Print Report
CEGL001438 Atriplex gardneri Dwarf-shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gardner''s Saltbush Dwarf-shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dwarf-shrubland association is reported from Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana and is typically found on alkaline flats. The vegetation is sparse, rarely exceeding 15% total canopy coverage and is composed of a canopy layer dominated by Atriplex gardneri with or without other shrubs present and without an herbaceous layer. Associated shrubs may include any of the following species: Atriplex confertifolia, Atriplex corrugata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra torreyana, Eriogonum corymbosum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Picrothamnus desertorum, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and/or Tetradymia spinosa. No herbaceous layer is reported, though scattered grasses such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Elymus elymoides may be present. Invasive species such as Bromus tectorum, Halogeton glomeratus, and Malcolmia africana are present in some stands. Biological soil crusts may cover up to 50% of the ground surface. Sites are typically flat but range to steep (58%). Soils are typically highly saline, calcareous, or alkaline, and are usually fine-textured. The dominance of Atriplex gardneri and the lack of a significant herbaceous layer are diagnostic of this association.
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. Its range and composition have been better defined based on plot data from eight national parks or wildlife refuges. In the past, this association was poorly defined and is only referred to as a "pure, evidently stable stand of saltsage" in Mitchell et al. (1966). Mitchell et al. (1966) investigated the relatively sharp boundaries between the Atriplex gardneri and the Krascheninnikovia lanata communities at their study site; no edaphic factor was identified to explain the abrupt change. This association is separated from other Atriplex gardneri-dominated associations by the lack of codominant shrubs or significant herbaceous layer. It includes both sparse stands growing on harsh, windswept sites and/or strong saline/alkaline substrates, and occasional moderately dense to dense saltbush stands that lack an herbaceous layer because of disturbance. Some stands may be a seral community in areas with a history of overgrazing by livestock.
The taxonomic classification of Atriplex gardneri was recently revised and several of the former varieties of Atriplex gardneri have been raised to species level. Additional review is needed to address classification issues with related taxa Atriplex bonnevillensis, Atriplex cuneata, Atriplex falcata, and Atriplex welshii, which are currently included in the concept of this association.
The taxonomic classification of Atriplex gardneri was recently revised and several of the former varieties of Atriplex gardneri have been raised to species level. Additional review is needed to address classification issues with related taxa Atriplex bonnevillensis, Atriplex cuneata, Atriplex falcata, and Atriplex welshii, which are currently included in the concept of this association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is a dwarf-shrubland composed solely of or dominated by Atriplex gardneri with or without a variety of companion shrub species and without a herbaceous layer. Total vegetation cover is generally sparse, rarely exceeding 15%, and sometimes as low as 1% or as high as 35%. Associated shrubs may include any of the following with low to up to codominant cover: Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longiloba, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Atriplex confertifolia, Atriplex corrugata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra torreyana, Eriogonum corymbosum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Picrothamnus desertorum, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and/or Tetradymia spinosa. No herbaceous layer is reported, though scattered clumps of grass (usually <5%) such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Pleuraphis jamesii (= Hilaria jamesii), and Elymus elymoides or occasional Eriogonum inflatum or Mentzelia sp. may be present. Invasive species such as Agropyron cristatum, Bromus tectorum, Ceratocephala testiculata (= Ranunculus testiculatus), Halogeton glomeratus, and Malcolmia africana are present in some stands. Biological soil crusts may cover up to 50% of the ground surface; those stands that are protected from grazing are advanced in development and include Collema sp., Gyalolechia sp. (= Fulgensia sp.), Psora sp., mosses, and dark cyanobacteria. The dominance of Atriplex gardneri and the lack of a significant herbaceous layer are diagnostic of this association.
Dynamics: Although very slow-growing, Atriplex gardneri can completely dominate these extremely saline sites (Branson et al. 1976). This plant utilizes winter soil moisture, beginning new growth in March when the soils are relatively warm and moist. It flowers in April and by mid-July fruits are shattered (Branson et al. 1976). Atriplex gardneri-dominated vegetation occurs on the most saline-alkaline soils that Gates et al. (1956) studied. It is not limited to the harsh saline soils but is also found on calcareous loam.
