Print Report
CEGL001447 Atriplex obovata / Sporobolus airoides - Sporobolus cryptandrus Dwarf-shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mound Saltbush / Alkali Sacaton - Sand Dropseed Dwarf-shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association has only been described from a small area of the upper Rio Puerco watershed of northwestern New Mexico. It occurs in a semi-arid basin between 1647 and 1830 m (5400-6000 feet) elevation and is found on alluvial flats, with 0-2% slopes and fine-textured alluvial parent materials. Soils are calcareous Typic Torrifluvents, with clay, fine sandy loam, or silty clay loam textures. This is a sparsely vegetated dwarf-shrubland, with total plant cover <20%. The dwarf, evergreen shrub Atriplex obovata is the dominant species. Other shrubs with trace cover include the succulents Cylindropuntia imbricata, Opuntia polyacantha, and the deciduous dwarf-shrub Krascheninnikovia lanata. Several perennial grass species may be present; Sporobolus airoides is the most constant and abundant, with Sporobolus cryptandrus and Pleuraphis jamesii typically present. Total herbaceous cover averages 4-6%, with forbs contributing only trace amounts. Species diversity is very low.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Vegetation in this association may be too sparse to be classified as a dwarf-shrubland. Further study is needed throughout its range, especially to assess the effects of livestock grazing on vegetation structure.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is a sparsely vegetated dwarf-shrubland, with total plant cover <20%. The dwarf, evergreen shrub Atriplex obovata is the dominant species, with cover ranging from 5-20%. Other shrubs with trace cover include the succulents Cylindropuntia imbricata (= Opuntia imbricata), Opuntia polyacantha, and the deciduous dwarf-shrub Krascheninnikovia lanata. Several perennial grass species may be present; Sporobolus airoides is the most constant and abundant, with Sporobolus cryptandrus and Pleuraphis jamesii (= Hilaria jamesii) typically present. Total herbaceous cover averages 4-6%, with forbs contributing only trace amounts. Species diversity is very low.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association occurs in a semi-arid basin of northwestern New Mexico, between 1647 and 1830 m (5400-6000 feet) elevation. Annual precipitation is variable, ranging from 21 to 33 cm, with a peak during July through September. These summer rains are convectional, of short duration and high intensity. Summers are hot. This association is found on alluvial flats, with 0-2% slopes and fine-textured alluvial parent materials. Soils are calcareous Typic Torrifluvents, with clay, fine sandy loam, or silty clay loam textures. Soil depths range from 25 to 50 cm and have little to no rock in the profile.
Geographic Range: It is known only from the upper Rio Puerco watershed of northwestern New Mexico, in Sandoval and McKinley counties.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687826
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1Q
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.5 Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Mat Saltbush Great Basin Scrub Macrogroup | M093 | 3.B.1.Ne.5 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Spiny Hopsage Scrub Group | G300 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Alliance | A3180 Mound Saltbush - Valley Saltbush Scrub Alliance | A3180 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Association | CEGL001447 Mound Saltbush / Alkali Sacaton - Sand Dropseed Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL001447 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Atriplex obovata / Sporobolus airoides - Sporobolus cryptandrus Plant Community (Francis 1986)
- 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.
- Francis, R. E. 1986. Phyto-edaphic communities of the Upper Rio Puerco Watershed, New Mexico. Research Paper RM-272. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 73 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.