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CEGL002954 Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Creosotebush - Burrobush Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This creosotebush shrubland association occurs in Arizona, California and Nevada. It is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in Arizona. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It typically occurs on sideslopes, but also occurs on mesas, alluvial fans, and drainage channels at 375 to 500 m (1250-1625 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 650 m (2100 feet). It is typically found on low gradients (0-10°), across all aspects, but occasionally occurs on steeper slopes (10-20°). Soils are well- to rapidly-drained silty or sandy clays or loams, and the underlying geology is usually limestone or less frequently basalt. Vegetation is characterized by the codominance of the tall shrub Larrea tridentata and the dwarf-shrub Ambrosia dumosa. Ferocactus cylindraceus and Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa occur most frequently in the sparse short-shrub layer. The dwarf-shrub layer also occasionally includes the cactus Opuntia basilaris. Dasyochloa pulchella and Vulpia octoflora are relatively common in a very sparse graminoid layer. Cryptantha spp., Plantago sp., Eriogonum inflatum, and Erodium cicutarium are regularly present in the forb understory.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

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

Floristics: Vegetation is characterized by the codominance of the tall shrub Larrea tridentata and the dwarf-shrub Ambrosia dumosa. Ferocactus cylindraceus and Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa (= Opuntia acanthocarpa) occur most frequently in the sparse short-shrub layer. The dwarf-shrub layer also occasionally includes the cactus Opuntia basilaris. Dasyochloa pulchella and Vulpia octoflora are relatively common in a very sparse graminoid layer. Cryptantha spp., Plantago sp., Eriogonum inflatum, and Erodium cicutarium are regularly present in the forb understory.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This creosotebush shrubland typically occurs on sideslopes, but also occurs on mesas, alluvial fans, and drainage channels at 375 to 500 m (1250-1625 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 650 m (2100 feet). It is typically found on low gradients (0-10°), across all aspects, but occasionally occurs on steeper slopes (10-20°). Soils are well- to rapidly-drained silty or sandy clays or loams, and the underlying geology is usually limestone or less frequently basalt.
Geographic Range: This Mojave Desert shrubland occurs in northern Arizona, southeastern California and southern Nevada. More survey work is needed to fully document its global range.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CA, NV


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4

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.4 Saguaro - Organ Pipe Cactus - Burrobush Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub Macrogroup M088 3.A.2.Na.4
Group 3.A.2.Na.4.b Creosotebush - Burrobush - Brittlebush Desert Scrub Group G295 3.A.2.Na.4.b
Alliance A3277 Creosotebush - Burrobush Bajada & Valley Desert Scrub Alliance A3277 3.A.2.Na.4.b
Association CEGL002954 Creosotebush - Burrobush Shrubland CEGL002954 3.A.2.Na.4.b
Concept Lineage: CEGL001262 is archived & moved to become this type

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.140.42]
= Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa Association (Kurzius 1981)
= Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa Association (Annable 1985)
= Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa Association (Warren et al. 1982)
? Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa Association (Warren et al. 1981)
= Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa Association (Evens et al. 2012)
= Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa Association (Peterson 1984a)
= Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa Shrubland (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
= Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa Shrubland (Evens and Hartman 2007)
= Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa Shrubland (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2005)
= Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa Shrubland (Kearsley et al. 2015)
= Larrea tridentata / Ambrosia dumosa Association (Malusa 2003)
= Larrea tridentata-Ambrosia dumosa Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Creosote Bush Community (Armstrong 1969)
= Mojave Creosote Bush Scrub, Sonoran Creosote Bush Scrub (Holland 1982)
Concept Author(s): Kearsley et al. (2015)

Author of Description: R. Meszaros

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-06-17
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