Print Report

CEGL005651 Pinus edulis - Juniperus (monosperma, deppeana) / Quercus gambelii Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Two-needle Pinyon - (One-seed Juniper, Alligator Juniper) / Gambel Oak Woodland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This widespread woodland association is known from the southern Rocky Mountains, occurring from south-central Colorado (east of the Continental Divide) to south-central New Mexico extending east into the western Great Plains on hills, escarpments, canyons, and other breaks. Elevations normally range from 1509-2665 m but may be higher in stands in southern New Mexico. Sites are variable but generally are relatively mesic. Stands occur on flat to moderate slopes along drainages and on mesatops, and on moderate to steep, rocky slopes of foothills, mountains and canyons, especially in draws where soil moisture is concentrated, or on northern aspects or where shaded by upper canyon walls. The soils are variable and range from deep to shallow, silty clay to sandy loam, and often gravelly. Litter from Quercus gambelii and other shrubs is often extensive (over 50% cover). The vegetation is characterized by an open to moderately dense tree canopy (10-60% cover) codominated by Pinus edulis and Juniperus spp. The species of Juniperus varies with geography and elevation. Juniperus monosperma is common in north-central New Mexico and southern Colorado and Juniperus deppeana is common in southern New Mexico. Juniperus scopulorum is more common in higher elevation stands and along drainages. Juniperus osteosperma is absent. An occasional Pinus ponderosa tree may be present in some stands. Quercus gambelii dominates the often patchy, moderately dense tall-shrub layer with at least 5% cover, but often over 25% cover. Amelanchier utahensis, Cercocarpus montanus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or species of Yucca and Opuntia are common shrub associates. Herbaceous cover is variable, ranging from sparse to moderately dense, but generally dominated by graminoids (>5% cover) with scattered forbs. Associated graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Elymus elymoides, Festuca arizonica, Koeleria macrantha, Muhlenbergia montana, Poa fendleriana, and Schizachyrium scoparium.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

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: No Data Available

Floristics: This widespread association is characterized by an open to moderately dense tree canopy (10-70% cover) codominated by Pinus edulis and Juniperus spp. The species of Juniperus varies with geography and elevation. Juniperus monosperma is common in north-central New Mexico and southern Colorado. Juniperus deppeana is common in southern New Mexico. Juniperus scopulorum is more common in higher elevation stands and along drainages. Juniperus osteosperma in absent as this type occurs outside its range. An occasional Pinus ponderosa tree may be present is some stands. Quercus gambelii dominates the often patchy, moderately dense tall-shrub layer with at least 5% cover, but often with more than 25% cover. Amelanchier utahensis, Cercocarpus montanus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, or species of Yucca and Opuntia are common shrub associates. Other shrubs, depending on geography, may include Artemisia tridentata, Artemisia nova, Arctostaphylos patula, Cercocarpus ledifolius, Ephedra viridis, Fendlera rupicola, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Garrya spp., Mahonia fremontii, Ptelea trifoliata, Prunus spp., Quercus x pauciloba, Robinia neomexicana, or Rosa spp. Herbaceous cover is variable, ranging from sparse to moderately dense, but generally dominated by graminoids (>5% cover) with scattered forbs. Associated graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides), Bouteloua gracilis, Carex geyeri, Carex rossii, Elymus elymoides, Festuca arizonica, Koeleria macrantha, Muhlenbergia montana, Poa fendleriana, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Common forbs may include Artemisia frigida, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Geranium caespitosum, Lepidium montanum, Machaeranthera grindelioides, Packera neomexicana, Thalictrum fendleri, Tetraneuris acaulis, or Vicia americana.

Dynamics:  Quercus gambelii is adapted to fire and will resprout profusely after a burn, forming a dense thicket (Wright 1972). Pinus edulis, Juniperus monosperma, and Juniperus scopulorum are killed or severely damaged by fire and do not resprout after burning (Wright et al. 1979). When burned, these woodlands will convert to oak shrublands. However, because Juniperus deppeana resprouts after burning, it will not be eliminated from the site (Wright 1972, Bassett 1987). Frequent burning will reduce cover of both Quercus gambelii and Juniperus deppeana (Kallender 1959, Erdman 1970).

Environmental Description:  This widespread woodland association is known from the Rocky Mountains, occurring from south-central Colorado (east of the Continental Divide) to south-central New Mexico, extending east into the western Great Plains on hills, escarpments, canyons and other breaks. Elevations normally range from 1509-2665 m but may be higher in stands in southern New Mexico. Sites are variable but generally are relatively mesic. Stands occur on flat to moderate slopes along drainages and on mesatops, and on moderate to steep, sometimes rocky slopes of foothills, mountains and canyons, especially in draws where soil moisture is concentrated, or on northern aspects or where shaded by upper canyon walls. Stands are less common on hot south-facing slopes, unless they are located in a moisture-concentrating gully. Soils are variable and range from deep to shallow, silty clay to sandy loam, and are often gravelly or rocky. Litter from Quercus gambelii and other shrubs is often extensive (over 50% cover). Parent materials include alluvial, colluvial or eolian deposits derived from sandstone, shale, limestone and rhyolite.

