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CEGL002691 Sporobolus cryptandrus Great Basin Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sand Dropseed Great Basin Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: The association is found on terraces of large rivers in the Colorado Plateau and Uinta Basin and likely occurs elsewhere in the southwestern U.S. The vegetation is dominated by the warm-season perennial graminoid Sporobolus cryptandrus. Other graminoids such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Equisetum variegatum, Hesperostipa comata, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus contractus, or Sporobolus giganteus frequently occur in low abundance. Low cover of native forbs such as Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia or Chamaesyce fendleri may be present. The introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum and several other exotic or invasive species such as Bromus diandrus ssp. rigidus, Schismus barbatus, Salsola kali, Helianthus annuus, Sisymbrium altissimum, or Tribulus terrestris may be present to abundant, especially on disturbed riparian stands. Occasional Brickellia spp. or other shrubs may occur, but they are not dense enough to form a shrub layer. This plant association is described from the Uinta Basin and Colorado Plateau where it occurs on alluvial terraces of major rivers, sandy upper stream terraces along intermittent washes, and on sand deposits on mesas and plains. Elevation ranges from 1158 to 1630 m. Soils are loamy sands and sandy loams derived from alluvium, eolian deposits or sandstone residuum. Sites have generally been disturbed by flooding, shifting sands, livestock grazing, or human recreation.
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. The association is broadly defined to include Sporobolus cryptandrus-dominated stands from both riparian and sandy upland sites in the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin. This plant association is similar to the threatened, regionally endemic Sporobolus cryptandrus plant associations from the Columbia Basin and lower Snake River that have declined significantly due to loss of habitat from hydroelectric dam construction and conversion of land to cultivation. Many of the riparian stands in these associations are in poor condition because of past management and invasion of introduced species.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The sparse to moderately dense (10-40% cover) herbaceous layer is characterized by the dominance of the warm-season perennial graminoid Sporobolus cryptandrus. Other graminoids such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Equisetum variegatum, Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata), Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus contractus, Sporobolus flexuosus, or Sporobolus giganteus may occur in low abundance. Low cover of native forbs, such as Abronia fragrans, Ambrosia acanthicarpa, Chamaesyce fendleri, Cryptantha spp., Eriogonum inflatum, Oenothera pallida, Plantago patagonica, Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, Sphaeralcea parvifolia, or the succulent Opuntia polyacantha may be present. The widespread introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum and several other exotic or invasive species such as Bromus diandrus ssp. rigidus (= Bromus rigidus), Schismus barbatus, Salsola kali, Helianthus annuus, Sisymbrium altissimum, or Tribulus terrestris may be present to abundant, especially on disturbed riparian stands. An occasional Brickellia spp. or other shrubs such as Atriplex canescens, Ephedra cutleri, Ephedra torreyana, Opuntia spp., or Psorothamnus fremontii may occur, but they are not dense enough to form a shrub layer. Moss is important in some stands.
Dynamics: Disturbance is present and appears to be important in the maintenance of this vegetation. Sporobolus cryptandrus occurs throughout the western U.S. as a minor species, occasionally becoming locally dominant in disturbed or sandy sites in the midgrass prairie (Weaver and Albertson 1956). This perennial grass produces prolific seeds that are long-lived in the soil (20 years), and is observed to increase in abundance on disturbed and grazing-depleted ranges (USFS 1937).
Environmental Description: This grassland is described from the Uinta Basin and Colorado Plateau where it occurs on alluvial terraces of large rivers, sandy upper stream terraces along intermittent washes, and on sand deposits on mesas and plains. Elevation ranges from 1158 -1630 m. Sites are flat to gently sloping valley bottoms, plains or plateaus. Soils are loamy sands and sandy loams derived from alluvium, eolian deposits or sandstone residuum. Biological soil crusts are generally present and may provide up to 30% cover. Stands have generally been disturbed by flooding, shifting sands, livestock grazing, or human recreation.
Geographic Range: The association is found on terraces of large rivers in the Colorado Plateau and Uinta Basin in northern Arizona and southern Utah and likely occurs elsewhere in the southwestern U.S.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686253
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c James'' Galleta - Indian Ricegrass - Needle-and-Thread Semi-Desert Grassland Group | G311 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
| Alliance | A1270 Needle-and-Thread Grassland Alliance | A1270 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
| Association | CEGL002691 Sand Dropseed Great Basin Grassland | CEGL002691 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Sporobolus cryptandrus Great Basin Herbaceous Vegetation (Cogan et al. 2004)
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