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CEGL001289 Atriplex canescens / Achnatherum hymenoides Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fourwing Saltbush / Indian Ricegrass Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland is found on the western slope of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, northeastern Utah and the Great Salt Lake Desert. The vegetation is characterized by an open (10-25% cover) short-shrub layer that is dominated by Atriplex canescens, with an herbaceous layer dominated by the bunchgrass Achnatherum hymenoides. Associated shrubby species provide sparse cover and may include Rhus trilobata and Krascheninnikovia lanata. The herbaceous layer is low in species diversity and provides sparse to low cover, except in disturbed stands, where Bromus tectorum can be codominant in the understory. Elevation ranges from approximately 1130-2454 m (4260-8545 feet). Stands occur on level desert plains, toeslopes, alluvial terraces and steep slopes at the base of mesas. Soils are well-drained, somewhat alkaline and include sandy clay loam.
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. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize it across its range.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This semi-desert to desert association is characterized by an open (10-25% cover) short-shrub layer that is dominated by Atriplex canescens, with an herbaceous layer dominated by the bunchgrass Achnatherum hymenoides. Associated shrubby species provide sparse cover and may include Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra torreyana, Ericameria nauseosa, Grayia spinosa, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Opuntia spp., Psorothamnus fremontii, and Rhus trilobata. The herbaceous layer is low in species diversity and provides sparse to low cover. Additional species may include the grasses Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, Sporobolus contractus, Sporobolus cryptandrus, and Sporobolus flexuosus. Forbs include Eriogonum lonchophyllum, Plantago patagonica, Sphaeralcea coccinea, and Stephanomeria minor var. minor (= Stephanomeria tenuifolia var. tenuifolia). Weedy introduced species include Bromus tectorum, Erodium cicutarium, Salsola tragus, and Schismus barbatus, which may be abundant in disturbed stands.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Elevation ranges from approximately 1130-2454 m (4260-8545 feet). Stands occur on level canyon bottoms, alluvial terraces, sand dunes, desert plains, canyon sides, and steep toeslopes at the base of mesas. Soils are well-drained, somewhat alkaline and include sandy clay loam.
Geographic Range: This shrubland is found on the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado, the Colorado Plateau in northwestern New Mexico, western Colorado and eastern Utah, and the Great Salt Lake Desert north into the Snake River Plain in southern Idaho. This association may have a wider distribution as both diagnostic species are common in the semi-arid western U.S.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, ID, NM, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688022
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G5
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 | A0869 Fourwing Saltbush Scrub Alliance | A0869 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Association | CEGL001289 Fourwing Saltbush / Indian Ricegrass Shrubland | CEGL001289 | 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: No Data Available
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