Print Report
CEGL001283 Atriplex canescens / Bouteloua gracilis Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fourwing Saltbush / Blue Grama Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This saltbush shrubland is found in the southern Great Plains of the United States, from Kansas and Colorado south and west to Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Texas. In the Great Plains, stands occur on dry barren flats, slopes and bluffs supported by shallow, rocky, alkaline soils. In the Colorado Plateau, this association occurs on valley floors and alluvial flats. Slopes are gentle, and most stands are below 2120 m (6960 feet) elevation. Soils are deep and alkaline. Throughout its range, stands are dominated by Atriplex canescens shrubs between 0.5 and 1 m tall. Associated species include Rhus aromatica, Opuntia polyacantha, Opuntia phaeacantha, Cylindropuntia imbricata, Toxicodendron rydbergii, and Yucca glauca. The herbaceous layer of short to medium-tall grasses is dominated by Bouteloua gracilis and includes Bouteloua curtipendula in the Great Plains and Achnatherum hymenoides in the Colorado Plateau as important associated species. Occasionally Pascopyrum smithii or Sporobolus cryptandrus can codominate, though typically other graminoid species are scarce or absent. The rhizomatous Bouteloua gracilis is more tolerant of heavy grazing than most bunchgrasses; this association may represent a grazing remnant of what was once a more diverse grass understory.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Because other grasses are usually associated with Bouteloua gracilis, it may be difficult in the field to distinguish this association from closely related ones.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Throughout its range, stands of this association are dominated by Atriplex canescens shrubs between 0.5 and 1 m tall. Associated species include Rhus aromatica, Opuntia polyacantha, Opuntia phaeacantha, Cylindropuntia imbricata (= Opuntia imbricata), Toxicodendron rydbergii, and Yucca glauca. The herbaceous layer of short to medium-tall grasses is dominated by Bouteloua gracilis and includes Bouteloua curtipendula in the Great Plains (Lauver et al. 1999) and Achnatherum hymenoides in the Colorado Plateau as important associated species. Occasionally Pascopyrum smithii or Sporobolus cryptandrus can codominate, though typically other graminoid species are scarce or absent.
Dynamics: The rhizomatous Bouteloua gracilis is more tolerant of heavy grazing than most bunch grasses; this association may represent a grazing remnant of what was once a more diverse grass understory.
Environmental Description: In the Great Plains, stands occur in dry barren flats, slopes and bluffs. Soils are shallow, rocky and alkaline (Lauver et al. 1999). In the Colorado Plateau, this association occurs on valley floors and alluvial flats. Slopes are gentle, and most stands are below 2120 m (6960 feet) elevation. Soils are deep and alkaline.
Geographic Range: This saltbush type is found in the southern Great Plains of the United States, from Kansas and Colorado south and west to Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Texas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, KS, NM, TX, UT, WY?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684552
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.5 Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Mat Saltbush Great Basin Scrub Macrogroup | M093 | 3.B.1.Ne.5 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Spiny Hopsage Scrub Group | G300 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Alliance | A0869 Fourwing Saltbush Scrub Alliance | A0869 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Association | CEGL001283 Fourwing Saltbush / Blue Grama Shrubland | CEGL001283 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Atriplex canescens - Gutierrezia sarothrae / Bouteloua gracilis - Sporobolus cryptandrus Plant Community (Francis 1986)
= Atriplex canescens / Bouteloua gracilis Shrubland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Atriplex canescens / Bouteloua gracilis Shrubland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
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