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A4051 Pinus ponderosa - Cercocarpus intricatus Bedrock Cliff & Canyon Wooded Scrub Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of widely scattered trees and shrubs (with <10% vascular plant cover), including Atriplex spp., Cercocarpus intricatus, Cercocarpus montanus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Juniperus spp., and Pinus ponderosa. It ranges from Wyoming and Utah west across the intermountain western U.S., is found from foothill to lower montane elevations and includes steep cliff faces, narrow canyons, and smaller rock outcrops of various igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic bedrock types.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine - Littleleaf Mountain-mahogany Bedrock Cliff & Canyon Wooded Scrub Alliance

Colloquial Name: Intermountain Bedrock Cliff & Canyon Wooded Scrub

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of widely scattered trees and shrubs (with <10% vascular plant cover), including Atriplex spp., Cercocarpus intricatus, Cercocarpus montanus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Juniperus spp., and Pinus ponderosa. Other shrubs present may include Amelanchier utahensis, Arctostaphylos patula, Artemisia bigelovii, Cercocarpus montanus, Glossopetalon spinescens var. meionandrum, or Ephedra viridis. The herbaceous layer is diverse, variable and low in cover. Occasional dwarfed individuals (often only 1-1.5 m tall) of Pinus edulis or Juniperus osteosperma may occur. Colorful lichens may cover much of the surface of the exposed bedrock. This alliance ranges from Wyoming and Utah west across the intermountain western U.S. Sites are found from foothill to lower montane elevations and include steep cliff faces, narrow canyons, and smaller rock outcrops of various igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic bedrock types.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Needs to be reviewed and additional floristics added. Other associations from different groups may belong in this alliance.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This alliance consists of widely scattered trees and shrubs (with <10% vascular plant cover), including Atriplex spp., Cercocarpus intricatus, Cercocarpus montanus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Juniperus spp., and Pinus ponderosa. Other shrubs present may include Amelanchier utahensis, Arctostaphylos patula, Artemisia bigelovii, Cercocarpus montanus, Glossopetalon spinescens var. meionandrum (= Forsellesia meionandra), or Ephedra viridis. The herbaceous layer is diverse, variable and low in cover. Occasional dwarfed individuals (often only 1-1.5 m tall) of Pinus edulis or Juniperus osteosperma may occur. Colorful lichens may cover much of the surface of the exposed bedrock.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Stands occur on a variety of exposed parent materials, rocky exposed sites, and massive sandstones, such as the Navajo, Weber, Cedar Mesa, White Rim, Kayenta and Wingate formations on the Colorado Plateau. Elevations range between 1412 and 2348 m (4630-7700 feet). Slopes range from level to vertical, and all aspects are possible. The vegetation roots in crevices where sandy soil collects.
Geographic Range: This alliance ranges from Colorado and Utah west but occurs predominantly in the Colorado Plateau region.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CO, NM, NV, UT


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class C03 3
Subclass 3.B Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Subclass S11 3.B
Formation 3.B.1 Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation F033 3.B.1
Division 3.B.1.Ne Western North American Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Division D040 3.B.1.Ne
Macrogroup 3.B.1.Ne.6 Saltbush species - Joint-fir species - Buckwheat species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Macrogroup M118 3.B.1.Ne.6
Group 3.B.1.Ne.6.a Saltbush species - Mountain-mahogany species - Joint-fir species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Group G570 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Alliance A4051 Ponderosa Pine - Littleleaf Mountain-mahogany Bedrock Cliff & Canyon Wooded Scrub Alliance A4051 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL002741 (Ponderosa Pine, Jeffrey Pine) Sparse Vegetation CEGL002741 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL002972 Ponderosa Pine Slickrock Sparse Vegetation CEGL002972 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL002977 Littleleaf Mountain-mahogany Slickrock Sparse Vegetation CEGL002977 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL002978 Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany Rock Pavement Sparse Vegetation CEGL002978 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL003767 Saltbush species Desert Pavement Sparse Vegetation CEGL003767 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL003834 Blackbrush Sparse Shrubland CEGL003834 3.B.1.Ne.6.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): M.S. Reid, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M.S. Reid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

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.