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Vegetation Dynamics on the Mountains and Plateaus of the American Southwest pp 268–332Cite as

Pinyon-Juniper Vegetation

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Part of the book series: Plant and Vegetation ((PAVE,volume 8))

Abstract

Pinyon-Juniper vegetation covers more area on the mountains and plateaus of the American Southwest than all other vegetation types combined. It occurs in an elevational band below Ponderosa Pine Forest and above desert shrublands and semi-desert grasslands. Stands are dominated by pinyons and/or junipers of shorter height than forest tree species at higher-elevation. Stands have diverse structure, composition, and ecology and are categorized as persistent woodland, wooded shrubland, and savanna. The key driver of Pinyon-Juniper vegetation is variation in climate, which interacts with other drivers such as insect outbreaks to affect tree regeneration and mortality. Persistent woodland also experiences infrequent, high-intensity, stand-replacing fires. Anthropogenic disturbances include livestock grazing, fire management, modern climate change, invasive species, recreation, and nearby land use. Vegetation dynamics have been dominated by infill, expansion, and succession. Historical conditions are poorly known, but trees have increased in density in many stands since the late nineteenth century (infill) and have invaded adjacent grasslands (expansion). Understories have been altered by livestock grazing and increased tree densities. Vegetation dynamics are illustrated in a nested, three-tiered set of conceptual models. Key conclusions and challenges for researchers and land managers are summarized.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, USA

    John L. Vankat (Professor Emeritus)

  2. Merriam-Powell Center for Environmental Research, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA

    John L. Vankat (Senior Research Ecologist)

  3. School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA

    John L. Vankat (Adjunct Professor)

  4. Grand Canyon National Park, Coconino, Arizona, USA

    John L. Vankat (Former Ecologist)

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Vankat, J.L., Vankat, J.L., Vankat, J.L., Vankat, J.L. (2013). Pinyon-Juniper Vegetation. In: Vegetation Dynamics on the Mountains and Plateaus of the American Southwest. Plant and Vegetation, vol 8. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6149-0_5

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