Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Two-needle Pinyon - Juniper species / Apache Plume Woodland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This woodland association is currently only known from El Malpais National Monument in New Mexico. Additional information will be added as it becomes available. This association occurs between about 2025 and 2400 m (6620-7880 feet) elevation in on gentle slopes, gently rolling lava plateaus, and steep, moderately warm, southeasterly or northwesterly backslopes of cinder cones. Substrates of this lava-related association are derived from Bandera or McCarty''s flows and cinders, and ground surface is predominantly lava rock and occasionally gravel. Tree canopies of this association range from very sparse (10% cover) to very open woodland (30% cover). Trees are often low and stunted. In a few areas, Pinus edulis is the only species found in sparse, savanna-like tree canopies of this association, but most areas are codominated by Pinus edulis and either Juniperus monosperma or Juniperus scopulorum. Saplings of Juniperus species are common; Pinus edulis saplings are uncommon or absent. In some locations, mature and sapling Pinus ponderosa are present, but never exceed 10% in total cover. The shrub layer ranges from absent to about 13%, with the diagnostic species Fallugia paradoxa dominant. Mesic shrubs such as Forestiera pubescens, Holodiscus dumosus, and Rhus trilobata are frequent associates, though cover is low. Herbaceous species cover is low (up to about 9%), either evenly divided between graminoids and forbs or with forbs dominant. Typically Schizachyrium scoparium dominates the graminoids, while Heterotheca villosa dominates the forbs.

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