Print Report

A3735 Quercus gambelii - Symphoricarpos oreophilus Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This shrubland alliance of the Colorado Plateau and southern Rocky Mountains is characterized by dominance or codominance of Quercus gambelii in association with other mid-elevation shrubs.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gambel Oak - Mountain Snowberry Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Gambel Oak - Mountain Snowberry Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This shrubland alliance occurs in the Colorado Plateau and southern Rocky Mountains and is characterized by dominance or codominance of Quercus gambelii in a moderately dense to dense tall- or short-shrub layer, typically 2-5 m tall, but can also occur as 1-m tall clumps to small trees over 5 m tall. The variable structure includes patches of oak shrubs with grass growing in between, dense oak thickets with little understory, and relatively mesic, tall shrublands with a rich understory of short shrubs, grasses and forbs. Scattered trees are occasionally present in stands and typically include species of Pinus or Juniperus. Characteristic shrubs that may codominate or form a separate short-shrub layer include Amelanchier alnifolia, Amelanchier utahensis, Artemisia tridentata, Cercocarpus montanus, Fendlera rupicola, Prunus virginiana, Rhus trilobata, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Symphoricarpos rotundifolius. The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderately dense, ranging from 1-40% cover and is dominated by perennial graminoids, particularly Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua gracilis, Carex geyeri, Carex inops, Elymus arizonicus, Festuca thurberi, Koeleria macrantha, Muhlenbergia montana, Hesperostipa comata, and Poa fendleriana. Many forb and fern species can occur, but none has much cover. Stands occur in the foothills and lower montane slopes, mesas and canyons. Elevations range from 1550-2950 m. Sites range from nearly level mesatops to steep (to 80%), rocky slopes on upper slopes and ridgetops. Other stands occur in canyon bottoms and along drainages. Soils are generally deep, coarse-textured, and well-drained.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Temperate cold-deciduous shrublands 1-2 m tall dominated or codominated by Quercus gambelii in association with other mid-elevation shrubs. Understories are sparse to dense and typically grass- or sedge-dominated. Stands codominated by Robinia neomexicana are not included in this alliance.

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
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this shrubland alliance is characterized by a moderately dense cover of broad-leaved deciduous shrubs. The graminoid layer is sparse to moderately dense and dominated by medium-tall bunchgrasses. The forb layer is generally sparse but may have high species diversity. Annual grasses and forbs are seasonally present.

Floristics: This shrubland alliance is characterized by dominance or codominance of Quercus gambelii in a moderately dense to dense tall- or short-shrub layer, typically 2-5 m tall, but can also occur as 1-m tall clumps to small trees over 5 m tall. The variable structure includes patches of oak shrubs with grass growing in between, dense oak thickets with little understory, and relatively mesic, tall shrublands with a rich understory of short shrubs, grasses and forbs. Scattered trees are occasionally present in stands and typically include Pinus edulis, Pinus ponderosa, or Juniperus spp. Characteristic shrubs that may codominate or form a separate short-shrub layer include Arctostaphylos patula, Amelanchier alnifolia, Amelanchier utahensis, Artemisia tridentata, Cercocarpus montanus, Fendlera rupicola, Holodiscus dumosus, Paxistima myrsinites, Ptelea trifoliata, Prunus virginiana, Rhus trilobata, Rosa spp., Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Symphoricarpos rotundifolius. The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderately dense, ranging from 1-40% cover and is dominated by perennial graminoids, particularly Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua gracilis, Carex geyeri, Carex inops, Elymus arizonicus, Festuca thurberi, Koeleria macrantha, Muhlenbergia montana, Hesperostipa comata, and Poa fendleriana. Many forb and fern species can occur, but none has 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. In Texas occurrences, associated species can include Holodiscus dumosus and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. Additional species found in associations of this alliance include Cercocarpus montanus, Carex geyeri, Amelanchier alnifolia, Amelanchier utahensis, Artemisia tridentata, Carex inops, Paxistima myrsinites, Rhus trilobata and Symphoricarpos rotundifolius.

Dynamics:  The distribution of Quercus gambelii was studied by Neilson and Wullstein (1983) with respect to climatic patterns. They found the species to be limited by seedling mortality from severe spring frosts and summer drought. The northern extent of the species is in alignment with the winter polar front that runs along the boundary between southern Wyoming and Colorado and Utah. Its western range limit aligns with the westward extent of summer moisture from the Arizona monsoon, which approximates the western Arizona border. Reproducing stands in northern Utah that exist north of summer monsoon moisture are restricted to more mesic sites. Seedling recruitment is more common in the southern part of its range than the northern (Neilson and Wullstein 1983).

