Print Report
CEGL002937 Ericameria nauseosa / Bromus tectorum Ruderal Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rubber Rabbitbrush / Cheatgrass Ruderal Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This ruderal shrubland occurs throughout much of the interior western U.S. in disturbed situations. Total vegetation cover is relatively sparse to dense, depending primarily on the density of cheatgrass in any given year. The shrub canopy is open to moderately dense, consisting of Ericameria nauseosa with 10-60% cover. Scattered individuals of other shrub species, such as Artemisia tridentata, Rhus trilobata, Atriplex canescens, and Atriplex confertifolia, may be present. The herbaceous layer contains many species but is overwhelmingly dominated by the non-native annual Bromus tectorum. Relict native herbaceous grasses include Aristida purpurea, Achnatherum hymenoides, Elymus elymoides, Poa fendleriana, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Native herbaceous species are also common but contribute only sparse cover and may include Cleome lutea, Eriogonum inflatum, and Heterotheca villosa. Weedy forbs are more abundant in most stands, including Lappula occidentalis, and Salsola tragus. Stands occur on gentle to steep slopes with elevations ranging from 1110 to 2085 m (3640-6840 feet). Sites include intermittently flooded drainages, stream terraces and broad floodplains, basins and upland slopes. Soils are variable; most stands occur on well-drained sandy loams that are often rocky, but others occur on loam or gravely clay or clay loam soils. Most stands are the result of fire burning sagebrush or other types of shrublands, but some derive from other forms of disturbance, including overgrazing.
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 and Great Basin.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Total vegetation cover is relatively sparse to dense, depending primarily on the density of cheatgrass in any given year. The shrub canopy is open to moderately dense, consisting of Ericameria nauseosa with 10-60% cover. Scattered individuals of other shrub species such as Artemisia tridentata, Rhus trilobata, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Atriplex canescens, and Atriplex confertifolia may be present. Cover of Yucca elata (= var. utahensis) and Opuntia spp. may be more abundant. Occasional non-native Elaeagnus angustifolia or Tamarix chinensis trees are present in some stands in riparian settings. Native trees such as Juniperus spp. may also be present. The herbaceous layer contains many species but is overwhelmingly dominated by the non-native annual Bromus tectorum providing up to 90% cover. Non-native forbs can be abundant, including Salsola tragus, Rumex crispus, Sonchus asper, and Tragopogon dubius. Relict native herbaceous grasses include Aristida purpurea, Achnatherum hymenoides, Elymus elymoides, Poa fendleriana, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Native herbaceous species are also usually present but contribute only sparse cover and may include Cleome lutea, Eriogonum inflatum, Lappula occidentalis and Heterotheca villosa.
Dynamics: Most stands are the result of fire burning sagebrush or other types of shrublands. Others derive from other forms of disturbance, including grazing.
Environmental Description: This ruderal shrubland occurs widely in the interior western U.S. in disturbed situations, especially in the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Columbia Plateau. Sites include intermittently flooded drainages, stream terraces and broad floodplains, basins and moderate to steep upland slopes. Elevations range from 1110 to 2085 m (3640-6840 feet), and sites occur on gentle to steep slopes that may be oriented to any aspect. Soils are variable; most sampled stands occur on sandy loams that are well-drained and often rocky, but other stands occur on loam or gravely clay or clay loam soils. Litter and bare soil cover most of the ground surface. Parent materials are variable and include sandstones and shale that have eroded and deposited as alluvium, limestone, and Pleistocene lake deposits.
Geographic Range: This widespread ruderal association occurs in the interior western U.S. in disturbed areas. It has been well-sampled in the Colorado Plateau, Columbia Plateau and Great Basin and is reported from other areas that support sagebrush shrublands.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, NV, UT, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687726
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.90 Crested Wheatgrass - Cheatgrass - Tall Tumblemustard Western North American Ruderal Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M499 | 3.B.1.Ne.90 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a Great Basin-Intermountain Ruderal Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group | G600 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Alliance | A4213 Sagebrush species - Mixed Shrub Ruderal Understory Shrubland Alliance | A4213 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Association | CEGL002937 Rubber Rabbitbrush / Cheatgrass Ruderal Shrubland | CEGL002937 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ericameria nauseosa / Bromus tectorum Semi-natural Shrubland (Cogan et al. 2004)
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