Print Report

CEGL001030 Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Pseudoroegneria spicata Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Big Sagebrush / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This is a common, abundant and widespread montane to subalpine sagebrush community of the western U.S. It occurs from 1829 to 3048 m (6000-10,000 feet) elevation, on 10-59% slopes, usually on the upper part of the slope, or on ridgetops, with northeast- to south-facing aspects. Soils are generally deep Mollisols (average depth from one study was 104 cm). This association is dominated by Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, with a conspicuous herbaceous undergrowth often dominated by Pseudoroegneria spicata. Other shrubs are usually present, but no one species consistently so, and all generally with low cover (<10%). Shrub species include Chrysothamnus spp., Tetradymia canescens, Purshia tridentata, and Amelanchier alnifolia. Symphoricarpos oreophilus may be present but not codominant. The herbaceous undergrowth is dominated by grasses, Pseudoroegneria spicata usually having the highest cover. In disturbed stands, the exotic Bromus tectorum can be more abundant. Other grass species include Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus lanceolatus, Koeleria macrantha, Hesperostipa comata, and Elymus elymoides. Festuca idahoensis is usually not present, but if so, then in very low amounts. Common forbs include Eriogonum umbellatum, Lupinus sericeus, Lupinus caudatus, Comandra umbellata, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Lithospermum ruderale, and Achillea millefolium. Bromus tectorum may be present to dominant in stands that have been severely disturbed.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

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

Floristics: This association is dominated by Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, with a well-developed herbaceous undergrowth dominated by Pseudoroegneria spicata. Other shrubs are usually present, but no one species consistently so, and all generally with low cover (<10%). Shrub species include Amelanchier alnifolia, Chrysothamnus spp., Tetradymia canescens, Purshia tridentata, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus may be present, but not codominant. The herbaceous undergrowth is dominated by grasses, Pseudoroegneria spicata usually having the highest cover. In disturbed stands, Bromus tectorum can be more abundant. Other grass species include Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda (= Poa sandbergii), Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus lanceolatus (= Agropyron dasystachyum), Koeleria macrantha, Leucopoa kingii, Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata), and Elymus elymoides (= Sitanion hystrix). Festuca idahoensis is usually not present, but if so, then in very low amounts. Common forbs include Eriogonum umbellatum, Lupinus sericeus, Lupinus caudatus, Comandra umbellata, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Lithospermum ruderale, Mertensia oblongifolia, Pteryxia terebinthina, Phlox hoodii, Sphaeralcea coccinea, Stenotus acaulis, and Achillea millefolium.

Dynamics:  Large areas of this association have burned at Dinosaur National Monument in the last 15 years, some by wildfire and some by prescribed burns. In each case, the current community is a mixed grassland with a strong forb component. Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana does not always return to the community; it may have difficulty re-establishing itself in the thick thatch of herbaceous growth.
Environmental Description:  This is a common, abundant and widespread montane to subalpine sagebrush community of the western U.S. It occurs from 1829 to 3048 m (6000-10,000 feet) elevation, on 10-59% slopes, usually on the upper part of the slope, and on ridgetops, with northeast- to south-facing aspects. Soils are range from deep Mollisols (average depth from one study was 104 cm) to shallow, poorly developed shale soil. Soil textures range from loams to gravely clays. Parent materials include limestone, sandstone and shale.
Geographic Range: This common association is known from Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and possibly Utah.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT?, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.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.3 Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup M169 3.B.1.Ne.3
Group 3.B.1.Ne.3.c Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush - Mountain Silver Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group G304 3.B.1.Ne.3.c
Alliance A3207 Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance A3207 3.B.1.Ne.3.c
Association CEGL001030 Mountain Big Sagebrush / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Shrubland CEGL001030 3.B.1.Ne.3.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Agropyron spicatum - Poa fendleriana Association (Mooney 1985)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Agropyron spicatum Association (Mooney 1985)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Agropyron spicatum Community Type (Jensen et al. 1988a)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Agropyron spicatum Community Type (Jensen et al. 1988b)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Agropyron spicatum Habitat Type (Lewis 1975a)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Agropyron spicatum Plant Association (Baker and Kennedy 1985) [(association #8)]
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Agropyron spicatum Potential Native Plant Community (Eddleman and Jaindl 1994)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Pseudoroegneria spicata (Jones and Ogle 2000)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Pseudoroegneria spicata Shrubland (Cooper et al. 1999)
= Artemisia vaseyana / Agropyron spicatum Habitat Type (Hironaka et al. 1983)
< Big sagebrush community (Lewis 1971) [(p.16) One plot (of 10) has higher cover of Pseudoroegneria spicata than Festuca idahoensis.]
= Mountain Big Sagebrush / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Shrubland (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Pseudoroegneria spicata Shrubland) (Bell et al. 2009)
Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

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

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-12-08
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