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
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.801950
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.a Gambel Oak - Serviceberry species - Chokecherry Southern Rocky Mountain Montane Shrubland Group | G277 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.a |
| Alliance | A3735 Gambel Oak - Mountain Snowberry Shrubland Alliance | A3735 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.a |
| Association | CEGL005994 Gambel Oak / Chokecherry Shrubland | CEGL005994 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.a |
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)
>< 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)
- 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.
- 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.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.
- 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.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, T. Neville, P. Arbetan, A. Fettes, A. Kennedy, and L. Arnold. 2011d. A vegetation classification and map: Capulin Volcano National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SOPN/NRTR--2011/461. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 158 pp.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, P. Williams, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Curecanti National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/408. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 797 pp.
- Wasser, C. H., and K. Hess. 1982. The habitat types of Region II. USDA Forest Service: A synthesis. Final report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 140 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.