Print Report
CEGL001313 Atriplex confertifolia - Sarcobatus vermiculatus Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Shadscale Saltbush - Greasewood Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrub association is found scattered in saline soils on valley floors, alluvial terraces and alluvial fans across the Colorado Plateau and western Wyoming. Elevations range from 1350 to 2257 m, slopes range from level to moderately steep (1-65% slopes), and sites can be oriented to any aspect. Substrates are typically fine-textured and poorly drained soils such as clays, clay loams and silt loams. Total vegetation cover ranges from less than 20% to more than 50%, with the higher values tending to occur in shrublands located on valley floors and alluvial terraces. The open shrub stratum generally consists primarily of Sarcobatus vermiculatus shrubs with between 1 and 20% cover. Atriplex confertifolia shrubs are scattered throughout the canopy, with between 1 and 5% cover. Other shrubs present with minor cover include Gutierrezia sarothrae and Suaeda moquinii. The often sparse herbaceous layer is variable and can have as much as 35% cover. This layer tends to reflect a degree of disturbance; common species include Achnatherum hymenoides, Astragalus nuttallianus, Bromus tectorum, Lappula occidentalis, Lepidium densiflorum, Plantago patagonica, and Sphaeralcea parvifolia. Sparse nonvascular species are generally present on the soil surface and may have as much as 95% cover in undisturbed sites.
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: This open shrubland occurs in saline habitats and usually has relatively low cover of vegetation. However, total vegetation cover ranges from less than 15% to more than 100%, with the higher values tending to occur in shrublands located on valley floors and alluvial terraces. Upland sites tend to have sparser vegetation. The shrub stratum is less than 1 m tall and is composed of Sarcobatus vermiculatus (1-20% cover) with Atriplex confertifolia shrubs scattered throughout the canopy (1-5% cover). Other shrubs present with minor cover include Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex gardneri, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia spp., Sclerocactus parviflorus, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, and Suaeda moquinii (= Suaeda torreyana). The herbaceous layer is variable but can have as much as 35% cover. This layer tends to reflect a degree of disturbance; common species include grasses Achnatherum hymenoides, Leymus cinereus, Pleuraphis jamesii, Poa fendleriana, Sporobolus airoides, and forbs such as Astragalus jejunus, Astragalus nuttallianus, Eriogonum brevicaule, Lappula occidentalis, Lepidium densiflorum, Physaria condensata, Plantago patagonica, and Sphaeralcea parvifolia. Invasive species such as Bromus tectorum and Iva axillaris are often present in disturbed stands. Mosses and ground lichens are generally present and may have as much as 95% cover in undisturbed sites.
Dynamics: Grazing has affected these communities by removing much of the native grass component and allowing weedy forbs to become dominant.
Environmental Description: This mixed shrub association is found in habitats across the Colorado Plateau and in western Wyoming. It occurs in habitats that are significantly saline, either because of poor drainage or high levels of salts in the soil. Miller et al. (1977) report this association as occurring in low-lying, internally drained areas such as abandoned stream channels. Recent plot data from eastern Utah, western Colorado and western Wyoming indicate that habitat for this association includes badland toeslopes, alluvial fans and stream terraces, especially those that exhibit ponding as well as low-lying areas on valley floors. Elevations range from 1350 to 2257 m. Sites range from level to moderate and occasionally steep (to 33°) and can be oriented to any aspect. Substrates are well-drained to poorly drained soils with clay, clay loam, silt loam and sandy loam texture that are typically derived from alluvium, but they may include eolian sand. Soil surface typically has high cover of bare ground with low cover of litter and biological crust.
Geographic Range: This shrub association is found scattered in saline soils on valley floors, alluvial terraces and alluvial fans across the Colorado Plateau, in Arizona and Colorado and extends west into California and Nevada.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, CO, NV, OR, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683608
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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.5 Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Mat Saltbush Great Basin Scrub Macrogroup | M093 | 3.B.1.Ne.5 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Spiny Hopsage Scrub Group | G300 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Alliance | A0870 Shadscale Saltbush Scrub Alliance | A0870 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Association | CEGL001313 Shadscale Saltbush - Greasewood Shrubland | CEGL001313 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Sarcobatus vermiculatus - Atriplex jonesii - Sporobolus airoides Map Legend Unit (Miller et al. 1977)
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