Print Report
G272 Amelanchier alnifolia - Symphoricarpos spp. - Rhus glabra Central Rocky Mountain Shrubland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This is a dry central Rocky Mountain shrubland group where dominant shrubs are Amelanchier alnifolia, Holodiscus discolor, Physocarpus malvaceus, Prunus emarginata, Prunus virginiana, Rhus glabra, Rosa nutkana, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos albus, and/or Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and understory grasses and forbs are common. Stands occur across the western U.S. and Canada within the matrix of surrounding low-elevation grasslands and sagebrush shrublands of low to mid elevations of the Rocky Mountains.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Saskatoon Serviceberry - Snowberry species - Smooth Sumac Central Rocky Mountain Shrubland Group
Colloquial Name: Central Rocky Mountain Montane-Foothill Deciduous Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This shrubland group is found in the lower montane and foothill regions around the Columbia Basin, and north and east into the Northern Rockies. The most common dominant shrubs are Amelanchier alnifolia, Holodiscus discolor, Physocarpus malvaceus, Prunus emarginata, Prunus virginiana, Rhus glabra, Rosa nutkana, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos albus, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus, occurring alone or any combination. Stands in central and eastern Wyoming can include Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana and Cercocarpus montanus, but neither of these species are dominant, and where they occur the stands are truly mixes of shrubs, often with Amelanchier alnifolia, Prunus virginiana, and others being the predominant taxa. Aristida purpurea, Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, Koeleria macrantha, Poa secunda, and Pseudoroegneria spicata are the most important grasses. Achnatherum thurberianum and Leymus cinereus can be locally important. Bromus tectorum and Phleum pratense are common introduced grasses. Balsamorhiza sagittata, Geum triflorum, Lomatium triternatum, Oenanthe sarmentosa, Potentilla gracilis, Xerophyllum tenax, and species of Eriogonum, Phlox, and Erigeron are important forbs. These shrublands typically occur below treeline, within the matrix of surrounding low-elevation grasslands and sagebrush shrublands. They also occur in the ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir zones, but rarely up into the subalpine zone, where they are restricted to dry sites. The shrublands are usually found on steep slopes of canyons and in areas with some soil development, either loess deposits or volcanic clays; they occur on all aspects. Fire, flooding and erosion all impact these shrublands, but they typically will persist on sites for long periods. These communities also develop near talus slopes as garlands, at the heads of dry drainages, and toeslopes in the moist shrub-steppe and steppe zones.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Shrublands found in lower montane or foothill settings of the northern Rocky Mountains, typically in dry and warm settings.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This group needs review from Northern Rockies ecologists. Its transition to ~Southern Rocky Mountain Mountain-mahogany - Mixed Foothill Shrubland Group (G276)$$ will need to be further clarified, but there are definitely distinct floristics separating the two groups. In addition, the southern Rocky Mountain group tends to be drier than this group.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These are variable shrublands composed of broad-leaved, cold-deciduous taxa, generally between 1 and 3 m in height. Shrub density will vary with substrate, fire and grazing history, and moisture, but these are rarely dense "thickets." They are typically found in small patches within the lower montane zone of Douglas-fir or ponderosa woodlands, or in a mosaic with sage shrub-steppe or valley grasslands. Grasses and forbs are the herbaceous component and can be abundant to sparse.
Floristics: The most common dominant shrubs are Amelanchier alnifolia, Holodiscus discolor, Physocarpus malvaceus, Prunus emarginata, Prunus virginiana, Rhus glabra, Rosa nutkana, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos albus, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus occurring alone or any combination. Occurrences in central and eastern Wyoming can include Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana and Cercocarpus montanus, but neither of these species are dominant, and where they occur the stands are truly mixes of shrubs, often with Amelanchier alnifolia, Prunus virginiana, and others being the predominant taxa. The open to moderately dense herbaceous layer is dominated by bunchgrasses, especially Festuca idahoensis and Pseudoroegneria spicata. Aristida purpurea, Festuca campestris, Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, Deschampsia cespitosa, Koeleria macrantha, and Poa secunda are other important grasses. Achnatherum thurberianum and Leymus cinereus can be locally important. Bromus tectorum and Phleum pratense are common introduced grasses. Important forbs are Balsamorhiza sagittata, Geum triflorum, Lomatium triternatum, Oenanthe sarmentosa, Potentilla gracilis, Xerophyllum tenax and species of Eriogonum, Phlox, and Erigeron.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This small-patch shrubland group is found in foothill and lower montane sites around the Columbia Basin and Northern Rockies and extends into the northwestern Great Plains at elevations of 500-2500 m depending on latitude. These shrublands typically occur below treeline, within the matrix of surrounding low-elevation grasslands and sagebrush shrublands. They also occur in the ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir zones, but rarely up into the subalpine zone, where they are restricted to dry sites. The shrublands are usually found on steep slopes of canyons and in areas with some soil development, either loess deposits or volcanic clays; they occur on all aspects. Fire, flooding and erosion all impact these shrublands, but they typically will persist on sites for long periods. These communities also develop near talus slopes as garlands, at the heads of dry drainages, and toeslopes in the moist shrub-steppe and steppe zones.
Geographic Range: This group is found in the lower montane and foothill regions around the Columbia Basin, and north and east into the Northern Rockies, including east into central Montana around the "Sky Island" ranges. It also occurs farther south into central and eastern Wyoming, where it forms compositionally diverse shrublands. They also extend north into Alberta along the foothills of the Front Range.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, BC, CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, SK?, UT, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.836901
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: >< Bittercherry (419) (Shiflet 1994)
>< Chokecherry - Serviceberry - Rose (421) (Shiflet 1994)
< MS Montane Shrub/Grassland Dry Subdivision sites (Ecosystems Working Group 1998)
>< Chokecherry - Serviceberry - Rose (421) (Shiflet 1994)
< MS Montane Shrub/Grassland Dry Subdivision sites (Ecosystems Working Group 1998)
- Ecosystems Working Group. 1998. Standards for broad terrestrial ecosystem classification and mapping for British Columbia. Prepared by the Ecosystems Working Group, Terrestrial Ecosystem Task Force, Resources Inventory Committee, for the Province of British Columbia. 174 pp. plus appendices. [http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/risc/pubs/teecolo/tem/indextem.htm]
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
- Franklin, J. F., and C. T. Dyrness. 1973. Natural vegetation of Oregon and Washington. General Technical Report PNW-8. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR. 417 pp.
- Hall, F. C. 1973. Plant communities of the Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. R6 Area Guide 3-1. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 62 pp.
- Johnson, C. G., Jr., and S. A. Simon. 1987. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake Province Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Technical Paper R6-ECOL-TP-255A-86. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 399 pp. plus appendices.
- Johnson, C. G., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 1992. Plant associations of the Blue and Ochoco mountains. R6-ERW-TP-036-92. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 163 pp. plus appendices.
- Knight, D. H. 1994. Mountains and plains: Ecology of Wyoming landscapes. Yale University Press, New Haven, MA. 338 pp.
- Mueggler, W. F., and W. L. Stewart. 1980. Grassland and shrubland habitat types of western Montana. General Technical Report INT-66. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 154 pp.
- Poulton, C. E. 1955. Ecology of the non-forested vegetation in Umatilla and Morrow counties, Oregon. Unpublished dissertation. State College of Washington, Pullman. 166 pp.
- Shiflet, T. N., editor. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Society for Range Management. Denver, CO. 152 pp.
- Tisdale, E. W. 1986. Canyon grasslands and associated shrublands of west-central Idaho and adjacent areas. Bulletin No. 40. Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station, University of Idaho, Moscow. 42 pp.