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CEGL001709 Hesperostipa neomexicana - Bouteloua curtipendula Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: New Mexico Feathergrass - Sideoats Grama Grassland
Colloquial Name: New Mexico Feathergrass - Sideoats Grama Mixedgrass Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association has been documented primarily in central New Mexico, but likely extends into the Southern Shortgrass Prairie of eastern New Mexico. It is specifically known from the foothills of the Sierra Oscura, San Andres Mountains, and Otero Mesa. This association primarily occurs on steep colluvial slopes and on the mid and upper portions of smooth dip slopes with warm to moderate aspects. Stands also occur within upland valleys that dissect the eastern slopes of the Sierra Oscura. Elevations are moderate to high at 1400-2200 m (4600-7200 feet). Substrates are generally Paleozoic limestones and/or sandstones, but occasionally include igneous granitic rocks. The ground surfaces are generally gravelly, with scattered rocks and little exposed soil. Surface soils range from sandy loams to clays. With depth, soils often have well-developed caliche layers of secondary calcium carbonate accumulation. This Plains-Mesa-Foothill grassland is characterized by a luxuriant cover of the cool-season grass Hesperostipa neomexicana, along with the warm-season grass Bouteloua curtipendula. The grass layer also includes other Bouteloua and Aristida spp. that are present in over half the stands. The shrub layer seldom exceeds 5% cover and consists mostly of low-growing dwarf species such as Parthenium incanum, Yucca baccata, Opuntia phaeacantha and Dalea formosa. The forb layer is minimal, with Melampodium leucanthum being the most constant species.
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 grassland is characterized by a luxuriant cover of the cool-season grass Hesperostipa neomexicana (= Stipa neomexicana), along with the warm-season grass Bouteloua curtipendula. The grass layer also includes other Bouteloua and Aristida spp. that are present in over half the stands. The shrub layer seldom exceeds 5% cover and consists mostly of low-growing dwarf species such as Parthenium incanum, Yucca baccata, Opuntia phaeacantha and Dalea formosa. The forb layer is minimal, with Melampodium leucanthum being the most constant species.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association primarily occurs on steep colluvial slopes and on the mid and upper portions of smooth dip slopes with warm to moderate aspects. Stands also occur within upland valleys that dissect the eastern slopes of the Sierra Oscura. Elevations are moderate to high at 1400-2200 m (4600-7200 feet). Substrates are generally Paleozoic limestones and/or sandstones, but occasionally include igneous granitic rocks. The ground surfaces are generally gravelly, with scattered rocks and little exposed soil. Surface soils range from sandy loams to clays. With depth, soils often have well-developed caliche layers of secondary calcium carbonate accumulation.
Geographic Range: This association has been documented primarily in central New Mexico, but likely extends into the Southern Shortgrass Prairie of eastern New Mexico. It is specifically known from the foothills of the Sierra Oscura, San Andres Mountains, and Otero Mesa.
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685415
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.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.a Black Grama - Chino Grama - Bush Muhly Semi-Desert Grassland Group | G490 | 3.A.2.Na.3.a |
| Alliance | A3206 Bullgrass - Curly-leaf Muhly - New Mexico Feathergrass Madrean Lower Montane Grassland Alliance | A3206 | 3.A.2.Na.3.a |
| Association | CEGL001709 New Mexico Feathergrass - Sideoats Grama Grassland | CEGL001709 | 3.A.2.Na.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Stipa neomexicana - Bouteloua curtipendula PA (Muldavin and Mehlhop 1992)
= New Mexico Needlegrass-Sideoats Grama PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Stipa neomexicana-Bouteloua curtipendula: STINEO-BOUCUR)]
= New Mexico Needlegrass-Sideoats Grama PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Stipa neomexicana-Bouteloua curtipendula: STINEO-BOUCUR)]
- 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.
- 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.
- NHNM [Natural Heritage New Mexico]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Natural Heritage New Mexico, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.