Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Big Sagebrush Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This shrubland association is only known from 16 sites sampled at Curecanti National Recreation Area in the Gunnison River Valley in western Colorado. Stands generally occur on hills, ridges, along intermittent drainages, near the shoreline of a reservoir and in a badland area. Sites are gentle to steep (4-40%), low to midslopes at 2315-2490 m elevation and occur on all aspects. Soil texture is variable and includes clay loam. Soil surface typically has moderate to high cover (30-80%) of bare ground with moderate to low cover (<45%) of gravel, rock and litter. Parent materials include shale, blocky sandstone and volcanic rock. The vegetation is characterized by an open to moderately dense (10-40% cover) canopy of tall shrubs (1-2 m) codominated by Cercocarpus montanus and Artemisia tridentata (ssp. wyomingensis, ssp. vaseyana). Associated shrubs may include Amelanchier alnifolia, Amelanchier utahensis, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Purshia tridentata, Krascheninnikovia lanata, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. If present, Quercus gambelii has low cover (<5%). The herbaceous layer has low to moderate (<20%) cover that is dominated by graminoids such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Elymus elymoides, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Poa fendleriana. Forbs provide low cover.

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