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CEGL001003 Artemisia tridentata - Ephedra spp. Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Big Sagebrush - Joint-fir species Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This big sagebrush shrubland association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in Arizona. It is also reported Nevada and Oregon. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It predominantly occurs on sideslopes, although it also rarely occurs in drainage channels and on cinder cones. It mostly occurs from approximately 1350 to 1725 m (4400-5650 feet) elevation but can occur at up to 1850 m (6050 feet) on some sites. It is typically found on moderately steep (20°), limestone, basalt, or shale slopes. Soils are mostly rapidly-drained silty loams that occasionally contain clay or sand. Ground cover tends to be dominated by gravel and rocks. This vegetation type often forms large expanses across appropriate habitats. Stands sometimes contain occasional trees or tall shrubs, but these individuals are rarely common enough to constitute a defined vegetation layer. A short-shrub stratum dominated by Artemisia tridentata and Ephedra spp. characterizes this association. Three species of Ephedra are common, with Ephedra aspera and Ephedra viridis occurring most frequently. Ephedra nevadensis also occurs; however, its presence is rare. Yucca baccata also commonly occurs as a short shrub. The dwarf-shrub layer is typically dominated by Gutierrezia sarothrae, while Thamnosma montana also occasionally occurs. Elymus elymoides, Bromus rubens, Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum speciosum, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Bromus tectorum are all common in the fairly well-developed graminoid layer. A variety of different forbs occur in the understory; however, forb composition varies considerably among stands.
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 vegetation type often forms large expanses across appropriate habitats. Stands sometimes contain occasional trees or tall shrubs, but these individuals are rarely common enough to constitute a defined vegetation layer. A short-shrub stratum dominated by Artemisia tridentata and Ephedra spp. characterizes this association. Three species of Ephedra are common, with Ephedra aspera (= Ephedra fasciculata) and Ephedra viridis occurring most frequently. Ephedra nevadensis also occurs; however, its presence is rare. Yucca baccata also commonly occurs as a short shrub. The dwarf-shrub layer is typically dominated by Gutierrezia sarothrae, while Thamnosma montana also occasionally occurs. Elymus elymoides, Bromus rubens, Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum speciosum, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Bromus tectorum are all common in the fairly well-developed graminoid layer. A variety of different forbs occur in the understory; however, forb composition varies considerably among stands.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This big sagebrush shrubland predominantly occurs on sideslopes, although it also rarely occurs in drainage channels and on cinder cones. It mostly occurs from approximately 1350 to 1725 m (4400-5650 feet) elevation but can occur at up to 1850 m (6050 feet) on some sites. It is typically found on moderately steep (20°), limestone, basalt, or shale slopes. Soils are mostly rapidly-drained silty loams that occasionally contain clay or sand. Ground cover tends to be dominated by gravel and rocks.
Geographic Range: This association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in Arizona. It is also reported from Nevada and Oregon. More survey work is needed to fully document its global range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, NV, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688880
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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.3 Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M169 | 3.B.1.Ne.3 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush - Mountain Silver Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G304 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
| Alliance | A3208 Mountain Big Sagebrush - Mixed Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3208 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
| Association | CEGL001003 Big Sagebrush - Joint-fir species Shrubland | CEGL001003 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = 152.1121 Artemisia tridentata - Gutierrezia sarothrae - Ephedra viridis Association (Warren et al. 1982)
= Artemisia tridentata - Encelia virginensis (Sawyer et al. 2009) [35.110.06]
= Artemisia tridentata Association (Peterson 1984a)
>< Sagebrush Zone (Kurzius 1981)
= Artemisia tridentata - Encelia virginensis (Sawyer et al. 2009) [35.110.06]
= Artemisia tridentata Association (Peterson 1984a)
>< Sagebrush Zone (Kurzius 1981)
- 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.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- Kearsley, M. J. C., K. Green, M. Tukman, M. Reid, M. Hall, T. J. Ayers, and K. Christie. 2015. Grand Canyon National Park-Grand Canyon / Parashant National Monument vegetation classification and mapping project. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRCA/NRR--2015/913. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 75 pp. plus appendices.
- Kurzius, M. 1981. Vegetation and flora of the Grapevine Mountains, Death Valley National Monument, California - Nevada. Unpublished thesis, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
- Peterson, P. M. 1984a. Flora and physiognomy of the Cottonwood Mountains, Death Valley National Monument, California. University of Nevada Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Report CPSU/UNLV 022/06. Las Vegas, NV.
- Reid, M. S., and M. E. Hall. 2010. Vegetation classification of Grand Canyon National Park. Draft report submitted to National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Warren, P. L., K. L. Reichhardt, D. A. Mouat, B. T. Brown, and R. R. Johnson. 1982. Vegetation of Grand Canyon National Park. Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report 9. Tucson, AZ. 140 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.