Print Report
CEGL002486 Quercus havardii var. tuckeri Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Tucker Sand Shinnery Oak Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: Total vegetation cover ranges from 10 to 110% in these sparsely to moderately vegetated stands. The vegetation is dominated by patches of Quercus havardii var. tuckeri shrubs that range in cover from 5 to 85%. Because shrub roots anchor the sandy soil in this erosive habitat, Quercus havardii var. tuckeri shrubs often occupy hummocks of sand as much as a meter high. Associated shrubs include Artemisia filifolia, Amelanchier utahensis, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra cutleri, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Shepherdia rotundifolia, Opuntia polyacantha, and Vanclevea stylosa,. The herbaceous layer provides sparse cover. Graminoids present often include Achnatherum hymenoides, Muhlenbergia pungens, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Vulpia octoflora. Scattered forbs may include Cryptantha sp., Streptanthella longirostris, Hymenopappus filifolius, and Lepidium montanum. Scattered Juniperus osteosperma trees are present in some stands. This short-shrub association is restricted to dunes, sandsheets and pockets of sand on mesas, plateaus and valley bottoms in southeastern Utah. Sites are generally on flat or gentle slopes, with a few sites on moderately steep (50%) slopes. Elevations range between 1222 and 1772 m, and aspect is not a major factor in determining the distribution of this association. Bare ground or loose sand cover most of the unvegetated surface, although in less-disturbed sites biological soil crusts can have as much as 30% cover. Soils are rapidly drained, deep loamy sands and sandy loams derived from alluvium or eolian deposits.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This uncommon shrubland association has total vegetation cover ranging from 10 to 110% in these sparsely to densely vegetated stands. This shrubland is dominated by patches of Quercus havardii var. tuckeri shrubs that range in cover from 5 to 85%. Because shrub roots anchor the sandy soil in this erosive setting, Quercus havardii var. tuckeri shrubs often occupy hummocks of sand as much as a meter high. Associated shrubs include Artemisia filifolia, Amelanchier utahensis, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Eriogonum microthecum, Ephedra cutleri, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Fraxinus anomala, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Shepherdia rotundifolia, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea (= Opuntia erinacea), Opuntia polyacantha var. polyacantha, Purshia stansburiana, Shepherdia rotundifolia, Vanclevea stylosa, and Yucca angustissima. The herbaceous layer provides sparse cover. Graminoids present often include Achnatherum hymenoides, Muhlenbergia pungens, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Vulpia octoflora; forbs may include Cryptantha sp., Streptanthella longirostris, Hymenopappus filifolius, and Lepidium montanum. Scattered Juniperus osteosperma trees are present in some stands. The herbaceous layer tends to be sparse and depauperate. Grasses present may include Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Muhlenbergia pungens, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Vulpia octoflora, and the exotic Bromus tectorum. Scattered forbs Chenopodium album, Chenopodium atrovirens, Comandra umbellata, Cryptantha sp., Eriogonum shockleyi, Hymenopappus filifolius, Lepidium montanum, Packera multilobata (= Senecio multilobatus), Rumex hymenosepalus, Streptanthella longirostris, and Tetraneuris acaulis may be present. Biological soil crusts do not exceed 20% cover and tend to be in an early stage of development (mostly mosses and dark cyanobacteria). Occasional Juniperus osteosperma and Pinus edulis may be present, and Juniperus osteosperma seedlings were observed near one stand.
Dynamics: Sites are constantly exposed to erosion by wind and between dune areas may be scoured to alluvial surfaces. This vegetation is well-adapted to its dynamic environment.
Environmental Description: This short-shrub association is restricted to dunes, sandsheets and pockets of sand on mesas, plateaus and valley bottoms in southeastern Utah. Sites are generally on flat or gentle slopes, with a few sites on moderately steep (50%) colluvial slopes. Elevations range between 1222 and 1772 m, and aspect is not a major factor in determining the distribution of this association. Bare ground or sand cover most of the unvegetated surface, although in less-disturbed sites biological soil crusts can have as much as 30% cover. Soils are rapidly drained, deep loamy sands and sandy loams derived from Navajo sandstone, Cedar Mesa, Dakota, Entrada or Morrison formation sandstones that have eroded and been distributed to alluvium or eolian deposits.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in southeastern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769470
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.B Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S11 | 3.B |
| Formation | 3.B.1 Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F033 | 3.B.1 |
| Division | 3.B.1.Ne Western North American Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D040 | 3.B.1.Ne |
| Macrogroup | 3.B.1.Ne.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b Blackbrush - Cutler''s Joint-fir - Torrey''s Joint-fir Colorado Plateau Shrubland Group | G312 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Alliance | A2654 Tucker Sand Shinnery Oak Shrubland Alliance | A2654 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Association | CEGL002486 Tucker Sand Shinnery Oak Shrubland | CEGL002486 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus havardii var. tuckeri Shrubland (Clark et al. 2009)
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- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.