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CEGL000201 Pinus ponderosa / Schizachyrium scoparium Open Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine / Little Bluestem Open Woodland

Colloquial Name: Ponderosa Pine / Little Bluestem Woodland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This ponderosa pine / little bluestem association is a dry woodland found in the Great Plains of the United States extending west to the mountains of New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. In the Great Plains, it usually occurs on south- and west-facing slopes of hills, rocky breaks, and watercourses. In the western portion of its range, this association occurs at mid-elevation, ranging from 1780 and 2430 m (5840-7970 feet), on sites with low to high solar exposure that increases with elevation. Stands occur on gentle slopes of mesatops and shoulders (5-10%) and occasionally on steep (40%) upper canyon slopes. Soils are primarily mapped as well-developed Mollisols derived from pumice slope alluvium, or occasionally as fine-textured Alfisols derived from mixed eolian, and rarely, Aridisols derived from colluvial basalts. At El Malpais National Monument in western New Mexico, it occurs on collapse features and on the tops of very gently rolling lava plateaus. The topography varies from fractured basalt and rocky mounds to flatter areas with some soil development. Substrates are derived from volcanic basalt, and ground surface is typically dominated by rock with litter well-represented. Elsewhere, the ground surface is typically characterized by scattered bunchgrasses amid pumice gravel and litter. In the Great Plains, the overstory is dominated by Pinus ponderosa. Juniperus scopulorum may often be present, but typically only as scattered individuals. The shrub layer is composed of species such as Juniperus scopulorum, Rhus trilobata, and Symphoricarpos spp. Schizachyrium scoparium is the most abundant graminoid, often accompanied by Andropogon gerardii, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua gracilis, Carex inops ssp. heliophila, Carex siccata, Hesperostipa comata, Pascopyrum smithii, and Poa pratensis. Common forbs include Achillea millefolium, Phlox hoodii, and Allium spp. In New Mexico, this open woodland / savanna is dominated by Pinus ponderosa with canopies that range from 10-30% cover with other tree species (Pinus edulis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Quercus gambelii) rare or incidental. Pinus ponderosa seedling and sapling reproduction is typically present. Juniperus monosperma and Pinus edulis saplings are also occasionally present in the subcanopy. Shrubs are usually poorly represented (occasionally Robinia neomexicana or Ribes cereum are well-represented). Stands are distinctively grassy (cover can reach 30%). Dominant graminoids include prairie species Schizachyrium scoparium along with Muhlenbergia montana, Poa fendleriana, and Elymus elymoides. Bouteloua gracilis, while often present, is clearly subdominant. Numerous forb species may be common to well-represented and are variable from stand to stand.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Steinauer and Rolfsmeier (2003) suggest that, in Nebraska, stands dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium are more savanna-like. The savanna structure (10-25% tree canopy) cover was formerly treated as a separate type (CEGL002019), but is now treated as a savanna phase of this woodland type, which typically has 25-60% canopy cover. Nebraska''s woodland stands may best fit with ~Pinus ponderosa / Carex inops ssp. heliophila Woodland (CEGL000849)$$.

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

Floristics: This community is dominated by Pinus ponderosa in the overstory and dry prairie graminoids in the understory. Juniperus scopulorum may be present as a tall shrub or small tree, but typically only as scattered individuals. Other shrubs that are typically found are Rhus aromatica, Symphoricarpos spp., and Yucca glauca. Schizachyrium scoparium is the most abundant graminoid, often accompanied by Pascopyrum smithii, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata), Poa pratensis, Andropogon gerardii, and Carex siccata (= Carex foenea). Common forbs include Achillea millefolium, Phlox hoodii, and Allium spp. In the Great Plains, the overstory is dominated by Pinus ponderosa. Juniperus scopulorum may often be present, but typically only as scattered individuals. The shrub layer is composed of species such as Juniperus scopulorum, Rhus trilobata, and Symphoricarpos spp. Schizachyrium scoparium is the most abundant graminoid, often accompanied by Andropogon gerardii, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua gracilis, Carex inops ssp. heliophila, Carex siccata, Hesperostipa, Pascopyrum smithii, and Poa pratensis. In New Mexico, this open woodland / savanna is dominated by Pinus ponderosa with canopies that range from 10-30% cover with other tree species (Pinus edulis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Quercus gambelii) rare or incidental. Pinus ponderosa seedling and sapling reproduction is typically present. Juniperus monosperma and Pinus edulis saplings are also occasionally present in the subcanopy. Shrubs are usually poorly represented (occasionally Robinia neomexicana or Ribes cereum are well-represented). Stands are distinctively grassy (cover can reach 30%). Dominant graminoids include Elymus elymoides, Muhlenbergia montana, Poa fendleriana, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Bouteloua gracilis is often present but not dominant. Numerous forb species may be common to well-represented and are variable from stand to stand. The most frequent and abundant forbs include Bahia dissecta, Heterotheca villosa, Liatris punctata, and Lithospermum multiflorum.

