Print Report
CEGL001591 Bouteloua curtipendula - Hilaria belangeri - Bouteloua eriopoda Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sideoats Grama - Curly-mesquite - Black Grama Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This mixed desert grassland association occurs on alluvial fans, ridges, and valley floors in southern Arizona. Elevation is around 1070 m (3500 feet). Sites are on gentle to moderate slopes. Substrates are variable but have been described as well-drained sandy loam. Moderate cover (30%) of small rocks is common. The moderately dense herbaceous layer is generally codominated by Hilaria belangeri, Bouteloua eriopoda, and Bouteloua curtipendula, but stands may have low cover of one or more of these species. Gutierrezia microcephala cover is significant in some stands. Scattered Prosopis velutina shrubs may be present at low cover. Annual grasses may be abundant, but there is good cover of perennial grasses. Other species present in low cover include Aristida adscensionis, Boerhavia coccinea, Bouteloua aristidoides, Bouteloua barbata, Bouteloua chondrosioides, Bouteloua hirsuta, Chamaesyce hyssopifolia, Chloris virgata, Echinocereus rigidissimus, Eragrostis intermedia, and Panicum hirticaule. Bouteloua rothrockii may be present but only with low cover. The exotic perennial grass Eragrostis lehmanniana is present in some stands but with less than 25% cover and less than a third of the total cover of perennial grasses.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association may also occur in Texas and New Mexico.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The moderately dense herbaceous layer is generally codominated by Hilaria belangeri, Bouteloua eriopoda, and Bouteloua curtipendula, but stands may have low cover of one or more of these species. Gutierrezia microcephala cover is significant in some stands. Scattered Prosopis velutina shrubs may be present at low cover. Annual grasses may be abundant, but there is good cover of perennial grasses. Other species present in low cover include Aristida adscensionis, Boerhavia coccinea, Bouteloua aristidoides, Bouteloua barbata, Bouteloua chondrosioides, Bouteloua hirsuta, Chamaesyce hyssopifolia, Chloris virgata, Echinocereus rigidissimus, Eragrostis intermedia, and Panicum hirticaule. Bouteloua rothrockii may be present but only with low cover. The exotic perennial grass Eragrostis lehmanniana is present in some stands but with less than 25% cover and less than a third of the total cover of perennial grasses.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This mixed desert grassland association occurs on alluvial fans, ridges, and valley floors in southern Arizona. Elevation is around 1070 m (3500 feet). Sites are on gentle to moderate slopes. Substrates are variable but have been described as well-drained sandy loam. Moderate cover (30%) of small rocks is common.
Geographic Range: This grassland is found in southern Arizona, but it likely occurs across southern New Mexico, Texas and northern Mexico.
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: AZ, MXCOA?, MXSON?, NM?, TX?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686166
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.3 Black Grama - Bullgrass - Tobosa Grass Chihuahuan Semi-Desert Grassland Macrogroup | M087 | 3.A.2.Na.3 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.3.a Black Grama - Chino Grama - Bush Muhly Semi-Desert Grassland Group | G490 | 3.A.2.Na.3.a |
| Alliance | A3204 Black Grama - Chino Grama Piedmont Desert Grassland Alliance | A3204 | 3.A.2.Na.3.a |
| Association | CEGL001591 Sideoats Grama - Curly-mesquite - Black Grama Grassland | CEGL001591 | 3.A.2.Na.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Hilaria belangeri Community (Johnson 1961c)
- 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.
- Johnson, D. E. 1961c. Edaphic factors affecting the distribution of creosotebush (Larrea tridentata (DC.) Cov.) in desert grassland sites of southeastern Arizona. Unpublished thesis, University of Arizona, Tucson. 58 pp.
- Schulz, K. A. 2004. Vegetation classification of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona. Unpublished report submitted to USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. NatureServe, Western Regional Office, Boulder, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.