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CEGL002955 Larrea tridentata - Encelia farinosa Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Creosotebush - Brittlebush Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This creosotebush shrubland association occurs in Arizona, California and Nevada. It is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon Parashant National Monument in Arizona. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It primarily occurs on sideslopes but can occur on a variety of other landforms, including talus slopes, alluvial fans, and colluvium, and usually occurs at 375 to 575 m (1300-1850 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 675 m (2250 feet). This association shows some preference for south- or west-facing slopes but does occur across all aspects. It is typically found on moderate to steep gradients (25-45°), but can occur on gentler slopes (less than 20°) as well. Soils are well- to rapidly-drained silty or sandy loams, and the bedrock is typically limestone. Vegetation is codominated by Larrea tridentata and Encelia farinosa. In addition Fouquieria splendens occasionally occurs in the tall-shrub stratum at low cover. In dense stands, Encelia farinosa cover can be as high as 40%, although it is usually much lower. Ferocactus cylindraceus and Ephedra aspera are typical in the short-shrub stratum. Ambrosia dumosa and Opuntia basilaris occasionally occur in the very sparse dwarf-shrub layer. Vulpia octoflora and Dasyochloa pulchella are common in a meager graminoid layer. A variety of species, including Plantago ovata, Cryptantha spp., and Argythamnia neomexicana, sporadically occur in the forb layer.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation is codominated by Larrea tridentata and Encelia farinosa. In addition Fouquieria splendens occasionally occurs in the tall-shrub stratum at low cover. In dense stands, Encelia farinosa cover can be as high as 40%, although it is usually much lower. Ferocactus cylindraceus and Ephedra aspera (= Ephedra fasciculata) are typical in the short-shrub stratum. Ambrosia dumosa and Opuntia basilaris occasionally occur in the very sparse dwarf-shrub layer. Vulpia octoflora and Dasyochloa pulchella are common in a meager graminoid layer. A variety of species, including Plantago ovata, Cryptantha spp., and Argythamnia neomexicana, sporadically occur in the forb layer.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This creosotebush shrubland primarily occurs on sideslopes but can occur on a variety of other landforms, including talus slopes, alluvial fans, and colluvium, and usually occurs at 375 to 575 m (1300-1850 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 675 m (2250 feet). This association shows some preference for south- or west-facing slopes but does occur across all aspects. It is typically found on moderate to steep gradients (25-45°), but can occur on gentler slopes (less than 20°) as well. Soils are well- to rapidly-drained silty or sandy loams, and the bedrock is typically limestone.
Geographic Range: This shrubland association occurs in northern Arizona, southern Nevada and southeastern California. More survey work is needed to fully document its global range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683081
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.4 Saguaro - Organ Pipe Cactus - Burrobush Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M088 | 3.A.2.Na.4 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.4.b Creosotebush - Burrobush - Brittlebush Desert Scrub Group | G295 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Alliance | A3278 Creosotebush - Ocotillo Upper Bajada & Rock Outcrop Desert Scrub Alliance | A3278 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Association | CEGL002955 Creosotebush - Brittlebush Shrubland | CEGL002955 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Larrea tridentata - Encelia farinosa (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.027.05]
= Larrea tridentata - Encelia farinosa Shrubland (Kearsley et al. 2015)
= Larrea tridentata - Encelia farinosa Shrubland Association (Evens et al. 2012)
= Larrea tridentata-Encelia farinosa Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Larrea tridentata - Encelia farinosa Shrubland (Kearsley et al. 2015)
= Larrea tridentata - Encelia farinosa Shrubland Association (Evens et al. 2012)
= Larrea tridentata-Encelia farinosa Association (Evens et al. 2014)
- Evens, J. M., D. Roach-McIntosh, and D. Stout. 2012. Vegetation descriptions for Joshua Tree National Park. Unpublished report submitted to USDI, National Park Service, Mojave Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- Kearsley, M. J. C., K. Green, M. Tukman, M. Reid, M. Hall, T. J. Ayers, and K. Christie. 2015. Grand Canyon National Park-Grand Canyon / Parashant National Monument vegetation classification and mapping project. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRCA/NRR--2015/913. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 75 pp. plus appendices.
- Reid, M. S., and M. E. Hall. 2010. Vegetation classification of Grand Canyon National Park. Draft report submitted to National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.