Quercus gambelii is a fire-adapted species (Clary 1992). The root systems are well-developed and draw moisture from a large volume of soil allowing for rapid resprouting after fire. Muldavin et al. (1998b) reported that, in the Organ Mountains in southwestern New Mexico after a severe fire, Quercus gambelii resprouted into a dense thicket that excluded both herbaceous understory and conifer species. They suggested frequent small cool fires would favor the establishment of conifers and maintain an herbaceous understory. Quercus gambelii shrubs also resprout vigorously after stems are killed with almost all herbicides or removed by chaining or cutting for firewood (Clary 1992). Altered fire regimes, fuelwood harvest, and grazing by livestock have significant impacts to the quality of sites. More study is needed to understand and manage these shrublands ecologically.
Environmental Description:  Shrublands included in this alliance occur in the foothills and lower montane slopes of isolated desert mountain ranges, mesas and canyons from Nevada to western Texas, as well as in the lower montane zone of the southern Rocky Mountains, Uinta Mountains and high plateaus of southern Utah. Elevations range from 1550-2950 m. Climate is semi-arid. Summers are generally hot, and winters range from mild with cold periods and occasional snows in the southern part of its range to extended periods of freezing temperatures in the northern part of its range. The seasonality of precipitation varies, but most of the 35-70 cm of mean annual precipitation occurs during the growing season. Stands occur on nearly level to steep (to 80%), rocky slopes in canyons, mountain slopes and ridgetops while other stands occur in canyon bottoms and along drainages. Aspect does not seem important except in the southern range extent where stands are restricted to the more mesic north slopes. Soils are generally deep, coarse-textured, and well-drained. Soil texture is typically a cobbly and gravelly loamy sand and gravelly loam, but the alliance also occurs on well-drained clay soil. Parent materials are varied and include quartzite, monzonite, shale and alluvium. Adjacent vegetation at higher elevations is typically conifer woodlands or forests dominated by Pinus ponderosa, Pinus contorta, or Pseudotsuga menziesii, but Populus tremuloides forests are also common in the northern part of its range. Adjacent vegetation below these stands is often medium-tall grasslands in southeastern Colorado or shrublands dominated by Artemisia spp. in western Colorado.
Geographic Range: This alliance is known from the Colorado Plateau, southern Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, Utah High Plateaus, and Wyoming basins of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico and Arizona.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CO, NM, TX, UT, WY


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
Association CEGL001109 Gambel Oak / Saskatoon Serviceberry Shrubland CEGL001109 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL001110 Gambel Oak / Utah Serviceberry Shrubland CEGL001110 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL001111 Gambel Oak / Big Sagebrush Shrubland CEGL001111 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL001112 Gambel Oak / Sun Sedge Shrubland CEGL001112 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL001113 Gambel Oak - Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany / (Geyer''s Sedge) Shrubland CEGL001113 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL001114 Gambel Oak / Oregon Boxleaf Shrubland CEGL001114 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL001117 Gambel Oak / Mountain Snowberry Shrubland CEGL001117 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL002337 Gambel Oak / Sparse Understory Shrubland CEGL002337 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL002338 Gambel Oak / Skunkbush Sumac Woodland CEGL002338 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL002341 Gambel Oak - Rockspirea Shrubland CEGL002341 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL002477 Gambel Oak Shrubland CEGL002477 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL002695 Greenleaf Manzanita - Gambel Oak - (Utah Serviceberry) Shrubland CEGL002695 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL002805 Gambel Oak / Thurber''s Fescue Shrubland CEGL002805 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL002910 Skunkbush Sumac Rocky Mountain Shrubland CEGL002910 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL002915 Gambel Oak / Needle-and-Thread Shrubland CEGL002915 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL002949 Gambel Oak / Muttongrass Shrubland CEGL002949 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL004010 Gambel Oak / Cliff Fendlerbush Shrubland CEGL004010 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL005994 Gambel Oak / Chokecherry Shrubland CEGL005994 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL005995 Gambel Oak / Geyer''s Sedge Shrubland CEGL005995 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Concept Lineage: A.920 in large part

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus gambelii Association (132.111) (Brown 1982a) [included within Great Basin Montane Scrub, Oak-scrub Series]
= Quercus gambelii Series (Johnston 1987)
Concept Author(s): D.E. Brown (1982a)

