Print Report
CEGL002341 Quercus gambelii - Holodiscus dumosus Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gambel Oak - Rockspirea Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This uncommon tall-shrub association occurs in scattered small patches on rock outcrops and landslide deposits on the slopes of mesas and canyons. Sites are moderately steep to steep and occur between 1700 and 2550 m elevation. The unvegetated surface has moderate to high cover of litter, bedrock, rocks, and bare soil. The underlying geology includes Tertiary volcanic rocks, metamorphic and granitic rocks, and Quaternary landslide deposits. Total vegetation cover ranges from 60 to 90%. The tall-shrub canopy is typically 1-2 m tall and characteristically consists of Quercus gambelii with 5 to 100% cover, Amelanchier utahensis with 1 to 15% cover, and Holodiscus dumosus with 1 to 50% cover. Other shrubs that contribute to the total cover can include Acer negundo, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Mahonia repens, Prunus virginiana, Philadelphus microphyllus, Quercus gambelii, Rhus trilobata, Ribes cereum, and Symphoricarpos rotundifolius. The herbaceous layer provides up to 15% total cover and may include Achnatherum hymenoides, Carex geyeri, Elymus trachycaulus, Poa fendleriana, Artemisia frigida, Artemisia ludoviciana, Galium boreale, Geranium sp., Hymenopappus filifolius, Maianthemum stellatum, Solidago velutina, and Toxicodendron rydbergii. Lichens and mosses provide up to 45% cover.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This tall-shrub association is uncommon. The total vegetation cover ranges from 60 to 90% in these densely vegetated stands. This association is characterized by a tall-shrub canopy that is typically 1-2 m tall of Quercus gambelii shrubs that range in cover from 5 to 100%. Another tall shrub present is Amelanchier utahensis that provides 1 to 15% cover. The short-shrub layer is diverse and characterized by Holodiscus dumosus with between 1 and 50% cover. Other shrubs that contribute to the total cover include Acer negundo, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Mahonia repens, Prunus virginiana, Philadelphus microphyllus, Quercus gambelii, Rhus trilobata, Ribes cereum, Ribes leptanthum, and Symphoricarpos rotundifolius. The herbaceous layer is relatively diverse and provides up to 15% total cover. Graminoids provide sparse to low cover and include Achnatherum hymenoides, Carex geyeri, Elymus elymoides, Elymus trachycaulus, and Poa fendleriana. Forbs provide sparse to low cover and include Artemisia frigida, Artemisia ludoviciana, Galium boreale, Gayophytum diffusum, Geranium sp., Hymenopappus filifolius, Maianthemum stellatum, Solidago velutina, and Toxicodendron rydbergii. Lichens and mosses provide up to 45% cover.
Dynamics: This association is apparently restricted to rocky outcrops and landslides, where a high percentage of rock cover mulches the soil and allows a dense, diverse shrub community to exist.
Environmental Description: This tall-shrub association occurs on the slopes of mesas, canyons and landslides. Sites are moderately steep to steep (19-73% slopes), occur between 1719 and 2552 m elevation, and are oriented to all aspects. The unvegetated surface has moderate to high cover of litter, bedrock, large and small rocks, and exposure of bare soil. Downed wood has up to 15% cover. The underlying geology includes Tertiary volcanic rocks, metamorphic and granitic rocks, and Quaternary landslide deposits. Soils are sandy loams or are rocky with no soil available to sample.
Geographic Range: This association is known only from Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.758477
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 | CEGL002341 Gambel Oak - Rockspirea Shrubland | CEGL002341 | 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 - Holodiscus dumosus Shrubland (Coles et al. 2010)
- 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.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.