Geographic Range: This woodland association occurs in foothills from southern Colorado (east of the Continental Divide) to south-central New Mexico extending east into the western Great Plains on hills, escarpments, canyons and other breaks.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CO, NM




Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G5

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = 122.4148 Pinus edulis - Amelanchier utahensis - Quercus gambelii - Juniperus osteosperma Plant Association (Warren et al. 1982)
= Pinus edulis / Quercus gambelii / Carex geyeri Habitat Type (Hess and Wasser 1982)
< Pinus edulis / Quercus gambelii (Stuever and Hayden 1997b)
= Pinus edulis / Quercus gambelii Plant Association (Larson and Moir 1987)
= Pinus edulis / Quercus gambelii Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Pinus edulis / Quercus gambelii Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 1994a)
= Pinyon Pine/Gambel''s Oak PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Pinus edulis/Quercus gambelii: PINEDU/QUEGAM)]

Concept Author(s): K.A. Schulz

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz and J. Coles

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-13-16

  • Bassett, R. L. 1987. Silvicultural systems for pinyon-juniper. Pages 273-278 in: R. L. Everett, compiler. Proceedings--pinyon-juniper conference: 1986 January 13-16; Reno, NV. General Technical Report INT-215. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT.
  • Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
  • CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
  • Harmon, W. E. 1980. Survey of the flora and vegetation of the Bodo Wildlife Management Area. Unpublished report prepared for The Nature Conservancy, Denver, CO. On file at the Colorado Natural Areas Program, Denver. 40 pp.
  • 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.
  • Holm, T. 1927. The vegetation of the alpine region of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Pages 1-45 in: National Academy of Sciences 19. Third Memoir.
  • 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.
  • Kallender, H. R. 1959. Controlled burning in ponderosa pine stands of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Pages 20-22 in: R. R. Humphrey, compiler. Your range--its management. Special Report No. 2. University of Arizona, Agricultural Extension Service, Tucson, AZ.
  • Larson, M., and W. H. Moir. 1987. Forest and woodland habitat types of northern New Mexico and northern Arizona. Edition 2. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM.
  • Marr, J. W., D. A. Boyce, and J. W. Todd. 1973b. Preliminary report on the Redcliff project, Eagle County, Colorado. Unpublished report to the D. E. Fleming Company, Denver, and the Colorado River Water Conservation District, Glenwood Springs, by University of Colorado, Boulder. 9 pp.
  • Muldavin, E., P. Mehlhop, and E. DeBruin. 1994a. A survey of sensitive species and vegetation communities in the Organ Mountains of Fort Bliss. Volume III: Vegetation communities. Report prepared for Fort Bliss, Texas, by New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, Albuquerque.
  • Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, P. Neville, T. Neville, L. Arnold, P. Arbetan, and A. Fettes. 2012b. A vegetation classification and map: Pecos National Historical Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SOPN/NRTR--2012/601. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, T. Neville, P. Arbetan, A. Fettes, A. Kennedy, and L. Arnold. 2011d. A vegetation classification and map: Capulin Volcano National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SOPN/NRTR--2011/461. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 158 pp.
  • Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, and G. Harper. 2000b. The vegetation of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico: Volume I. Handbook of vegetation communities. Final report to Environmental Directorate, White Sands Missile Range. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 195 pp. plus appendices
  • Steinhoff, H. W. 1978. Management of Gambel oak associations for wildlife and livestock. Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Denver, CO. 119 pp.
  • Stuever, M. C., and J. S. Hayden. 1997b. Plant associations of Arizona and New Mexico. Volume 2: Woodlands. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Habitat Typing Guides. 196 pp.
  • Thomas, K. A., M. L. McTeague, L. Ogden, K. Schulz, T. Fancher, R. Waltermire, and A. Cully. 2010. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Canyon de Chelly National Monument. National Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR-2010/306. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 338 pp.
  • Thomas, K. A., M. L. McTeague, L. Ogden, M. L. Floyd, K. Schulz, B. Friesen, T. Fancher, R. Waltermire, and A. Cully. 2009b. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Mesa Verde National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/SCPN/NRR--2009/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 352 pp.
  • USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1986. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of southern New Mexico and central Arizona (north of the Mogollon Rim). USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 140 pp. plus insert.
  • USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1987a. Forest and woodland habitat types (plant associations) of northern New Mexico and northern Arizona. USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, NM. Second edition, 170 pp. plus insert.
  • Von Loh, J., G. Wakefield, A. Wight, A. Evenden, and J. Coles. 2008. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Hovenweep National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2008/092. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 328 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.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
  • Wright, H. A. 1972. Shrub response to fire. Pages 204-217 in: C. M. McKell, J. P. Blaisdell, and J. R. Goodin, editors. Wildland shrubs: Their biology and utilization. General Technical Report INT-1. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.
  • Wright, H. A., L. F. Neuenschwander, and C. M. Britton. 1979. The role and use of fire in sagebrush-grass and pinyon-juniper plant communities: A state of the art review. General Technical Report INT-58. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.