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CEGL001514 Sporobolus cryptandrus Shrub Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sand Dropseed Shrub Grassland
Colloquial Name: Sand Dropseed Shrub Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This late-seral association has a bimodal distribution, being recorded for both the northernmost portion of the Bighorn Basin Section (342A) in Montana and the lowest elevations of Hells Canyon within the Blue Mountains Section (M332) in Idaho. In the Hells Canyon vicinity it is associated with dry alluvial bars and stream terraces, whereas in Montana it has been described from a single, sandy-soil valley bottom location. Sporobolus cryptandrus, a mid-sized bunchgrass associated with sandy and most especially excessively drained soils, dominates the herbaceous layer (30-50% canopy cover) in mid- to late-seral (good condition) stands; its cover may be much reduced in early-seral (poor condition) stands as a result of livestock grazing. Beyond Sporobolus cryptandrus dominance, there is not much similarity in the vegetation composition between the Montana and Hells Canyon sites, though both locations do have low forb cover and diversity. Weedy species are present in both areas; Halogeton glomeratus in Montana, and annual bromes and Hypericum perforatum in Hells Canyon/Snake River sites. Hells Canyon sites also have a discontinuous bryophyte layer. ~Sporobolus cryptandrus Shrub Grassland (CEGL001514)$$ differs from ~Sporobolus cryptandrus - Poa secunda Grassland (CEGL001516)$$ and ~Pseudoroegneria spicata - Poa secunda Grassland (CEGL001677)$$ by lacking both Poa secunda and Pseudoroegneria spicata, and occurring only in canyon bottom sites, on terraces with excessively drained soils.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Sporobolus cryptandrus, a mid-sized bunchgrass associated with sandy and most especially excessively drained soils, dominates the herbaceous layer (30-50% canopy cover) in mid- to late-seral (good condition) stands; its cover may be much reduced in early-seral (poor condition) stands as a result of livestock grazing. Beyond Sporobolus cryptandrus dominance, there is not much similarity in the vegetation composition between the Montana and Hells Canyon sites, though both locations do have low forb cover and diversity. Weedy species are present in both areas; Halogeton glomeratus in Montana, and annual bromes and Hypericum perforatum in Hells Canyon/Snake River sites. Hells Canyon sites also have a discontinuous bryophyte layer.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: In the Hells Canyon vicinity it is associated with dry alluvial bars and stream terraces, whereas in Montana it has been described from a single, sandy-soil valley bottom location.
Geographic Range: The genus Sporobolus and communities recognized by Sporobolus dominance are best developed in the southwestern United States (Bourgeron and Engelking 1994) but Sporobolus cryptandrus is somewhat anomalous, constituting a community dominant at scattered locations in the northwest. Distribution of this specific association is very restricted, tied to two ecoregional Sections (Blue Mountains, M332G and Bighorn Basin, 342A) associated with some of the hottest and driest (meso)climates found within Oregon, Idaho and Montana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, MT, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686294
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.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 | A3977 Sand Dropseed - Red Three-awn - Sandberg Bluegrass Sandy Stream Terrace Grassland Alliance | A3977 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
| Association | CEGL001514 Sand Dropseed Shrub Grassland | CEGL001514 | 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: No Data Available
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