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CEGL003051 Pleuraphis rigida Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Big Galleta Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This grassland association 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 predominantly occurs on sideslopes, but also sometimes occurs in drainage channels and on valley bottoms, mesas, and plateaus from approximately 1050 to 1600 m (3420-5250 feet) elevation, but has been found as low as 470 m (1540 feet). It is typically found on flat to gently sloping gradients (0-5°), but also occurs on moderately steep slopes (15-30°) as well. Soils are well- to rapidly-drained sandy clays or loams that occasionally contain silt. The underlying geology is usually limestone. Tree and tall shrubs are essentially absent from this graminoid-dominated community type. A relatively sparse short-shrub layer occurs, in which Coleogyne ramosissima and Ephedra aspera occur most frequently. Opuntia polyacantha and Gutierrezia spp. are commonly seen in a sparse dwarf-shrub stratum. A well-developed graminoid layer dominated by Pleuraphis rigida characterizes this association. The invasive grass Bromus rubens also occurs on a regular basis, while the native perennials Bouteloua eriopoda and Aristida purpurea occur sporadically. Species such as Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia and Erodium cicutarium are common in the forb understory.
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: Tree and tall shrubs are essentially absent from this graminoid-dominated community type. A relatively sparse short-shrub layer occurs, in which Coleogyne ramosissima and Ephedra aspera (= Ephedra fasciculata) occur most frequently. Opuntia polyacantha and Gutierrezia spp. are commonly seen in a sparse dwarf-shrub stratum. A well-developed graminoid layer dominated by Pleuraphis rigida characterizes this association. The invasive grass Bromus rubens also occurs on a regular basis, while the native perennials Bouteloua eriopoda and Aristida purpurea occur sporadically. Species such as Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia and Erodium cicutarium are common in the forb understory.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This grassland association predominantly occurs on sideslopes, but also sometimes occurs in drainage channels and on valley bottoms, mesas, and plateaus from approximately 1050 to 1600 m (3420-5250 feet) elevation, but has been found as low as 470 m (1540 feet). It is typically found on flat to gently sloping gradients (0-5°), but also occurs on moderately steep slopes (15-30°) as well. Soils are well- to rapidly-drained sandy clays or loams that occasionally contain silt. The underlying geology is usually limestone.
Geographic Range: This association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in Arizona. It is also reported from 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.2.683692
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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.e North American Warm Semi-Desert Dune & Sand Flats Group | G675 | 3.A.2.Na.4.e |
| Alliance | A3170 Big Galleta Desert Grassland Alliance | A3170 | 3.A.2.Na.4.e |
| Association | CEGL003051 Big Galleta Grassland | CEGL003051 | 3.A.2.Na.4.e |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Pleuraphis rigida (Sawyer et al. 2009) [41.030.01]
= Pleuraphis rigida Herbaceous Vegetation (Kearsley et al. 2015)
= Pleuraphis rigida Herbaceous Vegetation (Kearsley et al. 2015)
- 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.
- Peterson, E. B. 2008. International Vegetation Classification alliances and associations occurring in Nevada with proposed additions. Nevada Natural Heritage Program, Carson City, NV. 348 pp.
- 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.