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CEGL002360 Juniperus osteosperma / Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Utah Juniper / Basin Big Sagebrush Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This woodland association occurs locally on benches, alluvial terraces, plateaus and draws in northwestern Colorado, eastern Utah, Arizona, California and Idaho. Elevations range from 1255-1860 m. Sites are located on gentle to moderate slopes, and tend to occupy relatively cool microsites, either on north aspects or cold-air drainages. Stands of this association tend to develop in Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata shrublands that have escaped disturbance for a long enough time to allow Juniperus osteosperma trees from nearby woodlands to invade. Soils are deep and generally are derived from alluvium. The best-developed stands occur on canyon floors where terraces are protected from flooding. The tree canopy is generally open, with between 10 and 50% cover by Juniperus osteosperma. Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata often has equal or greater cover than the tree layer, and shrubs may be 2 m high. If other shrubs are present, it is with low cover; species reported include Amelanchier utahensis, Ericameria nauseosa, Atriplex canescens, Opuntia spp., and Gutierrezia sarothrae. The herbaceous layer is diverse and well-developed in stands that have been protected from grazing, and may be dominated by grasses such as Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa comata, or Distichlis spicata. However, most stands have experienced a long history of grazing, and in these cases, the herbaceous layer is generally dominated by exotic Bromus tectorum.
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 woodland association is best developed on canyon floors where terraces are protected from flooding. The tree canopy is generally open, with between 10 and 50% cover by Juniperus osteosperma. Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata often has equal or greater cover than the tree layer, and shrubs may be 2 m high. If other shrubs are present, it is with low cover; species reported include Amelanchier utahensis, Atriplex canescens, Ericameria nauseosa, Fraxinus anomala, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Mahonia fremontii, Opuntia spp., Rhus trilobata, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus. The herbaceous layer is diverse and well-developed in stands that have been protected from grazing, and may be dominated by grasses such as Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa comata, or Distichlis spicata. However, most stands have experienced a long history of grazing, and in these cases, the herbaceous layer is generally dominated by exotic Bromus tectorum.
Dynamics: Stands of this association tend to develop in Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata shrublands that have escaped disturbance for a long enough time to allow Juniperus osteosperma trees from nearby woodlands to invade.
Environmental Description: This woodland association occurs locally in small patches occupying benches, alluvial terraces, plateaus and draws. In the Colorado Plateau of western Colorado and eastern Utah, elevations range from 1255 to 1860 m. Sites are located on gentle to moderate (1-46%) slopes and tend to occupy relatively cool microsites, either on north aspects or cold-air drainages. Soils are deep and generally are derived from alluvium.
Geographic Range: This association has been sampled in eastern Utah, northwestern Colorado, southern California, Arizona and Idaho. It is likely to be widespread throughout the Colorado Plateau.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, CO, ID, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769162
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.Nc Western North American Pinyon - Juniper Woodland & Scrub Division | D010 | 1.B.2.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nc.1 Singleleaf Pinyon - Utah Juniper - Western Juniper Intermountain Woodland Macrogroup | M896 | 1.B.2.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nc.1.a Two-needle Pinyon - Utah Juniper Woodland Group | G900 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.a |
| Alliance | A4371 Utah Juniper Colorado Plateau Shrubby Woodland Alliance | A4371 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.a |
| Association | CEGL002360 Utah Juniper / Basin Big Sagebrush Woodland | CEGL002360 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Juniperus osteosperma / Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Juniperus osteosperma / Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata Woodland (Clark et al. 2009)
= Juniperus osteosperma / Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata Woodland (Clark et al. 2009)
- 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.
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- 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.
- Salas, D., and C. Bolen. 2010b. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR-2010/301. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 35 pp.
- Stevens, J. E., D. S. Jones, and K. J. Benner. 2015. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRYN/NRR--2015/1070. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 350 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.