15. Pinus f lexilis - Juniperus osteosperma c.t. 



(PINFLE-JUl^IOST; limber pine-Utah juniper) 

 (10 Stands) 



Environment- PINFLE-JUNOST is common on mid slopes, upper slopes, 

 and benches at elevations between 4,300 and 5,300 feet. Adjacent 

 drier sites predominantly feature Juniperus osteosperma woodlands 

 and Artemisia tridentata shrublands. 



Vegetation- Pinus f lexilis and Juniperus osteosperma are both 

 well represented (no other tree species occur with cover 

 exceeding 1%) . Characteristic undergrowth species include 

 Artemisia nova, Gutierrezia sarothrae , Petrophytum caespitosum . 

 Aqropyron spicatum , and Opuntia polyacantha . Combined bryophyte 

 and lichen cover seldom exceeds 5% of the ground surface. 



Soils- Soils underlying the PINFLE-JUNOST type are usually 

 derived from calcareous sandstone. Combined cover of gravel and 

 rock on the ground surface generally exceeds 70% and bare soil 

 cover exceeds 10%. Soils are predominantly shallow and subgroups 

 at our three characterization sites were all Lithic Ustic 

 Torriorthents . Surface textures varied from loamy sand to sandy 

 loam. pH measurements ranged from 7.5 to 8.0, and conductivity 

 ranged from 212 to 230 uhmos/cm- (3 stands). 



Other Studies- This type has not been previously described in 



Montana or elsewhere. 



Natural Heritage Program Rank- G3/S3 



16. Pinus f lexilis - Juniperus scopulorxim c.t. 



(PINFLE-JUNSCO; limber pine-Rocky Mountain juniper) 



(8 Stands) 



Environment- PINFLE-JUlvlSCO is common on mid and upper slopes at 

 elevations between 4,000 and 5,300 feet. Adjacent sites 

 predominantly feature Artemisia spp. shrublands. 



Vegetation- We recognize two phases of the PINFLE-JUNSCO type, a 

 Artemisia arbuscula phase and a A. tridentata phase. In both 

 phases, Pinus f lexilis and Juniperus osteosperma are the only 

 tree species that are well represented. Artemisia nova is 

 abundant in the ARTNOV phase and in about half of the occurrences 

 of the ARTTRI phase. Artemisia tridentata is well represented 

 only in the ARTTRI phase. Gutierresia sarothrae , Agropyron 

 spicatum , Carex f ilifolia , Koeleria pyramidata , Poa sandbergii . 

 Phlox hoodii , and Opuntia polyacantha are generally present to 

 v;ell represented in both phases. Combined bryophyte and lichen 

 cover seldom exceeds 5% of the ground surface. 



20 



