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CEGL001412 Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula / Pseudoroegneria spicata Shrub Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Sagebrush / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Shrub Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dwarf-shrubland occurs on foothills and open steep slopes from 1370 to 2930 m (4500-9600 feet) in elevation. Slopes are generally quite steep, 24% average, 37% maximum. Soils often have a hard layer constricting drainage. The soil surface is generally gravelly with up to 50% open bare gravelly soils. This montane dwarf-shrub steppe association is dominated by Artemisia arbuscula. Artemisia nova and Artemisia tridentata may also be present, adding to the shrubby aspect of this type. Shrubs can be widely spaced, and there is generally equal to sometimes greater cover provided by the herbaceous cover. Shrub cover ranges from 7 to 20%. Herbaceous cover ranges from 20 to 30% cover. Pseudoroegneria spicata is the dominant grass. Koeleria macrantha and Poa secunda are commonly also present. Forbs are less abundant but can include Phlox hoodii, Linum perenne, Sedum lanceolatum, Eriogonum umbellatum, and Arenaria congesta.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association includes dwarf-shrublands to grasslands and needs to be reviewed. Of the references listed, only two (Tiedemann and Klock 1977, Schuller and Evans 1986) were not available to the Global description author. Available literature indicates this is an herbaceous shrubland, and no reference indicated these were grasslands.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is a montane dwarf-shrub steppe association dominated by Artemisia arbuscula. Artemisia nova, Artemisia tridentata, or Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus may also be present, adding to the shrubby aspect of this type. Shrubs can be widely spaced, and there is equal to greater cover provided by the herbaceous layer. Shrub cover ranges from 7-20%. Herbaceous cover ranges from 20-30%. Pseudoroegneria spicata is the dominant grass. Koeleria macrantha (= Koeleria cristata), Poa secunda, and Poa fendleriana are also commonly present. Poa secunda and Poa fendleriana can even replace Pseudoroegneria spicata in some sites. Forbs are less abundant but can include Phlox hoodii, Linum perenne, Sedum lanceolatum, Eriogonum umbellatum, and Arenaria congesta.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This dwarf-shrubland occurs on foothills and open steep slopes from 1400 to 2926 m (4500-9599 feet) in elevation. Slopes are generally quite steep, 24% average, 37% maximum. Sites are generally drier and warmer than sites occupied by other dwarf sagebrush associations, often on southern and western aspects. Soils derived from limestone can be quite stony and often have a calcareous cemented layer that inhibits drainage. Soils derived from rhyolitic or basalt can have high clay contents that can form a claypan, that also inhibits internal drainage. Soil depths range from 47-99 cm with an average of 73 cm in one study from northeastern Nevada. The soil surface is generally gravelly with up to 50% open bare gravelly soils. Soils have been classified as Argixerolls, Typic Haploxerolls and Millic Haplargids. With increased moisture, this association will grade into ~Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula / Festuca idahoensis Shrub Grassland (CEGL001409)$$.
Geographic Range: This association is known from central Oregon, southeastern Washington, northeastern Nevada, southeastern Idaho, western Wyoming and southeastern Montana. It may also occur in New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, MT, NM?, NV, OR, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687562
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.2 Little Sagebrush - Black Sagebrush - Scabland Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M170 | 3.B.1.Ne.2 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b Little Sagebrush - Bigelow''s Sagebrush - Black Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G308 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
| Alliance | A3219 Little Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3219 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
| Association | CEGL001412 Little Sagebrush / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Shrub Grassland | CEGL001412 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia arbuscula - Agropyron - Festuca SD-19-11 (Hall 1973) [(p.14)]
= Artemisia arbuscula - Agropyron spicatum Habitat Type (Zamora and Tueller 1973) [(p.234)]
= Artemisia arbuscula / Agropyron spicatum Community Type (Jensen et al. 1988a)
= Artemisia arbuscula / Agropyron spicatum Community Type (Jensen et al. 1988b)
= Artemisia arbuscula / Agropyron spicatum Habitat Type (Mueggler and Stewart 1980) [(p.47)]
= Artemisia arbuscula / Agropyron spicatum Habitat Type (Hironaka et al. 1983) [(p.21)]
= Artemisia arbuscula / Agropyron spicatum Habitat Type (Lewis 1975a) [(pp.2-3)]
= Artemisia arbuscula / Poa secunda Community Type (Blackburn et al. 1971) [(p.15) has 100% constancy of both Poa secunda and Pseudoroegneria spicata, consistent with other authors'' description of the type.]
