Print Report
G277 Quercus gambelii - Amelanchier spp. - Prunus virginiana Southern Rocky Mountain Montane Shrubland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group occurs in the mountains, plateaus and foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau, and is typically dominated by Quercus gambelii alone or codominant with Amelanchier alnifolia, Amelanchier utahensis, Artemisia tridentata, Cercocarpus montanus, Fraxinus anomala, Prunus virginiana, Purshia stansburiana, Purshia tridentata, Robinia neomexicana, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Symphoricarpos rotundifolius.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gambel Oak - Serviceberry species - Chokecherry Southern Rocky Mountain Montane Shrubland Group
Colloquial Name: Southern Rocky Mountain Gambel Oak - Mixed Montane Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group occurs in the mountains, plateaus and foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau, including the Uinta and Wasatch ranges and the Mogollon Rim. The vegetation is typically dominated by Quercus gambelii alone or codominant with Amelanchier alnifolia, Amelanchier utahensis, Artemisia tridentata, Cercocarpus montanus, Fendlera rupicola, Fraxinus anomala, Holodiscus dumosus, Jamesia americana, Prunus virginiana, Purshia stansburiana, Purshia tridentata, Robinia neomexicana, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Symphoricarpos rotundifolius. There may be inclusions of other mesic montane shrublands with Quercus gambelii absent or as a relatively minor component. These shrublands are most commonly found along dry foothills, lower mountain slopes, and at the edge of the western Great Plains from approximately 2000 to 2900 m in elevation, and are often situated above pinyon-juniper woodlands. Substrates are variable and include soil types ranging from calcareous, heavy, fine-grained loams to sandy loams, gravelly loams, clay loams, deep alluvial sand, or coarse gravel. This group intergrades with ~Southern Rocky Mountain Mountain-mahogany - Mixed Foothill Shrubland Group (G276)$$ and shares many of the same site characteristics. However, this group includes more mesic communities. Density and cover of Quercus gambelii and Amelanchier spp. often increase after fire.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands of this group are typically dominated by broad-leaved, deciduous shrubs, which are typical of the montane zones of the southern Rocky Mountains. Quercus gambelii is the main species in most occurrences, although some may have equal amounts of (or only) Amelanchier alnifolia, Amelanchier utahensis, Artemisia tridentata, Cercocarpus montanus, Ceanothus fendleri, Fendlera rupicola, Fraxinus anomala, Holodiscus dumosus, Jamesia americana, Prunus virginiana, Purshia stansburiana, Purshia tridentata, Rhus trilobata, Robinia neomexicana, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or Symphoricarpos rotundifolius. The herbaceous layer is not consistent, having sparse to moderately dense cover and mostly composed of graminoids, including Carex geyeri, Carex inops, Festuca thurberi, Hesperostipa comata, Muhlenbergia montana, and Poa fendleriana.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Disjunct Quercus gambelii-dominated shrublands found in the Davis Mountains and probably the Guadalupe Range in the Trans-Pecos of Texas are included in the concept of ~Eastern Madrean Chaparral Group (G280)$$. Quercus gambelii apparently occurs as a significant component of a shrubland of the Trans-Pecos of Texas; however, most of the other species that codominate in this group do not occur in the Trans-Pecos. This group is not currently attributed to Texas, and it seems more appropriate to modify the description of ~Eastern Madrean Chaparral Group (G280)$$ to allow for the presence of Quercus gambelii as a significant component of some occurrences. However, ~Quercus gambelii / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Shrubland (CEGL001117)$$ is an association found in the Trans-Pecos. Also, there is a need to clarify the concept of ~Southern Rocky Mountain Mountain-mahogany - Mixed Foothill Shrubland Group (G276)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The vegetation may occur as sparse to dense broad-leaved deciduous shrublands composed of moderate to tall shrubs, or occasionally small trees. Occurrences may be multi-layered, with some short shrubby species occurring in the understory of the dominant overstory species. They can range from dense thickets with little understory to relatively mesic mixed shrublands with a rich understory of shrubs, grasses and forbs. These shrubs often have a patchy distribution with grass growing in between. Scattered trees are occasionally present in stands.
