Print Report
CEGL002817 Juniperus osteosperma / Bromus tectorum Ruderal Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Utah Juniper / Cheatgrass Ruderal Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This semi-natural woodland association is usually a degraded form of other Juniperus osteosperma associations with native grass understories. It occurs on ridges and benches in western Colorado and eastern Utah. In these stands, significant ground disturbance, such as surface fire or sheep grazing, allows Bromus tectorum to establish and out-compete native grasses. Elevations range from below 1600 to 1745 m (5250-5725 feet), and slopes vary from gentle to moderately steep. Soils are sandy and well-drained. The substrate is often rocky, and rocks, downed wood and cryptobiotic crusts may cover most of the unvegetated surface. The canopy of Juniperus osteosperma is usually open, with between 20 and 55% cover. Shrubs are sparse and low in diversity but may include scattered individuals of Artemisia tridentata, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Opuntia polyacantha. The exotic annual grass Bromus tectorum dominates the understory, although cover will vary from year to year depending on soil moisture levels in the early spring. Sometimes traces of the original native grasses will persist, including Achnatherum hymenoides, Poa fendleriana, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Hesperostipa comata. If forbs are present, they also tend to indicate disturbance.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This semi-natural woodland association is usually a degraded form of other Juniperus osteosperma associations with native grass understories. The canopy of Juniperus osteosperma is usually open, with between 20 and 55% cover. Shrubs are sparse and low in diversity but may include scattered individuals of Artemisia tridentata, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Opuntia polyacantha. The exotic annual grass Bromus tectorum dominates the understory, although cover will vary from year to year depending on soil moisture levels in the early spring. Sometimes traces of the original native grasses will persist, including Achnatherum hymenoides, Poa fendleriana, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Hesperostipa comata. If forbs are present, they also tend to indicate disturbance.
Dynamics: In these stands, there has usually been some significant ground disturbance that has allowed Bromus tectorum to establish and out-compete native grasses. Disturbances include surface fire and sheep grazing.
Environmental Description: This woodland association occurs on ridges and benches in western Colorado and eastern Utah. Elevations range from below 1600 to 1745 m (5250-5725 feet), and slopes vary from gentle to moderately steep. Soils are sandy and well-drained. The substrate is often rocky, and rocks, downed wood and cryptobiotic crusts may cover most of the unvegetated surface.
Geographic Range: This association has been described from western Colorado and eastern Utah. It is likely to occur throughout the Intermountain West.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.785427
Confidence Level: High
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 | A3497 Utah Juniper Grassy Open Woodland Alliance | A3497 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.a |
| Association | CEGL002817 Utah Juniper / Cheatgrass Ruderal Woodland | CEGL002817 | 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: = Juniperus osteosperma / Bromus tectorum Semi-natural Woodland (Coles et al. 2008a)
- Coles, J., A. Tendick, J. Von Loh, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/361. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.