Print Report
CEGL001019 Artemisia tridentata (ssp. tridentata, ssp. xericensis) / Pseudoroegneria spicata - Poa secunda Shrub Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Basin Big Sagebrush, Foothill Big Sagebrush) / Bluebunch Wheatgrass - Sandberg Bluegrass Shrub Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a shrub herbaceous community found in Oregon on deep loess or alluvial soils. It is found on alluvial terraces, which are flat, or on Palouse (loess) hills, in which case it is found on flats or south-facing slopes. Soils are developed from loess deeper than 1.5 m (5 feet), and virtually free of gravel and stones. There are very few examples of this type left, and therefore, it has been poorly sampled. Artemisia tridentata is present in all stands, with cover ranging from 1-15% for stands in excellent condition, and greater in poorer condition stands. In terraces, Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata is clearly the subspecies present. In some of the loess stands, characterization of the sagebrush subspecies is more difficult. Pseudoroegneria spicata has up to 55% of the cover. Epigeous cryptogams, primarily lichens, occupy up to 13% of the cover and are characteristic of high-quality examples. Poa secunda can occupy up to 9% cover, while Phlox longifolia, Plectritis macrocera, Microsteris gracilis, Lithophragma glabrum, and Plantago patagonica are commonly found at low cover. Bromus tectorum dominates disturbed areas (ground-squirrel sites), even in the best condition stands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The classification of this community, and all Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata communities, is limited by the very significant lack of high-quality remnants. The few examples in the Columbia Basin are modified by altered fire regimes, overgrazing, and altered patterns of flooding. This Palouse community type appears very distinct, but is probably better classified by the bunch grasses and Palouse soils than by the subspecies of sagebrush. The distinction between this type and the more common ~Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Pseudoroegneria spicata Shrubland (CEGL001009)$$ and ~Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Pseudoroegneria spicata Shrub Grassland (CEGL001535)$$ is not clear. Wyoming sagebrush / bluebunch wheatgrass is quite common throughout the Intermountain West, but the codominance of bluegrass usually indicates a deep-soiled, rock-free site, which is fairly rare. Very deep-soiled, basin sagebrush sites have been badly degraded everywhere.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Artemisia tridentata is present in all stands, with cover ranging from 1-15% for stands in excellent condition, and greater in poorer condition stands. In terraces, Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata is clearly the subspecies present. In some of the loess stands, characterization of the sagebrush subspecies is more difficult. Pseudoroegneria spicata has up to 55% of the cover. Epigeous cryptogams, primarily lichens, occupy up to 13% of the cover and are characteristic of high-quality examples. Poa secunda can occupy up to 9% cover, while Phlox longifolia, Plectritis macrocera, Microsteris gracilis, Lithophragma glabrum (= Lithophragma bulbiferum), and Plantago patagonica are commonly found at low cover. Bromus tectorum dominates disturbed areas (ground-squirrel sites), even in the best condition stands.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community is found in Oregon on deep loess or alluvial soils on alluvial terraces, which are flat, or on Palouse (loess) hills, in which case it is found on flats or south-facing slopes. Soils are developed from loess deeper than 1.5 m (5 feet), and virtually free of gravel and stones. There are very few examples of this type left, and therefore, it has been poorly sampled.
Geographic Range: At one time, this type was probably common on deep soils at low to mid elevations throughout the inland areas of the Pacific Northwest. It is now restricted to a few, tiny remnants in Oregon.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: OR, WA?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686098
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
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.3 Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M169 | 3.B.1.Ne.3 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.3.b Basin Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G302 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.b |
| Alliance | A3183 Basin Big Sagebrush - Foothill Big Sagebrush Mesic Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3183 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.b |
| Association | CEGL001019 (Basin Big Sagebrush, Foothill Big Sagebrush) / Bluebunch Wheatgrass - Sandberg Bluegrass Shrub Grassland | CEGL001019 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia-Agropyron Association or the Artemisia-Agropyron Zone (Poulton 1955)
- 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.
- Kagan, J. S. 1987b. Boardman Natural Area, Oregon, evaluation for designation as a National Natural Landmark. Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Portland.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- ORNHP [Oregon Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data files. Oregon Natural Heritage Program, The Nature Conservancy, Portland, OR.
- Poulton, C. E. 1955. Ecology of the non-forested vegetation in Umatilla and Morrow counties, Oregon. Unpublished dissertation. State College of Washington, Pullman. 166 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.