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CEGL001329 Ericameria nauseosa / Leymus flavescens / Psoralidium lanceolatum Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rubber Rabbitbrush / Yellow Wildrye / Lemon Scurfpea Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs in areas of partially stabilized sands, in a region of actively moving dune deposits, from 1525-1800 m elevation in southeastern Idaho. It is found extending from roughly 30-210 m to windward from the rear of the pioneer Leymus flavescens - Psoralidium lanceolatum vegetation type. Sand deposits where it occurs have generally been stable for approximately 40 years. Soils are sand, from a few centimeters to over 4 m deep, left behind as the dunes advance. This shrubland is composed of a moderately dense (40-60% cover) layer of Ericameria nauseosa, a semi-deciduous shrub up to 2 m in height, with an herbaceous understory of 20-30% cover and less than 0.5 m in height. Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus is an associated shrub in this community, but is not dominant. The ground surface can have up to 75% cover of plant litter, primarily rabbitbrush parts. This is the second seral stage of 5 vegetation types found on these dunes. The types are found in bands transverse to the direction of dune movement. The width of the vegetation bands is quite consistent throughout the sand hills area and each band advances across the landscape at about the same rate as the dune advancement. This association has an approximate duration on a given deposit of 10-70 years. Diagnostic species are Ericameria nauseosa, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Leymus flavescens, Psoralidium lanceolatum, and Achnatherum hymenoides. Other common species include Machaeranthera canescens, Oxytheca dendroidea, Gayophytum humile, Lygodesmia grandiflora, and Phacelia hastata var. hastata.
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: This association is composed of a moderately dense (40-60% cover) layer of Ericameria nauseosa (= Chrysothamnus nauseosus), a semi-deciduous shrub up to 2 m in height, with an herbaceous understory of 20-30% cover and less than 0.5 m in height. Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus is an associated shrub in this association, but is not dominant. The herbaceous layer is dominated by the perennial forb Psoralidium lanceolatum (= Psoralea lanceolata), with important associated species being the rhizomatous grass Leymus flavescens (= Elymus flavescens) and the perennial bunchgrass Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides). Other minor forb species present include the perennials Machaeranthera canescens (= Aster canescens), Oxytheca dendroidea (= Eriogonum dendroideum), Lygodesmia grandiflora, Phacelia hastata var. hastata (= Phacelia leucophylla), and the annual Gayophytum humile (= Gayophytum nuttallii). The ground surface can have up to 75% cover of plant litter, primarily rabbitbrush parts.
Dynamics: The dunes where this association is found are active, migrating slowly to the northeast at an average of 3 m/year (Chadwick and Dalke 1965). Sand deposits extend to windward from the dunes in the form of long ridges, parallel to the wind direction. The migrating dunes become smaller as they move, and the presence of partially or completely vegetated dune formations indicates that dunes stop advancing and become vegetated. This is the second seral stage of five vegetation types found on these dunes. The types are found in bands that transverse to the direction of dune movement. The width of the vegetation bands is quite consistent throughout the sandhills area, and each band advances across the landscape at about the same rate as the dune advancement. This association has an approximate duration on a given deposit of 10 to 70 years.
Environmental Description: This association occurs in areas of partially stabilized sands, in a region of actively moving dune deposits. It is found extending from roughly 30-210 m to windward from the rear of pioneer Leymus flavescens - Psoralidium lanceolatum vegetation type. Sand deposits where it occurs have generally been stable for approximately 40 years. Soils are sand, from a few centimeters to over 4 m deep, left behind as the dunes advance. These soils are primarily fine- to medium-sized at all depths. Despite very low moisture levels during the dry season, the tension at which moisture is held by the sand is very low, meaning that some moisture is apparently always available to plants (Chadwick and Dalke 1965).
Geographic Range: This association is presently known only from the St. Anthony Sand Dunes RNA in Fremont County in southeastern Idaho. It occurs within the Snake River Basalts ecoregional section.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688416
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1?
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.e Intermountain Sparsely Vegetated Dune Scrub & Grassland Group | G775 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
| Alliance | A4149 Rubber Rabbitbrush - Sand Buckwheat - Four-part Horsebrush Sparse Scrub Alliance | A4149 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
| Association | CEGL001329 Rubber Rabbitbrush / Yellow Wildrye / Lemon Scurfpea Shrubland | CEGL001329 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- Chadwick, H. W., and P. D. Dalke. 1965. Plant succession on dune sands in Fremont County, Idaho. Ecology 46:765-780.
- Reid, M. S., L. S. Engelking, and P. S. Bourgeron. 1994. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States, Western Region. Pages 305-620 in: D. H. Grossman, K. L. Goodin, and C. L. Reuss, editors. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States, an initial survey. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.