Print Report

CEGL000844 Pinus ponderosa / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine / Kinnikinnick Woodland

Colloquial Name: Ponderosa Pine / Kinikinnick Woodland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This ponderosa pine / kinnikinnick woodland community is found in the Black Hills region and Rocky Mountain Front Range. Elevation ranges from 1540 to 2775 m (4250-9100 feet) in the Black Hills and 1920 to 2700 m (6300-8890 feet) in the Rocky Mountains. Stands occur in warm, dry habitats on all aspects and slopes, although it is most prevalent on gentle, south-facing midslopes with sandy loam or clay loam soils. The tree canopy is dominated by Pinus ponderosa; occasional associates include Pseudotsuga menziesii or Populus tremuloides, with Quercus macrocarpa common in the Black Hills. The dwarf-shrub Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is characteristic and abundant in this association. Other shrubs occur at lower densities and can include Symphoricarpos albus, Mahonia repens, Rosa spp., Juniperus communis, Purshia tridentata, Ribes cereum, Physocarpus monogynus, and Spiraea betulifolia in the Black Hills, and Quercus gambelii in the southern Rocky Mountains. Composition of the herbaceous layer is variable and not well-developed where shrub cover is high. Graminoids are more prevalent, especially Muhlenbergia montana, Leucopoa kingii, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, and Festuca arizonica, with Carex inops ssp. heliophila occurring in the southern Rocky Mountains and Oryzopsis asperifolia in the Black Hills. Forbs are usually present with low cover and can include Arnica cordifolia, Lupinus argenteus, Geranium caespitosum, Potentilla fissa, Achillea millefolium, and Lathyrus ochroleucus.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, a low-growing shrub, ranges from 25-70% canopy coverage and generally is the sole dominant understory species. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus edulis, and Abies concolor are absent or accidental.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Variation between southern and northern U.S. stands should be assessed as well as comparison with Black Hills expressions of this association. Stands in the Black Hills are described by Marriott and Faber-Langendoen (2000). Stands from Colorado are from the Rocky Mountain National Park vegetation mapping program, and Alexander et al. (1986) includes stands in southern Wyoming. Stands from northern New Mexico are described from DeVelice et al. (1986).

This type conceptually grades into ~Pinus ponderosa / Juniperus communis Woodland (CEGL000859)$$ and several other types because of the ubiquity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. At Rocky Mountain National Park, stands were separated by requiring Arctostaphylos uva-ursi to have twice the cover of Juniperus communis; mixed stands defaulted to ~Pinus ponderosa / Juniperus communis Woodland (CEGL000859)$$. In the Black Hills, this woodland is distinguished from ~Pinus ponderosa / Juniperus communis Woodland (CEGL000859)$$ by the low cover of Juniperus communis (generally <5% cover) (McAdams et al. 1998, unpubl. data). Distinction between these two ponderosa pine associations (as well as some others) is not clear, and rangewide review of these associations is needed to clarify their concepts.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Pinus ponderosa is the dominant tree in this woodland community. It reproduces successfully in this community and is found as seedlings and saplings as well as mature trees. There may also be seedlings of Populus tremuloides and Quercus macrocarpa. In northern New Mexico and Colorado, Pseudotsuga menziesii may also be present, but elsewhere rarely do any species except Pinus ponderosa grow larger than saplings. Shrubs are prominent in this community. Hoffman and Alexander (1987) found that in 10 stands in the Black Hills shrubs averaged 43.9% cover, while the herbaceous stratum averaged 19.3% cover. The most abundant understory species is the dwarf-shrub Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, which covered an average of 33% (range of 10-85%) of the surface. Other shrubs that are likely to be present are Cercocarpus montanus, Ceanothus fendleri, Mahonia repens, Rosa spp., Juniperus communis, Purshia tridentata, Quercus gambelii, Ribes cereum, Physocarpus monogynus, Spiraea betulifolia, and Symphoricarpos albus. Typical herbaceous species are Muhlenbergia montana, Leucopoa kingii, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Festuca arizonica, Carex inops ssp. heliophila (in the southern Rocky Mountains), and Oryzopsis asperifolia (in the Black Hills). Forbs are usually present with low cover and can include Arnica cordifolia, Lupinus argenteus, Geranium caespitosum, Potentilla fissa, Achillea millefolium, Fragaria virginiana, and Lathyrus ochroleucus. Communities in the Black Hills may be more species-rich than elsewhere.

Dynamics:  Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a seral, shade-intolerant species. It appears well-adapted to low-intensity fires with a short return interval (Crane 1991). Fire was likely an important factor in the regulation of stand structure historically. Natural fires are frequent in this plant association.
Environmental Description:  This ponderosa pine woodland community is found in the Black Hills region and Rocky Mountain Front Range. Elevation ranges from 1540 to 3000 m (4250-9100 feet) in the Black Hills and 1920 to 2700 m (6300-8890 feet) in the Rocky Mountains. Stands occur in warm, dry habitats on all aspects and slopes, although it is most prevalent on gentle, south-facing midslopes with sandy loam or clay loam soils. Litter dominates the ground surface with rock cover commonly ranging up to 15%. Limestone and granitic bedrock dominate.
Geographic Range: This ponderosa pine / kinnikinnick community type is found in the Black Hills region and northern Rocky Mountain Front Range, extending from Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota south to New Mexico and possibly Utah.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, MT, NM, SD, UT?, WY


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 CEGL000844 Ponderosa Pine / Kinnikinnick Woodland CEGL000844 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 / Arctostaphylos asenotrica Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Pinus ponderosa / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Stuever and Hayden 1997a)
= Pinus ponderosa / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Community (Jones 1992b)
= Pinus ponderosa / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (Hoffman and Alexander 1987)
= Pinus ponderosa / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (Alexander 1988)
= Pinus ponderosa / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (DeVelice et al. 1986)
= Pinus ponderosa / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Habitat Type (Alexander et al. 1986)
= Pinus ponderosa / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Woodland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen (2001)

Author of Description: J. Drake and S.L. Neid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 10-25-18
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