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CEGL001410 Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Shrub Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Sagebrush / Salmon Wildrye Shrub Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: The plant association is reported from the southern end of the Lemhi Range, Idaho, within the Beaverhead Mountains ecoregional section. The plant association occurs within a region of cool, arid climatic conditions. The average annual precipitation is 25.4-30.5 cm (10-12 inches). The association occurs in lower slope positions, on relatively steep, northwest-facing slopes, at 1585 to 8130 m (5200-6000 feet) elevation, on limestone parent materials. Soils are poorly developed, thin and rocky. Little information is available regarding the structure and composition of this association. The dwarf-shrub vegetation is dominated by Artemisia arbuscula. Pseudoroegneria spicata and Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis are codominant in the herbaceous layer and usually abundant, often exceeding 50% cover. No additional information is available on the species composition of the dwarf-shrub plant association.
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: Little information is available regarding the structure and composition of this association. It is a shrub-dominated association, with a dwarf-shrub layer of the evergreen Artemisia arbuscula. The herbaceous layer is codominated by the bunchgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata and by Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis, a perennial grass species commonly considered a bunchgrass due to its cespitose form, but which typically has rhizomes. This variety of grass is endemic to east-central Idaho. Cover of the graminoid layer is apparently high, roughly 50-60%. No other information is available on species composition or cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: The region where the association occurs is to the east of a major mountain mass which strongly affects the climate of the region. The region is mountainous with high, massive ranges, dissected by deep valleys. The topography is controlled by fault-block activity, and much of the region has a linear basin and range topography typical of the Great Basin. The valleys are broad and gentle. The high mountains to the west create a rainshadow, allowing only occasional incursions of moisture-laden winter storms from the Pacific. Average annual precipitation is low, ranging from 17.8 cm (7 inches) in the valleys to roughly 114 cm (45 inches) at the highest elevations. There is a peak during May and June, when convective showers are common, but winters are relatively dry. Summers are cool, and winters cold. This plant association occurs in the foothills zone on relatively steep northwest-facing slopes, and where average annual precipitation is 25-30 cm (10-12 inches). It probably occupies sites that are too dry for Juniperus to become established. Elevations range from 1585 to approximately 8130 m (5200-6000 feet). All exposed bedrock is limestone, with some interbedding of sandy limestone, and calcareous siltstone and sandstone. Soils are poorly developed, thin and rocky.
Geographic Range: The plant association occurs within the southwestern region of the Bitterroot Mountains ecoregional section, within east-central Idaho. The association is described from the southwestern foothills of the Lemhi Range, Idaho.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688550
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1G2Q
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.2 Little Sagebrush - Black Sagebrush - Scabland Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M170 | 3.B.1.Ne.2 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b Little Sagebrush - Bigelow''s Sagebrush - Black Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G308 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
| Alliance | A3219 Little Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3219 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
| Association | CEGL001410 Little Sagebrush / Salmon Wildrye Shrub Grassland | CEGL001410 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia arbuscula / Leymus ambiguus Community Type (Caicco and Wellner 1983c)
- 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.
- Caicco, S. L., and C. A. Wellner. 1983c. Research Natural Area recommendation for Southwest Lemhi Range. Unpublished report prepared for USDI Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Falls District, Idaho by Idaho Natural Areas Coordinating Committee. On file at Idaho Conservation Data Center, Boise, ID.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.