Print Report
CEGL003109 Juniperus osteosperma / Leymus salinus Open Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Utah Juniper / Saline Wildrye Open Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sparse woodland association occurs on low- to mid-elevation hogbacks, colluvial slopes and badlands in the Colorado Plateau of western Colorado and eastern Utah. The vegetation is characterized by a sparse to open canopy of Juniperus osteosperma with up to 25% cover. Pinus edulis may be present in very low amounts in the canopy. There is no shrub layer, but scattered short and dwarf-shrubs may total up to 10% cover in more heavily vegetated stands. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Leymus salinus with up to 25% cover. The remainder of the herbaceous cover is sparse but diverse. Elevations range from 1488 to 1997 m (4880-6550 feet), and most sites are on cooler north and east aspects. Slopes may be gentle to moderately steep (3-46% slope). Soils are rapidly drained and may be sandy loams or silty clays.
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. There may be some difficulty in clearly distinguishing ~Pinus edulis - Juniperus spp. / Leymus salinus Woodland (CEGL002340)$$ from this association, in which case they may need to be combined. In particularly sparse stands, it may also be difficult to distinguish ~Leymus salinus Shale Sparse Vegetation (CEGL002745)$$ from this association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association has a sparse to open canopy of Juniperus osteosperma with between 1 and 25% cover. Pinus edulis can be absent or present in very low amounts in the canopy, and Juniperus osteosperma and Pinus edulis seedlings may also be present. There is no shrub layer, but scattered short and dwarf-shrubs may total up to 10% cover. Common shrub species include Atriplex confertifolia, Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia nova, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Glossopetalon spinescens var. meionandrum, Ephedra viridis, Eriogonum microthecum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea (= Opuntia erinacea), Opuntia polyacantha var. polyacantha, Rhus trilobata var. trilobata, Shepherdia rotundifolia, and Yucca harrimaniae. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Leymus salinus with between 1 and 25% cover. Herbaceous cover is sparse but diverse. Additional graminoids present include Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata, Pleuraphis jamesii, Poa fendleriana, and Poa secunda. Forbs also provide sparse cover and include Arenaria hookeri, Arenaria fendleri, Calochortus gunnisonii, Cymopterus bulbosus, Cymopterus purpureus, Eriogonum umbellatum, Linanthus pungens (= Leptodactylon pungens), Lepidium montanum, Oenothera pallida, Phlox austromontana, Petradoria pumila, Phlox hoodii, Sphaeralcea coccinea, Streptanthella longirostris, Stenotus acaulis, and Xylorhiza venusta.
Dynamics: In some stands, this association is the result of ~Leymus salinus Shale Sparse Vegetation (CEGL002745)$$ grasslands being invaded by Juniperus osteosperma. This change may be indicative of shifts in seasonal precipitation rather than fire suppression, since most stands are too sparse to carry fire.
Environmental Description: This sparse woodland association occurs on canyon rims, ledges, low- to mid-elevation hogbacks, colluvial slopes, toeslopes and badlands in the Colorado Plateau of western Colorado and eastern Utah. Elevations range from 1488 to 1997 m (4880-6550 feet), and most sites are on cooler north and east aspects, although they are reported from west aspects in the Piceance Basin of northwestern Colorado (Baker 1982b). Slopes may be gentle to moderately steep (3-46% slope) and are generally underlain by Mesozoic marine shales of the Morrison Formation, Chinle Formation or Mancos shale. Other parent materials include Kayenta Formation and Cedar Mesa sandstone. Colluvium from sandstone cliffs or outcrops upslope is common on the ground surface. Soils are rapidly drained and may be sandy loams or silty clays.
Geographic Range: The plant association occurs on low-elevation marine shales in western Colorado and eastern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.788085
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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 | CEGL003109 Utah Juniper / Saline Wildrye Open Woodland | CEGL003109 | 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 / Elymus salina (Baker 1982b)
= Juniperus osteosperma / Leymus salinus Woodland (Tendick et al. 2012)
= Juniperus osteosperma / Leymus salinus Woodland (Tendick et al. 2012)
- Baker, W. L. 1982b. Natural vegetation of the Piceance Basin, Colorado. Appendix D, pages 1-113 in: J. S. Peterson and W. L. Baker, editors. Inventory of the Piceance Basin, Colorado. Unpublished report for the Bureau Land Management, Craig, CO.
- Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- 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.
- 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.
- 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., 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.
- Tendick, A., J. Spence, M. Reid, K. Shulz, G. Kittel, K. Green, A. Wight, and G. Wakefield. 2017. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRR—2017/1500. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 1464 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.