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CEGL001694 Sporobolus flexuosus - Paspalum setaceum Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mesa Dropseed - Slender Crowngrass Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a desert grassland association, known from one occurrence, in southwestern New Mexico. The association occurs in a desert valley between isolated desert mountain ranges. Most of the annual precipitation of about 35 cm occurs during the summer months as the result of convectional thunderstorms and during winter as occasional rains. Late spring and early summer are typically dry. Summers are hot, and winters can have periods of cold weather and occasional snows. This association is found on the edge of a sandy playa bottom, where there is a slight slope. The elevation of the single occurrence is 1580 m (5180 feet). Sporobolus flexuosus generally occurs in loose and/or blowing sands. The edge of the playa is probably inundated less often than the center of the playa, consequently salinity on the edge could be high. There is no shrub layer; the herbaceous layer averages 20-40% cover and is dominated by the perennial bunchgrass Sporobolus flexuosus. Several other species common to sandy substrates are present, the best indicator being the bunchgrass Paspalum setaceum. Forbs are moderately sparse, averaging less than 15% total cover, and in the Gray Ranch occurrence the perennial forb Chamaesyce albomarginata is the most abundant with 10% cover. Other species include Bouteloua parryi and Aristida divaricata. This plant association is presently known from extreme southwestern New Mexico on the Gray Ranch, Hidalgo County. Other possible locations include Texas, but the association has not been documented from there.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In Bourgeron et al. (1993b, 1995) this association is classified as Sporobolus flexuosus / Paspalum setaceum. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program calls it Paspalum setaceum - Sporobolus flexuosus. This plant association is known only from a single occurrence of 25 hectares on the Gray Ranch. It has not been confirmed from any other sites and may need review.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is a desert grassland association. There is no shrub layer; the herbaceous layer averages 20-40% cover and is dominated by the perennial bunchgrass Sporobolus flexuosus. Several other species common to sandy substrates are present, the best indicator being the bunchgrass Paspalum setaceum. Forbs are moderately sparse, averaging <15% total cover, and in the Gray Ranch occurrence the perennial forb Chamaesyce albomarginata (= Euphorbia albomarginata) is the most abundant with 10% cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association occurs in a desert valley between isolated desert mountain ranges. It is found on the edge of a sandy playa bottom, where there is a slight slope. The elevation of the single occurrence is 1580 m (5180 feet). Sporobolus flexuosus generally occurs in loose and/or blowing sands. The soil is derived from sandy alluvium and is classified as a Psamment, with little pedogenic development and generally sand or loamy sand textures. The edge of the playa is probably inundated less often than the center of the playa, consequently salinity on the edge could be high. Most of the annual precipitation of about 35 cm occurs during the summer months as the result of convectional thunderstorms and during winter as occasional rains. Late spring and early summer are typically dry. Summers are hot, and winters can have periods of cold weather and occasional snows.
Geographic Range: This desert grassland association is known from one occurrence in southwestern New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NM, TX?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683089
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1G2
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.3 Black Grama - Bullgrass - Tobosa Grass Chihuahuan Semi-Desert Grassland Macrogroup | M087 | 3.A.2.Na.3 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.3.c Soaptree Yucca / Black Grama - Mesa Dropseed Semi-Desert Grassland Group | G491 | 3.A.2.Na.3.c |
| Alliance | A3245 Mesa Dropseed Sandy Plains Semi-Desert Grassland Alliance | A3245 | 3.A.2.Na.3.c |
| Association | CEGL001694 Mesa Dropseed - Slender Crowngrass Grassland | CEGL001694 | 3.A.2.Na.3.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Sporobolus flexuosus / Paspalum setaceum (Bourgeron et al. 1993b)
= Sporobolus flexuosus / Paspalum setaceum (Bourgeron et al. 1995a)
= Sporobolus flexuosus / Paspalum setaceum (Bourgeron et al. 1995a)
- Bourgeron, P. S., L. D. Engelking, H. C. Humphries, E. Muldavin, and W. H. Moir. 1993b. Assessing the conservation value of the Gray Ranch: Rarity, diversity and representativeness. Unpublished report prepared for The Nature Conservancy by the Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. (Volume I and II).
- Bourgeron, P. S., L. D. Engelking, H. C. Humphries, E. Muldavin, and W. H. Moir. 1995a. Assessing the conservation value of the Gray Ranch: Rarity, diversity and representativeness. Desert Plants 11(2-3):3-68.
- Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
- Muldavin, E. 2001. Vegetation classification of New Mexico. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.