Print Report
CEGL002713 Ericameria nauseosa Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rubber Rabbitbrush Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a broadly defined, semi-arid upland shrubland currently described from western Colorado, Nevada, and Utah and is likely more widespread. Elevations range from 1169 to 2420 m (3834-8000 feet). Stands occur on flat to gently sloping (<8%), dry alluvial terraces above ephemeral washes or perennial stream and river channels or may form a band in the alluvial flats above playas. Substrates are deep, moderately well- to well-drained silty clay loam to sandy loam soils derived from stratified alluvium. The ground surface has moderate to high cover of bare soil. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to dense (40-70% cover) shrub canopy dominated by Ericameria nauseosa shrubs 0.5-3 m tall, with a relatively sparse herbaceous layer. Some stands have low diversity, others have additional associated short and dwarf-shrubs such as Artemisia frigida, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Atriplex canescens, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Psorothamnus polydenius, Rosa woodsii, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Tetradymia tetrameres. The sparse herbaceous layer is a mixture of grasses and forbs. Grass cover is generally low and may include native species such as Achnatherum lettermanii, Achnatherum hymenoides, Distichlis spicata, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Sporobolus airoides, and Elymus elymoides. Non-native grasses include Bromus tectorum and Poa pratensis. Common forbs may include the native species Erigeron flagellaris, Tragopogon dubius, Achillea millefolium, Agoseris glauca, Potentilla crinita, Artemisia ludoviciana, Eriogonum hookeri, Rumex salicifolius, and Verbesina encelioides.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This broadly defined upland Ericameria nauseosa association is not limited to washes or dune/sandsheet shrubland. Diagnostic of this type is a sparse herbaceous layer that is not dominated by the widespread introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum or the native grasses Pseudoroegneria spicata or Sporobolus airoides. One of the stands classified by Bundy et al. (1996) is codominated by Tetradymia tetrameres. These transitional types are difficult to classify, and further survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation is characterized by a moderate to dense (35-70% cover) shrub canopy dominated by Ericameria nauseosa shrubs 0.5-3 m tall, with a relatively sparse herbaceous layer. In Colorado, stands have low diversity. Additional associated short and dwarf-shrubs are Artemisia frigida, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, and Rosa woodsii. In Nevada, stands are more diverse, and several other shrubs, such as Atriplex canescens, Psorothamnus polydenius, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Tetradymia tetrameres, may be important. The sparse herbaceous layer is a mixture of grasses and forbs. Native grasses include Achnatherum hymenoides, Distichlis spicata, and Elymus elymoides. Common forbs may include the non-natives Cirsium arvense, Descurainia incana ssp. incisa, Erodium cicutarium, Lepidium campestre, Iva axillaris, Salsola tragus, and Sisymbrium altissimum, and the natives Eriogonum hookeri, Rumex salicifolius, and Verbesina encelioides. The introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum was observed to be prominent in one stand in Utah, although native grasses Pseudoroegneria spicata and Sporobolus airoides are typically absent or have low cover.
Dynamics: Ericameria nauseosa is considered a shrub of depleted range and disturbed areas (McArthur et al. 1977). It is a fire-adapted species that is typically unharmed or enhanced by fire and is often one of the first species to colonize burned areas by sprouting from adventitious buds from its stems and root crown or from off-site seed (FEIS 2006). Stands appear to be dependent on disturbance, such as receding lakebed, past prairie dog use, abandoned agriculture or heavy grazing, which favors Ericameria nauseosa (USFS 1937).
Environmental Description: This is a broadly defined, semi-arid upland shrubland association currently described from western Colorado, Nevada, and Utah and is likely more widespread. Elevations range from 1191-2420 m (3900-8000 feet). Stands occur on flat to gently sloping (<8%), dry alluvial terraces above ephemeral washes or perennial stream and river channels or may form a band in the alluvial flats above playas. Substrates are deep, moderately well- to well-drained silty clay loam to sandy loam soils derived from stratified alluvium. Sand or other coarse-textured material may underlay finer-textured layers (Bundy et al. 1996). The ground surface has moderate to high cover of bare soil.
Geographic Range: This is a broadly defined upland shrubland association currently described from western Colorado, Utah and Nevada, but it likely occurs more widely in the western U.S.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, CO, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684422
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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.d Yellow Rabbitbrush - Rubber Rabbitbrush - Winterfat Steppe & Shrubland Group | G310 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Alliance | A3196 Rubber Rabbitbrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3196 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Association | CEGL002713 Rubber Rabbitbrush Shrubland | CEGL002713 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ericameria nauseosa - Tetradymia tetrameres Plant Association (Bundy et al. 1996)
= Ericameria nauseosa Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Ericameria nauseosa Association (Evens et al. 2014)
- Bundy, R. M., J. V. Baumgartner, M. S. Reid, P. S. Bourgeron, H. C. Humphries, and B. L. Donohue. 1996. Ecological classification of wetland plant associations in the Lahontan Valley, Nevada. Prepared for Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge and USDI Fish & Wildlife Service. 53 pp. not including inventories, tables and graphs.
- Coles, J., A. Tendick, J. Von Loh, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/361. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- DiPaolo, D. A., S. B. Smith, D. C. Odion, J. H. Ives, and D. A. Sarr. 2015. Vegetation classification and mapping: Lava Beds National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/LABE/NRR--2015/1098. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 262 pp.
- Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- FEIS [Fire Effects Information System]. 2006. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/] (accessed January 2006).
- McArthur, E. D., B. C. Giunta, and A. P. Plummer. 1977. Shrubs for restoration of depleted range and disturbed areas. Utah Science 35:28-33.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, P. Neville, T. Neville, L. Arnold, P. Arbetan, and A. Fettes. 2012b. A vegetation classification and map: Pecos National Historical Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SOPN/NRTR--2012/601. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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.
- Salas, D., and C. Bolen. 2010b. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR-2010/301. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 35 pp.
- Tendick, A., G. Kittel, J. Von Loh, P. Williams, D. Cogan, J. Coles, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2011b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Bryce Canyon National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2011/442. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, K. Decker, M. Hall, J. Von Loh, T. Belote, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2012. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Canyonlands National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2012/577. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, P. Williams, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Curecanti National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/408. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 797 pp.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1937. Range plant handbook. Dover Publications Inc., New York. 816 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.