Print Report
CEGL002337 Quercus gambelii / Sparse Understory Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gambel Oak / Sparse Understory Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs on flat to gently sloping valley floors, canyon bottoms, or narrow high terraces in canyons of the Colorado Plateau and high plateaus of southern Utah. Stands are usually at least 1 m above bankfull stage and rarely, if ever, flood. Elevations range from 1220 to 2190 m (4000-7200 feet). The substrate is a fine sandy alluvium, and oak leaf litter generally covers nearly all the unvegetated surface. The canopy consists of even-aged Quercus gambelii stems 5-15 m high with 50-80% canopy closure. The understory consists primarily of oak sprouts less than 0.5 m tall. Scattered individuals of other woody species may occur throughout stands, including Juniperus scopulorum, Ericameria nauseosa, Rhus trilobata, and Acer negundo. Herbaceous species are usually sparse because of the dense shade cast by the relatively closed canopy but may include Piptatheropsis micrantha, Maianthemum stellatum, Stanleya pinnata, and Clematis ligusticifolia.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is distinguished from other Gambel oak associations occurring in the Colorado Plateau by its position on level, abandoned alluvial terraces and the lack of a developed understory.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands of this community usually take the form of a dwarf-woodland, with the canopy high enough that it is possible to walk upright through a stand. Stands usually consist of a single clone of Quercus gambelii with roughly even-aged stems 8-20 cm in diameter, 5-15 m tall, and with 50 to 80% canopy closure. They may also include scattered individuals of other woody species such as Acer grandidentatum, Acer negundo, Juniperus scopulorum, and Pinus edulis. Other shrubs that may be present include Ericameria nauseosa, Forestiera pubescens, Mahonia fremontii, Prunus virginiana, Rhus trilobata, Rosa woodsii, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. The vines Clematis columbiana and Clematis ligusticifolia may also be present in the shrub canopy. Graminoid species are usually sparse because of the dense shade cast by the relatively closed canopy but may include Piptatheropsis micrantha (= Piptatherum micranthum). Forbs present include Artemisia ludoviciana, Comandra umbellata, Heterotheca villosa, Maianthemum stellatum, Tetraneuris acaulis (= Hymenoxys acaulis), Stanleya pinnata, Thalictrum fendleri, and Packera multilobata (= Senecio multilobatus). The exotic annual grass Bromus tectorum is common in some stands.
Dynamics: Although generally immune to direct flooding, the terraces these stands occupy may be eroded by flash floods. Stands resprout following fire with little change in species composition.
Environmental Description: This association occurs on flat to gently sloping valley floors, canyon bottoms and narrow high terraces in canyons of the Colorado Plateau and high plateaus of southern Utah. Stands are usually at least 1 m above bankfull stage and rarely, if ever, flood. Elevations range from 1220 to 2190 m (4000-7200 feet). The substrate is a fine sandy alluvium, and the soils may have a dark surface horizon with a relatively high percentage of organic matter. Oak leaf litter generally covers nearly all the unvegetated surface, although wood litter from fallen branches and trunks may be significant in some older stands.
Geographic Range: This association has been documented in the Colorado Plateau of eastern Utah and from high plateaus of southern Utah. It has been observed at Mesa Verde National Park (not sampled) and in the Front Range foothills of eastern Colorado as well (Castlewood Canyon State Park). It is likely to occur sporadically anywhere high alluvial terraces develop within the range of Quercus gambelii.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.758367
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.Nf Western North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D022 | 2.B.2.Nf |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nf.1 Gambel Oak - Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Bitterbrush species Southern Rocky Mountain Montane Shrubland Macrogroup | M049 | 2.B.2.Nf.1 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nf.1.a Gambel Oak - Serviceberry species - Chokecherry Southern Rocky Mountain Montane Shrubland Group | G277 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.a |
| Alliance | A3735 Gambel Oak - Mountain Snowberry Shrubland Alliance | A3735 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.a |
| Association | CEGL002337 Gambel Oak / Sparse Understory Shrubland | CEGL002337 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus gambelii / Sparse Understory Shrubland (Coles et al. 2008c)
- Clark, D., M. Dela Cruz, T. Clark, J. Coles, S. Topp, A. Evenden, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Capitol Reef National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/187. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 882 pp.
- Coles, J., A. Tendick, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2009a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Arches National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/253. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 544 pp.
- Coles, J., A. Tendick, J. Von Loh, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/361. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Coles, J., J. Von Loh, A. Evenden, G. Manis, G. Wakefield. and A. Wight. 2008c. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Natural Bridges National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2008/077. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 390 pp.
- Romme, W. H., K. D. Heil, J. M. Porter, and R. Fleming. 1993. Plant communities of Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. USDI National Park Service, Technical Report NPS/NAUCARE/NRTER-93/02. Cooperative Park Studies Unit, Northern Arizona University. 37 pp.
- Tendick, A., G. Kittel, J. Von Loh, P. Williams, D. Cogan, J. Coles, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2011b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Bryce Canyon National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2011/442. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, K. Decker, M. Hall, J. Von Loh, T. Belote, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2012. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Canyonlands National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2012/577. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.