Print Report
CEGL001361 Sarcobatus vermiculatus / Bouteloua gracilis Wet Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Greasewood / Blue Grama Wet Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This poorly documented association has been described only from north-central New Mexico, along the Rio Chama, a tributary of the Rio Grande. This is a semi-arid region, with annual precipitation of 25-35 cm. Most occurs as the result of high intensity, short duration, convective thundershowers during the summer months. Summers are typically hot, and winters are moderately cold, with some snowfall. This association is found on alluvial fans of drainages emptying into the northern side of the Rio Chama, at about 2135 m (7000 feet) elevation. Slopes are gentle. Topography of these sites is such that water tends to spread out and flow slowly, causing sheet erosion. Soils are likely to be finely textured and alkaline. This is a subdesert shrubland, with a moderately dense layer of deciduous and semideciduous shrubs, about 0.5 m in height. Sarcobatus vermiculatus and Atriplex canescens dominate this layer. A lower shrub layer (20 cm tall) is dominated by Gutierrezia sarothrae. The herbaceous layer is composed of perennial grasses, with total cover of 12%. Bouteloua gracilis has the highest percent occurrence, followed by Pleuraphis jamesii and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Few other species occur.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association may be closely related to other Sarcobatus vermiculatus or Atriplex canescens vegetation types in the western United States.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is a poorly described association. It is a subdesert shrubland, with a moderately dense layer of deciduous and semi-deciduous shrubs, about 0.5 m in height. Sarcobatus vermiculatus and Atriplex canescens dominate this layer. A lower shrub layer (20 cm tall) is dominated by Gutierrezia sarothrae. The herbaceous layer is composed of perennial grasses, with total cover of 12%. Bouteloua gracilis has the highest percent occurrence, followed by Pleuraphis jamesii (= Hilaria jamesii) and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Few other species occur.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association occurs in a semi-arid region, with annual precipitation of 25 to 35 cm. Most occurs as the result of high-intensity, short-duration, convective thundershowers during the summer months. Summers are typically hot, and winters are moderately cold, with some snowfall. This association is found on alluvial fans of drainages emptying into the north side of the Rio Chama, at about 2135 m (7000 feet) elevation. Slopes are gentle. Topography of these sites is such that water tends to spread out and flow slowly, causing sheet erosion. Soils are likely to be finely textured and alkaline.
Geographic Range: This association has been described only from north-central New Mexico, along the Rio Chama, a tributary of the Rio Grande.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689063
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1Q
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass | S44 | 2.C |
| Formation | 2.C.5 Salt Marsh Formation | F035 | 2.C.5 |
| Division | 2.C.5.Nd North American Western Interior Brackish Marsh, Playa & Shrubland Division | D036 | 2.C.5.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.5.Nd.1 Warm & Cool Desert Alkali-Saline Marsh, Playa & Shrubland Macrogroup | M082 | 2.C.5.Nd.1 |
| Group | 2.C.5.Nd.1.b Greasewood - Saltbush species Alkaline-Saline Wet Scrub Group | G537 | 2.C.5.Nd.1.b |
| Alliance | A1046 Greasewood Intermountain Wet Shrubland Alliance | A1046 | 2.C.5.Nd.1.b |
| Association | CEGL001361 Greasewood / Blue Grama Wet Shrubland | CEGL001361 | 2.C.5.Nd.1.b |
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.
- CNHP [Colorado Natural Heritage Program]. 2006-2017. Tracked natural plant communities. Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. [https://cnhp.colostate.edu/ourdata/trackinglist/plant_communities/]
- Dick-Peddie, W. A., J. K. Meents, and R. Spellenberg. 1984. Vegetation resource analysis for the Velarde Community Ditch Project, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties, New Mexico. Unpublished final report prepared for the USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Southwestern Region, Amarillo, TX. 251 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.