Pinyon–juniper woodland

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Single-leaf pinyon–Utah juniper woodland in northeastern Nevada near Overland Pass at the south end of the Ruby Mountains

Pinyon–juniper woodland, also spelled piñon–juniper woodland, is a

junipers, pinyon pines, and their associates.[1][2] At lower elevations, junipers often predominate and trees are spaced widely, bordering on and mingling with grassland or shrubland, but as elevation increases, pinyon pines become common and trees grow closer, forming denser canopies.[3] Historically, pinyon-juniper woodland has provided a vital source of fuel and food (particularly piñon nuts) for peoples of the American Southwest.[1]

Both pinyon pine and juniper species reproduce exclusively through seed production, and produce most of their seeds during

mast years, which occur about every three to five years. Birds and small mammals in the ecosystem are the main distribution method for these seeds, and the woodlands support a number of native species like the Pinyon mouse and the Pinyon jay.[4] These animals often at least partially subsist on their seeds, spreading them by caching them in underground holes.[citation needed
]

Range

Range of pinyon–juniper Woodlands in the Western United States

Today, pinyon–juniper woodland range spans from

Sierra Nevada, the Colorado Plateau, the Great Basin, and higher elevations of Mountain ranges of the Mojave Desert.[2] The woodland's range includes the Mogollon Rim in the south, to its northern extent in the Snake River Plain.[5] It typically occurs at between 4,500 and 7,500 feet. Historically, however, the range and elevations of pinyon-juniper woodland have shifted based on differences in climate. On the order of 10,000 years ago during the Wisconsin glaciation, pinyon-juniper woodlands occurred in areas that today are the Chihuahuan, Mojave, and Sonoran desert lowlands, and since then pinyon-juniper altitude ranges have continued to change based on changing moisture and temperature ranges over time.[2]

In the last 200 years specifically, the area occupied by pinyon-juniper woodlands has increased by two to six times. This is attributed to a number of factors, but especially the direct and indirect effects of climate, overgrazing and altered fire regimes. Specifically, the wet period between the 1800s and 1900s boosted tree establishment, and livestock grazing both eliminated perennial grass cover that would hinder tree establishment, and removed fine fuels that could start large fires.[6]

Arizona and New Mexico

The pinyon–juniper woodland is one of the most prevalent types of

better source needed
]

Utah and Canyonlands region

The pinyon–juniper plant community covers a large portion of

better source needed
]

Mojave Desert

In the steppes adjoining the

better source needed] In the Mojave, pinyon–juniper woodlands are generally above the Joshua Tree woodlands vegetation type, and requires more annual precipitation.[12][13]

Sierra Nevada

In the eastern Sierra Nevada, the elevation range is 4,000-5,500 feet in the north, and 5,000 to 8,000 feet in the southern reaches of the range. Pinyon–juniper woodland requires 12–20 inches of annual precipitation, so is generally located above the

better source needed
]

Subtypes

Pinyon–juniper woodland has three major subtypes based on vegetation: pinyon-juniper savannah, pinyon-juniper wooded shrubland, and pinyon-juniper persistent woodland.[2]

  • A view of a grassy area with sparse trees. The grass is medium in thickness.
    Pinyon-juniper savannah
  • A view of a thick woodland, with a large tree on the right. There is a shrub in the foreground.
    Pinyon-juniper persistent forest
  • A view of a hillside with shrubs on it, with scrubby trees in the background.
    Pinyon-juniper shrubland


See also

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-0971125919
    .
  2. ^ a b c d "Pinyon–Juniper Woodlands – Introduction & Distribution (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2018-01-26.
  3. S2CID 213465284
    . Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  4. ^ Gibson, Yvette (2 Jan 2023). "Pinyon-Juniper Woodland Ecosystems". Rangeland Ecosystems of the Western US. Oregon State University.
  5. ^ Cronquist, (1972).
  6. ^ "Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Understanding and Managing Pinyon and Juniper Woodlands in a Changing Climate" (PDF). Science You Can Use Bulletin. August 2021. Retrieved 20 Nov 2023.
  7. ^ Dick-Peddie, (1999) pp. 87.
  8. ^ "Pinus monophylla (Singleleaf piñon) description - the Gymnosperm Database".
  9. ^ "SEINet Portal NetworkResearch Checklist: Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon".
  10. ^ "SEINet Portal NetworkResearch Checklist: Chiricahua National Monument".
  11. ^ Damian Fagan, Canyon Country Wildflowers, p. 3
  12. ^ a b c Pam MacKay, Mojave Desert Wildflowers, p19-20
  13. ^ Adrienne Knute, Plants of the East Mojave, p31.
  14. ^ Karen Wiese, Sierra Nevada Wildflowers, 2013, p. 18

Sources

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