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CEGL002232 Sporobolus wrightii Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Big Sacaton Grassland
Colloquial Name: Big Sacaton Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association includes saline grasslands occurring in the lower Rio Grande Valley and extends as far west as Arivaca Cienega, Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona. Stands occur at the base of many clay dunes (lomas). This grassland occurs on clayey substrates at the wetland/upland boundary; the hydrology is unclear. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense to dense herbaceous layer dominated by Sporobolus wrightii. It often grades downward into vegetation dominated by Spartina spartinae, Spartina patens, Batis maritima, or Borrichia frutescens. Other species occurring in this community may include Spartina spartinae and emergent Yucca treculeana. It may also form a continuous cover on low-elevation lomas with only scattered emergent shrubs.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This vegetation appears to generally occur in saline situations, possibly with a permanently high water table, but where surface water rarely occurs (and when it does for short duration). Placement in an upland alliance may be preferable.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is dominated by Sporobolus wrightii. Other species occurring in this community may include Spartina spartinae and emergent Yucca treculeana.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This vegetation occurs at the base of many clay dunes (lomas) in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas and extends as far west as Arivaca Cienega, Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona. It may also form a continuous cover on low-elevation lomas. This grassland occurs on saline clayey substrates at the wetland/upland boundary, and the hydrology is unclear.
Geographic Range: This association is found in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas and Tamaulipas, Mexico, and extends as far west as Arivaca Cienega, Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona. It is likely more widespread in northern Mexico.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: AZ, MXTAM, NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686239
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
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.d Tobosa Grass - Alkali Sacaton - Vine-mesquite Semi-Desert Lowland Grassland Group | G489 | 3.A.2.Na.3.d |
| Alliance | A3186 Alkali Sacaton - Big Sacaton - Vine-mesquite Lowland Desert Grassland Alliance | A3186 | 3.A.2.Na.3.d |
| Association | CEGL002232 Big Sacaton Grassland | CEGL002232 | 3.A.2.Na.3.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Sporobolus wrightii Monotypic Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 1998d)
= Giant Sacaton/Monotypic Stand PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Sporobolus wrightii/Monotypic: SPOWRI/MONTYP)]
= Giant Sacaton/Monotypic Stand PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Sporobolus wrightii/Monotypic: SPOWRI/MONTYP)]
- Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 pp.
- Johnston, M. C. 1952. Vegetation of eastern Cameron County, Texas. M.S. thesis, University of Texas, Austin. 127 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
- 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.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.