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CEGL002699 Artemisia tridentata - (Ericameria nauseosa) / Bromus tectorum Ruderal Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Big Sagebrush - (Rubber Rabbitbrush) / Cheatgrass Ruderal Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is unfortunately quite common throughout the Colorado Plateau and throughout the range of big sagebrush in the western U.S. due to a history of heavy grazing pressure by domestic livestock. This shrubland has a canopy of Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata which is always present, often with a lesser component of Ericameria nauseosa, Atriplex canescens, or Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus. The non-native annual grass Bromus tectorum dominates the herbaceous undergrowth layer, and is frequently accompanied by other non-native grasses and forbs. Individuals or small patches of native grasses and forbs may occur, including Leymus cinereus, Achnatherum hymenoides, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. However, the natives are overwhelmed by the non-natives, such that it is impossible to determine what native association the stand may have been prior to conversion to a ruderal type. Stands occur in small to moderate-sized patches on alluvial terraces, floodplains, and point bars, mostly below 2000 m (6560 feet) elevation.
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. Stands of this ruderal association may be confused with poor-condition natural types. It has been poorly sampled outside the Colorado Plateau, although it likely occurs widely within the range of basin big sagebrush shrublands.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This big sagebrush association is widespread within areas of the Colorado Plateau that have been subject to heavy grazing by domestic livestock. Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata is always present in the sparse to dense shrub canopy (10-70% cover) with cover of between 5 and 70% and up to 2 m in height. Ericameria nauseosa is not always present but is often present in the vicinity. Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis may be present in some stands. Other shrubs that occur in this community consistently include Atriplex canescens, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Rhus aromatica, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Yucca angustissima. Less common shrubs are Artemisia nova, Brickellia microphylla, Ephedra viridis, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia spp., or Tetradymia canescens. In some stands there may be scattered trees of Pinus edulis, Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus scopulorum, and Populus angustifolia. The herbaceous layer reflects a long history of disturbance and is dominated by exotic annual Bromus species, especially Bromus tectorum. Other common exotic herbaceous species include Bromus diandrus ssp. rigidus (= Bromus rigidus), Ceratocephala testiculata (= Ranunculus testiculatus), Erodium cicutarium, Lactuca serriola, Salsola tragus, and Sisymbrium altissimum. Because it is dominated by annual species, the total herbaceous cover varies depending on seasonal precipitation. Exotic perennial species have also been documented, such as Acroptilon repens, Agropyron cristatum, Bromus inermis, Cardaria draba, and Carduus nutans ssp. macrolepis. Remnant native herbaceous vegetation may include scattered individuals or patches of Ambrosia acanthicarpa, Achnatherum hymenoides, Boerhavia spp., Descurainia pinnata, Distichlis spicata, Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata, Heterotheca villosa, Lepidium montanum, Lappula occidentalis, Linanthus watsonii (= Leptodactylon watsonii), Machaeranthera canescens, Oenothera caespitosa, Poa fendleriana, Senecio spartioides, Sporobolus contractus, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Stenotus acaulis, and others.
Dynamics: This association represents Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata shrublands in degraded condition, in which the native herbaceous understory has been removed by grazing and replaced by a suite of non-native species, especially Bromus tectorum. That fact that these degraded stands are frequently located on stream terraces and floodplains may be due to easier access by livestock in canyon country which coincides with Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata stands on lowlands with deep alluvial soils.
Environmental Description: This association occurs on alluvial terraces, flats and fans or valley floors throughout the Colorado Plateau and extends into the Great Basin. Most stands occur on level to gently sloping sites below 2000 m (6560 feet) elevation, with documented elevations ranging from 1130-2045 m. Soils include sandy loams, silt loams, and clay loams, depending on the size of the stream and the geology of the area. Parent materials is frequently alluvium but includes sandstones, shale, limestone, eolian deposits and Precambrian gneiss. The ground surface often has high litter and bare soil cover and low cover of rocks. Cryptobiotic soil crusts can be abundant (up to 15% in some stands).
Geographic Range: This association is well-sampled in the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah, northern Arizona and western Colorado and Great Basin. It likely occurs on disturbed sites throughout the range of big sagebrush in the western U.S.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, ID, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688557
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.90 Crested Wheatgrass - Cheatgrass - Tall Tumblemustard Western North American Ruderal Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M499 | 3.B.1.Ne.90 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a Great Basin-Intermountain Ruderal Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group | G600 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Alliance | A4213 Sagebrush species - Mixed Shrub Ruderal Understory Shrubland Alliance | A4213 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Association | CEGL002699 Big Sagebrush - (Rubber Rabbitbrush) / Cheatgrass Ruderal Shrubland | CEGL002699 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia tridentata - (Ericameria nauseosa) / Bromus tectorum Semi-natural Shrubland (Cogan et al. 2004)
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