Print Report
CEGL002690 Gutierrezia sarothrae - (Opuntia spp.) / Pleuraphis jamesii Dwarf-shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Broom Snakeweed - (Prickly-pear species) / James'' Galleta Dwarf-shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dwarf-shrubland is found in Utah and northern Arizona, mostly in the Colorado Plateau, but likely occurs more widely. This association is characterized by an open dwarf-shrub canopy (10-30% cover) that is dominated by Gutierrezia sarothrae, frequently with Opuntia spp. and an herbaceous layer with Pleuraphis jamesii present to abundant (1-30% cover). Some stands have a diverse woody layer that includes low cover of several shrub species and occasional Pinus edulis or Juniperus osteosperma trees. The herbaceous layer is typically dominated by graminoids with several species present in addition to Pleuraphis jamesii, including Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata, or Pascopyrum smithii. There is usually only sparse cover of native forbs such as Chamaesyce spp. or Sphaeralcea coccinea. Introduced species such as Bromus tectorum or Salsola kali may dominate the herbaceous layer of some disturbed stands. Stands occur on level to moderately sloping hillslopes, plateaus and bluffs. Aspects are reported from the southeast, south and southwest. Soils are variable and range from sandy to clayey texture and may occur over gravel and cobbles or talus. Disturbance may be important in maintaining this vegetation community as some stands have been created by chaining of trees and improper grazing by livestock.
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. This broadly defined dwarf-shrubland includes stands that could also be classified as a dwarf-shrub herbaceous association. Because it may be the result of disturbance, it occurs on a variety of sites.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This broadly defined association is characterized by an open dwarf-shrub canopy (10-30% cover) dominated by Gutierrezia sarothrae, frequently with Opuntia spp. and an herbaceous layer with Pleuraphis jamesii present to abundant (0-30% cover). Some stands have a diverse woody layer that includes low cover of Artemisia nova, Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra spp., Eriogonum spp., Grayia spinosa, Lycium pallidum, Purshia tridentata, or occasional Pinus edulis or Juniperus osteosperma trees. The herbaceous layer is typically dominated by graminoids with several species present including Pleuraphis jamesii, Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata, or Pascopyrum smithii. There is usually only sparse cover of native forbs like Chamaesyce spp. or Sphaeralcea coccinea; however, introduced species such as Bromus tectorum, Erodium cicutarium, Lepidium montanum, Sisymbrium altissimum, or Salsola kali may dominate the herbaceous layer of some disturbed stands.
Dynamics: Gutierrezia sarothrae occurs in many natural grassland and steppe communities in the western U.S. and is known to increase when these communities are disturbed mechanically or by over-grazing (Stubbendieck et al. 1992, USFS 1937). The role of disturbance in this association needs further study to understand its successional nature.
Environmental Description: This association is described from Utah and northern Arizona where it occurs on level to moderately sloping hillslopes, plateaus, sand deposits and bluffs. Elevations range from 1350-2000 m. Aspects are reported from the southeast, south and southwest. Soils are variable and range from sandy to clayey texture and may occur over gravel and cobbles or talus. Disturbance may be important in maintaining this vegetation community as some stands may have been created by chaining of trees and improper grazing by livestock.
Geographic Range: This association is described from Utah and northern Arizona, but is likely more widespread throughout the semi-arid western U.S.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688408
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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d Yellow Rabbitbrush - Rubber Rabbitbrush - Winterfat Steppe & Shrubland Group | G310 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Alliance | A3203 Broom Snakeweed - Threadleaf Snakeweed Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A3203 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Association | CEGL002690 Broom Snakeweed - (Prickly-pear species) / James'' Galleta Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL002690 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Gutierrezia sarothrae - (Opuntia spp.) / Pleuraphis jamesii Dwarf-shrubland (Cogan et al. 2004)
- Cogan, D., M. Reid, K. Schulz, and M. Pucherelli. 2004. Zion National Park, Utah 1999-2003. Vegetation Mapping Project. Technical Memorandum 8260-03-01. Remote Sensing and GIS Group Technical Service Center, Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO. Appendix F: Vegetation Association Descriptions for Zion.
- Hansen, M., J. Coles, K. A. Thomas, D. Cogan, M. Reid, J. Von Loh, and K. Schulz. 2004a. USGS-NPS National Vegetation Mapping Program: Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona, vegetation classification and distribution. U.S. Geological Survey Technical Report. Southwest Biological Science Center, Flagstaff, AZ. 219 pp.
- Stubbendieck, J., S. L. Hatch, and C. H. Butterfield. 1992. North American range plants, 4th edition. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln. 493 pp.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, K. Decker, M. Hall, J. Von Loh, T. Belote, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2012. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Canyonlands National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2012/577. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Tendick, A., J. Spence, M. Reid, K. Shulz, G. Kittel, K. Green, A. Wight, and G. Wakefield. 2017. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRR—2017/1500. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 1464 pp.
- Thomas, K. A., M. L. McTeague, A. Cully, K. Schulz, and J. M. S. Hutchinson. 2009a. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Petrified Forest National Park. National Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2009/273. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 294 pp.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1937. Range plant handbook. Dover Publications Inc., New York. 816 pp.
- Von Loh, J., D. Cogan, K. Schulz, D. Crawford, T. Meyer, J. Pennell, and M. Pucherelli. 2002. USGS-USFWS Vegetation Mapping Program, Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, Utah. USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Remote Sensing and GIS Group, Technical Memorandum 8260-02-03. Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO. 225 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.