Ponderosa shrub forest
Encyclopedia
Ponderosa shrub forest is a plant association and plant community found in western North America
. It is found from the Rocky Mountains
to the Pacific Coast Ranges
in the Western United States
and Western Canada
.
In addition to the dominant species Pinus ponderosa - Ponderosa pine, there are other common associates within this plant association. In California
they include plants such as California Buckeye
(Aesculus californica).
In the Kuchler plant association
scheme the 'Ponderosa shrub forest' is denoted by the label K010.
Plant communities of California
Index: Plant communities of the West Coast of the United States
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. It is found from the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
to the Pacific Coast Ranges
Pacific Coast Ranges
The Pacific Coast Ranges and the Pacific Mountain System are the series of mountain ranges that stretch along the West Coast of North America from Alaska south to Northern and Central Mexico...
in the Western United States
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
and Western Canada
Western Canada
Western Canada, also referred to as the Western provinces and commonly as the West, is a region of Canada that includes the four provinces west of the province of Ontario.- Provinces :...
.
In addition to the dominant species Pinus ponderosa - Ponderosa pine, there are other common associates within this plant association. In California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
they include plants such as California Buckeye
Aesculus californica
Aesculus californica is a species of buckeye that is native [ |] to California and southwest Oregon [Jackson, County], and the only buckeye native to these states.-Description:...
(Aesculus californica).
In the Kuchler plant association
A.W. Kuchler
A. W. Kuchler is an American geographer and naturalist who is noted for developing a plant association system in widespread use in the USA. Some of this database has become digitized for integration into GIS mapping systems.-References:* *...
scheme the 'Ponderosa shrub forest' is denoted by the label K010.
See also
- Maritime Coast Range Ponderosa Pine forestsMaritime Coast Range Ponderosa Pine forestsMaritime Coast Range Ponderosa Pine forests are rare temperate forest assemblages associated with a limited range portion of the Santa Cruz Mountains of northern California. There are only three known small forests of this type, all situated in Santa Cruz County, California...
- California Floristic ProvinceCalifornia Floristic ProvinceThe California Floristic Province is a floristic province with a Mediterranean climate located on the Pacific Coast of North America with a distinctive flora that bears similarities to floras found in other regions experiencing a winter rainfall, summer drought climate like the Mediterranean...
- Rocky Mountain Floristic Region
Plant communities of California
Index: Plant communities of the West Coast of the United States