Print Report
CEGL001441 Atriplex gardneri / Pleuraphis jamesii Dwarf-shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gardner''s Saltbush / James'' Galleta Dwarf-shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs on barren shale slopes and flats in the northern Colorado Plateau of Colorado and Utah. The vegetation is generally sparse and consists of an open canopy of dwarf-shrubs consisting primarily or entirely of Atriplex gardneri and an open to sparse herbaceous stratum in which Pleuraphis jamesii is conspicuous. Other grasses, such as Achnatherum hymenoides and Poa secunda, and a diversity of forbs that are typical of shale badlands are also usually present with sparse cover. The substrate is fine-textured soil derived from marine shale, but there is often a layer of gravel or small rocks on the ground surface.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau. The taxonomic classification of Atriplex gardneri was recently revised and several of the former varieties of Atriplex gardneri have been raised to species level. Additional review is needed to address classification issues with related taxa Atriplex bonnevillensis, Atriplex cuneata, Atriplex falcata, and Atriplex welshii, which are currently included in the concept of this association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association occurs on alkaline shale badlands, often where the soil surface is modified by a layer of gravel or small rocks. The vegetation is characterized by a typically sparse canopy (1-10% cover) of Atriplex gardneri with a sparse to moderate understory of the short bunchgrass Pleuraphis jamesii. Total vegetation is generally sparse, rarely exceeding 20%. Occasionally stands have an open to closed canopy of Atriplex gardneri dwarf-shrubs that range in cover from 26 to 76% and a herbaceous layer that ranges in cover from 26 to 50%. Total vegetation may exceed 100% in these stands. Other low shrubs and cacti are often present with low cover, including Atriplex confertifolia, Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia nova, Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra torreyana, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Opuntia polyacantha, Picrothamnus desertorum, Sclerocactus whipplei, Shepherdia rotundifolia, or Yucca angustissima. Scattered Juniperus osteosperma trees may also be present. The generally sparse herbaceous layer is composed of a mixture of grasses and forbs. Pleuraphis jamesii, Achnatherum hymenoides, and Poa secunda are the most abundant grasses. A diversity of forbs that are typical of shale badlands is also usually present with sparse cover, including Astragalus amphioxys, Astragalus mollissimus, Calochortus nuttallii, Cymopterus purpurascens, Eriogonum inflatum, Lappula occidentalis, Oenothera caespitosa, Plantago patagonica, Platyschkuhria integrifolia, Sphaeralcea coccinea, Sphaeralcea leptophylla, and Xylorhiza venusta. Biological soil crusts provide up to 25% cover.
Dynamics: This association is very similar to ~Atriplex gardneri Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL001438)$$, but modifications to the soil surface (e.g., a gravel layer or desert pavement) permit the development of an herbaceous layer.
Environmental Description: This association occurs on slopes of ridges, hills, eroded pediment slopes and badlands of the Colorado Plateau in eastern Utah and western Colorado. Elevation ranges between 1225 and 1975 m (4020-6480 feet) on slopes from gentle to steep (10-65%). The substrate is a saline, alkaline, well- to rapidly drained sandy loam, sandy clay loam, silt loam, clay loam or silty clay derived from marine shale, including the Brushy Basin Member of the Morrison Formation, Chinle shale, Mancos shale, or Moenkopi Formation. The soil surface often has a coating of gravel or small rocks, although large rocks may be present.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the Colorado Plateau of eastern Utah and western Colorado, including the Grand Valley and the Four Corners areas and extends into southwestern Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT, WY?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684058
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G5
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.a Mat Saltbush - Gardner''s Saltbush - Birdfoot Sagebrush Dwarf-Scrub Group | G301 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.a |
| Alliance | A1110 Gardner''s Saltbush Low Scrub Alliance | A1110 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.a |
| Association | CEGL001441 Gardner''s Saltbush / James'' Galleta Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL001441 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Atripletum nuttallae Association (Ibrahim et al. 1972)
= Atriplex nuttallii var. nuttallii / Hilaria jamesii Habitat Type (West and Ibrahim 1968)
= Nuttall Saltbush Community (USBOR 1976)
= Atriplex nuttallii var. nuttallii / Hilaria jamesii Habitat Type (West and Ibrahim 1968)
= Nuttall Saltbush Community (USBOR 1976)
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- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.