= Low Sagebrush / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation (Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula / Pseudoroegneria spicata Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation) (Bell et al. 2009)
= Artemisia arbuscula - Agropyron spicatum Habitat Type (Zamora and Tueller 1973) [(p.234)]
= Artemisia arbuscula / Agropyron spicatum Community Type (Jensen et al. 1988a)
= Artemisia arbuscula / Agropyron spicatum Community Type (Jensen et al. 1988b)
= Artemisia arbuscula / Agropyron spicatum Habitat Type (Mueggler and Stewart 1980) [(p.47)]
= Artemisia arbuscula / Agropyron spicatum Habitat Type (Hironaka et al. 1983) [(p.21)]
= Artemisia arbuscula / Agropyron spicatum Habitat Type (Lewis 1975a) [(pp.2-3)]
= Artemisia arbuscula / Poa secunda Community Type (Blackburn et al. 1971) [(p.15) has 100% constancy of both Poa secunda and Pseudoroegneria spicata, consistent with other authors'' description of the type.]
= Low Sagebrush / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation (Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula / Pseudoroegneria spicata Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation) (Bell et al. 2009)
- Bell, J., D. Cogan, J. Erixson, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation inventory project report, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/UCBN/NRTR-2009/277. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 358 pp.
- Blackburn, W. H., P. T. Tueller, and R. E. Eckert, Jr. 1971. Vegetation and soils of the Rock Springs watershed. Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin R-83. Reno. 116 pp.
- 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.
- Cogan, D., J. E. Taylor, and K. Schulz. 2012. Vegetation inventory project: Great Basin National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/MOJN/NRR--2012/568. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 373 pp.
- Cogan, D., K. Varga, and G. Kittel. 2005. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. Final Project Report 2002-2005 Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-06-02. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. 87 pp. plus Appendixes A-F.
- Hall, F. C. 1973. Plant communities of the Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. R6 Area Guide 3-1. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 62 pp.
- Hironaka, M., M. A. Fosberg, and A. H. Winward. 1983. Sagebrush-grass habitat types of southern Idaho. Forestry, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station Bulletin No. 15, University of Idaho, Moscow. 44 pp.
- Jensen, M. E., L. S. Peck, and M. V. Wilson. 1988a. A sagebrush community type classification for mountainous northeastern Nevada rangelands. Great Basin Naturalist 48(4):422-433.
- Jensen, M. E., L. S. Peck, and M. V. Wilson. 1988b. Vegetation characteristics of mountainous northeastern Nevada sagebrush community types. The Great Basin Naturalist 48(4):403-421.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- Lewis, M. E. 1975a. Plant communities of the Jarbidge Mountain Complex, Humboldt National Forest. Unpublished report compiled for USDA Forest Service, Region IV, Ogden, UT. 22 pp.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Mueggler, W. F., and W. L. Stewart. 1980. Grassland and shrubland habitat types of western Montana. General Technical Report INT-66. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 154 pp.
- Peterson, E. B. 2008. International Vegetation Classification alliances and associations occurring in Nevada with proposed additions. Nevada Natural Heritage Program, Carson City, NV. 348 pp.
- Schuller, R., and S. Evans. 1986. Botanical reconnaissance of Meeks Table Research Natural Area, Washington. Research Note PNW-RN-451. Portland, OR.
- Schulz, K. A., and M. E. Hall. 2011. Vegetation inventory project: Great Basin National Park. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network. NatureServe, Western Regional Office, Boulder, CO. 30 pp. plus Appendices A-H.
- Tiedemann, A. R., and G. O. Klock. 1977. Meeks Table Research Natural Area reference sampling and habitat classification. Research Report PNW-223. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland. 19 pp.
- WNDD [Wyoming Natural Diversity Database]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Zamora, B., and P. T. Tueller. 1973. Artemisia arbuscula, A. longiloba, and A. nova habitat types in northern Nevada. Great Basin Naturalist 33(4):225-242.