Print Report

CEGL005647 Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum / Purshia tridentata Southern Rocky Mountain Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ponderosa Pine / Antelope Bitterbrush Southern Rocky Mountain Woodland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This Pinus ponderosa woodland occurs in montane zones in the Rocky Mountains and in sheltered canyons and high plateaus in the Colorado Plateau, from Colorado and Utah. Stands tend to occupy south-facing, moderate to somewhat steep slopes (10-49%) in the Rockies, whereas Colorado Plateau stands prefer northern and eastern slopes and benches. Elevations range from 2165 to 2760 m (7100-9040 feet). Soils are relatively deep, mesic, well-drained sandy loams or loamy sands derived from sandstone, granite, colluvium or alluvium. Ground cover of litter and duff is often significant (30-60%). This Pinus ponderosa woodland is strongly dominated by Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum, often in open stands (10-40% cover) 10 to 35 m tall. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Juniperus scopulorum, Pinus edulis, and Populus tremuloides are common associates. The shrub layer is characterized and dominated by Purshia tridentata, although cover may be as low as 1% in sparsely vegetated stands. Additional species include Quercus gambelii (<10% cover), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia tridentata, Mahonia repens, Ribes cereum, and Juniperus communis. The herbaceous layer is inversely proportional to shrub cover and is dominated by graminoids, especially Muhlenbergia montana. Additional graminoids include Bouteloua gracilis, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Danthonia parryi, Poa fendleriana, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Hesperostipa comata, Leucopoa kingii, and Festuca idahoensis. Forbs are present and often diverse but have low cover. Forb composition largely depends on geographic region but often includes Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis, Antennaria spp., Artemisia ludoviciana, Eriogonum racemosum, Penstemon virens, and Sedum lanceolatum, among many others. Bare ground and needle duff can be prevalent in some stands.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Taxonomists (Kartesz 1999) recognize two varieties of Pinus ponderosa, a Pacific form, Pinus ponderosa var. ponderosa, and an interior form, Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum. This association is dominated by Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum.

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

Floristics: This Pinus ponderosa woodland is strongly dominated by Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum, often in open stands (10-40% cover) 10 to 35 m tall. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Juniperus scopulorum, Pinus edulis, and Populus tremuloides are common associates. The shrub layer is characterized and dominated by Purshia tridentata, although cover may be as low as 1% in sparsely vegetated stands. Additional species include Quercus gambelii (<10% cover), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia tridentata, Mahonia repens, Ribes cereum, and Juniperus communis. The herbaceous layer is inversely proportional to shrub cover and is dominated by graminoids, especially Muhlenbergia montana. Additional graminoids include Bouteloua gracilis, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Danthonia parryi, Poa fendleriana, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Hesperostipa comata, Leucopoa kingii, and Festuca idahoensis. Forbs are present and often diverse but have low cover. Forb composition largely depends on geographic region but often includes Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis (= Achillea lanulosa), Antennaria spp., Artemisia ludoviciana, Eriogonum racemosum, Penstemon virens, and Sedum lanceolatum, among many others. Bare ground and needle duff can be prevalent in some stands.

Dynamics:  Purshia tridentata is important browse for wildlife and livestock. It is shade-intolerant and an early colonizer (Zlatnik 1999). It is killed by fire, although reinvades quickly (Daubenmire and Daubenmire 1968). Stands in the Colorado Plateau would not carry fire well because they are typically sparsely vegetated. Fire in denser stands would likely result in removal of ponderosa pine canopies and result in the possible formation of a mixed shrub or shrub-herbaceous community.
Environmental Description:  This Pinus ponderosa woodland occurs in montane zones in the Rocky Mountains and in sheltered canyons and high plateaus in the Colorado Plateau. Stands tend to occupy south-facing, moderate to somewhat steep slopes (10-49%) in the Rockies, whereas Colorado Plateau stands prefer northern and eastern slopes and benches. Elevations range from 2165 to 2760 m (7100-9040 feet). Soils are relatively deep, mesic, well-drained sandy loams or loamy sands derived from sandstone, granite, colluvium or alluvium. Ground cover of litter and duff is often significant (30-60%).
Geographic Range: This Pinus ponderosa woodland occurs in montane zones in the western United States from Colorado and Utah.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, UT


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G5

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.Nb Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Division D194 1.B.2.Nb
Macrogroup 1.B.2.Nb.1 White Fir - Douglas-fir - Blue Spruce Forest Macrogroup M022 1.B.2.Nb.1
Group 1.B.2.Nb.1.b Ponderosa Pine Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Group G228 1.B.2.Nb.1.b
Alliance A3398 Ponderosa Pine Southern Rocky Mountain Forest & Woodland Alliance A3398 1.B.2.Nb.1.b
Association CEGL005647 Ponderosa Pine / Antelope Bitterbrush Southern Rocky Mountain Woodland CEGL005647 1.B.2.Nb.1.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Pinus ponderosa / Festuca idahoensis Habitat Type, Artemisia tridentata Phase (Mauk and Henderson 1984)
= Pinus ponderosa / Purshia tridentata - Ribes cereum / Muhlenbergia montana Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Pinus ponderosa / Purshia tridentata Habitat Type (Hess and Alexander 1986) [Artemisia tridentata is not listed as a shrub component.]
= Pinus ponderosa / Purshia tridentata Habitat Type (Youngblood and Mauk 1985) [Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana is a common shrub.]
= Pinus ponderosa / Purshia tridentata Habitat Type (Hess 1981)
= Pinus ponderosa / Purshia tridentata Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Mesic Foothill Woodland (Peet 1975) [Artemisia tridentata is not listed as a shrub component, but Ribes cereum, Juniperus communis, Rubus deliciosus, Rhus trilobata, and Jamesia americana are as prevalent species.]
>< Ponderosa pine / bitterbrush-Dark soils with no clay layer (Johnston and Huckaby 2001)
Concept Author(s): M.S. Reid

Author of Description: S.L. Neid, J. Coles and M.S. Reid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-13-16
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