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CEGL001385 Prosopis glandulosa / Sporobolus airoides Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Honey Mesquite / Alkali Sacaton Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a major community of the central Tularosa basin of New Mexico. Generally, stands occur on the lowest parts of alluvial plains or flats that lead onto basin bottoms. Here, the low-elevation landscape is essentially flat with little to no aspect or slope. However, erosion around shrubs on some stands creates local relief, which at an extreme may resemble coppice dunes. In addition, this type occurs along the edges and in the sheltered coves of broad basin drainages. Soils are of alluvial origin, often calcareous with silty clays over well-developed alluvial clay horizons. This Chihuahuan Desert shrubland is distinguished by an evenly dispersed and open canopy of large Prosopis glandulosa shrubs, over a grassy understory dominated by Sporobolus airoides. In addition, it characteristically exhibits little floristic variability and, generally, the only associated shrub is Atriplex canescens (a suggested phase). Sporobolus airoides is typically the only grass present and is found both under and around the Prosopis glandulosa canopy. Large, open shrub interspaces are occasionally sparsely vegetated.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In general, Prosopis glandulosa cover remains relatively constant across occurrences, although the understory may be highly variable. Some stands may have dense grass cover while others have a sparsely scattered layer that grows between bare soil patches. Decreases in grass cover probably promote the channeling of summer monsoon runoff and soil erosion around the shrubs. In contrast, stands which exhibit a dense grass layer are generally flat. Here, erosion is minimized and deposition maximized, probably through a positive feedback cycle that continually enhances soil moisture and plant growth. Because of enhanced moisture conditions, dense vegetation can form on these soils, which reduces evaporation and increases water infiltration, which contributes to heavy soil formation (Wood et al. 1987).
This association was first described from the Chihuahuan Desert where it common. It has been applied to Mojave Desert stands dominated by Prosopis glandulosa and Sporobolus airoides, both wide-ranging species. Local Mojave associate species, if present, may justify a separate Mojave Desert type, but currently that information is not present for analysis. Chihuahuan Desert stands often include Chihuahuan Desert indicator species such as such as Acourtia nana, Euphorbia dentata, Flourensia cernua, or Hoffmannseggia glauca, and wider-ranging species not found in the Mojave Desert such as Lycium berlandieri and Cylindropuntia leptocaulis. In addition some stands are actually intermittently or temporarily flooded. Classification needs further review.
This association was first described from the Chihuahuan Desert where it common. It has been applied to Mojave Desert stands dominated by Prosopis glandulosa and Sporobolus airoides, both wide-ranging species. Local Mojave associate species, if present, may justify a separate Mojave Desert type, but currently that information is not present for analysis. Chihuahuan Desert stands often include Chihuahuan Desert indicator species such as such as Acourtia nana, Euphorbia dentata, Flourensia cernua, or Hoffmannseggia glauca, and wider-ranging species not found in the Mojave Desert such as Lycium berlandieri and Cylindropuntia leptocaulis. In addition some stands are actually intermittently or temporarily flooded. Classification needs further review.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: No Data Available
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NM, NV, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686864
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.2 Creosotebush - American Tarwort - Mesquite species Chihuahuan Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M086 | 3.A.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.2.b Fourwing Saltbush - American Tarwort Lowland Basin Scrub Group | G299 | 3.A.2.Na.2.b |
| Alliance | A3153 Honey Mesquite Lowland Basin Chihuahuan Desert Scrub Alliance | A3153 | 3.A.2.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL001385 Honey Mesquite / Alkali Sacaton Shrubland | CEGL001385 | 3.A.2.Na.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Prosopis glandulosa / Sporobolus airoides Association (Evens et al. 2014) [equivalent uncertain]
= Prosopis glandulosa / Sporobolus airoides Community Type (Muldavin et al. 1994b)
= Honey Mesquite/Alkali Sacaton PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Prosopis glandulosa/Sporobolus airoides; PROGLA/SPOAIR)]
= Prosopis glandulosa / Sporobolus airoides Community Type (Muldavin et al. 1994b)
= Honey Mesquite/Alkali Sacaton PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Prosopis glandulosa/Sporobolus airoides; PROGLA/SPOAIR)]
- 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.
- Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- Muldavin, E., M. P. Moreno, J. Thomson, and P. Mehlhop. 1994b. A vegetation map for White Sands National Monument. Final report prepared for White Sands National Monument: Alamogordo, NM, by New Mexico Natural Heritage Program.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, and G. Harper. 2000b. The vegetation of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico: Volume I. Handbook of vegetation communities. Final report to Environmental Directorate, White Sands Missile Range. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 195 pp. plus appendices
- Muldavin, E., and P. Mehlhop. 1992. A preliminary classification and test vegetation map for White Sands Missile Range and San Andreas National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. University of New Mexico, New Mexico Natural Heritage Program.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Wood, J. C., M. K. Wood, and J. M. Tromble. 1987. Important factors influencing water infiltration and sediment production on arid land in New Mexico. Journal of Arid Environments 12:111-118.