generally well represented. Other characteristic species include 

 Gutierrezia sarothrae and Arenaria hookeri . Combined bryophyte 

 and lichen cover averages less than 10% of the ground surface. 



Soils- Soils underlying the JUNOST/CERLED type are derived from 

 calcareous parent materials. Combined cover of gravel and rock 

 on the ground surface generally exceeds 45% and bare soil cover 

 exceeds 5%. Soils vary from shallow to deep and the soil 

 subgroup at our tv.'o soil characterization sites were a Lithic 

 Ustic Torriorthent and a Ustic Torriorthent . Surface texture was 

 sandy loam. For the two stands where soil was sampled, pH 

 measurements were 7.7 and 7.8, and conductivity was 221 and 198 

 uhmos/cm-, respectively. 



Other Studies- This type has not been previously described in 

 Montana or elsewhere. 



Natural Heritage Program Rank- G3/S3 



14. Juniperus scopulorum / Artemisia nova c.t. 

 (JUNSCO/ARTNOV; Rocky Mountain juniper/black sagebrush) 



(1 Stand) 



Environment- JUNSCO/ARTNOV is found on dry, rocky ridges and 

 upper slopes with shallow soils at elevations around 6,000 to 

 6,500 feet. Adjacent relatively moist drainages often feature 

 the Pseudotsucra menziesii / Symphoricarpos oreophilus type. 



Vegetation- Juniperus scopulorum forms a open tree layer (total 

 cover may be as low as 10%) . The undergrowth is dominated by 

 Artemisia nova . Agropyron soicatum, Koeleria pyramidata , and Poa 

 sandberqii , are generally well represented. Total forb cover 

 seldom exceeds 10%. Bryophytes and lichens cover less than 5% of 

 the ground surface. 



Soils- Soils underlying the JUNSCO/ARTNOV type are derived from 

 calcareous parent materials. Combined cover of gravel and rock 

 on the ground surface generally exceeds 50% and bare soil cover 

 exceeds 5%. Soils are typically shallow and the soil subgroup at 

 our single soil characterization site was a Lithic Ustic 

 Torriorthent. The single pH measurement v/as 7.5, and 

 conductivity was 211 uhmos/cm- (1 stand). 



Other Studies- This type has not been previously described in 

 Montana. A similar community occurs in Nevada (Bourgeron and 

 Engelking 1992) . 



Natural Heritage Program Rank- G2/S2 



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