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CEGL002368 Pinus edulis - Juniperus osteosperma / Psathyrostachys juncea Ruderal Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Two-needle Pinyon - Utah Juniper / Russian Wildrye Ruderal Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This semi-natural woodland association currently is documented only from sites in and adjacent to Capitol Reef National Park in southeastern Utah; this summary is derived from plots sampled in the park in 2003. It occurs on alluvial flats, on sites with gentle (7%) slopes at 2043 m elevation and a southeastern aspect. The unvegetated surface has high exposure of bare soil and moderate cover of dead wood. Litter is sparse, less than 10% cover. Parent materials are mixed, and the soils are well-drained sandy loams derived from alluvium. This association was created following BLM treatments of sagebrush flats to enhance grazing potential. Total vegetation cover ranges from 22 to 50% and is characterized by an open canopy, typically 2-5 m tall, of young Juniperus osteosperma trees that range in cover from 5 to 15% and understory dominated by the perennial exotic bunchgrass Psathyrostachys juncea that ranges in cover from 15 to 25%. The shrub layer is sparse and includes Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus. Numerous non-native forbs have invaded these treated areas. The only remaining native herbaceous flora in the area is the forb Mirabilis multiflora.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association has only been described from Capitol Reef National Park. Until further inventory is completed, there is no global information.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Total vegetation cover ranges from 22 to 50% and is characterized by an open canopy, typically 2-5 m tall, of young Juniperus osteosperma trees that range in cover from 5 to 15% and understory dominated by the perennial exotic bunchgrass Psathyrostachys juncea (= Elymus junceus) that ranges in cover from 15 to 25%. The shrub layer is sparse and includes Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus. Numerous non-native forbs have invaded these treated areas. The only remaining native herbaceous flora in the area is the forb Mirabilis multiflora.
Dynamics: This association was created following BLM treatments of sagebrush flats to enhance grazing potential. Stands in and near Capitol Reef are sagebrush shrublands that have been chained, clearcut, and burned then planted to Russian wildrye. Pinyon and juniper have become established subsequent to treatment, probably because shrubs cannot compete for water with the aggressive Russian wildrye.
Environmental Description: This semi-natural woodland association occurs on alluvial flats, on sites with gentle (7%) slopes at 2043 m elevation and a southeastern aspect. The unvegetated surface has high exposure of bare soil and moderate cover of dead wood. Litter is sparse, less than 10% cover. Parent materials are mixed, and the soils are well-drained sandy loams derived from alluvium.
Geographic Range: This association is currently known only from Capitol Reef National Park and adjacent BLM lands in southeastern Utah (the Onion Beds and White Canyon Flat). It is likely to be widespread in the Colorado Plateau as this type of treatment has been prevalent in BLM sagebrush communities for decades. Similar stands have been documented from BLM lands in the Black Ridge area near Colorado National Monument.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769200
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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 | A3572 Two-needle Pinyon - Utah Juniper Grassy Open Woodland Alliance | A3572 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.a |
| Association | CEGL002368 Two-needle Pinyon - Utah Juniper / Russian Wildrye Ruderal Woodland | CEGL002368 | 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: = Pinus edulis - Juniperus osteosperma / Psathyrostachys juncea Semi-natural 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.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.