Environmental Description: Elevation ranges from 1196-2101 m and the climate is temperate and semi-arid. Stands most often occur on saline flats, but also occur on alkaline sites. Landforms where found include dry lakebeds, alluvial fans, hillsides, slopes of badland ridges, canyonsides, colluvial slopes, ridges, hills, badlands, mesas, and benches. Slopes are flat to steep (58%). Soils are calcareous, alkaline, and most often saline and typically fine-textured loamy sands or sandy clays, often derived from alluvium or shale from Chinle, Moenkopi, Mancos, Morrison, and Wasatch formations. One site has a gravelly/cobbly substrate. The unvegetated surface is composed of soil or rocks, or biological soil crusts may cover up to 40% of the ground surface.
Geographic Range: This dwarf-shrubland association is reported from northern and eastern Utah, western Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, but likely has a wider distribution in the interior West. Atriplex gardneri is common on shales that cover large areas of the Colorado Plateau, such as the Moenkopi, Mancos, Wasatch, and Morrison formations.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, MT, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687371
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G5
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.5 Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Mat Saltbush Great Basin Scrub Macrogroup | M093 | 3.B.1.Ne.5 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.5.a Mat Saltbush - Gardner''s Saltbush - Birdfoot Sagebrush Dwarf-Scrub Group | G301 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.a |
| Alliance | A1110 Gardner''s Saltbush Low Scrub Alliance | A1110 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.a |
| Association | CEGL001438 Gardner''s Saltbush Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL001438 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Atriplex gardneri Dwarf-shrubland (Von Loh 2000)
= Atriplex nuttallii community (Mitchell et al. 1966)
< Atriplex nuttallii plant community (Branson et al. 1976)
< Atriplex spp. Series (Johnston 1987)
= Atriplex nuttallii community (Mitchell et al. 1966)
< Atriplex nuttallii plant community (Branson et al. 1976)
< Atriplex spp. Series (Johnston 1987)
- Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
- Branson, F. A., R. F. Miller, and I. S. McQueen. 1976. Moisture relationships in twelve northern desert shrub communities near Grand Junction, Colorado. Ecology 57:1104-1124.
- 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.
- Coles, J., A. Tendick, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2009a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Arches National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/253. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 544 pp.
- Coles, J., A. Tendick, J. Von Loh, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/361. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2008a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Dinosaur National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR-2008/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 814 pp.
- Friesen, B. A., S. Blauer, K. Landgraf, J. Von Loh, J. Coles, K. Schulz, A. Tendick, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Fossil Butte National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/319. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 552 pp. [http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/fobu/foburpt.pdf]
- Gates, D. H., L. A. Stoddart, and C. W. Cook. 1956. Soil as a factor influencing plant distribution on salt-deserts of Utah. Ecological Monographs 26(2):155-175.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT.
- Mitchell, J. E., N. E. West, and R. W. Miller. 1966. Soil physical properties in relation to plant community patterns in the shadscale zone of northwestern Utah. Ecology 47(4):627-630.
- Romme, W. H., K. D. Heil, J. M. Porter, and R. Fleming. 1993. Plant communities of Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. USDI National Park Service, Technical Report NPS/NAUCARE/NRTER-93/02. Cooperative Park Studies Unit, Northern Arizona University. 37 pp.
- Stevens, J. E., D. S. Jones, and K. J. Benner. 2015. Vegetation classification and mapping project report: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRYN/NRR--2015/1070. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 350 pp.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, K. Decker, M. Hall, J. Von Loh, T. Belote, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2012. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Canyonlands National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2012/577. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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. 2000. Draft local descriptions of the vegetation associations of Ouray National Wildlife Refuge. USGS Bureau of Reclamation, Remote Sensing and GIS Group, Denver Federal Center, Denver.
- 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.