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CEGL005600 Juniperus osteosperma / Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Hesperostipa comata Wooded Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Utah Juniper / Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Needle-and-Thread Wooded Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: The vegetation of this association is characterized by an open tree canopy dominated by Juniperus osteosperma with Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis dominating the sparse to moderately dense short-shrub layer. Tree canopy cover values are typically over 5%, but less than 20%, and the height of the tree canopy is 2-10 m. Other shrubs, such as Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa, Purshia tridentata, and Ericameria nana, may be present in the shrub stratum, but generally with low cover. The herbaceous layer tends to have sparse to low cover but can range to moderately dense in some stands. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Hesperostipa comata, a perennial bunchgrass that typically occurs on rocky or sandy soils. Other graminoids such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Elymus elymoides, Poa secunda, Pseudoroegneria spicata, and introduced annual Bromus tectorum are common with cover values ranging from very low to moderate. Associated forbs are variable and include a combination of native and non-native species. The most common forbs include Allium acuminatum, Descurainia pinnata, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Lactuca serriola, Lomatium dissectum, Opuntia polyacantha, Penstemon deustus, Potentilla glandulosa, Sisymbrium altissimum, and Tragopogon dubius. This community occurs on a variety of slopes and aspects, often at the break between foothill and basin; it also occurs regularly on exposed basalt at Craters of the Moon. Soils are poorly developed, thin and somewhat sandy. Evidence of erosion such as gullies and rills is not uncommon. Rock cover is variable.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This plant community description is based on data from Craters of the Moon (Bell et al. 2009) and on related plant communities that have been previously described. The description provided herein may vary slightly from similar plant communities found elsewhere due to the local scale at which data were collected. Additional global information will be added as it becomes available.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: No Data Available
Dynamics: Fires in this association are thought to be infrequent because smaller Juniperus osteosperma and Artemisia tridentata are easily killed by burns and do not resprout. In addition, many stands have an open canopy with insufficient understory to carry fire. This community may have high variability in annual forb cover. Disturbance, precipitation and other factors are likely to influence the presence and abundance of native and introduced annual species.
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: This plant association has been described for the southwestern region of the Bitterroot Mountains ecoregional section, within east-central Idaho. However, the combination of Juniperus osteosperma and Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis occurs throughout much of the western Rocky Mountains, Colorado Plateau, and Great Basin region and extends east to the Bighorn Mountains and hills of central Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.947926
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Nc Western North American Pinyon - Juniper Woodland & Scrub Division | D010 | 1.B.2.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nc.1 Singleleaf Pinyon - Utah Juniper - Western Juniper Intermountain Woodland Macrogroup | M896 | 1.B.2.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nc.1.c Singleleaf Pinyon - Utah Juniper Woodland Group | G899 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.c |
| Alliance | A4370 Utah Juniper Great Basin Shrubby Woodland Alliance | A4370 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.c |
| Association | CEGL005600 Utah Juniper / Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Needle-and-Thread Wooded Shrubland | CEGL005600 | 1.B.2.Nc.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Utah Juniper / Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Needle and Thread Wooded Shrubland (Juniperus osteosperma / Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Hesperostipa comata Wooded Shrubland) (Bell et al. 2009)
- Bell, J., D. Cogan, J. Erixson, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation inventory project report, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/UCBN/NRTR-2009/277. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 358 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.