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CEGL001015 Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Basin Big Sagebrush / James'' Galleta Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs from the Colorado Plateau to the Great Basin, south into the northern Mojave Desert. Most stands occur on valley floors, alluvial flats and on the terraces of intermittent drainages. A few stands have been reported from mesas. Sites are located between 1866 and 2200 m (6122-7220 feet) elevation on level to gentle slopes (<5%). Up to 80% of the unvegetated surface is covered by bare ground. Soils are generally deep, calcareous and alkaline sandy loams or clay loams derived from alluvium. This association occupies dry sites on valley floors in the Colorado Plateau. Total vegetation cover is variable; some disturbed stands may appear to be sparsely vegetated with total vegetation cover less than 10%. Stands are characterized by an open shrub canopy (5-35% cover) dominated by Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata. Associated shrubs with low cover may include Atriplex spp., Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Lycium andersonii, Menodora spinescens, Opuntia polyacantha, and Picrothamnus desertorum. Total woody canopy ranges from 5-35% cover. The sparse herbaceous layer (5-15% cover) is dominated by graminoids such as Pleuraphis jamesii, Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Forbs are sparse and variable; species recorded from plots include Castilleja linariifolia and Psoralidium lanceolatum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis does not occur in the Mojave Desert so stands are included in this Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata-dominated association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association occupies dry sites on valley floors in the Colorado Plateau. Total vegetation cover is variable; some disturbed stands may appear to be sparsely vegetated with total vegetation cover less than 10%. Stands are characterized by an open shrub canopy (5-35% cover) dominated by Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata. Associated shrubs may include Atriplex spp., Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, and Opuntia polyacantha. In Mojave stands other low cover shrubs may also include Coleogyne ramosissima, Lycium andersonii, Menodora spinescens, and Picrothamnus desertorum. Total woody canopy ranges from 5-35% cover. The sparse herbaceous layer (5-15% cover) is dominated by graminoids such as Pleuraphis jamesii (= Hilaria jamesii), Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Forbs are sparse and variable; species recorded from plots include Castilleja linariifolia, Cryptantha spp., Phacelia spp., and Psoralidium lanceolatum.
Dynamics: This association requires an unusual combination of fine-textured bottomland soils and a water table that is high enough to support Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata, but that are dry enough and have neutral enough soil pH to favor Pleuraphis jamesii. Although most stands appear to be stable, if they burn, they will convert to a mixed grassland. A few stands are subject to invasion by Pinus edulis and Juniperus osteosperma; in the absence of disturbance, they will eventually become woodlands.
Environmental Description: This association has been described from the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and northern Mojave Desert. Most stands occur on valley floors, alluvial flats and on the terraces of intermittent drainages. A few stands have been reported from mesas. Sites are located between 1866 and 2200 m (6122-7220 feet) elevation on level to gentle slopes (<5%). Up to 80% of the unvegetated surface is covered by bare ground. Soils are generally deep, calcareous and alkaline sandy loams or clay loams derived from alluvium.
Geographic Range: This association is found in the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin south into the northern Mojave Desert, including southeastern Utah, western Colorado, northwestern New Mexico, northern Arizona, Nevada and southern California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683071
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G4
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.B Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S11 | 3.B |
| Formation | 3.B.1 Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F033 | 3.B.1 |
| Division | 3.B.1.Ne Western North American Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D040 | 3.B.1.Ne |
| Macrogroup | 3.B.1.Ne.3 Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M169 | 3.B.1.Ne.3 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a Wyoming Big Sagebrush - Basin Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G303 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
| Alliance | A3194 Basin Big Sagebrush - Foothill Big Sagebrush Dry Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3194 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
| Association | CEGL001015 Basin Big Sagebrush / James'' Galleta Shrubland | CEGL001015 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia tridentata / Pleuraphis jamesii Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata / Hilaria jamesii Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata / Hilaria jamesii Plant Community (Francis 1986)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata / Hilaria jamesii Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata / Hilaria jamesii Plant Community (Francis 1986)
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