Print Report
CEGL001789 Atriplex obovata Talus Dwarf-shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mound Saltbush Talus Dwarf-shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This saltbush dwarf-shrubland association is currently described from the Colorado Plateau in Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in northern Arizona and southern Utah. Vegetation is characterized by the dominance of Atriplex obovata in the open short-shrub stratum. Ephedra torreyana also regularly occurs in the short-shrub layer. Tall shrubs are absent, but other dwarf-shrubs such as Atriplex confertifolia, Brickellia atractyloides, Coleogyne ramosissima, Encelia frutescens, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia basilaris, Opuntia polyacantha, and Picrothamnus desertorum may sporadically occur. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse, with scattered grasses including Dasyochloa pulchella, Muhlenbergia porteri, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Sporobolus sp. Cryptantha sp., Thymophylla pentachaeta, Machaeranthera pinnatifida, Lepidium sp., Phacelia crenulata, Plantago patagonica, Sphaeralcea sp., and Stanleya pinnata are common components of the sparse forb understory. Stands occur on talus slopes, toeslopes, hills, and buttes and are typically found on moderate to very steep (15-40°), southwest- to southeast-facing slopes. Elevation ranges from 975 to 1329 m (3225-4360 feet). The unvegetated surface is composed of nearly equal parts large and small rocks and bare soil, with trace to low cover of litter, sand, and bedrock. Soils are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained sands, sandy or silty loams, or clay loams derived from limestone or sandstone bedrock or from talus/colluvial deposits from the Morrison or Chinle formations.
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.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation is characterized by the dominance of Atriplex obovata in the open short-shrub stratum. Ephedra torreyana also regularly occurs in the short-shrub layer. Tall shrubs are absent, but other dwarf-shrubs such as Atriplex confertifolia, Brickellia atractyloides, Coleogyne ramosissima, Encelia frutescens, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia basilaris, Opuntia polyacantha, and Picrothamnus desertorum (= Artemisia spinescens) may sporadically occur. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse, with scattered grasses including Dasyochloa pulchella, Muhlenbergia porteri, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Sporobolus sp. Occasionally a well-developed graminoid layer forms that is typically dominated by non-native annuals Bromus rubens or Bromus tectorum. Cryptantha sp., Thymophylla pentachaeta, Machaeranthera pinnatifida, Lepidium sp., Phacelia crenulata, Plantago patagonica, Sphaeralcea sp., and Stanleya pinnata are common components of the sparse forb understory.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This saltbush dwarf-shrubland association occurs on talus slopes, toeslopes, hills, and buttes and is typically found on moderate to very steep (15-40°), southwest- to southeast-facing slopes. Elevation ranges from 975 to 1329 m (3225-4360 feet). The unvegetated surface is composed of nearly equal parts large and small rocks and bare soil, with trace to low cover of litter, sand, and bedrock. Soils are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained sands, sandy or silty loams, or clay loams derived from limestone or sandstone bedrock or from talus/colluvial deposits from the Morrison or Chinle formations.
Geographic Range: This shrubland association is currently known from Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in southeastern Utah. More survey work is needed to fully document its global range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685629
Confidence Level: Low
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.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 | A3180 Mound Saltbush - Valley Saltbush Scrub Alliance | A3180 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Association | CEGL001789 Mound Saltbush Talus Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL001789 | 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 obovata Dwarf-shrubland (Thomas et al. 2003b)
- Kearsley, M. J. C., K. Green, M. Tukman, M. Reid, M. Hall, T. J. Ayers, and K. Christie. 2015. Grand Canyon National Park-Grand Canyon / Parashant National Monument vegetation classification and mapping project. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRCA/NRR--2015/913. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 75 pp. plus appendices.
- Reid, M. S., and M. E. Hall. 2010. Vegetation classification of Grand Canyon National Park. Draft report submitted to National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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.
- Thomas, K., M. Hansen and C. Seger. 2003b. Vegetation of Petrified Forest National Park, Part I: Vegetation of Petrified Forest National Park. Southwest Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey unpublished report to Petrified Forest National Park.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.