loam. The pH measurements were 7.4 and 7.7, and conductivity was 

 275 and 218 uhmos/cm- (2 stands, respectively). 



Other Studies- This type has been previously described primarily 

 in southwestern Montana by Pfister et al. (1977). Similar 

 communities occur in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington, 

 and Wyoming (Bourgeron and Engelking 1992) . 



Natural Heritage Program Rank- G5/S3 



Woodlands 



11. Juniperus osteosperma / Aqropyron spicatum c.t. 



(JUNOST/AGRSPI; Utah juniper/Idaho fescue) 



(26 Stands) 



Environment- JUNOST/AGRSPI is common on gentle to moderately 

 steep (and occasionally very steep) slopes at elevations between 

 4,300 and 6,000 feet. This type occurs on slopes of all aspects 

 (but rarely northeasterly) . Pinus f lexilis woodlands occur on 

 adjacent cooler sites. Adjacent sites with often deeper soils 

 support the Juniperus osteosperma / Artemisia tridentata type or 

 the Artemisia tridentata / Aqropyr on spicatum type. 



Vegetation- We recognize tv;o phases of the JUNOST/AGRSPI type, a 

 Artemisia arbuscula phase and a Gutierresia sarothrae phase. In 

 both phases, Juniperus osteosperma is the only tree that is well 

 represented and Aqropyron spicatum is well represented in both 

 phases. Artemisia nova is well represented in the ARTNOV phase 

 but is absent from the GUTSAR phase. Gutierresia sarothrae is 

 generally present in both phases. Soil lichens are well 

 represented in most stands, and bryophytes are common in some 

 stands . 



Soils- JUNOST/AGRSPI is found on generally shallow soils derived 

 from limestone or calcareous sandstone. Combined cover of gravel 

 and rock on the ground surface generally exceeds 50% and bare 

 soil cover exceeds 20%. The soil subgroups at our seven soil 

 characterization sites included Ustic Torriorthents, Lithic Ustic 

 Torriorthents , Lithic Ustollic Haplargids, and Ustollic 

 Calciorthids . Surface textures varied from loam to silty clay. 

 pH varied from 7.4 to 7.9, and conductivity ranged from 200 to 

 310 uhmos/cm- (7 stands). 



Other Studies- The Artemisia nova phase of this type has been 

 described, in part, from the Pryor Mountains of Montana by Kratz 

 (1988). Juniper woodlands were described for the adjacent 

 Bighorn Canyon N.R.A. by Knight et al. (1987) . Similar 



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