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A3246 Juniperus pinchotii - Quercus mohriana Scrub & Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance represents scrub woodlands of the escarpments in the Rolling and Red Bed plains of Texas and Oklahoma (including the Caprock Escarpment in Texas), characterized by scrubby trees of Juniperus scopulorum, Juniperus pinchotii, and/or Quercus mohriana and a variety of other shrubs such as Rhus trilobata, Dalea formosa, and Cercocarpus montanus.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pinchot''s Juniper - Mohr Oak Scrub & Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Pinchot''s Juniper - Mohr Oak Scrub & Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance represents evergreen to mixed scrub woodlands of the escarpments in the Rolling and Red Bed plains of Texas and Oklahoma (including the Caprock Escarpment in Texas), characterized by scrubby trees of Juniperus pinchotii, Juniperus scopulorum, and/or Quercus mohriana and a variety of other shrubs such as Rhus trilobata, Dalea formosa, and Cercocarpus montanus. The herbaceous layer may be moderately well-developed to sparse and is usually dominated by mid- to shortgrasses such as Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua gracilis, and Bouteloua hirsuta. This alliance occurs on escarpment breaks, slopes, and canyons on shallow soils. Fire, climate, and edaphic factors all likely play a role in maintaining this vegetation.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Juniperus pinchotii and Quercus mohriana are characteristic.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is one of only two alliances in this group (G191). This may indicate undescribed associations or could indicate that this vegetation may need better reconciliation with the scrub woodlands of Colorado, New Mexico, and Mexico, possibly demoting ~Comanchian Oak - Juniper Scrub Group (G191)$$ to an alliance in a western group. However, the dominance of Juniperus pinchotii and Quercus mohriana indicates distinct floristic affinities. Juniperus scopulorum is restricted within the range of this alliance to primarily Randall and Armstrong counties of Texas. The placement of ~Juniperus scopulorum Woodland (CEGL003550)$$ in this alliance seems appropriate, but it would not characterize most of the occurrences of this alliance (L. Elliott pers. comm. 2014).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance represents evergreen to mixed scrub woodlands occurring on escarpments in the Rolling and Red Bed plains of Texas and Oklahoma (including the Caprock Escarpment in Texas). The herbaceous layer may be moderately well-developed to sparse.
Floristics: This alliance is characterized by scrubby trees of Juniperus pinchotii, Juniperus scopulorum, and/or Quercus mohriana and a variety of other shrubs such as Quercus pungens, Rhus trilobata, Dalea formosa, and Cercocarpus montanus. The herbaceous layer may be moderately well-developed to sparse and is usually dominated by mid- to shortgrasses such as Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua gracilis, and Bouteloua hirsuta. Where sandstone outcrops are exposed along the Caprock Escarpment, Quercus havardii is a common associate.
Dynamics: Fire, climate, and edaphic factors all likely play a role in maintaining this vegetation.
Environmental Description: This alliance occurs on escarpment breaks, slopes, and canyons on shallow soils.
Geographic Range: The range of this scrub woodland is centered on the Rolling and Red Bed plains of Texas and Oklahoma and the Edwards and Stockton plateaus of Texas. It may also range into the High Plains, Chihuahuan Desert and Southwestern Tablelands.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, OK, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899370
Confidence Level: Low
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.5 Ashe''s Juniper - Pinchot''s Juniper - Mohr Oak Scrub & Open Vegetation Macrogroup | M158 | 2.B.2.Nb.5 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nb.5.b Mohr Oak - Bastard Oak - Pinchot''s Juniper Scrub Group | G191 | 2.B.2.Nb.5.b |
| Alliance | A3246 Pinchot''s Juniper - Mohr Oak Scrub & Woodland Alliance | A3246 | 2.B.2.Nb.5.b |
| Association | CEGL002173 Mohr Oak - Pinchot''s Juniper / Sideoats Grama Scrub | CEGL002173 | 2.B.2.Nb.5.b |
| Association | CEGL003550 Rocky Mountain Juniper Woodland | CEGL003550 | 2.B.2.Nb.5.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 pp.
- Elliott, Lee. Personal communication. The Nature Conservancy, San Antonio, TX.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.