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CEGL002918 Ericameria nauseosa / Sporobolus airoides Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rubber Rabbitbrush / Alkali Sacaton Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sandy site association is found in the Colorado Plateau and the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in south-central Colorado. Vegetation is characterized by an open to closed shrub layer dominated by Ericameria nauseosa that ranges in cover from 5 to 60%, with a sparse to moderately dense understory dominated by the tall bunchgrass Sporobolus airoides (1-10% cover). Associated shrubs contribute little in the way of cover and can include Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Ephedra torreyana, Eriogonum leptocladon, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. The herbaceous layer is diverse and provides sparse to low cover. The most common associated graminoid is Achnatherum hymenoides. Forbs typically provide only trace cover; those present at greater than 1% cover include Astragalus moencoppensis, Dicoria canescens, Psoralidium lanceolatum, and Scabrethia scabra. Total vegetation cover ranges from 15 to 65%. This short-shrub association occurs on stream terraces in the Colorado Plateau and sandsheets and dunes in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Sandsheet shrubland stands cover vast areas, whereas the stream terrace stands are more patchy, occurring in isolated stands on the floodplains of small or intermittent streams and often forming a mosaic with other wash associations, such as ~Atriplex canescens Shrubland (CEGL001281)$$ and ~Artemisia tridentata Shrubland (CEGL000991)$$. Sites slope gently (1-2%) and occur between 1263 and 1829 m (4145-6000 feet) elevation. Aspect is not important in determining the distribution of stands. The unvegetated surface has high exposure of bare soil and sparse cover by litter. The soils are well-drained sandy loams derived from alluvium and eolian sand.
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. It is characterized by two common species that occur in two different environments and dominant ecological processes. It may be possible to distinguish the alluvial sand deposits shrublands from upland eolian sandsheet shrubland stands by the presence of mesic indicator species.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This shrubland association is uncommon within its range, occurring in isolated stands on the floodplains of small or intermittent streams. It often forms a mosaic with other wash associations, such as ~Atriplex canescens Shrubland (CEGL001281)$$ and ~Artemisia tridentata Shrubland (CEGL000991)$$. Total vegetation cover ranges from 15 to 65%. The vegetation is characterized by open to closed stands of Ericameria nauseosa shrubs that range in cover from 5 to 60%, with a sparse to moderately dense understory dominated by the tall bunchgrass Sporobolus airoides with between 1 and 10% cover. Associated shrubs contribute little in the way of cover and can include Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Ephedra torreyana, Eriogonum leptocladon, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. The herbaceous layer is diverse and provides sparse to low cover. The most common associated graminoid is Achnatherum hymenoides. Forbs typically provide only trace cover; those present at greater than 1% cover include Astragalus moencoppensis, Dicoria canescens, Psoralidium lanceolatum, and Scabrethia scabra (= Wyethia scabra).
Dynamics: Most stands are on low terraces that flood occasionally. The presence of Sporobolus airoides indicates an intermittently high water table and some degree of salinity of the soil. Ericameria nauseosa indicates tolerance for periodic flooding and other disturbances. Domestic livestock grazing tends to severely reduce the cover of Sporobolus airoides in favor of more grazing-tolerant or weedy species such as Bromus tectorum.
Environmental Description: This short-shrub association occurs on stream terraces in the Colorado Plateau and sandsheets and dunes in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Sites slope gently (1-2%) and occur between 1116 and 1829 m (4145-6000 feet) elevation. Aspect is not important in determining the distribution of stands. The unvegetated surface has high exposure of bare soil and sparse cover by litter. The soils are well-drained sandy loams derived from alluvium.
Geographic Range: This sandsheet association is found in the Colorado Plateau from southeastern Utah and from the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in south-central Colorado. It is likely to occur in small, isolated patches throughout the Colorado Plateau.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686755
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3Q
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.d Yellow Rabbitbrush - Rubber Rabbitbrush - Winterfat Steppe & Shrubland Group | G310 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Alliance | A3196 Rubber Rabbitbrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3196 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Association | CEGL002918 Rubber Rabbitbrush / Alkali Sacaton Shrubland | CEGL002918 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Ericameria nauseosa / Sporobolus airoides (Sawyer et al. 2009) [35.310.02]
= Ericameria nauseosa / Sporobolus airoides Shrubland (Clark et al. 2009)
= Ericameria nauseosa / Sporobolus airoides Shrubland (Clark et al. 2009)
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- Salas, D. E., J. Stevens, K. Schulz, M. Artmann, B. Friesen, S. Blauer, E. W. Schweiger, and A. Valdez. 2010b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Natural Resource Report NPS/ROMN/NRR--2010/179. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
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- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.