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CEGL001547 Artemisia filifolia / Sporobolus flexuosus Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sand Sagebrush / Mesa Dropseed Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland occurs on smooth to hummocky sandsheets found within the Jornada del Muerto and Tularosa basins of New Mexico at low elevations (1160-1520 m [3800-5000 feet]). One stand was reported from sandy deposits located on the leeward footslopes of the southern San Andres Mountains at about 1710 m (5600 feet) elevation. However, because slopes are mostly gentle, aspect is probably not as important a determinant of community distribution as are the sandy soils. Soils are deep and sandy Torripsamments, and probably of relatively recent origin with little structure development. Moderately open, plains shrubland (25-30% average cover) of waist-high Artemisia filifolia, with an understory characterized by scattered, tall bunchgrasses, typically Sporobolus flexuosus. The shrub layer may include up to 17 species, the most common being Yucca elata, Atriplex canescens, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. Other shrubs associated with sandy soils, and occasionally present, include Psorothamnus scoparius. Grass cover is abundant and diverse with up to 23 mostly sandy-soil-adapted, warm-season species. Of these, Sporobolus flexuosus is generally the dominant grass; however, with increased sand depth, Sporobolus giganteus (a suggested phase) becomes more prevalent and occasionally may even dominate. An additional common associate is Achnatherum hymenoides. A rich forb layer of late summer bloomers is possible within inter-shrub spaces. The most common are Dimorphocarpa wislizeni, Baileya multiradiata, Sphaeralcea spp., and Helianthus annuus.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: ~Artemisia filifolia / Bouteloua eriopoda Shrubland (CEGL001077)$$ and Sand Sagebrush/Galleta PA and Hoary Rosemarymint/Mesa Dropseed PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) are shrubland communities on sandy plains. Mesa Dropseed/Soaptree Yucca grasslands (Muldavin et al. 2000b) are also known from sandy plains, but lack a significant shrub layer. Although sagebrush stands within the northern Jornada Basin may intermix with other habitat types, this type is generally limited to the deepest accumulations of sand. It sometimes occurs on sandy deposits that have accumulated on lower alluvial fan piedmonts below Larrea tridentata and Flourensia cernua types (commonly located on erosive surfaces rather than sand deposits). Moving sand, rather than lack of water, is the limiting factor for plants on sand (Bowers 1982). Artemisia filifolia and Sporobolus flexuosus are often seen on sandy substrates, but do not grow rapidly in response to shifting sands. Their abundant presence on these sandsheets indicates these sands are fairly stable.
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, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685696
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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.2 Creosotebush - American Tarwort - Mesquite species Chihuahuan Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M086 | 3.A.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.2.c Sand Sagebrush - Broom Smokebush Sand Scrub Group | G287 | 3.A.2.Na.2.c |
| Alliance | A3136 Sand Sagebrush Desert Sand Scrub Alliance | A3136 | 3.A.2.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL001547 Sand Sagebrush / Mesa Dropseed Shrubland | CEGL001547 | 3.A.2.Na.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia filifolia / Sporobolus flexuosus Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 1998d)
= Sand Sagebrush/Mesa Dropseed PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Artemisia filifolia/Sporobolus flexuosus; ARTFIL/SPOFLE)]
= Sand Sagebrush/Mesa Dropseed PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Artemisia filifolia/Sporobolus flexuosus; ARTFIL/SPOFLE)]
- 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.
- Bowers, J. E. 1982. The plant ecology of inland dunes in western North America. Journal of Arid Environments 5:199-220.
- Dick-Peddie, W. A. 1993. New Mexico vegetation: Past, present, and future. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. 244 pp.
- 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.
- 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.