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CEGL002980 Ericameria nauseosa Sand Deposit Sparse Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rubber Rabbitbrush Sand Deposit Sparse Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs on sandsheets and dune systems in southern and eastern Utah, northeastern Arizona and western Colorado, but is likely more common in similar habitats throughout the interior western U.S. Ericameria nauseosa is most likely to dominate a community where there has been chronic or severe disturbance, such as grazing, fire or, in rare instances, flooding. Elevation ranges from 1430-2000 m (4700-6560 feet). At Zion National Park, a stand was described from a colluvial slope below a sandstone cliff. In other areas it occurs on sand dunes and on sandsheets in flatter areas such as floodplains, stream terraces and valley floors. Sites are generally gentle to moderately sloping, but range from flat to steep and may occur on any aspect. Soils are sandy and may be derived from local sandstone, eolian sands, or alluvium. This association is characterized by a typically sparse short-shrub layer 5-20% cover (but may range up to 30% cover) that is dominated by Ericameria nauseosa (at least half the cover). Other shrubs or dwarf-shrubs are often present and may include Artemisia bigelovii, Atriplex spp., Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra torreyana, Eriogonum corymbosum, Ipomopsis congesta, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha, or Yucca elata. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse and is dominated by perennial graminoids such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Hesperostipa comata, Muhlenbergia pungens, and Sporobolus spp. Forbs associates may include Chamaesyce glyptosperma, Cirsium spp., Heterotheca villosa, Penstemon palmeri, Phacelia heterophylla, Sphaeralcea coccinea, Streptanthella longirostris, and Sophora stenophylla.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is distinguished as much by its setting as its floristics, and as such is floristically fairly diverse.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is characterized by a typically sparse short-shrub layer 5-20% cover (but may range up to 30% cover) that is dominated by Ericameria nauseosa (at least half the cover). Other shrubs or dwarf-shrubs are often present and may include Artemisia bigelovii, Atriplex confertifolia, Atriplex canescens, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra torreyana, Eriogonum corymbosum, Ipomopsis congesta, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha, or Yucca elata (= var. utahensis). The herbaceous layer is generally sparse and is dominated by perennial graminoids such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Hesperostipa comata, Muhlenbergia pungens, Sporobolus airoides, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Forbs associates may include Chamaesyce glyptosperma, Cirsium spp., Heterotheca villosa, Penstemon palmeri, Phacelia heterophylla, Sphaeralcea coccinea, Streptanthella longirostris, and Sophora stenophylla.
Dynamics: The sandy substrate is an important environmental variable whether created by active eolian processes or from sandstone residuum. Ericameria nauseosa is a common species in sandy habitats. It is most likely to dominate a community where there has been chronic or severe disturbance, such as grazing, fire or, in rare instances, flooding.
Environmental Description: This association occurs on sandsheets and dune systems in southern and eastern Utah, northeastern Arizona and western Colorado, but is likely more common in similar habitats throughout the interior western U.S. Elevation ranges from 1430-2000 m (4700-6560 feet). At Zion National Park, a stand was described from a colluvial slope below a sandstone cliff. In other areas it occurs on sand dunes and on sandsheets in flatter areas such as floodplains, stream terraces and valley floors (e.g., Von Loh et al. 2002). Sites are generally gentle to moderately sloping, but range from flat to steep and may occur on any aspect. Soils are sandy and may be derived from local sandstone, eolian sands, or alluvium.
Geographic Range: This association has been described from southern and eastern Utah, northeastern Arizona and western Colorado but is likely more common in similar habitats throughout the interior western U.S.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687265
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e Intermountain Sparsely Vegetated Dune Scrub & Grassland Group | G775 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
| Alliance | A4149 Rubber Rabbitbrush - Sand Buckwheat - Four-part Horsebrush Sparse Scrub Alliance | A4149 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
| Association | CEGL002980 Rubber Rabbitbrush Sand Deposit Sparse Shrubland | CEGL002980 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ericameria nauseosa Sand Deposit Sparse Shrubland [Provisional] (Cogan et al. 2004)
- Clark, D., M. Dela Cruz, T. Clark, J. Coles, S. Topp, A. Evenden, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Capitol Reef National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/187. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 882 pp.
- Cogan, D., M. Reid, K. Schulz, and M. Pucherelli. 2004. Zion National Park, Utah 1999-2003. Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-03-01. Remote Sensing and GIS Group Technical Service Center, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. Appendix F: Vegetation Association Descriptions for Zion.
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- Tendick, A., J. Spence, M. Reid, K. Shulz, G. Kittel, K. Green, A. Wight, and G. Wakefield. 2017. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRR—2017/1500. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 1464 pp.
- Von Loh, J., D. Cogan, K. Schulz, D. Crawford, T. Meyer, J. Pennell, and M. Pucherelli. 2002. USGS-USFWS Vegetation Mapping Program, Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, Utah. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Remote Sensing and GIS Group, Technical Memorandum 8260-02-03. Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO. 225 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.