Print Report
CEGL002587 Cercocarpus intricatus Montane Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Littleleaf Mountain-mahogany Montane Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This montane association occurs on exposed peaks, ridges and plateaus in the Colorado Plateau of western Colorado and eastern Utah and the Wasatch Range in northern Utah, as well as the Mojave Desert of California. Elevations range from 1850 to 2650 m (6070-8700 feet). Sites are on level to gentle slopes that may be oriented to any aspect. Plants are rooted in cracks and potholes in the limestone or sandstone bedrock. Exposed bedrock, gravel and large rock cover much of the surface area. Soil collects only in depressions and crevices of the rocky surface and is generally a poorly developed sandy loam. The vegetation is dominated by low-statured Cercocarpus intricatus with more than 10% cover. Other shrubs with lesser cover commonly associated include Amelanchier utahensis, Cercocarpus montanus, Ephedra viridis, Eriogonum corymbosum, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. The herbaceous layer is diverse but sparse in cover and may include the graminoids Leymus salinus, Poa fendleriana, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Poa fendleriana, Achnatherum hymenoides, Koeleria macrantha, and the cushion forbs Arenaria fendleri, Petrophytum caespitosum, and Phlox spp. Scattered individuals of Pinus edulis or Juniperus osteosperma may occur in stunted, shrublike form rarely exceeding 2 m in height and not exceeding 5% cover.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type represents Cercocarpus intricatus shrublands at a much higher density than usually occurs on slickrock. The only difference between this association and ~Cercocarpus intricatus Slickrock Sparse Vegetation (CEGL002977)$$ is the density of Cercocarpus intricatus (>10%). Otherwise the setting is similar and the associated species are very similar.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This montane shrubland is dominated by Cercocarpus intricatus, usually with more than 10% cover, growing in bedrock cracks. Other shrubs with less cover commonly associated include Amelanchier utahensis, Cercocarpus montanus, Ephedra viridis, Eriogonum corymbosum, Holodiscus dumosus, Quercus gambelii (<5% cover), and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Although Cercocarpus intricatus is overwhelmingly dominant, scattered individuals of Pinus edulis, Juniperus osteosperma, or Pseudotsuga menziesii may occur in stunted, shrub-like form, rarely exceeding 2 m in height and not exceeding 5% cover. The herbaceous layer is diverse but sparse in cover and may include the graminoids Leymus salinus, Poa fendleriana, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Poa fendleriana, Achnatherum hymenoides, and Koeleria macrantha, and the cushion forbs Arenaria fendleri, Galium multiflorum, Petrophytum caespitosum, and Phlox spp.
Dynamics: In northwestern Colorado, the shrubs are hedged by browsing and wind to less than 1 m in height.
Environmental Description: This montane association occurs on exposed peaks, ridges and plateaus in the Colorado Plateau of western Colorado and eastern Utah, as well as the Mojave Desert of California. Elevations range from 1850 to 2650 m (6070-8700 feet). Slopes are gentle, and sites may be oriented to any aspect. Plants are rooted in cracks and potholes in the limestone or sandstone bedrock. Exposed bedrock, gravel and large rock cover much of the surface area. Soil collects only in depressions and crevices of the rocky surface and is generally a poorly developed sandy loam.
Geographic Range: This association is documented from Blue Mountain within Dinosaur National Monument in northwestern Colorado as well as from slickrock sites in Canyonlands National Park in eastern Utah, the Wasatch Range in northern Utah, and the south Snake Range in east-central Nevada, and the Mojave Desert of California. It probably also occurs on other high limestone ridges in northwestern Colorado, such as Douglas Mountain and Cold Springs Mountain. It may also occur in analogous habitats in southwestern Wyoming and elsewhere in the southern Great Basin, Mojave Desert and Colorado Plateau.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, CO, NV, UT, WY?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.770507
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nf Western North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D022 | 2.B.2.Nf |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nf.1 Gambel Oak - Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Bitterbrush species Southern Rocky Mountain Montane Shrubland Macrogroup | M049 | 2.B.2.Nf.1 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nf.1.b Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Wavyleaf Oak - Skunkbush Sumac Foothill Shrubland Group | G276 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.b |
| Alliance | A3732 Utah Serviceberry - Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Littleleaf Mountain-mahogany Shrubland Alliance | A3732 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.b |
| Association | CEGL002587 Littleleaf Mountain-mahogany Montane Shrubland | CEGL002587 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cercocarpus intricatus (Sawyer et al. 2009) [76.300.01]
= Cercocarpus intricatus Montane Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Cercocarpus intricatus Montane Shrubland (Coles et al. 2008a)
= Cercocarpus intricatus Montane Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Cercocarpus intricatus Montane Shrubland (Coles et al. 2008a)
- Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2008a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Dinosaur National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR-2008/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 814 pp.
- Coles, J., J. Von Loh, A. Wight, K. Schulz, and A. Evenden. 2009b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Timpanogos Cave National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/210. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 208 pp.
- Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Schulz, K. A., and M. E. Hall. 2011. Vegetation inventory project: Great Basin National Park. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network. NatureServe, Western Regional Office, Boulder, CO. 30 pp. plus Appendices A-H.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, K. Decker, M. Hall, J. Von Loh, T. Belote, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2012. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Canyonlands National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2012/577. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Thomas, K. A., T. Keeler-Wolf, J. Franklin, and P. Stine. 2004. Mojave Desert Ecosystem Program: Central Mojave vegetation mapping database. U.S. Geological Survey, Western Regional Science Center. 251 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.