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CEGL005507 Pinus ponderosa / Poa fendleriana Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine / Muttongrass Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This woodland association is currently known from El Malpais National Monument in New Mexico, and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. This association occurs between 1900 and 2537 m (6250-8323 feet) in elevation on moderately steep slopes of volcanic cinder cones, plateaus, and gentle sideslopes across all aspects. The ground surface is dominated by pumice gravels and scattered grasses and litter at El Malpais and predominantly litter in Arizona. These open-canopied (10-25% cover) tall woodlands are dominated by Pinus ponderosa with short-statured conifers such as Juniperus scopulorum or Pinus edulis sometimes present in the subcanopy. Shrubs are few and sparse, although Quercus gambelii, Mahonia repens, and Ceanothus fendleri are common, and the understory is characterized by scattered bunchgrasses. Poa fendleriana is the dominant and can be well-represented to abundant, and Koeleria macrantha is common along with deer sedges (e.g., Carex geophila and Carex rossii). Forbs are scattered and variable and may include Achillea millefolium, Allium cernuum, Antennaria parvifolia, Artemisia dracunculus, Artemisia ludoviciana, Bahia dissecta, Glandularia bipinnatifida, Hymenopappus filifolius, Hymenoxys richardsonii, Lactuca serriola, Lithospermum multiflorum, and Mentzelia multiflora var. integra.
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: These open-canopied (10-25% cover) tall woodlands are dominated by Pinus ponderosa with short-statured conifers such as Juniperus scopulorum or Pinus edulis sometimes present in the subcanopy. Subcanopy cover may be quite high (up to 40%) in the absence of fire. This association generally lacks a shrub layer, although Quercus gambelii, Mahonia repens, and Ceanothus fendleri are common, and the understory is characterized by scattered bunchgrasses. Poa fendleriana is the dominant and can be well-represented to abundant, and Koeleria macrantha is common along with deer sedges (e.g., Carex geophila and Carex rossii). Forbs are scattered and variable and may include Achillea millefolium, Allium cernuum, Antennaria parvifolia, Artemisia dracunculus, Artemisia ludoviciana, Bahia dissecta, Glandularia bipinnatifida, Hymenopappus filifolius, Hymenoxys richardsonii, Lactuca serriola, Lithospermum multiflorum, and Mentzelia multiflora var. integra.
Dynamics: This is the most predominant ponderosa pine woodland in Grand Canyon National Park. A low-intensity fire regime maintains this stable community and high accumulation of litter impedes establishment of forbs.
Environmental Description: This association occurs between 1900 and 2537 m (6250-8323 feet) in elevation on moderately steep slopes of volcanic cinder cones, plateaus, and gentle sideslopes across all aspects. The ground surface is dominated by pumice gravels and scattered grasses and litter at El Malpais and predominantly litter in Arizona. Soils are composed of cinder, silt clays, silt loams, and sandy or silty loams.
Geographic Range: This association is currently documented from El Malpais National Monument, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area, but is likely widespread throughout similar environments in the Southwest.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.835329
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division | D194 | 1.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nb.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup | M022 | 1.B.2.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b Ponderosa Pine Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Group | G228 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Alliance | A3398 Ponderosa Pine Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3398 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
| Association | CEGL005507 Ponderosa Pine / Muttongrass Woodland | CEGL005507 | 1.B.2.Nb.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus ponderosa / Poa fendleriana Woodland (Reid and Hall 2010)
- Kearsley, M. J. C., K. Green, M. Tukman, M. Reid, M. Hall, T. J. Ayers, and K. Christie. 2015. Grand Canyon National Park-Grand Canyon / Parashant National Monument vegetation classification and mapping project. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRCA/NRR--2015/913. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 75 pp. plus appendices.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, P. Neville, T. Neville, L. Arnold, P. Arbetan, and A. Fettes. 2012b. A vegetation classification and map: Pecos National Historical Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SOPN/NRTR--2012/601. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, T. Neville, P. Neville, A. Kennedy, H. Hulse, P. Arbetan, K. Schultz, M. Hall, and M. Reid. 2013c. Vegetation classification and map: El Malpais National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2013/803. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. [http://nhnm.unm.edu/vlibrary/pubs_archive/nhnm/nonsensitive/R13MUL01NMUS.pdf]
- Reid, M. S., and M. E. Hall. 2010. Vegetation classification of Grand Canyon National Park. Draft report submitted to National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.