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CEGL003496 Fallugia paradoxa - Brickellia spp. - (Holodiscus dumosus) Scree Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Apache Plume - Brickellbush species - (Rockspirea) Scree Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This scree shrubland is known only from Sunset Crater National Monument in north-central Arizona and Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico. It occurs on steep (25-37%) to very steep (70-120%) canyon slopes at elevations ranging between 1670 and 2750 m (5420-9022 feet). Substrates include unstable boulders, talus, and cinder scree. The ground surface is characterized by shrubs rooted among boulders, rocks, and cobbles with scattered bunchgrasses intermixed. This is a very open canyon shrubland where shrub cover ranges between 10 and 45% and is dominated by Fallugia paradoxa. In Arizona, Brickellia grandiflora and Holodiscus dumosus are also abundant. Shrub associates at sites in New Mexico include Cylindropuntia imbricata and Opuntia phaeacantha, though they are scarce. Trees such as Pinus edulis or Juniperus monosperma can be present but poorly represented. The herbaceous layer is sparse (total cover is less than 12%) and variable in composition. Graminoids and forbs may include upland species such as Artemisia dracunculus, Bouteloua curtipendula, Cirsium undulatum, and Schizachyrium scoparium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type is likely to be more widespread than currently documented. Scree shrublands in the western U.S. are poorly studied and classified.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is a very open canyon shrubland where shrub cover ranges between 10 and 45% and is dominated by Fallugia paradoxa. At Sunset Crater National Monument, total vegetation cover within this scree shrubland ranges from 30-50%, with a sparse (0-12% cover) tree layer and a dominant shrub layer (17-45%). The herbaceous layer ranges from 3-15% cover. Fallugia paradoxa is the dominant shrub, with Brickellia grandiflora and Holodiscus dumosus also abundant. Within Bandelier National Monument, this is a very open canyon shrubland where shrub cover ranges between 10 and 25% and is dominated by Fallugia paradoxa with Cylindropuntia imbricata (= Opuntia imbricata) and Opuntia phaeacantha as frequent associates on these rocky slopes, though they are scarce. Trees such as Pinus edulis or Juniperus monosperma can be present but poorly represented. The herbaceous layer is sparse (total cover is less than 10%) and variable in composition. Graminoids and forbs are represented by upland species such as Artemisia dracunculus, Bouteloua curtipendula, Cirsium undulatum, and Schizachyrium scoparium.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: At Sunset Crater National Monument, this association occurs between 2380 and 2750 m (7808-9022 feet) on steep slopes (25-37%) with substrates including basaltic boulders and cinder scree. Within Bandelier National Monument, this low-elevation association occurs between 1670 and 1680 m (5420-5520 feet) on canyon slopes of low solar exposure. Slopes are very steep (70-120%), boulder-strewn or taluslike, and unstable. The ground surface is characterized by shrubs rooted among boulders, rocks, and cobbles with scattered bunch grasses intermixed.
Geographic Range: This scree shrubland is known only from Sunset Crater National Monument in north-central Arizona and Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687340
Confidence Level: Low
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.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 | CEGL003496 Apache Plume - Brickellbush species - (Rockspirea) Scree Shrubland | CEGL003496 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
Concept Lineage: Upgraded to Standard during screening.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Fallugia paradoxa - Brickellia grandiflora - (Holodiscus dumosus) Scree Shrubland (Hansen et al. 2004c)
- Hansen, M., J. Coles, K. A. Thomas, D. Cogan, M. Reid, J. Von Loh, and K. Schulz. 2004c. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Sunset Crater National Monument, Arizona, vegetation classification and distribution. U.S. Geological Survey Technical Report. Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ. 188 pp.
- Muldavin, E., A. Kennedy, C. Jackson, P. Neville, T. Neville, K. Schulz, and M. Reid. 2011b. Vegetation classification and map: Bandelier National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2011/438. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.