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CEGL002745 Leymus salinus Shale Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Saline Wildrye Shale Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: Saline Wildrye Tableland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This generally sparse association is found in the Colorado Plateau of southeastern Utah, northern Arizona and western Colorado. Total vegetation cover is characteristically sparse (<10%) but ranges widely, from 3 to 55% depending on aspect and slope. The tall bunchgrass Leymus salinus is visually dominant, with between 2 and 10% cover. Freeze-thaw, shrink-swell action, frequent rolling rocks and sheet erosion of the clay soils tend to create bare areas between the scattered bunches of Leymus salinus and dwarf-shrubs such as Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus var. stenophyllus, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Atriplex confertifolia, which total between 1 and 5% cover. Stands typically occur on cool, sparsely vegetated badland slopes of Chinle, Mancos, Morrison, or other shale formations. Elevations range between 1341 and 1971 m (4400-6465 feet), and slopes tend to be north- to east-facing and moderately steep to steep (38-71% slope). The physical appearance of the community is characterized by a moderate cover of colluvial rocks and blocks fallen from sandstone ledges above the stand.
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.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This generally sparse herbaceous association occurs throughout the northern Colorado Plateau in its characteristic habitat of steep, northerly shale slopes. Total vegetation cover is characteristically sparse (<10%) but ranges widely, from 3 to 55% locally depending on aspect and slope, with cooler north-facing slopes tending to support denser vegetation. The tall bunchgrass Leymus salinus is visually dominant, with between 2 and 13% cover. Other grasses and forbs may be present, usually with less than 1% cover except in wet years. Short and dwarf-shrubs may have nearly equal cover to the grass and include species such as Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus var. stenophyllus, Artemisia bigelovii, Atriplex confertifolia, Eriogonum corymbosum, Ephedra spp., Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Xylorhiza tortifolia,. In some stands, scattered individuals of Pinus edulis and Juniperus osteosperma may be present.
Dynamics: Rockfall, soil movement and erosion are important processes in this community. Blocks of colluvial sandstone create stable microsites for the establishment of both grasses and shrubs. Freeze-thaw and shrink-swell action, as well as sheet erosion of the clay soils, tend to lever out many species, limiting the community composition to those plants that can tolerate significant soil movement. Grazing may affect some stands, but many examples are on dangerously steep and loose slopes. The vegetation is generally too sparse to carry fire.
Environmental Description: This association typically occurs on sparsely vegetated shale slopes in the Colorado Plateau of southeastern Utah and western Colorado between 1341 and 1971 m (4400-6465 feet). Slopes tend to be moderately steep to steep (38-71%) and are generally north- to east-facing. The soil surface usually has moderate cover of colluvial rocks and blocks from sandstone ledges above the stand. Soil textures range from clays to clay loams, and the effects of shrink-swell action and sheet erosion in these soils is evident in the high percentage of bare ground. Parent materials include Chinle, Kayenta, Mancos, and Morrison formation shales, including the Brushy Basin, Tidwell, and Salt Wash members, White Rim sandstone, or from talus/colluvium deposits.
Geographic Range: This association typically occurs on cool, sparsely vegetated badland slopes of Mancos, Morrison, or other shale formations in the Colorado Plateau of southeastern Utah, northern Arizona and western Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687754
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.6 Saltbush species - Joint-fir species - Buckwheat species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Macrogroup | M118 | 3.B.1.Ne.6 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a Saltbush species - Mountain-mahogany species - Joint-fir species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Group | G570 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Alliance | A4052 Joint-fir species - Saline Wildrye - Crispleaf Buckwheat Badlands Cold Desert Sparse Vegetation Alliance | A4052 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Association | CEGL002745 Saline Wildrye Shale Sparse Vegetation | CEGL002745 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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