Print Report

CEGL001418 Artemisia nova / Elymus elymoides Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Sagebrush / Squirreltail Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is found in the foothills, plateaus and mountains of Nevada and Utah. Stands occur on well-drained slopes, knolls and ridges. Substrates are typically shallow, gravelly or stony soils derived from calcareous parent materials such as limestone. These soils are frequently coarse-textured, but subsoil argillic horizons are common. There is often an impenetrable subsurface layer from a duripan, caliche, or bedrock. Artemisia nova plants often grow in adjacent Artemisia tridentata shrublands that are found on deeper soils in basins. Combined ground cover of bare ground, rock and gravel is often high (about 70% cover). Litter is concentrated under the shrub canopies. The vegetation is characterized by an open dwarf-shrub canopy (10-30% cover) that is dominated by Artemisia nova and a sparse herbaceous layer dominated by the perennial graminoid Elymus elymoides with scattered forbs. Atriplex confertifolia, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra nevadensis, Ephedra viridis, and Grayia spinosa are common shrub associates that may be present in smaller amounts. The herbaceous layer includes low cover of species of Comandra, Cryptantha, Erigeron, Eriogonum, Machaeranthera, Phlox, Penstemon, and Poa secunda. Introduced annual graminoids such as Bromus rubens and Bromus tectorum are common in disturbed stands.

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: This association is characterized by an open dwarf-shrub canopy (10-30% cover) that is dominated by Artemisia nova and a sparse herbaceous layer dominated by the perennial graminoid Elymus elymoides with scattered forbs. Atriplex confertifolia, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra nevadensis, Ephedra viridis, and Grayia spinosa are common shrub associates that may be present in smaller amounts. Other herbaceous species include Comandra umbellata ssp. pallida (= Comandra pallida), Cryptantha spp., Erigeron spp., Eriogonum microthecum, Machaeranthera canescens, Phlox longifolia, Penstemon spp., and Poa secunda. Introduced annual graminoids such as Bromus rubens and Bromus tectorum are common in disturbed stands.

Dynamics:  Artemisia nova is readily killed by all fire intensities, does not sprout after burning, and is slow to re-invade by seed from off-site sources (Tisdale and Hironaka 1981, Wright et al. 1997). Generally, fire is not a significant ecological process of Artemisia nova-dominated communities because the sparse vegetation precludes the occurrence of fire (Wright et al. 1997). Fire frequency may increase because invasion of introduced annual grasses, such as Bromus tectorum or Bromus rubens, provides fine fuel that allows fires to spread.
Environmental Description:  This association is found in the foothills, plateaus and mountains of Nevada and Utah. Elevation ranges from 1525-2200 m (5000-7200 feet). Stands occur on well-drained slopes and ridges. Soils are typically shallow, gravelly or stony, and often are derived from calcareous parent materials such as limestone. Soil is often coarse-textured, and subsoil argillic horizons are common. There is often an impenetrable subsurface layer from a duripan, caliche, or bedrock. Artemisia nova plants often grow in adjacent Artemisia tridentata shrublands that are found on deeper soils in basins. Combined ground cover of bare ground, rock and gravel is often high (about 70% cover). Litter is concentrated under the shrub canopies.
Geographic Range: This dwarf-shrubland association occurs in the foothills, plateaus and mountains of Nevada and Utah at elevations above 1525 m (5000 feet).

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  NV, UT


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5

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.2 Little Sagebrush - Black Sagebrush - Scabland Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup M170 3.B.1.Ne.2
Group 3.B.1.Ne.2.b Little Sagebrush - Bigelow''s Sagebrush - Black Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group G308 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Alliance A3222 Black Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance A3222 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Association CEGL001418 Black Sagebrush / Squirreltail Shrubland CEGL001418 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia arbuscula nova Habitat Types (Lewis 1975a)
= Artemisia nova/Atriplex confertifolia/Sitanion hystrix Community Type (Jensen et al. 1988a)
= Artemisia nova Association (Ostler et al. 2000)
< Artemisia tridentata-A. arbuscula subsp. nova mosaic (Rickard and Beatley 1965)
Concept Author(s): K.A. Schulz

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-16-02
  • 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.
  • Cogan, D., M. Reid, K. Schulz, and M. Pucherelli. 2004. Zion National Park, Utah 1999-2003. Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-03-01. Remote Sensing and GIS Group Technical Service Center, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. Appendix F: Vegetation Association Descriptions for Zion.
  • Jensen, M. E., L. S. Peck, and M. V. Wilson. 1988a. A sagebrush community type classification for mountainous northeastern Nevada rangelands. Great Basin Naturalist 48(4):422-433.
  • Lewis, M. E. 1975a. Plant communities of the Jarbidge Mountain Complex, Humboldt National Forest. Unpublished report compiled for USDA Forest Service, Region IV, Ogden, UT. 22 pp.
  • Ostler, W. K., D. J. Hansen, D. C. Anderson, and D. B. Hall. 2000. Classification of vegetation on the Nevada Test Site. DOE/NV/11718-477. U.S. Department of Energy, Bechtel Nevada Ecological Services, Las Vegas, NV. 102 pp.
  • Peterson, E. B. 2008. International Vegetation Classification alliances and associations occurring in Nevada with proposed additions. Nevada Natural Heritage Program, Carson City, NV. 348 pp.
  • Rickard, W. H., and J. C. Beatley. 1965. Canopy-coverage of the desert shrub vegetation mosaic of the Nevada Test Site. Ecology 46(4):524-529.
  • Tendick, A., G. Kittel, J. Von Loh, P. Williams, D. Cogan, J. Coles, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2011b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Bryce Canyon National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2011/442. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Tisdale, E. W., and M. Hironaka. 1981. The sagebrush-grass region: A review of the ecological literature. University of Idaho Forest, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station Bulletin 33, Contribution 29. Moscow. 31 pp.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
  • Wright, H. A., L. F. Neuenschwander, and C. M. Britton. 1979. The role and use of fire in sagebrush-grass and pinyon-juniper plant communities: A state of the art review. General Technical Report INT-58. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.