Soils- PINFLE-JUNSCO is generally found on soils derived from 

 calcareous parent materials. Combined cover of gravel and rock 

 on the ground surface generally exceeds 30% and bare soil cover 

 exceeds 20%. The soil subgroups at our tv.'o soil characterization 

 sites included a Lithic Ustic Torriorthent and a Ustollic 

 Haplargid. Surface textures varied from loamy sand to sandy 

 loam. pH values were 6.1 and 6.6, and conductivity values v;ere 

 155 and 176 uhmos/cm- (2 stands) . 



Other Studies- This type has not been previously described in 

 Montana. The type has close affinities with the Pinus 

 f lexilis / Aqropyron spicatum and the P. flexilis / Festuca 

 idahoensis types described by Pfister et al. 1977. However, 

 unlike the Pfister et al. types, Artemisia nova and/or A. 

 tridentata are well represented to abundant in the PINFLE-JUNSCO 

 type. A similar community occurs in Oregon (Bourgeron and 

 Engelking 1992) . 



Natural Heritage Program Rank- G4/S3 



Shrublands 



17. Artemisia nova / Aqropyron spicatum c.t. 



(ARTNOV/AGRSPI; black sagebrush/bluebunch v/heatgrass) 



(8 Stands) 



Environment- ARTNOV/AGRSPI is common at 4,7 00 to 6,000 feet on 

 gentle to moderately steep slopes of all aspects. This type is 

 most common on ridgetops, benches and upper slopes, it also may 

 be found on terraces and alluvial fans. Adjacent communities are 

 often dominated by Juniperus osteosperma or Pinus f lexilis where 

 fractured bedrock is common near the surface. Adjacent sites 

 with deeper soils are usually dominated by Artemisia tridentata . 



Vegetation- This community is characterized by a moderate cover 

 of shrubs ca. 1 foot tall and a fairly sparse understory of 

 grasses and forbs. Artemisia nova was present in all stands and 

 had a mean cover of 24%. Gutierrezia sarothrae was present in 

 most stands but had a mean cover of only 1%. Other common shrubs 

 include A_^ tridentata , A. friqida and Ceratoides lanata . 

 Agropyron spicatum and Poa sandbergii were present in all stands 

 with mean cover of 17% and 5% respectively. Koeleria pyramidata 

 is common in some stands, and Stipa comata occurs in the majority 

 of sites. Arenaria hookeri , Hymenoxys acaulis and Phlox hoodii 

 are common forbs; Penstemon eriantherus is frequent, and 

 Penstemon laricif olius is common in some stands. Bryophytes and 

 lichens are usually present on the soil and are corimon in some 

 stands. 



Soils- ARTNOV/AGRSPI is generally found on shallow to moderately 

 deep soils derived from limestone or calcareous sandstone, but 



21 



