Juniperus scopulorum mixed with Pinus ponderosa but the undergrowth layers of these communities ^ 

 are nearly dominated by introduced yellow sweetclover {Melilotus officinalis). 



Soils: The sampled stand and other observed stands occur on a shale substrate, with a distinct duff 

 layer overlaying the clayey soils. Elsewhere in Carter County JUNSCO/ORYMIC occurs on 

 sandstone derived soils (Hansen and Hoffman 1988). In North Dakota the type occurs on soils with 

 textures ranging from sandy to clay loams (Hansen et al. 1984, Girard 1989). 



Comments: Many Rocky Mountain juniper stands in the vicinity of the plot and the plant 

 association elsewhere are on gentler slopes and have a structure that is more open, with 

 undergrowths that have become dominated by sweetclover {Melilotus officinalis). The high 

 undergrowth diversity exhibited in the plot may indicate that canopy closure and undergrowth 

 establishment occurred prior to the invasion of sweetclover, or that these other stands are simply 

 less-developed phases outside of the typical setting and more subject to weed invasion. JUNSCO / 

 ORYMIC was provisionally identified as a rare plant community of the northern Great Plains 

 (Faber-Langendoen et al. 1997) because it is not very extensive, and alteration has been widespread. 



This plant association has among the highest numbers of vascular plant species and unique vascular 

 plant composition among the plant associations documented. Nonvascular plant diversity appears 

 high and would be interesting to examine. The cover of mosses and lichens is important for retaining 

 soil and stabilizing soil, and is easily disturbed. The dense cover of Rocky Mountain juniper 

 provides game habitat (Girard et al. 1988), including shelter and escape cover. 



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