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CEGL001277 Larrea tridentata / Sporobolus airoides Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Creosotebush / Alkali Sacaton Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a major type that occurs extensively throughout the Tularosa and Jornada del Muerto basins in New Mexico. It is also reported from Texas. This association primarily occurs at low elevations on alluvial plains and across basin flats. Because slope grades are very gentle and often flat, soils, not aspects, are probably the important determinant of community distribution. They are generally fine in texture, but may vary between loamy sands and silty loams, with occasional gravel deposits. This structure is probably maintained by the late-summer monsoon runoff received from surrounding mountains. This is a moderately diverse Chihuahuan shrubland that is characterized by a very open Larrea tridentata-dominated canopy and a grassy understory which is clearly dominated by Sporobolus airoides. The shrub layer frequently includes scattered Atriplex canescens, Lycium berlandieri, Prosopis glandulosa (a suggested phase), and sometimes Flourensia cernua. The understory densities are highly variable among stands, and often the bunchgrasses will intermix with bare soil patches. Other species common to the herbaceous layer include Muhlenbergia porteri (found under and around shrub canopies) and Acourtia nana, which may indicate mesic microsites.
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: 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.2.685053
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.3 Black Grama - Bullgrass - Tobosa Grass Chihuahuan Semi-Desert Grassland Macrogroup | M087 | 3.A.2.Na.3 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.3.d Tobosa Grass - Alkali Sacaton - Vine-mesquite Semi-Desert Lowland Grassland Group | G489 | 3.A.2.Na.3.d |
| Alliance | A3186 Alkali Sacaton - Big Sacaton - Vine-mesquite Lowland Desert Grassland Alliance | A3186 | 3.A.2.Na.3.d |
| Association | CEGL001277 Creosotebush / Alkali Sacaton Shrubland | CEGL001277 | 3.A.2.Na.3.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Larrea tridentata / Sporobolus airoides Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 1998d)
= Creosotebush/Alkali Sacaton PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Larrea tridentata/Sporobolus airoides; LARTRI/SPOAIR)]
= Creosotebush/Alkali Sacaton PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Larrea tridentata/Sporobolus airoides; LARTRI/SPOAIR)]
- 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.
- Donart, G. B., D. Sylvester, and W. Hickey. 1978a. A vegetation classification system for New Mexico, USA. Pages 488-490 in: Rangeland Congress, Denver, CO, 14-18 August 1978. Society for Range Management, Denver.
- 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., 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.