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CEGL001270 Larrea tridentata - Flourensia cernua Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Creosotebush - American Tarwort Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This established, but minor, plant association of White Sands Missile Range occurs within both the Jornada del Muerto and Tularosa basins and has been described on Fort Bliss Military Reservation. Stands are found on lower alluvial slopes and upper basin bottoms at elevations of 1070 to 1520 m (3500-5000 feet). Slopes are usually less than 1% and occasionally have scattered rock or gravel on the surface. Flourensia cernua occurs most often on heavy, fine soils, while Larrea tridentata is adapted to a wide range of soils. Stands are characterized by a shrub layer codominated by Larrea tridentata and Flourensia cernua. The shrubs are tall, evenly distributed and typically form a moderately open canopy. Scattered Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia macrocentra, and Prosopis glandulosa are often present. The grass layer is poorly represented, but can include scattered clumps of Sporobolus airoides between shrub canopies, or Muhlenbergia porteri growing underneath them. The forb layer is scattered and Acourtia nana is most common. Increases in Flourensia cernua were difficult to distinguish from increases in Larrea tridentata, as Larrea tridentata establishment often followed or quickly replaced Flourensia cernua in particular areas. Because Larrea tridentata exploits deeper water sources than Flourensia cernua, it may not be as vulnerable to drought.

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: From Muldavin et al. (2000b): Stands are characterized by a shrub layer codominated by Larrea tridentata and Flourensia cernua. The shrubs are tall, evenly distributed and typically form a moderately open canopy. Scattered Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia macrocentra, and Prosopis glandulosa are often present. The grass layer is poorly represented, but can include scattered clumps of Sporobolus airoides between shrub canopies, or Muhlenbergia porteri growing underneath them. The forb layer is scattered and Acourtia nana is most common.

Dynamics:  Buffington and Herbel (1965) found that increases in Flourensia cernua were difficult to distinguish from increases in Larrea tridentata, as Larrea tridentata establishment often followed or quickly replaced Flourensia cernua in particular areas. Because Larrea tridentata exploits deeper water sources than Flourensia cernua, it may not be as vulnerable to drought (Montana et al. 1995).
Environmental Description:  From Muldavin et al. (2000b): Stands are found on lower alluvial slopes and upper basin bottoms at elevations of 1070 to 1520 m (3500-5000 feet). Slopes are usually less than 1% and occasionally have scattered rock or gravel on the surface. Flourensia cernua occurs most often on heavy, fine soils, while Larrea tridentata is adapted to a wide range of soils (Buffington and Herbel 1965, Gehlbach 1967, Laurenroth et al. 1994b, Van Devender 1995).
Geographic Range: From Muldavin et al. (2000b): This established, but minor, plant association of White Sands Missile Range occurs within both the Jornada del Muerto and Tularosa basins and has been described on Fort Bliss Military Reservation (Wood et al. 1998).

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  MXCHH, MXCOA, NM, TX


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

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.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass S06 3.A
Formation 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation F015 3.A.2
Division 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division D039 3.A.2.Na
Macrogroup 3.A.2.Na.2 Creosotebush - American Tarwort - Mesquite species Chihuahuan Desert Scrub Macrogroup M086 3.A.2.Na.2
Group 3.A.2.Na.2.a Creosotebush - American Tarwort - Viscid Acacia Chihuahuan Mixed Desert Scrub Group G288 3.A.2.Na.2.a
Alliance A3164 Creosotebush Chihuahuan Desert Scrub Alliance A3164 3.A.2.Na.2.a
Association CEGL001270 Creosotebush - American Tarwort Shrubland CEGL001270 3.A.2.Na.2.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Larrea tridentata - Flourensia cernua / Erioneuron pulchellum (Dick-Peddie 1993)
= Larrea tridentata - Flourensia cernua / Sparse PA (Muldavin et al. 1998a)
= Larrea tridentata / Sparse Community Type, Flourensia cernua Phase (Muldavin et al. 1994b)
= Creosote-Tarbush Cover Type (Plumb 1988)
? Creosotebush-Tarbush (Leopold and Krausman 1988)
= Creosotebush-Tarbush/Sparse Undergrowth PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Larrea tridentata-Flourensia cernua/Sparse; LARTRI-FLOCER/SPARSE)]
Concept Author(s): Muldavin et al. (2000b)

Author of Description: Muldavin et al. (2000b)

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 08-30-12
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