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CEGL001276 Larrea tridentata / Sparse Understory Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Creosotebush / Sparse Understory Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community is a major community of the Tularosa and Jornada del Muerto basins of New Mexico and is reported as common in Texas. It is found on sandy to silty alluvial plains of upper basin floors and lower basin piedmonts at elevations of 1220 to 1580 m (4000-5200 feet). Slope grades are low and there is little aspect differentiation. A gravelly desert pavement or coarse alluvium substrate is found on most sites, but drops out near the edge of the basin floor. Soils are typically coarse with sandy loam textures (Typic Camborthids) and are indicative of well-developed, calcareous soils that probably date from the early Holocene. This shrubland consists of nearly pure stands of tall and evenly distributed canopies of Larrea tridentata that range from very open to moderately closed. Typically, other species are absent, especially those from the herbaceous layer. However, Prosopis glandulosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Muhlenbergia porteri are occasionally present, but are widely scattered and contribute very little to total cover.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community is widespread on coarse soils on piedmont slopes, which is the historic distribution for Larrea tridentata in the Chihuahuan Desert (Stein and Ludwig 1979). The absence of other species may be due to the long-term presence of Larrea tridentata in these areas. Its roots can inhibit root growth of both conspecific and allospecific shrub species, which may have the effect of both regulating creosote density and preventing establishment of other shrub species (Mahall and Callawy 1991). Over the long term, Larrea tridentata may modify the soil profile by influencing the depth at which caliche forms. This could limit shrub species that, unlike Larrea, do not have roots that can penetrate caliche.
Compare this association with ~Larrea tridentata Monotype Shrubland (CEGL001261)$$.
Compare this association with ~Larrea tridentata Monotype Shrubland (CEGL001261)$$.
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: No Data Available
Geographic Range: No Data Available
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684577
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.2 Creosotebush - American Tarwort - Mesquite species Chihuahuan Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M086 | 3.A.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.2.a Creosotebush - American Tarwort - Viscid Acacia Chihuahuan Mixed Desert Scrub Group | G288 | 3.A.2.Na.2.a |
| Alliance | A3164 Creosotebush Chihuahuan Desert Scrub Alliance | A3164 | 3.A.2.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL001276 Creosotebush / Sparse Understory Shrubland | CEGL001276 | 3.A.2.Na.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Larrea tridentata / Sparse PA (Wood et al. 1999)
= Larrea tridentata / Sparse Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 2003a)
= Larrea tridentata / Sparse Understory Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 1998d)
< Creosote Flats Cover Type (Plumb 1988)
= Creosotebush/Sparse Undergrowth PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Larrea tridentata/Sparse; LARTRI/SPARSE)]
= Larrea tridentata / Sparse Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 2003a)
= Larrea tridentata / Sparse Understory Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 1998d)
< Creosote Flats Cover Type (Plumb 1988)
= Creosotebush/Sparse Undergrowth PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Larrea tridentata/Sparse; LARTRI/SPARSE)]
- 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.
- Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 pp.
- Mahall, B. E., and R. M. Callaway. 1991. Root communication among desert shrubs. Ecology 88:874-876.
- Muldavin, E., G. Shore, K. Taugher, and B. Milne. 1998d. A vegetation map classification and map for the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. Final report submitted to USDI, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, NM, by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 73 pp. + appendices.
- Muldavin, E., P. Neville, P. Arbetan, Y. Chauvin, A. Browder, and T. Neville. 2003a. A vegetation map of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Final report submitted in partial fulfillment of Cooperative Agreement No. Ca-7170-99-004. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 102 pp.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, and G. Harper. 2000b. The vegetation of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico: Volume I. Handbook of vegetation communities. Final report to Environmental Directorate, White Sands Missile Range. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 195 pp. plus appendices
- Muldavin, E., and P. Mehlhop. 1992. A preliminary classification and test vegetation map for White Sands Missile Range and San Andreas National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. University of New Mexico, New Mexico Natural Heritage Program.
- Plumb, G. A. 1988. An algorithmic approach to automated vegetation mapping of Big Bend National Park, Texas. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Kansas, Lawrence. 449 pp.
- Stein, R. A., and J. A. Ludwig. 1979. Vegetation and soil patterns on a Chihuahuan Desert bajada. The American Midland Naturalist 101:28-37.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Wood, S., G. Harper, E. Muldavin, and P. Neville. 1999. Vegetation map of the Sierra del Carmen, U.S.A. and Mexico. Final report submitted to Big Bend National Park by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. 57 pp.