Dynamics:  This type probably develops from little bluestem prairie as pines become established. Disturbances such as fire convert stands back to prairies (Marriott and Faber-Langendoen 2000). Fire was likely an important factor in the regulation of stand structure historically, particularly during drought years.
Environmental Description:  This community is usually found on south-facing slopes and in rocky breaks. The soils are derived from limestone and sandstone (Johnston 1987, McAdams et al. 1998). Slopes are usually moderately inclined. In the Great Plains, it usually occurs on south- and west-facing slopes of hills, rocky breaks, and watercourses. In the western portion of its range, this association occurs at mid-elevation, ranging from 1780 and 2430 m (5840-7970 feet), on sites with low to high solar exposure that increases with elevation. Stands occur on gentle slopes of mesatops and shoulders (5-10%) and occasionally on steep (40%) upper canyon slopes. Soils are primarily mapped as well-developed Mollisols derived from pumice slope alluvium, or occasionally as fine-textured Alfisols derived from mixed eolian, and rarely, Aridisols derived from colluvial basalts (Hibner 2009). At El Malpais National Monument in western New Mexico, it occurs on collapse features and on the tops of very gently rolling lava plateaus. The topography varies from fractured basalt and rocky mounds to flatter areas with some soil development. Substrates are derived from volcanic basalt, and ground surface is typically dominated by rock with litter well-represented. Elsewhere, the ground surface is typically characterized by scattered bunch grasses amid pumice gravel and litter.
Geographic Range: This ponderosa pine / little bluestem dry woodland is found in the Great Plains of Nebraska and South Dakota, extending west to the mountains of New Mexico, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. It may also be found in Oklahoma.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, MT, NE, NM, OK?, SD, WY


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4

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.2 Ponderosa Pine - Douglas-fir - Limber Pine Central Rocky Mountain Dry Forest Macrogroup M501 1.B.2.Nb.2
Group 1.B.2.Nb.2.e Ponderosa Pine Northwestern Great Plains Forest & Woodland Group G216 1.B.2.Nb.2.e
Alliance A3466 Ponderosa Pine Northwest Great Plains Open Woodland Alliance A3466 1.B.2.Nb.2.e
Association CEGL000201 Ponderosa Pine / Little Bluestem Open Woodland CEGL000201 1.B.2.Nb.2.e
Concept Lineage: CEGL002019 relied entirely on a canopy cover distinction to separate it from CEGL000201. Rarely does the savanna aspect appear widespread enough in the Black Hills or in Nebraska to justify the separation.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Pinus ponderosa - Schizachyrium scoparium - Elytrigia smithii Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Pinus ponderosa - Schizachyrium scoparium Community (Jones 1992b)
= Pinus ponderosa / Andropogon scoparius Habitat Type (Pfister et al. 1977)
= Pinus ponderosa / Andropogon scoparius Habitat Unit (Thilenius 1970)
< Pinus ponderosa / Bouteloua gracilis Cover Type (Balice et al. 1997)
= Pinus ponderosa / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Pine savanna (Kantak 1995)
= Ponderosa Pine Woodland (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2003)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen (2001)

Author of Description: J. Drake, K.S. King and M.E. Hall

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-24-10
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