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CEGL000998 Artemisia tridentata / Ericameria nauseosa Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Big Sagebrush / Rubber Rabbitbrush Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a broadly defined, semi-arid shrubland association described from western and northern Nevada and eastern California, but it is likely widespread in the intermountain western U.S. within the range of sagebrush. Elevations range from 1220-1430 m (4000-4680 feet) in Nevada. Stands occur on valley floors and adjacent lower slopes. Sites are flat to gently sloping. Substrates are deep, moderately well- to well-drained silty clay loam to sandy loam soils derived from stratified alluvium. The ground surface has moderate to high cover of bare soil and litter. Disturbance appears to be important for this type. The vegetation is characterized by a relatively open (25% cover) shrub canopy codominated by Ericameria nauseosa and Artemisia tridentata shrubs 0.5-2 m tall with a sparse herbaceous layer. Either Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis or Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata may codominate these shrublands. Other shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may be present with low cover, including Artemisia frigida, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria parryi, Grayia spinosa, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus. Herbaceous vegetation is typically sparse. Carex filifolia, Elymus elymoides, and Leymus cinereus may be present with low cover. The introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum may be present but does not form an herbaceous layer.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is likely a seral type most often resulting from anthropomorphic disturbance, but also occurs on naturally disturbed sites with sandy soils, such as sandsheets near playas and dunes and receding lakebeds. Ericameria nauseosa may be codominant in poor-condition stands of many sagebrush associations. The lack of herbaceous layer helps distinguish this type. It is currently a broadly defined association that may need to be split into an Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Ericameria nauseosa shrubland association and an Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata / Ericameria nauseosa shrubland association after more data are available from Nevada (E. Peterson pers. comm. 2006). In addition to ecological differences between subspecies of big sagebrush, there are many subspecies and varieties of Ericameria nauseosa that also may have different ecological responses. More survey and classification work 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 association is characterized by a relatively open (25% cover) shrub canopy codominated by Ericameria nauseosa and Artemisia tridentata shrubs 0.5-2 m tall with a sparse herbaceous layer. Either Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis or Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata may codominate these shrublands. Other shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may be present with low cover, including Artemisia frigida, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria parryi, Grayia spinosa, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus. Herbaceous vegetation is typically sparse. Carex filifolia, Elymus elymoides, and Leymus cinereus (= Elymus cinereus) may be present with low cover. The introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum may be present but does not form an herbaceous layer.
Dynamics: Ericameria nauseosa is considered a shrub of depleted range and disturbed areas (McArthur et al. 1977). It is a fire-adapted species that is typically unharmed or enhanced by fire and is often one of the first species to colonize burned areas by sprouting from adventitious buds from its stems and root crown or from off-site seed (FEIS 2006). Stands appear to be dependent on disturbance, such as receding lakebed (Fenemore 1970), abandoned agriculture or heavy grazing, which favors Ericameria nauseosa (USFS 1937).
Environmental Description: This is a broadly defined, semi-arid shrubland association described from western and northern Nevada and eastern California, but it is likely widespread in the intermountain western U.S. within the range of sagebrush. Elevations range from 1220-1430 m (4000-4680 feet) in Nevada. Stands occur on valley floors and adjacent lower slopes. Sites are flat to gently sloping. Substrates are deep, moderately well- to well-drained silty clay loam to sandy loam soils derived from stratified alluvium. The ground surface has moderate to high cover of bare soil. In Colorado stands have high cover of small rocks.
Geographic Range: This broadly defined shrubland association has been sampled from only a few locations, but it likely occurs throughout much of the intermountain western U.S. Additional classification work is needed to clarify differences between this association and ~Artemisia tridentata - (Ericameria nauseosa) / Bromus tectorum Ruderal Shrubland (CEGL002699)$$.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687587
Confidence Level: Low
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.3 Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M169 | 3.B.1.Ne.3 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a Wyoming Big Sagebrush - Basin Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G303 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
| Alliance | A3194 Basin Big Sagebrush - Foothill Big Sagebrush Dry Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3194 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
| Association | CEGL000998 Big Sagebrush / Rubber Rabbitbrush Shrubland | CEGL000998 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia tridentata - Ericameria nauseosa (Sawyer et al. 2009) [35.110.01]
> Artemisia tridentata / Chrysothamnus nauseosus Plant Association (Fenemore 1970) [Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata is the likely subspecies on this lowland playa edge.]
= Artemisia tridentata-Ericameria nauseosa Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Chrysothamnus nauseosus / Artemisia tridentata Community (Blackburn et al. 1968b) [Although Bromus tectorum is present in this community, this plot represent a bottomland type with Leymus cinereus and Sarcobatus vermiculatus as associates.]
> Artemisia tridentata / Chrysothamnus nauseosus Plant Association (Fenemore 1970) [Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata is the likely subspecies on this lowland playa edge.]
= Artemisia tridentata-Ericameria nauseosa Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Chrysothamnus nauseosus / Artemisia tridentata Community (Blackburn et al. 1968b) [Although Bromus tectorum is present in this community, this plot represent a bottomland type with Leymus cinereus and Sarcobatus vermiculatus as associates.]
- Blackburn, W. H., P. T. Tueller, and R. E. Eckert, Jr. 1968b. Vegetation and soils of the Crowley Creek watershed. Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin R-42. Reno. 60 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.
- Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- FEIS [Fire Effects Information System]. 2006. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/] (accessed January 2006).
- Fenemore, R. M., Jr. 1970. Plant succession in a receding lake bed in the western Great Basin. Unpublished thesis, University of Nevada, Reno.
- Ferren, W. R., and F. W. Davis. 1991. Biotic inventory and ecosystem characterization of Fish Slough in Inyo and Mono counties. Unpublished report. California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento, CA.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., and K. Thomas. 2000. Draft descriptions of vegetation alliances for the Mojave Ecosystem Mapping project. California Natural Diversity Database, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.
- McArthur, E. D., B. C. Giunta, and A. P. Plummer. 1977. Shrubs for restoration of depleted range and disturbed areas. Utah Science 35:28-33.
- 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.
- Peterson, Eric. Personal communication. Plant Ecologist, Nevada Natural Heritage Program, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Carson City, NV.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1937. Range plant handbook. Dover Publications Inc., New York. 816 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.