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• 2.0 CORRELATION OF VEGETATION TYPES WITH SOIL <br />The distribution of Pinyon/Juniper Woodland and Mountain Shrubland is <br />well correlated with soil depth and texture. Shallow depth and/or coarse <br />texture accompany the presence of Pinyon/Juniper Woodland, which consists <br />primarily of deep-rooted woody species. These species are well-adapted <br />to exploit moisture concetrated in rock crevices or between coarse frag- <br />ments. The droughty, well-drained nature of the surface material keeps <br />grass and forb development slight. This in turn results in less competi- <br />tion for moisture with woody species, which can then penetrate more deeply <br />into the coarse rocky subsoil and parent material. <br />Mountain Shrubland is found on deeper and/or finer soils. Here, the <br />Gambel's oak, a relatively shallow-rooted shrub, can prosper, as can <br />grasses and forbs when not excluded by tall woody vegetation. Grasses, <br />forbs, and shallow-rooted shrubs develop best in these sites because the <br />moderately deep and deep soils allow retention of moisture near the surface, <br />favoring species with dense, shallow root systems. <br />• <br /> <br />-5- <br />