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CEGL002384 Pinus ponderosa / Sparse Understory Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine / Sparse Understory Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This open woodland association has been described from Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks. It occurs on the bottoms and sides of intermittent stream drainages, in depressions between small hills and in valleys. Sites are gentle to moderately steep (2-27° slopes), occur between 2111 and 2592 m in elevation, and are oriented to all aspects. The unvegetated ground surface has low to high cover of litter and duff, low to high cover of small rocks, sparse to low amounts of bare soil, and sparse to moderate cover of downed wood. Litter and duff depths range from 0.2-2.8 cm in one stand. Soils are moderately well-drained and are derived from Navajo sandstone, the Kaiparowitz, Claron and Straight Cliff formations, and are often re-deposited as alluvium. Total vegetation cover ranges up to 65% and is characterized by an open canopy, typically 15-20 m tall, of Pinus ponderosa trees that range in cover from 4-60%. A subcanopy layer of 2- to 5-m tall Pinus edulis, Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum, and Pseudotsuga menziesii trees provides sparse cover. Shrubs that may be present include Artemisia frigida, Arctostaphylos patula, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Purshia tridentata, Tetradymia canescens, Artemisia nova, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. The herbaceous layer is floristically diverse and provides sparse cover. Common graminoids include Poa fendleriana, Carex rossii, Leymus salinus, and Muhlenbergia montana. Forbs commonly present are Stephanomeria minor, Erysimum asperum, and Lithospermum multiflorum. Tree saplings may provide sparse cover stand and include Pinus ponderosa and Juniperus scopulorum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is similar to Pinus ponderosa Sparse Woodland [Park Special] from Bryce Canyon, which differs in the very sparse canopy (<5% total cover).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Total vegetation cover ranges up to 65% and is characterized by an open canopy, typically 15-20 m tall, of Pinus ponderosa trees that range in cover from 4-60%. A subcanopy layer of 2- to 5-m tall Pinus edulis, Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum, and Pseudotsuga menziesii trees provides sparse cover. Shrubs that may be present include Artemisia frigida, Arctostaphylos patula, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Purshia tridentata, Tetradymia canescens, Artemisia nova, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. The herbaceous layer is floristically diverse and provides less than 5% total cover. Common graminoids include Poa fendleriana, Carex rossii, Leymus salinus (= Elymus salinus), and Muhlenbergia montana. Forbs commonly present are Stephanomeria minor (= Stephanomeria tenuifolia), Erysimum asperum, and Lithospermum multiflorum. Tree saplings may provide sparse cover and include Pinus ponderosa and Juniperus scopulorum.
Dynamics: association has only been described from Capitol Reef National Park. Until further inventory is completed, there is no global information. The plot data provide no information as to why the understory is sparse in this area.
Environmental Description: It occurs on the bottoms and sides of intermittent stream drainages, in depressions between small hills and in valleys. Sites are gentle to moderately steep (2-27° slopes), occur between 2111 and 2592 m in elevation, and are oriented to all aspects. The unvegetated ground surface has low to high cover of litter and duff, low to high cover of small rocks, sparse to low amounts of bare soil, and sparse to moderate cover of downed wood. Litter and duff depths range from 0.2-2.8 cm in one stand. Soils are moderately well-drained and are derived from Navajo sandstone, the Kaiparowitz, Claron and Straight Cliff formations, and are often re-deposited as alluvium.
Geographic Range: This association is known from Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks. It is likely to occur in isolated canyons throughout the Colorado Plateau.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769233
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.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division | D194 | 1.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nb.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup | M022 | 1.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b Ponderosa Pine Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Group | G228 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Alliance | A3398 Ponderosa Pine Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3398 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Association | CEGL002384 Ponderosa Pine / Sparse Understory Woodland | CEGL002384 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
Concept Lineage: Upgraded to Standard during screening.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus ponderosa / Sparse Understory 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.
- Kearsley, M. J. C., K. Green, M. Tukman, M. Reid, M. Hall, T. J. Ayers, and K. Christie. 2015. Grand Canyon National Park-Grand Canyon / Parashant National Monument vegetation classification and mapping project. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRCA/NRR--2015/913. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 75 pp. plus appendices.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, P. Neville, T. Neville, L. Arnold, P. Arbetan, and A. Fettes. 2012b. A vegetation classification and map: Pecos National Historical Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SOPN/NRTR--2012/601. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Reid, M. S., and M. E. Hall. 2010. Vegetation classification of Grand Canyon National Park. Draft report submitted to National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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.
- Tendick, A., G. Kittel, J. Von Loh, P. Williams, D. Cogan, J. Coles, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2011b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Bryce Canyon National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2011/442. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.