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CEGL001734 Parthenium incanum / Bouteloua eriopoda Shrub Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mariola / Black Grama Shrub Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This plant community is known from foothills of isolated mountain ranges of the northern Chihuahuan Desert. Occurrences have been documented from the San Andres Mountains, Sierra Oscura, Otero Mesa, and Guadalupe Mountains in New Mexico, and the Sierra del Carmen in Coahuila, and Ojo Calliente in Chihuahua, Mexico. It may be found in similar habitats in Trans-Pecos Texas. This grassland association occurs on rocky slopes of low-lying hills and mountain footslopes at elevations of 980-1920 m (3200-6300 feet) and can also can extend onto upper alluvial fans and piedmonts. It occurs on both igneous and sedimentary substrates, with soils that are generally Orthids or Argids with coarse to fine-silty particle size classes. Slope grades are typically moderate to steep and occur on various aspects. Abundant and often luxuriant grass cover, with a diverse mix of low-lying Chihuahuan shrub species, characterizes this Chihuahuan Desert grassland. Bouteloua eriopoda is well-represented to luxuriant in cover and dominates the herbaceous layer, but can be patchy. Among the 31 grasses recorded for the type, Bouteloua curtipendula, Dasyochloa pulchella, and Aristida purpurea are the most abundant and consistent. Shrubs are often abundant, diverse, and variable. The well-represented to abundant Parthenium incanum is diagnostic, with Larrea tridentata, Opuntia phaeacantha, and Viguiera stenoloba as occasional subdominants. Forbs are highly diverse (68 species) and variable. Bahia absinthifolia is common along with numerous cacti such as Echinocereus triglochidiatus.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association may also occur in Texas. It is well-documented where known.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Abundant and often luxuriant grass cover, with a diverse mix of low-lying Chihuahuan shrub species, characterizes this Chihuahuan Desert grassland. Bouteloua eriopoda is well-represented to luxuriant in cover and dominates the herbaceous layer, but can be patchy. Among the 31 grasses recorded for the type, Bouteloua curtipendula, Dasyochloa pulchella (= Erioneuron pulchellum), and Aristida purpurea are the most abundant and consistent. Shrubs are often abundant, diverse, and variable. The well-represented to abundant Parthenium incanum is diagnostic, with Larrea tridentata, Opuntia phaeacantha, and Viguiera stenoloba as occasional subdominants. Forbs are highly diverse (68 species) and variable. Bahia absinthifolia is common along with numerous cacti such as Echinocereus triglochidiatus.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This grassland association occurs on rocky slopes of low-lying hills and mountain footslopes at elevations of 980-1920 m (3200-6300 feet) and can also can extend onto upper alluvial fans and piedmonts. It occurs on both igneous and sedimentary substrates, with soils that are generally Orthids or Argids with coarse to fine-silty particle size classes. Slope grades are typically moderate to steep and occur on various aspects.
Geographic Range: This plant community is known from foothills of isolated mountain ranges of the northern Chihuahuan Desert. Occurrences have been documented from the San Andres Mountains, Sierra Oscura, Otero Mesa, and Guadalupe Mountains in New Mexico, and the Sierra del Carmen in Coahuila, and Ojo Calliente in Chihuahua, Mexico. It may be found in similar habitats in Trans-Pecos Texas.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: MXCHH, MXCOA, NM, TX?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687671
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.3 Black Grama - Bullgrass - Tobosa Grass Chihuahuan Semi-Desert Grassland Macrogroup | M087 | 3.A.2.Na.3 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.3.a Black Grama - Chino Grama - Bush Muhly Semi-Desert Grassland Group | G490 | 3.A.2.Na.3.a |
| Alliance | A3205 Sotol species / Sideoats Grama - Curly-leaf Muhly Foothill Desert Grassland Alliance | A3205 | 3.A.2.Na.3.a |
| Association | CEGL001734 Mariola / Black Grama Shrub Grassland | CEGL001734 | 3.A.2.Na.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Bouteloua eriopoda / Parthenium incanum PA (Wood et al. 1999)
= Bouteloua eriopoda / Parthenium incanum Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 1998d)
= Parthenium incanum / Bouteloua eriopoda PA (Muldavin and Mehlhop 1992)
= Black Grama/Mariola PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Bouteloua eriopoda/Parthenium incanum: BOUERI/PARINC)]
= Bouteloua eriopoda / Parthenium incanum Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 1998d)
= Parthenium incanum / Bouteloua eriopoda PA (Muldavin and Mehlhop 1992)
= Black Grama/Mariola PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Bouteloua eriopoda/Parthenium incanum: BOUERI/PARINC)]
- 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.
- Muldavin, E., G. Shore, K. Taugher, and B. Milne. 1998d. A vegetation map classification and map for the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. Final report submitted to USDI, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, NM, by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 73 pp. + appendices.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, and G. Harper. 2000b. The vegetation of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico: Volume I. Handbook of vegetation communities. Final report to Environmental Directorate, White Sands Missile Range. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 195 pp. plus appendices
- Muldavin, E., and P. Mehlhop. 1992. A preliminary classification and test vegetation map for White Sands Missile Range and San Andreas National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. University of New Mexico, New Mexico Natural Heritage Program.
- NHNM [Natural Heritage New Mexico]. No date. Unpublished data on file. Natural Heritage New Mexico, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Wood, S., G. Harper, E. Muldavin, and P. Neville. 1999. Vegetation map of the Sierra del Carmen, U.S.A. and Mexico. Final report submitted to Big Bend National Park by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. 57 pp.