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • Anderson, L. S., P. L. Warren, and F. W. Riechenbacher. 1985. Vegetation associations of the Muleshoe Ranch Preserve. Unpublished report prepared for The Arizona Nature Conservancy, Tucson. 15 pp.
  • Baker, W. L. 1982b. Natural vegetation of the Piceance Basin, Colorado. Appendix D, pages 1-113 in: J. S. Peterson and W. L. Baker, editors. Inventory of the Piceance Basin, Colorado. Unpublished report for the Bureau Land Management, Craig, CO.
  • Barbour, M. G., and J. Major, editors. 1977. Terrestrial vegetation of California. John Wiley and Sons, New York. 1002 pp.
  • Blackhawk Coal Company. 1981. Vegetation resources. Chapter 9 Section 9.2, pages 9-1 through 9-27 in: Mining and Reclamation Plan for Willow Creek Mine, Blackhawk Coal Company. Utah Division of Oil, Gas & Mining Number ACT/007/002. Salt Lake City, UT.
  • Boucek, M. M. 1986. Vegetation survey at the Summit No.1 Coal Mine, Summit County, Utah. Volume 1, Section 783.19, Appendix 783.19. Pages 1-15 in Mining and Reclamation Plan. Summit Minerals Inc. Utah Division of Oil, Gas & Mining Number ACT/043/001. Salt Lake City.
  • Brown, D. E., editor. 1982a. Biotic communities of the American Southwest-United States and Mexico. Desert Plants Special Issue 4(1-4):1-342.
  • Cedar Creek Associates, Inc. 1987. Draft vegetation in formation for the Alton Coal Mining Project. Volume 6, Chapter 3, Appendix 3.6-B, pages 1-41 in: Mining & Reclamation Plan for Alton Mine, Utah International, Inc., Utah Division of Oil, Gas & Mining ACT/025/003.
  • Christensen, E. M. 1949. The ecology and geographic distribution of oak (Quercus gambelii) in Utah. Unpublished thesis, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. 70 pp.
  • 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.
  • Clary, W. P. 1992. Ecology and values of Gambel oak woodlands. Pages 87-95 in: Ecology and management of oak and associated woodlands. General Technical Report RM-218. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 224 pp.
  • Conard, S. G., and S. R. Radosevich. 1982. Post-fire succession in white fir (Abies concolor) vegetation of the northern Sierra Nevada. Madrono 29(1):42-56.
  • Dillinger, K. C. 1970. Evaluation of mule deer habitat in Mesa Verde National Park. Unpublished thesis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 40 pp.
  • Ellis, S., and P. Hackney. 1981. Vegetation baseline report: Clear Creek property. Unpublished report prepared for Chevron Shale Oil Co., Denver, CO, by Environmental Research and Technology Inc., Fort Collins, CO.
  • Erdman, J. A. 1962. Ecology of the pinyon-juniper woodland of Wetherill Mesa, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado. Unpublished thesis, University of Colorado, Boulder. 109 pp.
  • Evans, F. R. 1936. A comparative study of the vegetation of a grazed and an ungrazed canyon of the Wasatch Range. Unpublished thesis, University of Utah, Salt Lake City.
  • Evans, P. A. 1926. An ecological study in Utah. Botanical Gazette 82:253-285.
  • 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.
  • Ferchau, H. A. 1973. Vegetation inventory analysis & impact study of the Parachute Creek area, Garfield County, Colorado. Part II, Volume 1, Chapter VI:1-77 in: Unpublished Colony Environmental Report for Colony Develop. Operation, Denver, prepared by Thorne Ecological Institute, Boulder.
  • Forsling, C. L., and E. V. Storm. 1929. The utilization of browse forage as summer range for cattle in southwestern Utah. USDA Circular 62. Washington, DC. 29 pp.
  • Hanson, H. C., and W. S. Ball. 1928. An application of Raunkiaer''s law of frequency to grazing studies. Ecology 9:467-473.
  • Hess, K., and C. H. Wasser. 1982. Grassland, shrubland, and forest habitat types of the White River-Arapaho National Forest. Unpublished final report 53-82 FT-1-19. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 335 pp.
  • Hinckley, L. C. 1944. The vegetation of the Mount Livermore area in Texas. The American Midland Naturalist 32:236-250.
  • Hoffman, G. R., and R. R. Alexander. 1980. Forest vegetation of the Routt National Forest in northwestern Colorado: A habitat type classification. General Technical Report RM-221. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 41 pp.
  • Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.
