Print Report
CEGL001365 Sarcobatus vermiculatus / Elymus elymoides - Pascopyrum smithii Wet Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Greasewood / Squirreltail - Western Wheatgrass Wet Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is described only from the upper Rio Puerco watershed in northwestern New Mexico where it occurs on alluvial flats with weakly developed, deep clay soils (Entisols) at an average elevation of 1980 m (6500 feet). Bare soil is extensive (85.3%) and total plant cover is low (15%). Species diversity is low, with only three species contributing to more than 90% of this cover. They are Sarcobatus vermiculatus, Elymus elymoides, and Pascopyrum smithii. Also present in order of abundance are Ericameria nauseosa, Sporobolus airoides, Artemisia tridentata, Pleuraphis jamesii, Ericameria parryi, and Atriplex canescens.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Only two examples of this association have been described, as part of a larger study with over 110 stands of vegetation. However, Sarcobatus vermiculatus communities have been described from throughout the Great Basin region; none are named with the grass species associated with this one.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is a poorly described, sparsely vegetated subdesert association. It is dominated by the 1- to 2-m tall, fleshy-leaved deciduous shrub Sarcobatus vermiculatus, which averages 9-20% cover. Herbaceous cover varies from <1-6%. The understory is depauperate and sparse, with two perennial grasses being the most dominant, Elymus elymoides (4.1%), and Pascopyrum smithii (1.6%). Also present in order of abundance are Ericameria nauseosa (= Chrysothamnus nauseosus), Sporobolus airoides, Artemisia tridentata, Pleuraphis jamesii (= Hilaria jamesii), Ericameria parryi (= Chrysothamnus parryi), and Atriplex canescens. The perennial grass Sporobolus airoides may increase if stands are left undisturbed by grazing.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association occurs in a semi-arid basin of northwestern New Mexico, between 1965 and 2075 m (6450-6800 feet) elevation. Annual precipitation is variable, ranging from 21-33 cm, with a peak during July through September. These summer rains are convectional, of short duration and high intensity. Summers are hot. This association is found on alluvial flats and riparian terraces, with 0-2% slopes and fine-textured alluvial parent materials. Soils are calcareous Typic Torrifluvents, Christiansburg Series. This soil series exceeded 152 cm in depth, with a clay-textured surface horizon. Sarcobatus is dependent upon high soil moisture being available throughout the year.
Geographic Range: This association is described only from the upper Rio Puerco watershed in northwestern New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689116
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
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 | CEGL001365 Greasewood / Squirreltail - Western Wheatgrass Wet Shrubland | CEGL001365 | 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.
- Francis, R. E. 1986. Phyto-edaphic communities of the Upper Rio Puerco Watershed, New Mexico. Research Paper RM-272. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 73 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.