Print Report

CEGL001368 Sarcobatus vermiculatus / Sporobolus airoides Wet Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Greasewood / Alkali Sacaton Wet Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association occurs in the Columbia and Wyoming basins, Colorado Plateau and western Great Plains from eastern Oregon, central and northeastern Wyoming, northwestern and southeastern Colorado, western New Mexico and eastern Utah. Sarcobatus vermiculatus typically dominates the open to moderately dense shrub layer with between 10 and 50% cover and includes sparse and open steppe stands with 5-10% shrub cover. Other shrubs present with low cover may include Atriplex canescens, Ericameria nauseosa, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, and Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata. The herbaceous understory is typically dominated by Sporobolus airoides, usually with a number of other species present, including Pascopyrum smithii, Hordeum jubatum, Hesperostipa comata, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus, and Distichlis spicata. Forbs generally contribute little cover, although several weedy or exotic forbs may be abundant. Stands of this type usually occur as small, relict patches on level to gently sloping valley floors, on alluvial fans along intermittent washes and streams, and on abandoned stream terraces with fine-textured to sandy, alkaline soils derived from alluvium. The water table rarely reaches the surface, and these sites flood only occasionally. Elevations range from 1180 to 1960 m (3870-6420 feet) in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association was renamed to a shrubland association and moved from a sparsely vegetated to a shrubland alliance based on literature and plot review that indicated that, although some stands are sparse (<10% total vegetation cover), most are not and some have rather dense cover (50% cover of shrubs). This description is based on information from northeastern Wyoming, northwestern and southeastern Colorado and southern Utah. A general vegetation description and habitat description from central Wyoming are also available. The plant species listed for this association also occur in ~Sarcobatus vermiculatus / Pascopyrum smithii - (Elymus lanceolatus) Shrub Wet Meadow (CEGL001508)$$, and this type may also be similar to ~Sarcobatus vermiculatus / Distichlis spicata Wet Shrubland (CEGL001363)$$. These three associations apparently are differentiated on the basis of the relative amounts of the various grass species in the undergrowth. Grass dominance varies with soil salinity and aeration, and this association may represent the more saline but well-aerated conditions. Also compare this association with ~Sarcobatus vermiculatus / Distichlis spicata - (Puccinellia nuttalliana) Shrub Wet Meadow (CEGL002146)$$.

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

Floristics: Sarcobatus vermiculatus dominates the shrub layer with between 10 and 50% cover. Other shrubs present with low cover may include Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata, Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Atriplex obovata, Allenrolfea occidentalis, Chrysothamnus linifolius, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa, Forestiera pubescens, and Suaeda moquinii (= Suaeda torreyana). The herbaceous understory is often dominated by Sporobolus airoides and usually a number of other species, including Pascopyrum smithii, Hordeum jubatum, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Distichlis spicata. Forbs generally contribute little cover, although several weedy or exotic forbs may be abundant.

Dynamics:  This association depends on a high water table and alkaline soils. Disturbed stands are high in weedy forb species and have low cover of Sporobolus airoides.
Environmental Description:  Stands of this type usually occur as small, relict patches on level to gently sloping valley floors and on abandoned stream terraces with fine-textured to sandy, alkaline soils derived from alluvium. Elevations range from 1180 to 1960 m (3870-6420 feet) in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. The water table is usually within 1 m of the surface for at least part of the growing season, although it may be a perched water table held by a hard pan just below the ground surface.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in the Columbia and Wyoming basins, Colorado Plateau and western Great Plains from eastern Oregon, central and northeastern Wyoming, northwestern and southeastern Colorado, and eastern Utah.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, NM, OR, UT, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

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 A1046 Greasewood Intermountain Wet Shrubland Alliance A1046 2.C.5.Nd.1.b
Association CEGL001368 Greasewood / Alkali Sacaton Wet Shrubland CEGL001368 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: = Sarcobatus vermiculatus / Sporobolus airoides Plant Community (Shaw et al. 1989)
Concept Author(s): G.P. Jones

Author of Description: G.P. Jones, J. Coles and K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 08-09-16
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