Print Report

CEGL000988 Allenrolfea occidentalis Wet Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Iodinebush Wet Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This is a sparsely vegetated shrubland found on seasonally wet, alkaline playas, intermittent floodplains or along washes in saline overflow areas below 1680 m (5500 feet) elevation. The dominant species, and playa communities in general, are widely distributed throughout the Intermountain West, ranging from southeastern Oregon south to Texas. These shrublands or barrens are flat to extremely low-gradient, almost always in desert ecosystems with less than 18 cm (7 inches) of rain per year, and usually in areas with very poor drainage that flood during rare rainstorms. Playas and washes dominated by Allenrolfea occidentalis generally appear to be small, rare, and poorly understood throughout their range. Allenrolfea occidentalis dominates the shrub layer, but cover is often quite low, ranging from 20% to less than 1%. Most stands have barren playa forb understories, but grasses, including Leymus cinereus, Distichlis spicata, Sporobolus airoides, and Sporobolus wrightii, and succulent forbs, such as Suaeda suffrutescens var. detonsa, Salicornia spp., and Nitrophila spp., are occasionally found. Most stands occur in a matrix of Sarcobatus vermiculatus- or Atriplex canescens-dominated shrublands, and in small stands, either Sarcobatus vermiculatus or Atriplex canescens can occur throughout the community.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This appears to be a distinct, widespread type. With additional studies throughout the range of this habitat, it is possible that the type may be split into a number of geographic communities based on associated forbs. However, current data indicate the type is very similar throughout at least the northern half of its range, where it occurs in a matrix composed largely of Sarcobatus vermiculatus salt desert scrub. In the southern part of its range, where it is slightly more common, it occurs in a matrix of Larrea tridentata or Ambrosia dumosa. This is a broadly defined type that may need to be subdivided by characteristics of the understory. Muldavin et al. (2000b) classified five different plant associations in the Tulerosa Basin in southern New Mexico.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Allenrolfea occidentalis dominates the shrub layer, but the cover is often quite low, ranging from 20% to less than 1%. Most stands have barren playa forb understories, but grasses, including Leymus cinereus, Distichlis spicata (= ssp. stricta), Sporobolus airoides, and Sporobolus wrightii, and succulent forbs, such as Suaeda suffrutescens var. detonsa, Salicornia spp., and Nitrophila spp., are occasionally found. Most stands occur in a matrix of Sarcobatus vermiculatus- or Atriplex canescens-dominated shrublands, and in small stands, either Sarcobatus vermiculatus or Atriplex canescens can occur throughout the community. In the southern extent of its range, scattered Isocoma drummondii, Oxytenia acerosa (= Iva acerosa), or Prosopis glandulosa may be present. Exotic species, such as occasional Tamarix spp., Bromus tectorum, or Salsola tragus, may occur in this community.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This shrubland association occurs across arid and semi-arid portions of the western U.S. at elevations ranging from near sea level to 1680 m. Stands occur on the outer margins of broad intermittent floodplains and playas, or can form landscape mosaics with other saline communities in saline marshes or gypsum-influenced habitats. Bare soil covers most of the unvegetated surface, and there is very little litter. Soils are fine-textured and derived from alluvium.
Geographic Range: This playa community is widely distributed throughout the Intermountain West, ranging from southeastern Oregon south to Texas.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CA, NM, NV, OR, TX, UT


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.5 Salt Marsh Formation F035 2.C.5
Division 2.C.5.Nd North American Western Interior Brackish Marsh, Playa & Shrubland Division D036 2.C.5.Nd
Macrogroup 2.C.5.Nd.1 Warm & Cool Desert Alkali-Saline Marsh, Playa & Shrubland Macrogroup M082 2.C.5.Nd.1
Group 2.C.5.Nd.1.b Greasewood - Saltbush species Alkaline-Saline Wet Scrub Group G537 2.C.5.Nd.1.b
Alliance A0866 Iodinebush Wet Shrubland Alliance A0866 2.C.5.Nd.1.b
Association CEGL000988 Iodinebush Wet Shrubland CEGL000988 2.C.5.Nd.1.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Allenrolfea occidentalis (Sawyer et al. 2009) [36.120.04]
= Allenrolfea occidentalis Association (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
= Allenrolfea occidentalis Association (Evens et al. 2014)
> Pickleweed/Alkali Sacaton PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Allenrolfea occidentalis/Sporobolus airoides: ALLOCC/SPOAIR)]
= Pickleweed/Sparse Undergrowth PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Allenrolfea occidentalis/Sparse: ALLOCC/SPARSE)]
Concept Author(s): J. Kagan

Author of Description: J. Kagan and K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-03-07
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