Floristics: In many occurrences of this group, the canopy is dominated by the broad-leaved deciduous shrub Quercus gambelii, which occasionally reaches small tree size. It may form dense thickets with little understory or be relatively open with a rich understory of shrubs, grasses and forbs. Scattered trees are occasionally present and typically include species of Juniperus or Pinus. Characteristic shrubs that may co-occur, or be singularly dominant, include Amelanchier alnifolia, Amelanchier utahensis, Arctostaphylos patula, Artemisia tridentata, Ceanothus fendleri, Cercocarpus montanus, Fendlera rupicola, Fraxinus anomala, Holodiscus dumosus, Jamesia americana, Ptelea trifoliata, Prunus virginiana, Purshia stansburiana, Robinia neomexicana, Rosa spp., Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Symphoricarpos rotundifolius. The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderately dense, ranging from 1-40% cover. Perennial graminoids are the most abundant species, particularly Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua gracilis, Aristida spp., Carex inops, Carex geyeri, Elymus arizonicus, Eragrostis spp., Festuca spp., Koeleria macrantha, Muhlenbergia spp., and Hesperostipa spp. Many forb and fern species can occur, but none have much cover. Commonly present forbs include Achillea millefolium, Artemisia spp., Geranium spp., Maianthemum stellatum, Thalictrum fendleri, and Vicia americana. Ferns include species of Cheilanthes and Woodsia. Annual grasses and forbs are seasonally present, and weedy annuals are often present, at least seasonally.
Dynamics: Fire typically plays an important role, causing die-back of the dominant shrub species in some areas, promoting stump sprouting of the dominant shrubs in other areas, and controlling the invasion of trees into the shrubland system. Natural fires typically result in a mosaic of dense shrub clusters and openings dominated by herbaceous species. In some instances, these associations may be seral to the adjacent Pinus ponderosa, Abies concolor, and Pseudotsuga menziesii woodlands and forests. Ream (1964) noted that on many sites in Utah, Gambel oak may be successional and replaced by Acer grandidentatum.
Environmental Description: This group typically occupies the lower slope positions of the foothill and lower montane zones. Stands may occur on level to steep slopes, cliffs, escarpments, rimrock slopes, rocky outcrops, and scree slopes. Climate is semi-arid and characterized by mostly hot-dry summers with mild to cold winters and annual precipitation of 25 to 70 cm. Precipitation mostly occurs as winter snows but may also consist of some late-summer rains. Soils are typically poorly developed, rocky to very rocky, and well-drained. Parent materials include alluvium, colluvium, and residuum derived from igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary rocks such as granite, gneiss, limestone, quartz, monzonite, rhyolite, sandstone, schist, and shale.
Climate: Climate is semi-arid and characterized by mostly hot-dry summers with mild to cold winters and annual precipitation of 25 to 70 cm. Precipitation mostly occurs as winter snows but may also consist of some late-summer or monsoonal rains. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Soils are typically poorly developed, rocky to very rocky, and well-drained. Parent materials include alluvium, colluvium, and residuum derived from igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary rocks such as granite, gneiss, limestone, quartz, monzonite, rhyolite, sandstone, schist, and shale.
Climate: Climate is semi-arid and characterized by mostly hot-dry summers with mild to cold winters and annual precipitation of 25 to 70 cm. Precipitation mostly occurs as winter snows but may also consist of some late-summer or monsoonal rains. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Soils are typically poorly developed, rocky to very rocky, and well-drained. Parent materials include alluvium, colluvium, and residuum derived from igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary rocks such as granite, gneiss, limestone, quartz, monzonite, rhyolite, sandstone, schist, and shale.
Geographic Range: This group occurs in the mountains, plateaus and foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau, including the Uinta and Wasatch ranges and the Mogollon Rim.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, TX, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.836936
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 |
| Alliance | A3736 Singleleaf Ash - Skunkbush Sumac - Cliff Fendlerbush Talus & Rock Outcrop Shrubland Alliance | A3736 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.a |
| Alliance | A3737 Fendler''s Ceanothus Shrubland & Shrub-Steppe Alliance | A3737 | 2.B.2.Nf.1.a |
| Alliance | A3738 Gambel Oak - New Mexico Locust Shrubland Alliance | A3738 | 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: = Gambel Oak (413) (Shiflet 1994)
- Christensen, E. M. 1955. Ecological notes on the mountain brush in Utah. Proceedings of the Utah Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters 32:107-111.
- 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]
- Kunzler, L. M., K. T. Harper, and D. B. Kunzler. 1981. Compositional similarity within the oakbrush type in central and northern Utah. Great Basin Naturalist 41(1):147-153.
- Kunzler, L. M., and K. T. Harper. 1980. Recovery of Gambel oak after fire in central Utah. Great Basin Naturalist 40:127-130.
- McKell, C. M. 1950. A study of plant succession in the oak brush (Quercus gambelii) zone after fire. Unpublished thesis, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. 79 pp.
- Ream, R. D. 1960. An ordination of the oak communities of the Wasatch Mountains. M.S. thesis, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. 52 pp.
- Ream, R. R. 1964. The vegetation of the Wasatch Mountains, Utah and Idaho. Unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, University of Wisconsin, Madison. 190 pp.
- Shiflet, T. N., editor. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Society for Range Management. Denver, CO. 152 pp.