Print Report
CEGL001425 Artemisia nova / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Sagebrush / Needle-and-Thread Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is found in the foothills, plateaus and mountains of Nevada, Idaho, northwestern Colorado and Utah. Stands occur on flat mesatops, benches and plains or on steep pediment slopes, knolls and ridges, and elevations range from 1890 to 2530 m. Aspects are often southern. Substrates are typically shallow, stony soils often derived from calcareous parent materials such as limestone. Soil textures are variable and range from sandy, loamy, fine-textured or skeletal; argillic subsoil horizons are common. There is often an impenetrable subsurface layer from a duripan, caliche, or bedrock. Combined ground cover of bare ground, rock and gravel is often high (about 70% cover). Litter is concentrated under the shrub canopies. The vegetation is characterized by an open dwarf-shrub canopy (10-30% cover) that is dominated by Artemisia nova and a sparse herbaceous layer dominated by the perennial graminoid Hesperostipa comata with scattered forbs. Scattered Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria parryi, Grayia spinosa, Krascheninnikovia lanata, and Tetradymia canescens are common shrub associates that may be present in smaller amounts. Achnatherum hymenoides, Elymus elymoides, Koeleria macrantha, Pleuraphis jamesii, Poa fendleriana, or Poa secunda may be present in the herbaceous layer but have sparse cover. Forbs include species of Astragalus, Erigeron, Eriogonum, Packera, Phlox, and Penstemon. Introduced annual graminoids such as Bromus rubens and Bromus tectorum are common in disturbed stands.
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: This association is characterized by an open dwarf-shrub canopy (10-30% cover) that is dominated by Artemisia nova and a sparse herbaceous layer dominated by the perennial graminoid Hesperostipa comata with scattered forbs. Scattered Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria parryi, Grayia spinosa, Krascheninnikovia lanata, and Tetradymia canescens are common shrub associates that may be present in smaller amounts. Achnatherum hymenoides, Elymus elymoides, Koeleria macrantha, Pleuraphis jamesii, Poa fendleriana, or Poa secunda may be present in the herbaceous layer but have sparse cover. Other herbaceous species include Astragalus spp., Erigeron spp., Eriogonum racemosum, Linanthus pungens (= Leptodactylon pungens), Packera multilobata, Phlox longifolia, and Penstemon spp. Introduced annual graminoids such as Bromus rubens and Bromus tectorum are common in disturbed stands.
Dynamics: Artemisia nova is readily killed by all fire intensities, does not sprout after burning, and is slow to re-invade by seed from off-site sources (Wright et al. 1979, Tisdale and Hironaka 1981,). Generally, fire is not a significant ecological process of Artemisia nova-dominated communities because the sparse vegetation precludes the occurrence of fire (Wright et al. 1979). Fire frequency may be increased by the invasion of introduced annual grasses, such as Bromus tectorum or Bromus rubens, which provide fine fuels that allow fires to spread. The common associate Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus does sprout after fire and may replace Artemisia nova where fires are more frequent (Roberts et al. 1992).
Environmental Description: This association is found in the foothills, plateaus and mountains of Nevada, Idaho, northwestern Colorado and Utah. Elevation ranges from 1890-2530 m (6200-8300 feet). In Nevada, stands possibly could be found as low as 1676 m (5500 feet) elevation. Stands occur on flat mesatops, benches and plains or on steep pediment slopes and ridges. Aspects are often southern. Soils are typically shallow, stony, and often derived from calcareous parent materials such as limestone. Soil textures are variable and range from sandy, loamy, fine-textured or skeletal; argillic subsoil horizons are common. There is often an impenetrable subsurface layer from a duripan, caliche, or bedrock. Artemisia nova plants often grow in adjacent Artemisia tridentata shrublands that are found on deeper soils in basins. Combined ground cover of bare ground, rock and gravel is often high (about 70% cover). Litter is concentrated under the shrub canopies.
Geographic Range: This dwarf-shrubland association is present in the southern part of the Intermountain Region above 1890 m (6200 feet). This includes northern Utah and Nevada, northwestern Colorado (Jackson and Moffit counties) and southeastern Idaho.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, ID, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684891
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.2 Little Sagebrush - Black Sagebrush - Scabland Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M170 | 3.B.1.Ne.2 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b Little Sagebrush - Bigelow''s Sagebrush - Black Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G308 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
| Alliance | A3222 Black Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3222 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
| Association | CEGL001425 Black Sagebrush / Needle-and-Thread Shrubland | CEGL001425 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Artemisia nova - Stipa comata Habitat Type (Zamora and Tueller 1973)
= Artemisia nova / Stipa comata Association (Baker and Kennedy 1985)
= Artemisia nova / Stipa comata Community (Blackburn et al. 1968c)
= Artemisia nova / Stipa comata Plant Community (Roberts et al. 1992)
< Artemisia tridentata / Stipa comata Habitat Type (Hironaka et al. 1983) [Hironaka et al. (1983) mention that this habitat type is known to be present in Idaho and adjacent states but was not studied.]
= Artemisia nova / Stipa comata Association (Baker and Kennedy 1985)
= Artemisia nova / Stipa comata Community (Blackburn et al. 1968c)
= Artemisia nova / Stipa comata Plant Community (Roberts et al. 1992)
< Artemisia tridentata / Stipa comata Habitat Type (Hironaka et al. 1983) [Hironaka et al. (1983) mention that this habitat type is known to be present in Idaho and adjacent states but was not studied.]
- Baker, W. L., and S. C. Kennedy. 1985. Presettlement vegetation of part of northwestern Moffat County, Colorado, described from remnants. Great Basin Naturalist 45(4):747-777.
- Blackburn, W. H., P. T. Tueller, and R. E. Eckert, Jr. 1968c. Vegetation and soils of the Duckwater watershed. Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin R-40. University of Nevada, Reno. 76 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/]
- Cogan, D., M. Reid, K. Schulz, and M. Pucherelli. 2004. Zion National Park, Utah 1999-2003. Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-03-01. Remote Sensing and GIS Group Technical Service Center, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. Appendix F: Vegetation Association Descriptions for Zion.
- Hironaka, M., M. A. Fosberg, and A. H. Winward. 1983. Sagebrush-grass habitat types of southern Idaho. Forestry, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station Bulletin No. 15, University of Idaho, Moscow. 44 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.
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- Schulz, K. A., and M. E. Hall. 2011. Vegetation inventory project: Great Basin National Park. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network. NatureServe, Western Regional Office, Boulder, CO. 30 pp. plus Appendices A-H.
- Stevens, J. E., D. S. Jones, and K. J. Benner. 2015. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRYN/NRR--2015/1070. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 350 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.
- Thomas, K. A., M. L. McTeague, L. Ogden, M. L. Floyd, K. Schulz, B. Friesen, T. Fancher, R. Waltermire, and A. Cully. 2009b. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Mesa Verde National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/SCPN/NRR--2009/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 352 pp.
- Tisdale, E. W., and M. Hironaka. 1981. The sagebrush-grass region: A review of the ecological literature. University of Idaho Forest, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station Bulletin 33, Contribution 29. Moscow. 31 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Wright, H. A., L. F. Neuenschwander, and C. M. Britton. 1979. The role and use of fire in sagebrush-grass and pinyon-juniper plant communities: A state of the art review. General Technical Report INT-58. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.
- Zamora, B., and P. T. Tueller. 1973. Artemisia arbuscula, A. longiloba, and A. nova habitat types in northern Nevada. Great Basin Naturalist 33(4):225-242.