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CEGL000276 Artemisia bigelovii Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bigelow''s Sagebrush Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: The vegetation is dominated by Artemisia bigelovii, and other shrub species are always present, including Atriplex confertifolia, Ephedra torreyana, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Purshia stansburiana, and Yucca harrimaniae. The total cover of the associated shrubs may exceed that of Artemisia bigelovii. The herbaceous understory is sparse, rarely exceeding 10% cover. Pleuraphis jamesii is often present in the otherwise graminoid-poor understory; other herbaceous species may include Arenaria fendleri, Calochortus flexuosus, Chaenactis stevioides, Oenothera pallida, and Rumex hymenosepalus. Cryptobiotic soil crusts may have high cover. Scattered individuals of Juniperus osteosperma may be present. This association occurs most commonly on ledgy slopes, canyon rims and ridges in the east-central part of the Colorado Plateau (southeastern Utah and northern Arizona). Slopes are gentle and elevations range from 1552 to 1900 m (5090-6234 feet). Substrates include alluvial and eolian deposits that have weathered into coarse loamy sands. These soils are often thin and overlie sandstone bedrock.
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. A closely related association, ~Artemisia bigelovii - Ephedra (viridis, torreyana) Talus Shrubland (CEGL003755)$$, occurs on colluvial slopes, sometimes below the rim habitats that support ~Artemisia bigelovii Shrubland (CEGL000276)$$. It is possible that these associations should be combined.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association occurs primarily in sites where the coarse sandy soils are thin and overlie sandstone bedrock. The total vegetation cover, therefore, is generally somewhat sparse, rarely exceeding 25%. The shrub layer is dominated by Artemisia bigelovii, but other shrub species are always present, including Atriplex confertifolia, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra torreyana, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Purshia stansburiana, Symphoricarpos longiflorus, Xylorhiza tortifolia, and Yucca harrimaniae. The total cover of the associated shrubs may exceed that of Artemisia bigelovii. The herbaceous understory is sparse, rarely exceeding 5-10% cover, and variable from stand to stand. Pleuraphis jamesii is often present in the otherwise graminoid-poor understory; other herbaceous species may include Achnatherum spp., Arenaria fendleri, Calochortus flexuosus, Chaenactis stevioides, Oenothera pallida, and Rumex hymenosepalus. Scattered individuals of Juniperus osteosperma may be present, but total tree cover is usually less than 5%, and there is little chance that trees will take over the community because of the lack of suitable sites for establishment of deep-rooted species such as juniper.
Dynamics: These are stable, if somewhat sparse, communities.
Environmental Description: This short shrubland association occurs most often on ledgy slopes, canyon rims and ridges and less often on valley floors in the east-central part of the Colorado Plateau (southeastern Utah and northern Arizona). Slopes are gentle and elevations range from 1167to 1900 m (3828-6234 feet). Substrates include alluvial and eolian deposits derived from sandstones and shales that have weathered into coarse loamy sands. These soils are often thin and overlie sandstone bedrock. A high percentage of the unvegetated surface may be covered by cryptobiotic soil crusts.
Geographic Range: This association has been documented from northern Arizona and adjacent parts of southeastern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686495
Confidence Level: Low
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.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 | A3223 Bigelow''s Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3223 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
| Association | CEGL000276 Bigelow''s Sagebrush Shrubland | CEGL000276 | 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 bigelovii Shrubland (Thomas et al. 2003b)
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- Thomas, K., M. Hansen and C. Seger. 2003b. Vegetation of Petrified Forest National Park, Part I: Vegetation of Petrified Forest National Park. Southwest Biological Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey unpublished report to Petrified Forest National Park.
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- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.