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CEGL001311 Atriplex confertifolia / Achnatherum hymenoides Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Shadscale Saltbush / Indian Ricegrass Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This plant association occurs predominantly in the Colorado Plateau, Columbia Plateau, and Great Basin in Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah, and is also purported to occur in California and Wyoming. Low-growing Atriplex confertifolia is the dominant shrub, usually with up to 15% cover, although other shrubs, including Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Ephedra torreyana, Grayia spinosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Opuntia polyacantha, Picrothamnus desertorum, Psorothamnus fremontii, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus, may also be present in low amounts. In high-quality, ungrazed stands Achnatherum hymenoides may have up to 20% cover and dominates the otherwise sparse herbaceous understory. Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata, Pleuraphis jamesii, Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda and Sporobolus cryptandrus are often present with low cover. Forbs have low cover and diversity, but vary greatly across the range of this association. Some locally common species include Eriogonum spp., Phacelia crenulata var. corrugata, Phlox hoodii, Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, Thelypodium flexuosum, and Townsendia florifer. Total cover is often less than 25%. Stands degraded by excessive livestock grazing have abundant Bromus tectorum or Salsola tragus in the understory and higher total herbaceous cover. This plant association is widely scattered on colluvial slopes, benches, mesas, plateaus, and gullies within the Atriplex confertifolia zone and is best developed in sites with an alkaline, yet coarse-textured soil. Elevations range from 1250 to 1780 m (4100-5840 feet) in Utah and Colorado. The association is typically found on well-drained, alkaline soils derived from volcanic tuff or shale that often have been modified by alluvial deposits. Bare ground or small rocks cover most of the unvegetated surface. Biological soil crusts may be sparse or well-developed and have up to 34% cover.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This plant association is distinguished from other Atriplex confertifolia types by the dominance of Achnatherum hymenoides in the herbaceous layer (Young et al. 1986, Rust et al. 2000b). Indicators of other Atriplex confertifolia associations (e.g., Picrothamnus desertorum, Elymus elymoides) may be present but in amounts less than those of Atriplex confertifolia and Achnatherum hymenoides.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Low-growing Atriplex confertifolia is the dominant shrub, usually with up to 15% cover, though other shrubs, including Picrothamnus desertorum (= Artemisia spinescens), Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha, Grayia spinosa, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus, may also be present in low amounts. In high-quality, ungrazed stands Achnatherum hymenoides may have up to 20% cover and dominates the otherwise sparse herbaceous understory. Lesser amounts of other perennial grasses, including Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata, Pleuraphis jamesii, Poa fendleriana, and Poa secunda, are often present. Forbs vary greatly across the range of this association and never contribute significant cover. Some locally common species include Eriogonum spp., Phacelia crenulata var. corrugata (= Phacelia corrugata), Phlox hoodii, Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, Thelypodium flexuosum, and Townsendia florifer. Total cover is often less than 25%. Stands degraded by excessive livestock grazing have abundant Bromus tectorum in the understory and higher total herbaceous cover.
Dynamics: This association requires the unusual combination of coarse-textured, alkaline substrates. In many cases, a thin veneer of alluvium overlying marine shale provides the required habitat. In others, an alkaline volcanic or marlstone substrate has weathered to a coarse soil.
Environmental Description: This plant association is widely scattered on benches, plateaus, and gullies within the Atriplex confertifolia zone of Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Oregon, and is also purported to occur in California and Wyoming. Elevations range from 1250 to 1780 m (4100-5840 feet) in Utah and Colorado, and slopes vary from gentle to steep. The association is typically found on well-drained, alkaline soils derived from volcanic tuff or shale, that often have been modified by alluvial deposits. Soil textures include rocky and gravelly sandy loams and may have an argillic horizon. Many sites show evidence of sheet and gully erosion.
