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CEGL000994 Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Balsamorhiza sagittata Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Arrowleaf Balsamroot Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs on plateaus, benches and canyons in northwestern Colorado, adjacent eastern Utah and northeastern Nevada. Elevations range from 2275 to 2325 m (7465-7625 feet) in Colorado and 2195 m (7200 feet) in Nevada. Soils are typically well-drained sandy loams. Bare ground and litter cover nearly all the unvegetated surface, except in rare cases where the substrate is quite rocky. Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis is the dominant species in this sparsely vegetated shrub association, with between 5 and 30% cover. Associated shrubs vary among sites, although Purshia tridentata is present in about half of them. Mahonia repens and Ericameria nauseosa may also be present. The broad-leafy forb Balsamorhiza sagittata dominates the diverse herbaceous understory, typically contributing at least 10% cover. Other commonly associated forbs that contribute less cover include Phlox spp., Comandra umbellata, Achillea millefolium, Mertensia oblongifolia, Penstemon speciosus, Lupinus argenteus, and Petradoria pumila. Grass cover is usually comparatively sparse, less species-rich, and most commonly includes Poa fendleriana, Leymus cinereus, Achnatherum lettermanii, and Pseudoroegneria spicata.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: A number of the Nevada "Sagebrush-Herb Community" plots described by Loope (1969) mention only Artemisia tridentata, without identifying the subspecies. The sites are at 2680 to 2740 m (8800-9000 feet), which is higher in elevation than most of the range of Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis; it is likely that these plots belong in ~Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Balsamorhiza sagittata Shrubland (CEGL001020)$$. The site at 7200 feet may contain either Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis or Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis is the dominant species in this sparsely vegetated shrub association, with between 5 and 30% cover. Associated shrubs vary among sites, although Purshia tridentata is present in about half of them. Mahonia repens and Ericameria nauseosa may also be present. The broad-leafy forb Balsamorhiza sagittata dominates the diverse herbaceous understory, typically contributing at least 10% cover. Other commonly associated forbs that contribute less cover include Phlox spp., Comandra umbellata, Achillea millefolium, Mertensia oblongifolia, Penstemon speciosus, Lupinus argenteus, and Petradoria pumila. Grass cover is usually comparatively sparse, less species-rich, and most commonly includes Poa fendleriana, Leymus cinereus, Achnatherum lettermanii, and Pseudoroegneria spicata.
Dynamics: Balsamorhiza sagittata is a forb which increases under heavy, prolonged grazing, at the expense of more palatable grasses. This association may represent degraded forms of sagebrush / grass communities such as ~Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Poa fendleriana Shrubland (CEGL002775)$$ or ~Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Pseudoroegneria spicata Shrubland (CEGL001009)$$.
Environmental Description: This association occurs on plateaus, benches and canyons in northwestern Colorado, adjacent eastern Utah and northeastern Nevada. There is little environmental information available for Nevada sites. Elevations range from 2275 to 2325 m (7465-7625 feet) in Colorado and 2195 m (7200 feet) in Nevada. Soils are typically well-drained sandy loams. Bare ground and litter cover nearly all the unvegetated surface, except in rare cases where the substrate is quite rocky.
Geographic Range: This association has been reported from northwestern Colorado, adjacent eastern Utah and northeastern Nevada. It may be expected to occur at moderate elevations within the sagebrush zone throughout the western U.S.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689114
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.b Basin Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G302 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.b |
| Alliance | A3182 Wyoming Big Sagebrush Mesic Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3182 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.b |
| Association | CEGL000994 Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Arrowleaf Balsamroot Shrubland | CEGL000994 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Balsamorhiza sagittata community (Loope 1969)
- 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.
- Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2008a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Dinosaur National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR-2008/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 814 pp.
- Loope, L. L. 1969. Subalpine and alpine vegetation of northeastern Nevada. Unpublished thesis, Duke University, Durham, NC.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.