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CEGL002374 Pinus edulis - Juniperus osteosperma / Opuntia fragilis Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Two-needle Pinyon - Utah Juniper / Brittle Prickly-pear Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This rare, open woodland association is currently documented only from Capitol Reef National Park in southeastern Utah; this summary is derived from plots sampled in the park in 2003 and 2004. It is restricted to eolian deposits on benches and valley floors on sites that slope gently (5-15%), occur between 2067 and 2298 m elevation, and are oriented to southeastern aspects. Sand and litter cover most of the unvegetated surface, although biological soil crusts provide up to 40% cover. Parent materials include Wingate and Navajo sandstone eroded and redeposited as eolian sands. Soils are rapidly drained sands, sandy loams, and loamy sands. Total vegetation cover generally does not exceed 50% and is characterized by an open canopy, typically 2-10 m tall, of Pinus edulis and Juniperus osteosperma that range in cover from 15 to 40%, and an understory dominated by Opuntia fragilis that ranges in cover from 15 to 55%. Associated shrubs include Picrothamnus desertorum and Ericameria nauseosa. The herbaceous layer is diverse in terms of species composition and provides sparse to moderate cover. Common graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, and Muhlenbergia pungens. Forbs typically provide less than 1% total cover per species.
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 generally does not exceed 50% and is characterized by an open canopy, typically 2-10 m tall, of Pinus edulis and Juniperus osteosperma that range in cover from 15 to 40%, and an understory dominated by Opuntia fragilis that ranges in cover from 15 to 55%. Associated shrubs include Picrothamnus desertorum (= Artemisia spinescens) and Ericameria nauseosa. The herbaceous layer is diverse in terms of species composition and provides sparse to moderate cover. Common graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, and Muhlenbergia pungens. Forbs typically provide less than 1% total cover per species.
Dynamics: Unlike some other associations where Opuntia spp. are dominant, this association has not been affected by domestic livestock grazing. It is restricted to well-drained eolian sands.
Environmental Description: This rare, open woodland association is restricted to eolian deposits on benches and valley floors on sites that slope gently (5-15%), occur between 2067 and 2298 m elevation, and are oriented to southeastern aspects. Sand and litter cover most of the unvegetated surface, although biological soil crusts provide up to 40% cover. Parent materials include Wingate and Navajo sandstone eroded and redeposited as eolian sands. Soils are rapidly drained sands, sandy loams, and loamy sands.
Geographic Range: This association has been documented only from scattered sites throughout Capitol Reef National Park in southeastern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769218
Confidence Level: Low
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 | A3573 Two-needle Pinyon - Utah Juniper Colorado Plateau Shrubby Open Woodland Alliance | A3573 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.a |
| Association | CEGL002374 Two-needle Pinyon - Utah Juniper / Brittle Prickly-pear Woodland | CEGL002374 | 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 / Opuntia fragilis 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.
- Salas, D. E., D. Wegner, and C. Bolen. 2010a. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Navajo National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2010/298. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 160 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.