Print Report

CEGL001021 Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Bromus carinatus Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Big Sagebrush / California Brome Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association is documented only from Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. It occurs on an upland toeslope at an elevation of 2232 m (7319 feet) with a gradient of 22% on a southern aspect. The soil is a well-drained sandy loam. The low-shrub canopy is dominated by Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus occurs in small amounts. Graminoids are common and are dominated by Elymus trachycaulus, Bromus carinatus, and Melica spectabilis. Forbs are dominated by Eriogonum umbellatum, Symphyotrichum ascendens, and Antennaria microphylla.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Hironaka et al.''s (1983) Artemisia vaseyana "spiciformis" / Bromus carinatus is represented in the USNVC by ~Artemisia tridentata ssp. spiciformis / Bromus carinatus Shrubland (CEGL002989)$$, as the sagebrush has been elevated to subspecies Artemisia tridentata ssp. spiciformis, so this reference does not apply to stands of Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana. Lewis (1971) refers to Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Bromus marginatus / Festuca idahoensis. Jensen et al. (1988a, 1988b) have an Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Bromus carinatus type, where the Symphoricarpos is present in 90% of plots with just under 10% cover on average. Mooney (1985) describes an Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Elymus cinereus / Bromus carinatus type, with only 1-5% Bromus carinatus and 25-50% Leymus cinereus.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The low-shrub canopy is dominated by Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus occurs in small amounts. Graminoids are common and are dominated by Elymus trachycaulus, Bromus carinatus, and Melica spectabilis. Forbs are dominated by Eriogonum umbellatum, Symphyotrichum ascendens, and Antennaria microphylla.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  It occurs on an upland toeslope at an elevation of 2232 m (7319 feet) with a gradient of 22% on a southern aspect. The soil is a well-drained sandy loam.
Geographic Range: This association is documented only from Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA?, ID, NV, UT?, WY


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4?

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.c Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush - Mountain Silver Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group G304 3.B.1.Ne.3.c
Alliance A3207 Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance A3207 3.B.1.Ne.3.c
Association CEGL001021 Mountain Big Sagebrush / California Brome Shrubland CEGL001021 3.B.1.Ne.3.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Bromus marginatus / Festuca idahoensis (Lewis 1971)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Elymus cinereus / Bromus carinatus Association (Mooney 1985)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Bromus carinatus Community Type (Jensen et al. 1988b)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Symphoricarpos oreophilus / Bromus carinatus Community Type (Jensen et al. 1988a)
= Artemisia vaseyana "spiciformis" / Bromus carinatus Habitat Type (Hironaka et al. 1983)
Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 08-15-05
  • 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., 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.
  • 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.
  • Lewis, M. E. 1971. Flora and major plant communities of the Ruby-East Humboldt Mountains with special emphasis on Lamoille Canyon. Unpublished report compiled for USDA Forest Service, Region IV, Ogden, UT. 62 pp.
  • Mooney, M. J. 1985. A preliminary classification of high elevation sagebrush-grass plant vegetation in northern and central Nevada. Unpublished thesis, University of Nevada, Reno. 118 pp.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.