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CEGL001287 Atriplex canescens - Ephedra viridis Talus Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fourwing Saltbush - Mormon-tea Talus Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland has a somewhat sparse shrub canopy with cover ranging between 3 and 30%. The shrub layer is codominated by Atriplex canescens and Ephedra viridis, and often has several other shrubs present such as Artemisia bigelovii, Ephedra torreyana, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. Total vegetative cover ranges from 8 to 35%. The herbaceous layer is diverse but cover rarely exceeds 5%. The most consistent species are the native grasses Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, and Hesperostipa comata. Forbs are rare. Scattered Juniperus osteosperma trees may occur but with cover not exceeding 5%. This association is known from the Colorado Plateau, and occurs on talus slopes. Sites are on moderately steep to steep talus slopes (21-86%), occur between 1217 and 1865 m (4000-6140 feet) elevation, and tend to occur on southeast aspects. The underlying substrate is usually shale, covered by a layer of sandstone talus.
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. The shrublands occurring on talus slopes in the Colorado Plateau form a continuum. All tend to be very diverse in their cover of shrubs, and most have scattered Juniperus osteosperma. Aspect, the underlying slope substrate, and the degree of cover by sandstone talus determine which shrubs are dominant. This association is only sampled from three sites. More data are needed to fully characterize this type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This shrubland association is typical of warm, southeast-facing talus slopes in eastern Utah and western Colorado. Total vegetation cover is somewhat sparse, ranging between 8 and 35%. The shrub layer is generally diverse, while being codominated by Atriplex canescens and Ephedra viridis. Other common shrubs include Ephedra torreyana, Artemisia bigelovii, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. Total shrub cover ranges from 3 to 30%. The herbaceous layer is similarly diverse, but cover rarely exceeds 5%. The most consistent species are the native grasses Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Leymus salinus, Hesperostipa comata, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. The exotic grass Bromus tectorum can be abundant. Forbs are sparse. Scattered Juniperus osteosperma trees occur throughout many stands, but with cover not exceeding 5%.
Dynamics: This talus slope shrubland is associated with warm (not hot) southeast exposures. The combination of shale substrate, aspect and talus "mulch" results in this unique combination of shrub species.
Environmental Description: This shrubland occurs on warm talus slopes. Sites are on moderately steep to steep talus slopes (21-86%), occur between 1217and 1865 m (4000-6140 feet) elevation, and tend to occur on southeast aspects. The underlying substrate is usually shale, covered by a layer of sandstone talus. Ninety percent or more of the ground surface may be covered by rocks and boulders. Soils tend to be sand or silt loams.
Geographic Range: This sparse shrubland occurs throughout the Colorado Plateau, northern Arizona, western Colorado and southeastern Utah and extends into the northern Mojave Desert.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA?, CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687075
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.6 Saltbush species - Joint-fir species - Buckwheat species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Macrogroup | M118 | 3.B.1.Ne.6 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a Saltbush species - Mountain-mahogany species - Joint-fir species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Group | G570 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Alliance | A4050 Mormon-tea - Yellow Rabbitbrush - Skunkbush Sumac Talus Sparse Scrub Alliance | A4050 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Association | CEGL001287 Fourwing Saltbush - Mormon-tea Talus Shrubland | CEGL001287 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
Concept Lineage: CEGL002346 merged into CEGL001287.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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