Print Report
CEGL002338 Quercus gambelii / Rhus trilobata Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gambel Oak / Skunkbush Sumac Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This oak shrubland has an open to dense canopy of single-stemmed Quercus gambelii shrubs. Rhus trilobata shrubs between 1 and 2 m tall are always present, with cover ranging from 2 to 20%. A diverse array of other mesic shrubs are generally present as well, including Amelanchier utahensis, Prunus virginiana, Fendlera rupicola, Acer glabrum, or Cercocarpus montanus. The herbaceous layer ranges from sparse to moderately dense in cover and is usually diverse. Common species include Poa fendleriana, Maianthemum stellatum, Senecio amplectens, and the vine Clematis ligusticifolia. Total vegetation cover may range from 67% to well over 100%. This tall-shrub (or occasionally woodland) association occurs on colluvial slopes in canyons of the Colorado Plateau, as well as at the base of sandstone outcrops and in canyon bottoms. Sites range from moderately steep to steep (6-38% slopes), occur between 1132 and 2337 m elevation, and are oriented to north and east aspects.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association may take the form of a woodland or a shrubland, depending on the height and structure of the Quercus gambelii, which often forms clones between 5 and 10 m tall providing 35 to 95% cover. Rhus trilobata shrubs between 1 and 2 m tall are always present, with cover ranging from 2 to 20%. A diverse array of other mesic shrubs with lesser cover are generally present as well and may include Acer glabrum, Amelanchier utahensis, Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, Cercocarpus montanus, Ericameria nauseosa, Fendlera rupicola, Frangula betulifolia (= Rhamnus betulifolia), Mahonia repens, Prunus virginiana, Rosa woodsii, or Symphoricarpos occidentalis. The herbaceous layer ranges from sparse to moderately dense in cover and is usually diverse. Common graminoids include Poa fendleriana and Piptatheropsis micrantha (= Piptatherum micranthum); common forbs include Lepidium montanum, Maianthemum stellatum, and Senecio amplectens, and the vine Clematis ligusticifolia often present. Other herbaceous associates include Achnatherum hymenoides, Artemisia dracunculus, Comandra umbellata, Descurainia pinnata, Elymus elymoides, Elymus trachycaulus, Heterotheca villosa, Heuchera parvifolia, Lepidium densiflorum, Maianthemum stellatum, Silene antirrhina, Sisymbrium altissimum, Streptanthella longirostris, and Vicia americana. Exotic species Agropyron cristatum, Bromus tectorum, and Chenopodium album are present in some stands.
Dynamics: This association requires mesic, rocky slopes in narrow canyons, or other situations where runoff is concentrated, such as the base of sandstone cliffs and outcrops. It is similar in composition to riparian stands of Quercus gambelii, but most examples are located on steep slopes well above the canyon floor.
Environmental Description: This tall-shrub association occurs on colluvial slopes in canyons of the Colorado Plateau, as well as at the base of sandstone outcrops and on slopes and benches in canyon bottoms near streams and reservoirs. Sites range from moderately steep to steep (6-38% slopes), occur between 1132 and 2337 m elevation, and are generally oriented to north and east aspects, but may include southwest at higher elevations. The unvegetated ground surface typically has high cover of oak leaf litter (greater than 90%), although stands are variable, and there may be significant cover of bare ground. Substrates are rocky with bedrock and some underlying talus or rocky, steep badlands. Parent materials are sandstone colluvium or eolian/alluvial sands, and soils are moderately well-drained sandy loams and loams.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the Colorado Plateau and southern Rocky Mountains in northeastern New Mexico, western Colorado and eastern Utah. It is likely a rare and restricted type because of its preferred habitat and combination of species.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NM, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.758371
Confidence Level: Low
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 | CEGL002338 Gambel Oak / Skunkbush Sumac Woodland | CEGL002338 | 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 / Rhus trilobata Shrubland (Von Loh et al. 2007)
- 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.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, T. Neville, P. Arbetan, A. Fettes, A. Kennedy, and L. Arnold. 2011d. A vegetation classification and map: Capulin Volcano National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SOPN/NRTR--2011/461. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 158 pp.
- 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.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, P. Williams, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Curecanti National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/408. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 797 pp.
- Tendick, A., J. Spence, M. Reid, K. Shulz, G. Kittel, K. Green, A. Wight, and G. Wakefield. 2017. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRR—2017/1500. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 1464 pp.
- Von Loh, J., K. Landgraf, A. Evenden, T. Owens, S. Blauer, and M. Reid. 2007. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Colorado National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2007/061. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 564 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.