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CEGL003470 Atriplex canescens Desert Wash Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fourwing Saltbush Desert Wash Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This desert wash shrubland is known from the Colorado Plateau and northern Mojave Desert, extending into the southern Great Basin. Total vegetation cover is 6-30% and is dominated by a scattered to open canopy of Atriplex canescens. Associated shrubs include Artemisia filifolia, Atriplex gardneri, Brickellia longifolia, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Fraxinus anomala, Lycium andersonii, Rhus trilobata, and Suaeda moquinii. Herbaceous cover is sparse (<10% cover) with a variety of grasses and forbs such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Artemisia dracunculus, Muhlenbergia porteri, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Sphaeralcea parvifolia, Sporobolus contractus, Stanleya pinnata, and Scabrethia scabra. Non-native annuals such as Bromus rubens, Bromus tectorum and Salsola tragus are sometimes present. Stands occur on sandy terraces and wash bottoms at 1110 to 1600 m elevation. Sites are flat to gently sloping and occur in and along intermittent washes. Substrates are rapidly drained, sandy or gravelly soils derived from alluvium, cinder and sandstone. Scattered large rocks, gravel and bare ground cover most of the unvegetated surface.
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 sparse to low cover (6-25% total vegetation cover) and is characterized by a scattered to open canopy of Atriplex canescens. Associated shrubs include Artemisia filifolia, Atriplex gardneri, Brickellia longifolia, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Fraxinus anomala, Lycium andersonii, Rhus trilobata, and Suaeda moquinii (= Suaeda torreyana). Herbaceous cover is sparse (<10% cover) with a variety of species, including scattered grasses and forbs such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Artemisia dracunculus, Muhlenbergia porteri, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Sphaeralcea parvifolia, Sporobolus contractus, Stanleya pinnata, and Scabrethia scabra (= Wyethia scabra). Occasional sapling Populus fremontii may be present along the channel banks. Non-native annuals such as Bromus tectorum and Salsola tragus are sometimes present.
Dynamics: Atriplex canescens is tolerant of saline or alkaline soils, but is not restricted to those soils. Therefore, it is not a reliable indicator of those conditions (USFS 1937). This species is also intolerant of high water tables. This shrub is considered good forage for deer and many classes of livestock because it is highly nutritious and palatable (USFS 1937).
Environmental Description: Stands occur on sandy terraces and wash bottoms at 1110 to 1600 m elevation. Sites are flat to gently sloping and occur in and along intermittent washes. Substrates are rapidly drained, sandy or gravelly soils derived from alluvium, cinder and sandstone. Scattered large rocks, gravel and bare ground cover most of the unvegetated surface.
Geographic Range: This desert wash shrubland is known from the Colorado Plateau and northern Mojave Desert, extending into the southern Great Basin.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685791
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.4 Great Basin-Intermountain Xeric-Riparian Scrub Macrogroup | M095 | 3.B.1.Ne.4 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.4.a Fourwing Saltbush - Rubber Rabbitbrush Shrub & Herb Wash-Arroyo Group | G559 | 3.B.1.Ne.4.a |
| Alliance | A3266 Fourwing Saltbush - Rubber Rabbitbrush Desert Wash Alliance | A3266 | 3.B.1.Ne.4.a |
| Association | CEGL003470 Fourwing Saltbush Desert Wash Shrubland | CEGL003470 | 3.B.1.Ne.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Atriplex canescens Desert Wash Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Atriplex canescens Desert Wash Shrubland (Howard 2003a)
= Atriplex canescens Desert Wash Shrubland [Provisional] (Hansen et al. 2004b)
= Atriplex canescens Desert Wash Shrubland (Howard 2003a)
= Atriplex canescens Desert Wash Shrubland [Provisional] (Hansen et al. 2004b)
- Clark, D., M. Dela Cruz, T. Clark, J. Coles, S. Topp, A. Evenden, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Capitol Reef National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/187. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 882 pp.
- 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]
- Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- 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.
- Howard, J. L. 2003a. Atriplex canescens. In: Fire Effects Information System [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/] (accessed 13 July 2007).
- Romme, W. H., K. D. Heil, J. M. Porter, and R. Fleming. 1993. Plant communities of Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. USDI National Park Service, Technical Report NPS/NAUCARE/NRTER-93/02. Cooperative Park Studies Unit, Northern Arizona University. 37 pp.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, K. Decker, M. Hall, J. Von Loh, T. Belote, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2012. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Canyonlands National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2012/577. 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.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1937. Range plant handbook. Dover Publications Inc., New York. 816 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.