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CEGL001350 Grayia spinosa / Achnatherum hymenoides Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Spiny Hopsage / Indian Ricegrass Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This unusual shrubland association is known from isolated occurrences in northwestern Colorado and is reported from northern Nevada, Wyoming and southeastern Oregon. It is likely also to occur in eastern California. It occurs on level to gently sloping benches, partly stabilized dunes and terraces. Elevations range from 1600 to 1800 m (5250-5900 feet). Soils are deep, well-drained, alkaline sandy loams or loamy sands derived from underlying bedrock or eolian sands. Soil lichens, mosses and litter may have significant cover, especially in areas that have not been grazed in recent decades. The vegetation is characterized by the co-occurrence of Grayia spinosa, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, although in some stands either Artemisia or Sarcobatus may be missing. Total shrub cover is typically 30% or less. Other shrubs may occasionally be present with low cover, including Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Atriplex confertifolia, and Ephedra spp. Commonly associated species in the herbaceous layer include native grasses Achnatherum hymenoides, Distichlis spicata, Hesperostipa comata, Poa secunda, and the exotic annual grass Bromus tectorum. Forbs are absent to sparse in cover and inconsistent in composition. Total herbaceous cover is typically less than 10%, with no single species except Bromus tectorum regularly exceeding 5% cover. Scattered juniper are occasionally present.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is characterized by Grayia spinosa as a dominant or codominant in the shrub layer and Achnatherum hymenoides as a dominant or codominant in the herbaceous layer. Artemisia tridentata and Sarcobatus vermiculatus are often also present.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This shrubland association is characterized by the co-occurrence of Grayia spinosa, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, although in some stands either Artemisia or Sarcobatus may be missing. Total shrub cover is typically 30% or less. Other shrubs may occasionally be present with low cover, including Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Atriplex confertifolia, and Ephedra spp. Commonly associated species in the herbaceous layer include native grasses Achnatherum hymenoides, Distichlis spicata, Hesperostipa comata, Poa secunda, and the exotic annual grass Bromus tectorum. Forbs are absent to sparse in cover and inconsistent in composition. Total herbaceous cover is typically less than 10%, with no single species except Bromus tectorum regularly exceeding 5% cover. Scattered juniper are occasionally present.
Dynamics: A degraded example from Nevada (Blackburn et al. 1968a) had an understory with reduced diversity dominated by cheatgrass.
Environmental Description: This association occurs on level to gently sloping benches, partly stabilized dunes and terraces. Elevations range from 1600 to 1800 m (5250-5900 feet). Soils are deep, well-drained, alkaline sandy loams or loamy sands derived from underlying bedrock or eolian sands. Soil lichens, mosses and litter may have significant cover, especially in areas that have not been grazed in recent decades.
Geographic Range: This association is known from isolated occurrences in northwestern Colorado and is reported from northern Nevada, Wyoming and southeastern Oregon. It is likely to also occur in eastern California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA?, CO, NV, OR, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686778
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
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.5 Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Mat Saltbush Great Basin Scrub Macrogroup | M093 | 3.B.1.Ne.5 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Spiny Hopsage Scrub Group | G300 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Alliance | A3171 Spiny Hopsage Scrub Alliance | A3171 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Association | CEGL001350 Spiny Hopsage / Indian Ricegrass Shrubland | CEGL001350 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
Concept Lineage: This type is synonymous with the GRSP / ORHY Shrubland.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Grayia spinosa / Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus var. puberulus / Bromus tectorum Community (Blackburn et al. 1968a)
>< Sarcobatus vermiculatus - Atriplex spinosa / Oryzopsis hymenoides (Copeland 1979)
>< Sarcobatus vermiculatus - Atriplex spinosa / Oryzopsis hymenoides (Copeland 1979)
- Blackburn, W. H., P. T. Tueller, and R. E. Eckert, Jr. 1968a. Vegetation and soils of the Mill Creek watershed. Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin R-43. University of Nevada, Reno. 69 pp.
- 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.
- Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2008a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Dinosaur National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR-2008/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 814 pp.
- Copeland, W. N. 1979. Harney Lake RNA Guidebook, Supplement #9. USDA Forest Service Experiment Station, Portland, OR.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.