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CEGL005453 Prunus virginiana Northern Plains Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Chokecherry Northern Plains Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Northern Plains Chokecherry Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This widespread small-patch shrubland is known from the northern Great Plains. It grows at the interface between larger riparian areas and the adjacent upland and occurs as small dense thickets, narrow bands, or irregular patches. It often occupies draws, ephemeral creeks in steep narrow-bottomed canyons, and shallow ravines. Shrub cover ranges from 100% to more open stands of 30%. Shrub cover is generally greater in drainage bottoms and on lowermost slopes, and less on upper slopes. Prunus virginiana is usually the dominant shrub species, but Prunus americana and other shrubs may be solely present to codominant. Other shrubs include Rhus trilobata, Salix exigua, Sambucus spp., Amorpha canescens, Ericameria nauseosa, Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Rosa woodsii, and Toxicodendron rydbergii. In drainage bottoms, herbaceous cover is usually sparse, less than 10%. On slopes, the shrubs typically occur in some grassland type, and graminoid cover can be greater than 75%. Native herbaceous species are not well-described. Exotic species, such as Bromus inermis, Cirsium arvense, Poa pratensis, and Bromus tectorum, are common on disturbed sites.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This Great Plains association is closely related to western ~Prunus virginiana - (Prunus americana) Wet Shrubland (CEGL001108)$$, but co-associated shrubs appear distinct enough to warrant a separate association. Further work is needed to characterize the ground layer. If Colorado needs a type like this, consider a type in G133 / A4038. Nebraska was listed on CEGL001108, but is now listed here on CEGL005453.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Shrub cover ranges from 100% to more open stands of 30%. Shrub cover is generally greater in drainage bottoms and on lowermost slopes, and less on upper slopes. Prunus virginiana is usually the dominant shrub species, but Prunus americana and other shrubs may be solely present to codominant. Other shrubs include Rhus trilobata, Salix exigua, Sambucus spp., Amorpha canescens, Ericameria nauseosa, Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Rosa woodsii, and Toxicodendron rydbergii. In drainage bottoms, herbaceous cover is usually sparse, less than 10%. On slopes, the shrubs typically occur in some grassland type, and graminoid cover can be greater than 75%. Native herbaceous species are not well-described. Exotic species, such as Bromus inermis, Cirsium arvense, Poa pratensis, and Bromus tectorum, are common on disturbed sites.
Dynamics: Some stands on slopes are the result of recent fire that killed the overlying canopy, converting ~Pinus ponderosa / Prunus virginiana Forest (CEGL000192)$$ to this Prunus virginiana shrubland type. In Montana, Prunus virginiana communities may be grazing-induced successional stages of the Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Prunus virginiana community type (Hansen et al. 1995). Both Prunus virginiana and Symphoricarpos occidentalis are tolerant of fire and will usually sprout after fires and grow into even denser stands. Dense stands of Prunus virginiana may preclude use by livestock, while open stands may provide adequate grazing opportunities. However, if grazed for the entire season, the strongly rhizomatous Rosa woodsii and non-native grasses may become established (Hansen et al. 1988b, Manning and Padgett 1995).
Environmental Description: This widespread small-patch shrubland often grows at the interface between larger riparian areas and the adjacent upland. It often occupies draws, ephemeral creeks in steep narrow-bottomed canyons, and shallow ravines.
Geographic Range: This widespread small-patch shrubland is known from the central and northern western Great Plains.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, MT, NE, SD, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.895820
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.Nb Central North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D023 | 2.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nb.2 Needle-and-Thread - Western Wheatgrass - Plains Rough Fescue Grassland Macrogroup | M051 | 2.B.2.Nb.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nb.2.c Western Wheatgrass - Needle-and-Thread - Little Bluestem Mixedgrass Prairie Group | G141 | 2.B.2.Nb.2.c |
| Alliance | A4384 Chokecherry - Western Snowberry - Saskatoon Serviceberry Northern Plains Shrubland Alliance | A4384 | 2.B.2.Nb.2.c |
| Association | CEGL005453 Chokecherry Northern Plains Shrubland | CEGL005453 | 2.B.2.Nb.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Prunus virginiana - (Prunus americana) Shrubland (Carsey et al. 2003a) [See also ~Prunus virginiana - (Prunus americana) Wet Shrubland (CEGL001108)$$, which is the primary concept for this reference. Carsey et al. describe their type as occurring in both the western U.S. and in eastern Colorado, so the latter part may overlap with this association.]
= Prunus virginiana Dominance Type (Jones and Walford 1995)
= Prunus virginiana Dominance Type (Jones and Walford 1995)
- Carsey, K., G. Kittel, K. Decker, D. J. Cooper, and D. Culver. 2003a. Field guide to the wetland and riparian plant associations of Colorado. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Fort Collins, CO.
- Hansen, P. L., R. D. Pfister, K. Boggs, B. J. Cook, J. Joy, and D. K. Hinckley. 1995. Classification and management of Montana''s riparian and wetland sites. Miscellaneous Publication No. 54. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana. 646 pp. plus posters.
- Hansen, P. L., S. W. Chadde, and R. D. Pfister. 1988b. Riparian dominance types of Montana. University of Montana Miscellaneous Publication 49. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, Missoula. 411 pp.
- Jones, G. P., and G. M. Walford. 1995. Major riparian vegetation types of eastern Wyoming. Submitted to Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, Water Quality Division. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Laramie, WY. 245 pp.
- Manning, M. E., and W. G. Padgett. 1995. Riparian community type classification for Humboldt and Toiyabe national forests, Nevada and eastern California. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region. 306 pp.
- Rolfsmeier, S. B., and G. Steinauer. 2010. Terrestrial ecological systems and natural communities of Nebraska (Version IV - March 9, 2010). Nebraska Natural Heritage Program, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Lincoln, NE. 228 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.