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CEGL001028 Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Pascopyrum smithii Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Big Sagebrush / Western Wheatgrass Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This mesic sagebrush association occurs in upland areas where snow accumulates, including swales and valley bottoms. Documented stands are known from Wyoming, Montana and northern and western Colorado. Elevations range from 2200 to 2500 m (7200-8200 feet). Sites are level to gently sloping and may be oriented to any aspect. Soils may be derived from eolian sediments, sandstone or shale, and often have a silty loam or clay loam texture. The amount of litter on the ground surface is inversely proportional to the intensity of grazing. Total vegetation cover ranges from a low of around 20% to approximately 75%. Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana dominates the shrub layer with 10 to 50% cover, and Pascopyrum smithii dominates a diverse herbaceous layer. Other shrubs comprise a minority of the shrub canopy, including Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Amelanchier utahensis, Purshia tridentata, Ericameria nauseosa, Tetradymia canescens, Krascheninnikovia lanata, and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus. The grass component of the understory is often diverse and may include a combination of Poa fendleriana, Achnatherum pinetorum, Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus lanceolatus, Leymus cinereus, Hesperostipa comata, Elymus elymoides, and Poa secunda. Forbs such as Artemisia frigida, Achillea millefolium, and Phlox hoodii ssp. muscoides generally contribute little cover.
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: Total vegetation cover in these sagebrush shrublands ranges from 20% to approximately 75%. Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana dominates the shrub layer with 10-50% cover, and Pascopyrum smithii dominates the diverse herbaceous layer. Other shrubs may comprise a minor component of the shrub canopy, including Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Amelanchier utahensis, Purshia tridentata, Ericameria nauseosa, Tetradymia canescens, Krascheninnikovia lanata, and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus. The grass component of the understory is often diverse and may include a combination of Poa fendleriana, Achnatherum pinetorum, Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus lanceolatus, Leymus cinereus, Hesperostipa comata, Elymus elymoides, and Poa secunda. Forbs such as Artemisia frigida, Achillea millefolium, and Phlox hoodii ssp. muscoides (= Phlox bryoides) generally contribute little cover.
Dynamics: Pascopyrum smithii generally requires mesic conditions in order to dominate an herbaceous layer. In this community, the soil moisture usually comes from the accumulation of snow, not from groundwater. The relatively fine soils also help to hold moisture.
Environmental Description: This mesic sagebrush association occurs in uplands in areas where snow accumulates, including swales and valley bottoms. Documented stands are in Wyoming and in northern and western Colorado, but this association is likely to be widespread. Elevations range from 2200 to 2500 m (7200-8200 feet). Sites are level to gently sloping and may occur on any aspect. Soils may be derived from eolian deposits, sandstone or shale, and often have a silty loam or clay loam texture. The amount of litter on the ground surface is inversely proportional to the intensity of grazing.
Geographic Range: This association is known from Montana, northern and western Colorado, and Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, MT, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686628
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
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.3 Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M169 | 3.B.1.Ne.3 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush - Mountain Silver Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G304 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
| Alliance | A3207 Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3207 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
| Association | CEGL001028 Mountain Big Sagebrush / Western Wheatgrass Shrubland | CEGL001028 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Agropyron smithii Community (Jones 1992b)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Agropyron smithii Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Agropyron smithii Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
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