Print Report

CEGL005994 Quercus gambelii / Prunus virginiana Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gambel Oak / Chokecherry Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This montane shrubland association has been described from mountains of western Colorado and plateaus of southwestern Utah. Elevation ranges from 2000-2737 m (6560-8977 feet). Sites include nearly level mesas, talus slopes, hillslopes, benches, gullies and streambeds to steep mountain slopes (to 34°). North and northwest aspects are most frequent, but stands are reported from all aspects. Sites are often relatively mesic, occurring at the base of cliff bands and talus slopes, on concave slopes, near rivers and along drainages. Soils are often deep, well-drained clay loam derived from sandstone; however, substrates are variable and are derived from a variety of parent materials. The vegetation is characterized by an open to dense tall-shrub layer (2-5 m tall) that is dominated by Quercus gambelii with a open to moderately dense short-shrub layer dominated by Prunus virginiana,. Scattered trees ( especially Pseudotsuga menziesii) may be present with low cover. If Amelanchier alnifolia or Amelanchier utahensis are present, they are subdominant in the short-shrub layer, although they may have up to 25% cover. Other shrubs present with low cover (typically <5%) include Acer glabrum, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Cornus sericea, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Philadelphus microphyllus, Rhus trilobata, Ribes cereum, Ribes inerme, Rosa woodsii, Salix geyeriana, Salix scouleriana, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Holodiscus dumosus is common on many of the talus sites, often forming its own community about the oak-choke cherry shrubland. Salix exigua is abundant in one streambed plot. The herbaceous layer varies from absent to moderate (0-30% cover). Common herbaceous species include graminoids, such as Carex geyeri, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata, and Poa fendleriana, and forbs, including Artemisia ludoviciana, Galium boreale, Maianthemum stellatum, Solidago canadensis, Thalictrum fendleri, Vicia americana, and Wyethia amplexicaulis.

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 association is characterized by an open to dense tall-shrub layer (2-5 m tall) that is dominated by Quercus gambelii with a open to moderately dense short-shrub layer dominated by Prunus virginiana,. Scattered trees (Pseudotsuga menziesii, Juniperus scopulorum, or less commonly Pinus edulis, Pinus ponderosa, and Populus tremuloides) may be present with low cover. If Amelanchier alnifolia or Amelanchier utahensis are present, they are subdominant in the short-shrub layer, although they may have up to 25% cover. Other shrubs present with low cover (typically <5%) include Acer glabrum, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Cornus sericea, Mahonia repens, Paxistima myrsinites, Philadelphus microphyllus, Rhus trilobata, Ribes cereum, Ribes inerme, Rosa woodsii, Salix geyeriana, Salix scouleriana, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Holodiscus dumosus is common on many of the talus sites, often forming its own community about the oak-choke cherry shrubland. Salix exigua is abundant in one streambed plot. The herbaceous layer varies from absent to moderate (0-30% cover). Common herbaceous species include graminoids, such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum nelsonii, Achnatherum pinetorum, Carex geyeri, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata, and Poa fendleriana, and forbs, including Artemisia ludoviciana, Galium boreale, Heterotheca villosa, Ligusticum porteri, Maianthemum stellatum, Solidago canadensis, Thalictrum fendleri, Vicia americana, and Wyethia amplexicaulis (Hess and Wasser 1982, Komarkova 1986). Introduced species, such as Bromus inermis, Bromus tectorum, Cirsium arvense, Medicago sativa, or Poa pratensis, are frequently present.

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  This montane shrubland association has been described from mountains of western Colorado and plateaus of southwestern Utah. Elevation ranges from 2000-2737 m (6560-8977 feet). Sites include nearly level mesas, talus slopes, hillslopes, benches, gullies and streambeds to steep mountain slopes (up to 34°). North and northwest aspects are most frequent, but stands are reported from all aspects (Hess and Wasser 1982). Sites are often relatively mesic, occurring at the base of cliff bands and talus slopes, on concave slopes, near rivers and along drainages. Soils are often deep, well-drained clay loam derived from sandstone (Hess and Wasser 1982); however, substrates are variable and are derived from a variety of parent materials.

Geographic Range: This montane shrubland association has been described from mountains of western Colorado and plateaus of southwestern Utah.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, NM, UT




Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Quercus gambelii - Padus virginiana ssp. melanocarpa / Paxistima myrsinites Habitat Type/Association (Komarkova 1986)
>< Quercus gambelii - Padus virginianus / Festuca thurberi Plant Association (Johnston 1987) [Johnston cites Quercus gambelii / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Habitat Type (Komarkova 1986).]
>< Quercus gambelii - Padus virginianus / Paxistima myrsinites Plant Association (Johnston 1987) [Johnston cites (Hess and Wasser 1982, Wasser and Hess 1982, Komarkova 1986).]
= Quercus gambelii - Prunus virginiana / Amelanchier alnifolia / Pachystima myrsinites Habitat Type/Association (Hess and Wasser 1982)
= Quercus gambelii - Prunus virginiana / Amelanchier alnifolia / Pachystima myrsinites Habitat Type/Association (Wasser and Hess 1982)

Concept Author(s): Hess and Wasser (1982)

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 02-23-10

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  • Hess, K., and C. H. Wasser. 1982. Grassland, shrubland, and forest habitat types of the White River-Arapaho National Forest. Unpublished final report 53-82 FT-1-19. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 335 pp.
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  • Komarkova, V. 1986. Habitat types on selected parts of the Gunnison and Uncompahgre national forests. Unpublished final report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. Fort Collins, CO. 270 pp. plus appendices.
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  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.