Geographic Range: This plant association occurs predominantly in the Colorado Plateau, Columbia Plateau, and Great Basin and ranges from southeastern Oregon, southern Idaho, and Nevada to Utah and western Colorado. It is purported to occur in California and Wyoming. In Idaho, it is known from the South Fork Owyhee River canyon, the Owyhee Mountains lowland front near the Snake River, and the Salmon River canyon near Challis (Moseley 1987a, Rust et al. unpubl. data 2000b). In Nevada, it has been observed in Grass Valley and elsewhere, including the Nevada Test Site (Rickard and Beatley 1965, Young et al. 1986). It has been documented in the oil shale region of Colorado by several researchers (e.g., Ward et al. 1974, Keammerer 1977), as well as in several National Parks. Though widely distributed, its presence is discontinuous in environments dominated by either Atriplex confertifolia or Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA?, CO, ID, NV, OR, UT, WY?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684682
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.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 | A0870 Shadscale Saltbush Scrub Alliance | A0870 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Association | CEGL001311 Shadscale Saltbush / Indian Ricegrass Shrubland | CEGL001311 | 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 confertifolia / Oryzopsis hymenoides (Caicco and Wellner 1983g)
? Atriplex confertifolia / Oryzopsis Shrubland Community Type (Moseley 1987b)
? Stable Spike Fescue Community Type (Moseley 1987a)
? Atriplex confertifolia / Oryzopsis Shrubland Community Type (Moseley 1987b)
? Stable Spike Fescue Community Type (Moseley 1987a)
- Baker, W. L. 1982b. Natural vegetation of the Piceance Basin, Colorado. Appendix D, pages 1-113 in: J. S. Peterson and W. L. Baker, editors. Inventory of the Piceance Basin, Colorado. Unpublished report for the Bureau Land Management, Craig, CO.
- Blackburn, W. H., P. T. Tueller, and R. E. Eckert, Jr. 1968a. Vegetation and soils of the Mill Creek watershed. Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin R-43. University of Nevada, Reno. 69 pp.
- Blackburn, W. H., P. T. Tueller, and R. E. Eckert, Jr. 1969b. Vegetation and soils of the Coils Creek watershed. Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin R-48. Reno. 81 pp.
- 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.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- Caicco, S. L., and C. A. Wellner. 1983g. Research Natural Area recommendation for Middle Canyon Alluvial Fan. Unpublished report prepared for USDI Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Falls District, Idaho by Idaho Natural Areas Coordinating Committee.
- Clark, D., M. Dela Cruz, T. Clark, J. Coles, S. Topp, A. Evenden, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Capitol Reef National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/187. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 882 pp.
- Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2008a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Dinosaur National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR-2008/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 814 pp.
- Erixson, J. A., and D. Cogan. 2009. Vegetation classification and mapping: Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/UCBN/NRTR--2009/212. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 206 pp.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- Keammerer, W. R. 1974b. Vegetation of Parachute Creek Valley. Pages 4-91 in: Environmental inventory and impact analysis of a proposed utilities corridor in Parachute Creek Valley, Co. Unpublished report prepared for Colony Development Operation, Denver, CO.
- Keammerer, W. R. 1977. Final report: Vegetation baseline studies, oil shale tract C-b. Unpublished report. Stoecker-Keammerer and Associates, Ecological Consultants, Boulder, CO. 183 pp.
- Moseley, R. K. 1987a. Synecological relationships of alpine spike-fescue (Leucopoa kingii (Wats.) Weber) grasslands in eastcentral Idaho, U.S.A. Unpublished manuscript prepared for Arctic and Alpine Research. 33 pp.
- Moseley, R. K. 1987b. Area of Critical Environmental Concern and Research Natural Area proposal for the Malm Gulch and Germer Basin area, Bureau of Land Management, Salmon District, Idaho. Unpublished report prepared for USDI Bureau of Land Management, Salmon District, ID, by The Nature Conservancy, Moscow, ID. 18 pp.
- 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.
- Rickard, W. H., and J. C. Beatley. 1965. Canopy-coverage of the desert shrub vegetation mosaic of the Nevada Test Site. Ecology 46(4):524-529.
- Romme, W. H., K. D. Heil, J. M. Porter, and R. Fleming. 1993. Plant communities of Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. USDI National Park Service, Technical Report NPS/NAUCARE/NRTER-93/02. Cooperative Park Studies Unit, Northern Arizona University. 37 pp.
- Rust, S. K., C. J. Murphy, G. Easdale, and C. Coulter. 2000b. Owyhee Plateau vegetation mapping project: Fixed area plots and stand level community observations, 1998-2000. Unpublished data on file at Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho Conservation Data Center, Boise, ID.
- Tendick, A., J. Spence, M. Reid, K. Shulz, G. Kittel, K. Green, A. Wight, and G. Wakefield. 2017. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRR—2017/1500. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 1464 pp.
- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
- Ward, R. T., W. Slauson, and R. L. Dix. 1974. The natural vegetation in the landscape of the Colorado oil shale region. Pages 9-17 in: C. W. Cook, editor. Surface rehabilitation of land disturbances resulting from oilshale development. Information Series 11, Environmental Resource Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Young, J. A., R. A. Evans, B. A. Roundy, and J. A. Brown. 1986. Dynamic landforms and plant communities in a pluvial lake basin. Great Basin Naturalist 46(1):1-21.