Print Report

A3737 Ceanothus fendleri Shrubland & Shrub-Steppe Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is characterized by either shrubland and shrub-steppe vegetation where the dominant shrub is Ceanothus fendleri. It is described from Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico and Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona and likely occurs elsewhere in the southern Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fendler''s Ceanothus Shrubland & Shrub-Steppe Alliance

Colloquial Name: Fendler''s Ceanothus Shrubland & Shrub-Steppe

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: The vegetation is characterized by an open to moderately dense short-shrub layer dominated by Ceanothus fendleri. The herbaceous layer is usually moderately dense to dense (to 80% total cover) with Muhlenbergia montana or Poa fendleriana predominant. Codominants often include Elymus elymoides, Muhlenbergia wrightii, Pascopyrum smithii, or Schizachyrium scoparium. Forb cover is highly variable. This montane shrubland and steppe alliance is described from Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico and Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona and likely occurs elsewhere in the southern Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau. Stands are found on gently rolling mesatops and high level plateaus (5-15% slope), though occasionally they can be found on moderately steep upper sideslopes (30% slope). Aspect is variable. Soils are primarily well-developed, silty or sandy loams. This alliance occurs in areas that have experienced somewhat recent high-intensity, stand-replacing fire events, and typically occurs within a matrix of live Pinus ponderosa woodlands, so scattered Pinus ponderosa are occasionally present as seedlings or remnant live mature trees.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Temperate broad-leaved, deciduous shrubland or shrub-steppe in which Ceanothus fendleri is the dominant shrub. The understory is dominated by perennial grasses and may reach as much as 80% cover. The most common dominants are Poa fendleriana and Muhlenbergia montana.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance is geographically broad, but conceptually narrow in scope consisting of two poorly documented associations documented only from Grand Canyon National Park and Bandelier National Monument. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this shrubland and shrub-steppe alliance is characterized by a moderately dense cover of broad-leaved deciduous short shrubs (2-8 cm tall). The graminoid layer is open to dense (to 80% cover) 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 and shrub-steppe alliance is characterized by an open to moderately dense short-shrub layer dominated by Ceanothus fendleri. Quercus gambelii and Robinia neomexicana are frequent associates, but are usually poorly represented and are clearly not dominant. The herbaceous layer is usually moderately dense to dense (>80% total cover) with Muhlenbergia montana or Poa fendleriana predominant. Codominants often include Elymus elymoides, Muhlenbergia wrightii, Pascopyrum smithii, or Schizachyrium scoparium. Forb cover is highly variable from stand to stand; common associates include Artemisia carruthii, Chenopodium sp., Epilobium brachycarpum, Erigeron divergens, Gayophytum diffusum, Heterotheca villosa and Solidago velutina. Exotic species Bromus tectorum and Conyza canadensis are frequent in disturbed stands. Scattered Pinus ponderosa saplings and mature trees can occur, but cover is less than 10%.

Dynamics:  This seral alliance occurs in areas that have experienced somewhat recent high-intensity, stand-replacing fire events.
Environmental Description:  This montane shrubland and shrub-steppe is described from Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico and Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona and likely occurs elsewhere in the southern Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau. Elevation ranges between 2200 and 2575 m (7210-8422 feet). Stands are found on gently rolling mesatops and high level plateaus (5-15% slope), though occasionally they can be found on moderately steep upper sideslopes (30% slope). Aspect is variable with lower elevation stands occurring on north-facing slopes and higher elevation stands occurring on warmer south-facing slopes. Soils are primarily well-developed, silty or sandy loams, including Mollisols derived from pumice or rhyolitic tuff alluvium or colluvium parent materials, or on occasion, fine-textured Alfisols developed from eolian deposits over rhyolitic tuff parent materials. The ground surface is characterized by scattered patches of exposed soil and herbaceous litter amid an abundant herbaceous layer. This alliance occurs in areas that have experienced somewhat recent high-intensity, stand-replacing fire events, and typically occurs within a matrix of live Pinus ponderosa woodlands, so scattered Pinus ponderosa are occasionally present as seedlings or remnant live mature trees.
Geographic Range: This montane shrubland and shrub-steppe alliance is described from Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico and Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona and likely occurs elsewhere in the southern Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, NM


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.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 A3737 Fendler''s Ceanothus Shrubland & Shrub-Steppe Alliance A3737 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL005376 Fendler''s Ceanothus / Mountain Muhly Shrubland CEGL005376 2.B.2.Nf.1.a
Association CEGL005501 Fendler''s Ceanothus / Muttongrass Shrub-Steppe CEGL005501 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: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): E. Muldavin et al. (2011b)

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by K. Christie and K.S. King after A. Browder and E. Muldavin.

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • 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.
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., and Midwest State Natural Heritage Program Ecologists. 1996. Terrestrial vegetation of the midwest United States. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the United States. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
  • Muldavin, E., A. Kennedy, C. Jackson, P. Neville, T. Neville, K. Schulz, and M. Reid. 2011b. Vegetation classification and map: Bandelier National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2011/438. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Reid, M. S., and M. E. Hall. 2010. Vegetation classification of Grand Canyon National Park. Draft report submitted to National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.