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CEGL001355 Artemisia tridentata - Atriplex canescens - Sarcobatus vermiculatus / (Achnatherum hymenoides) Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Big Sagebrush - Fourwing Saltbush - Greasewood / (Indian Ricegrass) Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This desert community is associated with sand dunes, which are found along the windward (eastern in the northern Great Basin) edge of large playa basins. The location used for this description is the Alvord Basin in Oregon. Similar dunes are found on the eastern edge of the Catlow Valley, and on the eastern edges of large playa valleys in northern Nevada. Aspects and slopes of the dunes vary, but most are north-south, along the eastern playa edges of a completely flat landscape. In addition to the shrubs Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex canescens, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus, other occasional codominants include Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa, and Grayia spinosa. The most abundant but sparse grass is Achnatherum hymenoides although Hesperostipa comata, Elymus lanceolatus, and Leymus cinereus are occasionally found. Bare, alkaline sand provides significant cover. This community rapidly vanishes on the adjacent Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis-dominated slopes. This dune association represents a rich floral assemblage as compared to surrounding salt desert scrub and playa communities. This is attributable to higher soil temperatures in spring promoting early growth, lower salt concentrations, and greater accumulation of wind-blown seeds.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is referred to as "Dunes" and "Dunes-South" by Price et al. (1981).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: In addition to the shrubs Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex canescens, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus, other occasional codominants include Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa (= Chrysothamnus nauseosus), and Grayia spinosa (= Atriplex spinosa). The most abundant but sparse grass is Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides) although Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata), Elymus lanceolatus, and Leymus cinereus are occasionally found. Bare, alkaline sand provides significant cover.
Dynamics: This community rapidly vanishes on the adjacent Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis-dominated slopes. This dune association represents a rich floral assemblage as compared to surrounding salt desert scrub and playa communities. This is attributable to higher soil temperatures in spring promoting early growth, lower salt concentrations, and greater accumulation of wind-blown seeds.
Environmental Description: This desert community is associated with sand dunes, which are found along the windward (eastern in the northern Great Basin) edge of large playa basins. Aspects and slopes of the dunes vary, but most are north-south, along the eastern playa edges of a completely flat landscape.
Geographic Range: The location used for this description is the Alvord Basin in Oregon. Similar dunes are found on the eastern edge of the Catlow Valley, and on the eastern edges of large playa valleys in northern Nevada.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA?, NV, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689130
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
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.a Wyoming Big Sagebrush - Basin Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G303 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
| Alliance | A3198 Big Sagebrush - Mixed Shrub Dry Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3198 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
| Association | CEGL001355 Big Sagebrush - Fourwing Saltbush - Greasewood / (Indian Ricegrass) Shrubland | CEGL001355 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Dunes (Price et al. 1981)
? Dunes-South (Price et al. 1981)
? Dunes-South (Price et al. 1981)
- 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.
- Peterson, E. B. 2008. International Vegetation Classification alliances and associations occurring in Nevada with proposed additions. Nevada Natural Heritage Program, Carson City, NV. 348 pp.
- Price, J., et al. 1981. Ecological study of the Alvord Basin Dunes, southeastern Oregon. Oregon State University Technical Report, Corvallis.
- Schulz, K. A., and M. E. Hall. 2011. Vegetation inventory project: Great Basin National Park. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network. NatureServe, Western Regional Office, Boulder, CO. 30 pp. plus Appendices A-H.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.