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CEGL001642 Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis - Enceliopsis nudicaulis Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Salmon Wildrye - Naked-stem Sunray Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association has been mapped only from a small region in east-central Idaho known as the Challis Endemic region. This region occurs is to the east of a major mountain mass which strongly affects the climate of the region. The high mountains to the west create a rainshadow, allowing only occasional incursions of moisture-laden winter storms from the Pacific. The region is mountainous with high, massive ranges, dissected by deep valleys. The bedrock is a heterogeneous formation of volcanic and sedimentary rock, known as Challis Volcanics, with only minor amounts of granitics. At lower elevations along the Salmon River. the most common rock types of this formation are tuffs and andesites. A flora endemic to this region, known collectively as Challis Endemics, occurs on these substrates and is joined by a flora of species disjunct from drier regions of the Great Basin. Much of the Challis Endemic region roughly coincides with an area receiving less than 8 inches of precipitation annually, combined with low-elevation occurrences of andesites and tuffs of the Challis Volcanics.
This plant association occurs on steep, south-facing slopes composed of volcanic tuffs at low elevations, from roughly 1586 to 1891 m (5200-6200 feet). This substrate is typically unstable, with constant downslope movement of soil surface layers, and a high shrink-swell ratio. Chronic soil disturbance is therefore a major factor in the species composition of this association, which includes several of the Challis Endemics. Little information is available regarding the structure and composition of this association. It is sparsely vegetated, dominated by herbaceous species. The two most important species include Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis, a perennial grass species commonly considered a bunchgrass due to its cespitose form (but which typically has rhizomes), and Enceliopsis nudicaulis, a perennial forb with a deep taproot. The grass variety is one of the Challis Endemics, while Enceliopsis is a disjunct species from its principle range in the Great Basin. No cover or abundance information is available. Several other Challis Endemics apparently occur in this association, but a more specific list is not available, and no other information is available on species composition.
This plant association occurs on steep, south-facing slopes composed of volcanic tuffs at low elevations, from roughly 1586 to 1891 m (5200-6200 feet). This substrate is typically unstable, with constant downslope movement of soil surface layers, and a high shrink-swell ratio. Chronic soil disturbance is therefore a major factor in the species composition of this association, which includes several of the Challis Endemics. Little information is available regarding the structure and composition of this association. It is sparsely vegetated, dominated by herbaceous species. The two most important species include Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis, a perennial grass species commonly considered a bunchgrass due to its cespitose form (but which typically has rhizomes), and Enceliopsis nudicaulis, a perennial forb with a deep taproot. The grass variety is one of the Challis Endemics, while Enceliopsis is a disjunct species from its principle range in the Great Basin. No cover or abundance information is available. Several other Challis Endemics apparently occur in this association, but a more specific list is not available, and no other information is available on species composition.
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 sparsely vegetated, dominated by herbaceous species. The two most important species include Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis, a perennial grass species commonly considered a bunchgrass due to its cespitose form (but which typically has rhizomes), and Enceliopsis nudicaulis, a perennial forb with a deep taproot. The grass variety is one of the Challis Endemics, while Enceliopsis is a disjunct species from its principle range in the Great Basin. No cover or abundance information is available. Several other Challis Endemics apparently occur in this association, but a more specific list is not available, and no other information is available on species composition.
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 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, such as along the Salmon River, to roughly 114.3 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. The region is mountainous with high, massive ranges, dissected by deep valleys. The bedrock is a heterogeneous formation of volcanic and sedimentary rock, known as Challis Volcanics, with only minor amounts of granitics. At lower elevations along the Salmon River, the most common rock types of this formation are tuffs and andesites.
A flora endemic to this region, known collectively as Challis Endemics, occurs on these substrates and is joined by a flora of species disjunct from drier regions of the Great Basin. Much of the Challis Endemic region roughly coincides with an area receiving less than 20.3 cm (8 inches) of precipitation annually, combined with low-elevation occurrences of andesites and tuffs of the Challis Volcanics. This plant association occurs on steep, south-facing slopes composed of volcanic tuffs at low elevations, from roughly 1586 to 1891 m (5200-6200 feet). This substrate is typically unstable, with constant downslope movement of soil surface layers, and a high shrink-swell ratio. Chronic soil disturbance is therefore a major factor in the species composition of this association, which includes several of the Challis Endemics.
A flora endemic to this region, known collectively as Challis Endemics, occurs on these substrates and is joined by a flora of species disjunct from drier regions of the Great Basin. Much of the Challis Endemic region roughly coincides with an area receiving less than 20.3 cm (8 inches) of precipitation annually, combined with low-elevation occurrences of andesites and tuffs of the Challis Volcanics. This plant association occurs on steep, south-facing slopes composed of volcanic tuffs at low elevations, from roughly 1586 to 1891 m (5200-6200 feet). This substrate is typically unstable, with constant downslope movement of soil surface layers, and a high shrink-swell ratio. Chronic soil disturbance is therefore a major factor in the species composition of this association, which includes several of the Challis Endemics.
Geographic Range: This association has been mapped only from a small region in east-central Idaho, in Custer County, in the vicinity of Germer Peak and Lone Pine Peak. The region is known as the Challis Endemic region. A portion of the area is included in the Malm Gulch ACEC, which contains the Germer Basin RNA.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688902
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2Q
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.6 Saltbush species - Joint-fir species - Buckwheat species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Macrogroup | M118 | 3.B.1.Ne.6 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a Saltbush species - Mountain-mahogany species - Joint-fir species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Group | G570 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Alliance | A4052 Joint-fir species - Saline Wildrye - Crispleaf Buckwheat Badlands Cold Desert Sparse Vegetation Alliance | A4052 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Association | CEGL001642 Salmon Wildrye - Naked-stem Sunray Sparse Vegetation | CEGL001642 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
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.
- Moseley, R. K. 1987b. Area of Critical Environmental Concern and Research Natural Area proposal for the Malm Gulch and Germer Basin area, Bureau of Land Management, Salmon District, Idaho. Unpublished report prepared for USDI Bureau of Land Management, Salmon District, ID, by The Nature Conservancy, Moscow, ID. 18 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.