  • Keammerer, W. R., and S. J. Peterson. 1981. Vegetation studies on the Naval Oil Shale Reserve. Unpublished report prepared for TRW Energy Systems Group, McLean, Virginia, by Stoecker-Keammerer and Associates, Ecological Consultants, Boulder, CO. 77 pp.
  • Kittel, G., E. Van Wie, M. Damm, R. Rondeau, S. Kettler, and J. Sanderson. 1999a. A classification of the riparian plant associations of the Rio Grande and Closed Basin watersheds, Colorado. Unpublished report prepared by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
  • Kittel, G., R. Rondeau, N. Lederer, and D. Randolph. 1994. A classification of the riparian vegetation of the White and Colorado River basins, Colorado. Final report submitted to Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Boulder. 166 pp.
  • Komarkova, V. K., R. R. Alexander, and B. C. Johnston. 1988b. Forest vegetation of the Gunnison and parts of the Uncompahgre national forests: A preliminary habitat type classification. Research Paper RM-163. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 65 pp.
  • Komarkova, V., A. Peters, G. Kamani, W. Jones, V. Howard, H. Gordon, and K. Southwick. 1988a. Natural recovery of plant communities on disturbance plots and history of land use in the Niwot Ridge/Green Lakes Valley, Front Range, Colorado. University of Colorado Longterm Ecological Research Working Paper 88/1. Boulder, CO. 46 pp.
  • 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.
  • Livingston, R. B. 1947. An ecological study of the Black Forest region and adjacent plains. Unpublished dissertation, Duke University, Durham, NC. 134 pp.
  • Livingston, R. B. 1949. An ecological study of the Black Forest, Colorado. Ecological Monographs 19:123-144.
  • 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.
  • Mozingo, H. 1987. Shrubs of the Great Basin: A natural history. University of Nevada Press, Las Vegas. 342 pp.
  • Muldavin, E. 1994. Organ Mountains sensitive species and plant community inventory. Unpublished report prepared by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, Albuquerque.
  • Muldavin, E., G. Harper, P. Neville, and Y. Chauvin. 1998b. The vegetation of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Volume II. Vegetation map. Final report for Cooperative Agreement No. 14-16-00-91-233 White Sands Missile Range, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Nature Conservancy and the University of New Mexico.
  • Muldavin, E., and P. Mehlhop. 1992. A preliminary classification and test vegetation map for White Sands Missile Range and San Andreas National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. University of New Mexico, New Mexico Natural Heritage Program.
  • Neilson, R. P., and L. H. Wullstein. 1983. Biogeography of two southwest American oaks in relation to atmospheric dynamics. Journal of Biogeography 10:275-297.
  • 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.
  • Schmoll, H. M. 1935. Vegetation of the Chimney Rock area, Pagosa-Piedra region, Colorado. Private Edition, Distributed by University of Chicago Libraries, Chicago, IL. 58 pp.
  • Soil Conservation Service. 1978. Range site descriptions for Colorado. Technical Guide, Section II-E. USDA Soil Conservation Service, Colorado State Office, Denver.
  • Thorne Ecological Institute. 1973a. Environmental setting of the Parachute Creek Valley: An ecological inventory. Unpublished report prepared for Colony Development Operations, Atlantic Richfield Company, by Thorne Ecological Institute, Boulder, CO. [Veg.: pages 36-40, map].
  • Townsend, T. W. 1966. Plant characteristics relating to the desirability of rehabilitating the Arctostaphylos patula-Ceanothus velutinus-Ceanothus prostratus association on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada. Unpublished thesis, University of Nevada, Reno. 90 pp.
  • Vories, K. C. 1974. A vegetation inventory and analysis of the Piceance Basin and adjacent drainages. Unpublished thesis. Western State College of Colorado, Gunnison. 243 pp.
  • Warren, P. L., K. L. Reichhardt, D. A. Mouat, B. T. Brown, and R. R. Johnson. 1982. Vegetation of Grand Canyon National Park. Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report 9. Tucson, AZ. 140 pp.
  • Warren, P. L., and B. D. Treadwell. 1980. Vegetation of the Three-Bar Wildlife Study Area, Mazatzal Mountains, Arizona. Unpublished report prepared for Arizona Game and Fish Department.
  • Watson, J. R. 1912. Plant geography of north central New Mexico: Contributions from the Hull Botanical Laboratory. Botanical Gazette 54:194-217.