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CEGL001257 Ephedra viridis / Pleuraphis rigida Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mormon-tea / Big Galleta Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association has been described from the inner gorge of Grand Canyon National Park in northwestern Arizona. Elevations range from 580-980 m. Sites are moderate to steep, north-facing colluvial slopes below cliffs often with talus and rock outcrops. Substrate is a shallow and rocky soil that is derived from limestone, sandstone, igneous rocks. Stands have an open, short woody canopy (less than 1 m tall) that is codominated by the xeromorphic evergreen and deciduous shrubs, Ephedra viridis and Acacia greggii, with an herbaceous layer dominated by Pleuraphis rigida. Total vegetation cover ranges from 15-20%. Other common species may include shrubs and dwarf-shrubs such as Gutierrezia sarothrae, Sphaeralcea ambigua, Encelia farinosa or Lycium andersonii, and scattered forbs such as Galium stellatum, Machaeranthera pinnatifida or Eriogonum inflatum. Succulents are common and include Ferocactus cylindraceus, Echinocereus engelmannii, Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea, Opuntia basilaris, Echinocactus polycephalus, and Agave utahensis. Extent of the association outside the park is not known. This shrubland appears restricted to these inner-canyon habitats in the Grand Canyon. Disturbance from rockslides may be important in maintaining this successional type. Shrublands with similar species composition have been reported from California, but survey and classification work is needed to determine if they represent the same association as this type.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type needs to be reviewed against new Grand Canyon associations. It should probably be archived with 2 or more successors.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands have an open, short woody canopy (less than 1 m tall) that is codominated by the xeromorphic evergreen and deciduous shrubs, Ephedra viridis and Acacia greggii, with an herbaceous layer dominated by Pleuraphis rigida (= Hilaria rigida). Total vegetation cover ranges from 15-20%. Other common species may include shrubs and dwarf-shrubs such as Gutierrezia sarothrae, Sphaeralcea ambigua, Encelia farinosa or Lycium andersonii, and scattered forbs such as Galium stellatum, Machaeranthera pinnatifida or Eriogonum inflatum. Succulents are common and include Ferocactus cylindraceus (= Ferocactus acanthodes), Echinocereus engelmannii, Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea (= Opuntia erinacea), Opuntia basilaris, Echinocactus polycephalus, and Agave utahensis.
Dynamics: Disturbance from rockslides may be important in maintaining this successional type.
Environmental Description: Elevations range from 580-980 m. Sites are moderate to steep, north-facing colluvial slopes below cliffs often with talus and rock outcrops. Substrate is a shallow and rocky soil that is derived from limestone, sandstone, igneous rocks.
Geographic Range: This sparse shrubland occurs extensively on northern aspects in the inner gorge of Grand Canyon National Park. Occurrence of stands outside the Park in unknown.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684318
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b Blackbrush - Cutler''s Joint-fir - Torrey''s Joint-fir Colorado Plateau Shrubland Group | G312 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Alliance | A3201 Mormon-tea Colorado Plateau Shrubland Alliance | A3201 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Association | CEGL001257 Mormon-tea / Big Galleta Shrubland | CEGL001257 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = 153.11016 Ephedra viridis - Hilaria rigida - Sphaeralcea ambigua Association (Warren et al. 1982)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Warren, P. L., K. L. Reichhardt, D. A. Mouat, B. T. Brown, and R. R. Johnson. 1982. Vegetation of Grand Canyon National Park. Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report 9. Tucson, AZ. 140 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.