Print Report
CEGL001746 Elymus lanceolatus - Hesperostipa comata Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Thick-spike Wheatgrass - Needle-and-Thread Grassland
Colloquial Name: Thick-spike Wheatgrass - Needle-and-Thread Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is an open, sandy grassland on flat, Columbia River plains. The topography is composed of very low (0.5 m) dunes and open sand comprises almost 50% of the cover. Elymus lanceolatus is a rhizomatous grass which binds the sand and occurs throughout the site, providing 10-15% cover. The bunchgrass Hesperostipa comata occurs in areas that are marginally stabilized, but overall represents only about 1% cover. Achnatherum hymenoides and Poa secunda occur at very low cover throughout the stand, as do some forbs: Astragalus sclerocarpus, Oenothera pallida, Achillea millefolium, and Phlox longifolia. Non-native species include Bromus tectorum, Centaurea diffusa, Sisymbrium altissimum, and Salsola kali.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: At the Boardman Bombing Range in Washington, this type occurs in a matrix with another G1 type, ~Hesperostipa comata - Poa secunda Grassland (CEGL001704)$$. One occurs in an area of low dunes, the other sandy plains, and they are fairly easy to distinguish. However, they are both rare enough that even combined they would merit a G1.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is dominated by the strongly rhizomatous, perennial grass Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus, with the perennial bunchgrass Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata) a common associate. Very scattered patches of 1- to 2-m tall shrubs occasionally occur, including the microphyllous, evergreen species Artemisia tridentata, and Ericameria nauseosa (= Chrysothamnus nauseosus), and the broad-leaved semi-deciduous Purshia tridentata. Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides) and Poa secunda occur at very low cover throughout the stand, as do some forbs: Astragalus sclerocarpus, Oenothera pallida, Achillea millefolium, and Phlox longifolia. Non-native species include Bromus tectorum, Centaurea diffusa, Sisymbrium altissimum, and Salsola kali. Most stands of this association have been altered by grazing, with the introduced, annual grass Bromus tectorum often codominant with the native grass species and having up to 50% cover. No other information on the composition and cover is available.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association occurs in the western, lower elevation portion of the Columbia Basin, along the Columbia River. The climate is semi-arid, with average annual precipitation varying across this region from 20 to 40 cm. Summers are typically hot and dry, with most precipitation falling during October through May. Winters are moderately cold.
This association is found on flat to gentle slopes with dry, deep loess or sandy soils. It often is found in a patchwork with sand dunes and dune shrublands. Elevations range from roughly 305 to 765 meters.
This association is found on flat to gentle slopes with dry, deep loess or sandy soils. It often is found in a patchwork with sand dunes and dune shrublands. Elevations range from roughly 305 to 765 meters.
Geographic Range: Restricted to flat, low-elevation, sandy plains along the Columbia River. Remnant, marginal examples have been seen along the Columbia in Oregon and Washington, between the Tri-Cities (Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick of Washington state) and Arlington, Oregon. Currently known only from the Boardman Bombing Range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684290
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nf Western North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D022 | 2.B.2.Nf |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nf.2 Saskatoon Serviceberry / Idaho Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup | M048 | 2.B.2.Nf.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c Rough Fescue - Idaho Fescue - Bluebunch Wheatgrass Central Rocky Mountain Foothill Grassland Group | G273 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
| Alliance | A3985 Streambank Wheatgrass - Needle-and-Thread - Silverleaf Scorpionweed Central Rocky Mountain Sand Deposit Grassland Alliance | A3985 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
| Association | CEGL001746 Thick-spike Wheatgrass - Needle-and-Thread Grassland | CEGL001746 | 2.B.2.Nf.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- Copeland, W. N. 1978. Botanical survey of Eight Dollar Mountain, May 6-9, 1978. Oregon Natural Heritage Data Base, Portland, OR.
- Kagan, J. S. 1987c. Draft species management guide for Astragalus robbinsii var. alpiniformis. Challenge grant funding with USDA Forest Service. Oregon Natural Heritage Data Base, The Nature Conservancy, Portland.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- Mayfield, M. M., and J. Kjelmyr. 1984. Boardman Research Natural Area. Supplement No. 17 to: J. F. Franklin, F. C. Hall, C. T. Dyrness, and C. Maser. 1972. Federal Research Natural Areas in Oregon and Washington: A guidebook for scientists and educators. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR.
- ORNHP [Oregon Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data files. Oregon Natural Heritage Program, The Nature Conservancy, Portland, OR.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.