 m tall. Pinus ponderosa is the sole dominant species. Juniperus scopulorum forms a subcanopy 2-4 m tall. Other shrubs, such as Cercocarpus montanus and Rhus trilobata var. trilobata, are also common. The herbaceous layer is sparse to absent. The plants that do occupy this stratum are mostly graminoids typical of dry prairie, such as Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua gracilis, Carex filifolia, Piptatheropsis micrantha, Poa pratensis, and Schizachyrium scoparium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Type needs a thorough regional review. Stands in the Black Hills have been described by Marriott and Faber-Langendoen (2000).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This community has a dense to moderately open canopy of Pinus ponderosa that is typically 10-20 m high. Most of the trees in the canopy are 20-40 cm dbh (Hoffman and Alexander 1987). Juniperus scopulorum forms a subcanopy that is 2-4 m high and is also moderately dense to open. There is usually a shrub layer that contains Cercocarpus montanus, Rhus trilobata, Symphoricarpos occidentalis, and Yucca glauca. Prunus virginiana is common in Nebraska stands. The herbaceous layer can be sparse or nearly absent, especially under areas of dense canopy or on very steep, eroding slopes. Total vegetation cover averaged 33% in seven stands in southeastern Montana (Brown 1971). Litter can accumulate to a depth of 10 cm or more where conifers are dense (Thilenius et al. 1995). Where the herbaceous layer is well-developed it is dominated by prairie graminoids. These include Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua gracilis, Carex filifolia, Piptatheropsis micrantha (= Oryzopsis micrantha), Poa pratensis, Pseudoroegneria spicata, and Schizachyrium scoparium.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community has been found primarily on slopes between 16-45% with a variety of aspects. In the central and southern portions of its range, it is predominantly on dry-mesic north- or east-facing slopes. In more mesic local climates or with heavier soils this community can exist on south-facing slopes. In North Dakota, Girard et al. (1989) found Pinus ponderosa stands on level to gently sloping (0-15%) mostly south-facing slopes. Throughout its range, the type can be found on bedrock of sandstone, limestone, or shale. Soils are usually well-drained, shallow, very stony, clay loams, silt loams, and sandy loams.
Geographic Range: This community is found along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains and on escarpments into the adjacent Great Plains, extending from the United States-Canadian border in Montana and North Dakota south to New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, MT, ND, NE, NM, SD, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689610
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.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 | CEGL000861 Ponderosa Pine / Rocky Mountain Juniper Woodland | CEGL000861 | 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 - Juniperus Community (Brown 1971)
= Pinus ponderosa - Juniperus scopulorum / Symphoricarpos occidentalis Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
? Pinus ponderosa - Juniperus scopulorum Coniferous Forest (Thilenius et al. 1995)
< Pinus ponderosa / Juniperus scopulorum (Hoffman and Alexander 1987)
= Pinus ponderosa / Juniperus scopulorum (Girard et al. 1989)
= Pinus ponderosa / Juniperus scopulorum Woodland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Pinus ponderosa / Schizachyrium scoparium - Elytrigia smithii Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Mixed Conifer Woodland (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2003)
= Pinus ponderosa - Juniperus scopulorum / Symphoricarpos occidentalis Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
? Pinus ponderosa - Juniperus scopulorum Coniferous Forest (Thilenius et al. 1995)
< Pinus ponderosa / Juniperus scopulorum (Hoffman and Alexander 1987)
= Pinus ponderosa / Juniperus scopulorum (Girard et al. 1989)
= Pinus ponderosa / Juniperus scopulorum Woodland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Pinus ponderosa / Schizachyrium scoparium - Elytrigia smithii Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Mixed Conifer Woodland (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2003)
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