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INTER-MOUNTAIN BASINS JUNIPER SAVANNA (S075)
Division 304, Steppe/Savanna, CES304.782
Spatial Scale & Pattern: Large Patch Classification Confidence: medium
Required Classifiers: Natural/Semi-natural, Vegetated (>10% vasc.), Upland
Diagnostic Classifiers: Temperate [Temperate Continental], Intermediate Disturbance Interval, F-Landscape/Medium Intensity, Evergreen Sclerophyllous Tree, Graminoid
Non-Diagnostic Classifiers: Lowland [Foothill], Lowland [Lowland], Woody-Herbaceous, Ridge/Summit/Upper Slope, Sideslope, Toeslope/Valley Bottom, Calcareous
Concept Summary: This widespread ecological system occupies dry foothills and sandsheets of western Colorado, central Utah, west into the Great Basin of Nevada and southern Idaho. It is typically found at lower elevations ranging from 1500-2300 m. This system is generally found at lower elevations and more xeric sites than Great Basin Pinyon-Juniper Woodland (CES304.773) or Colorado Plateau Pinyon-Juniper Woodland (CES304.767). These occurrences are found on lower mountain slopes and plateaus. The vegetation is typically open savanna, although there may be inclusions of more dense juniper woodlands. This savanna is dominated by Juniperus osteosperma trees with high cover of perennial bunch grasses and forbs, with Bouteloua gracilis and Pleuraphis jamesii being most common. Species of Artemisia are also commonly present. Pinyon trees are typically not present because sites are outside the ecological or geographic range of Pinus edulis and Pinus monophylla.
DISTRIBUTION
Range: Western Colorado, central Utah, west into the Great Basin of Nevada and southern Idaho at lower elevations, ranging from 1500-2300 m.
Ecological Divisions: 304, 306
TNC Ecoregions: 10:, 11:C, 18:C, 19:C, 20:C, 21:C, 6:C, 9:CSubnations/Nations: AZ:c, CA:c, CO:c, ID:c, NV:c, OR:c, UT:c, WY:c
CONCEPT
Alliances and Associations:
• JUNIPERUS OSTEOSPERMA WOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE (A.1502) Juniperus osteosperma / Hesperostipa comata Wooded Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL001489) Juniperus osteosperma / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Wooded Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL001488)
• JUNIPERUS OSTEOSPERMA WOODLAND ALLIANCE (A.536) Juniperus osteosperma / Hesperostipa neomexicana Woodland (CEGL000740) Juniperus osteosperma / Pleuraphis mutica Woodland (CEGL000736) Juniperus osteosperma / Pseudoroegneria spicata Woodland (CEGL000738) Juniperus osteosperma / Symphoricarpos oreophilus Woodland (CEGL000741)
• JUNIPERUS SCOPULORUM WOODLAND ALLIANCE (A.506) Juniperus scopulorum / Pseudoroegneria spicata Woodland (CEGL000748) Juniperus scopulorum / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland (CEGL000750)
SOURCES
References: Knight 1994, Tuhy et al. 2002
Last updated: 20 Feb 2003 Stakeholders: WCS
Concept Author: NatureServe Western Ecology Team
LeadResp: WCS
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