Print Report
CEGL002784 Alhagi maurorum Ruderal Scrub
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Camelthorn Ruderal Scrub
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This ruderal scrub association occurs in the Colorado Plateau and is currently known from Wupatki National Monument in Arizona and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah. Vegetation ranges from open to moderately dense stands (18-58% total cover) and is characterized by a tall-shrub canopy dominated by exotic invasive Alhagi maurorum, with 10-45% cover. Associated tall shrubs include Ericameria nauseosa, Pluchea sericea, Salix exigua, and exotic invasive Tamarix chinensis. The understory has sparse to low cover and is dominated by exotic annuals, including Bromus diandrus, Bromus rubens, Bromus tectorum, and Salsola tragus. Stands occur along flat to gently sloping (up to 7°) riverbanks between 1130 and 1300 m elevation. The unvegetated surface is composed mainly of bare soil and litter, with lesser cover of sand and live vegetation litter, and sparse to low cover of large rocks and dead wood. Soils are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained sands, loamy sands, and clays derived from alluvium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau. The dominant species is a noxious deciduous shrub introduced for spring forage.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation ranges from open to moderately dense stands (18-58% total cover) and is characterized by a tall-shrub canopy dominated by exotic invasive Alhagi maurorum, with 10-45% cover. Associated tall shrubs include Ericameria nauseosa, Pluchea sericea, Salix exigua, and exotic invasive Tamarix chinensis. The understory has sparse to low cover and is dominated by exotic annuals, including Bromus diandrus, Bromus rubens, Bromus tectorum, and Salsola tragus.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands occur along flat to gently sloping (up to 7°) riverbanks between 1130 and 1300 m elevation. The unvegetated surface is composed mainly of bare soil and litter, with lesser cover of sand and live vegetation litter, and sparse to low cover of large rocks and dead wood. Soils are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained sands, loamy sands, and clays derived from alluvium.
Geographic Range: This ruderal scrub association occurs in the Colorado Plateau and is currently known from Wupatki National Monument in northern Arizona and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in southern Utah. It likely occurs elsewhere in the Colorado Plateau and western U.S.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685581
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.90 Crested Wheatgrass - Cheatgrass - Tall Tumblemustard Western North American Ruderal Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M499 | 3.B.1.Ne.90 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a Great Basin-Intermountain Ruderal Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group | G600 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Alliance | A3253 Camelthorn - Syrian Bean-caper Ruderal Shrubland Alliance | A3253 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Association | CEGL002784 Camelthorn Ruderal Scrub | CEGL002784 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Alhagi maurorum Semi-natural Shrubland (Hansen et al. 2004b)
- Coles, J., M. Hansen, and K. Thomas. 2003. Wupatki National Monument, Arizona, vegetation classification and distribution: A USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program study. Southwest Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey Open-file Report. [in preparation]
- Hansen, M., J. Coles, K. A. Thomas, D. Cogan, M. Reid, J. Von Loh, and K. Schulz. 2004b. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Wupatki National Monument, Arizona, vegetation classification and distribution. U.S. Geological Survey Technical Report. Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ. 229 pp.
- Kearney, T. H., and R. H. Peebles, and collaborators. 1969. Arizona flora. University of California, Berkeley, CA. 1085 pp.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.