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CEGL008651 Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Carex exserta Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Big Sagebrush / Shorthair Sedge Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association is currently only known from Yosemite National Park in California, and the following description is based on occurrences there. Additional information will be added as it becomes available. Stands of this association are found in the subalpine zone, occupying the coolest and moistest climate zone of the Artemisia tridentata shrubland complex. Elevations range between 2865 and 3290 m (9400-10,800 feet) of elevation on basin floors and gentle to moderate lower slopes and often occur above lower treeline as patches within montane or subalpine coniferous forests. The climate regime is cool, semi-arid with yearly precipitation ranging from 25-60 cm. Much of the yearly precipitation falls as snow, which may cover the ground for long periods in winter. Temperatures are continental with large annual and diurnal variation. Stands can occur on all aspects and prefer gentle slopes near meadow edges. The soils are moderate to deep silty loams. There may be a fair amount of rocky, bare ground within stands. This vegetation forms an intermittent to continuous canopy less than 0.5 m in height. Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana is the dominant shrub codominating with moist-site indicator graminoids, primarily Carex exserta. Vaccinium cespitosum may also be present in the shrub canopy. Other graminoids and forbs commonly present include Carex filifolia, Antennaria rosea, Achnatherum nelsonii, Hesperostipa comata, Lupinus leucophyllus, Danthonia intermedia, Juncus mexicanus, Hesperostipa comata, and/or Poa stebbinsii.
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: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands of this association are found in the subalpine zone, occupying the coolest and moistest climate zone of the Artemisia tridentata shrubland complex. Elevations range between 2865 and 3290 m (9400-10,800 feet) of elevation on basin floors and gentle to moderate lower slopes and often occur above lower treeline as patches within montane or subalpine coniferous forests. The climate regime is cool, semi-arid with yearly precipitation ranging from 25-60 cm. Much of the yearly precipitation falls as snow, which may cover the ground for long periods in winter. Temperatures are continental with large annual and diurnal variation. Stands can occur on all aspects and prefer gentle slopes near meadow edges. The soils are moderate to deep silty loams. There may be a fair amount of rocky, bare ground within stands.
Geographic Range: This shrubland association is currently only known from the subalpine and lower alpine regions of Yosemite National Park in California. Additional range information will be added as it becomes available.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684359
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.3 Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M169 | 3.B.1.Ne.3 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush - Mountain Silver Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G304 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
| Alliance | A3207 Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3207 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
| Association | CEGL008651 Mountain Big Sagebrush / Shorthair Sedge Shrubland | CEGL008651 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Carex exserta (Sawyer et al. 2009) [35.111.01]
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana/Carex exserta (Carex filifolia var. erostrata, Hickman 1993) Shrubland
[Provisional] (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana/Carex exserta (Carex filifolia var. erostrata, Hickman 1993) Shrubland
[Provisional] (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2012)
- Keeler-Wolf, T., M. Schindel, S. San, P. Moore, and D. Hickson. 2003a. Classification of the vegetation of Yosemite National Park and surrounding environs in Tuolumne, Mariposa, Madera and Mono counties, California. Unpublished report by NatureServe in cooperation with the California Native Plant Society and California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, Sacramento, CA.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., P. E. Moore, E. T. Reyes, J. M. Menke, D. N. Johnson, and D. L. Karavidas. 2012. Yosemite National Park vegetation classification and mapping project report. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/YOSE/NRTR--2012/598. 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.