Print Report
CEGL001045 Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Leymus ambiguus Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Rocky Mountain Wildrye Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association is known from the Cache la Poudre watershed of north-central Colorado. The association occurs on very steep (60-75 %), south-facing mountain and canyon slopes at 2286 to 2620 m (7500-8600 feet) elevation. Coarse loamy sand soils on these dry, exposed sites are dominated by boulders, and rock are derived from gneiss and other metamorphic rock. The association is characterized by an open canopy of Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis (20-25% cover). Associated shrub species include Artemisia frigida, Purshia tridentata, Ribes cereum, and Rubus deliciosus. Leymus ambiguus is prominent in the bunchgrass-dominated understory. Carex rossii, Elymus albicans, and Achnatherum hymenoides may also be present. Common forbs include Artemisia ludoviciana, Eriogonum umbellatum, and Packera fendleri. The abundance of Leymus ambiguus and the steep, rocky habitats in which it occurs distinguish this association from others. ~Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland (CEGL001051)$$ is often adjacent on more gentle terrain or in similar habitats at lower elevation.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Elymus ambiguus Vasey & Scribn. var. salmonis C.L. Hitchc. is now recognized as Leymus salinus (M.E. Jones) A. Löve ssp. salmonis (C.L. Hitchc.) Atkins. The association in Idaho formerly tracked as Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Elymus ambiguus var. salmonis Shrubland is now tracked as Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Shrubland, and needs to be reviewed and incorporated into the USNVC. These two associations are similar. This shrubland association (CEGL001045) is differentiated from Idaho''s Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Shrubland on the basis of (1) the dominant understory grass species and (2) the range of the two associations. Leymus ambiguus is the definitive perennial grass species in ~Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Leymus ambiguus Shrubland (CEGL001045)$$, which is found in Colorado. Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis is characteristic of Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Shrubland, which is found in Idaho.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The association is characterized by an open canopy of Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis (20-25% cover). Associated shrub species include Artemisia frigida, Purshia tridentata, Ribes cereum, and Rubus deliciosus. Leymus ambiguus is prominent in the bunchgrass-dominated understory. Carex rossii, Elymus albicans, and Achnatherum hymenoides may also be present. Common forbs include Artemisia ludoviciana, Eriogonum umbellatum, and Packera fendleri (= Senecio fendleri). The abundance of Leymus ambiguus and the steep, rocky habitats in which it occurs distinguish this association from others.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: The association occurs on very steep (60-75 %), south-facing mountain and canyon slopes at 2286 to 2620 m (7500-8600 feet) elevation. Coarse loamy sand soils on these dry, exposed sites are dominated by boulders, and rock are derived from gneiss and other metamorphic rock.
Geographic Range: This shrubland association is known from northwestern Colorado and southern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689200
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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 | A3184 Wyoming Big Sagebrush Dry Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3184 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
| Association | CEGL001045 Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Rocky Mountain Wildrye Shrubland | CEGL001045 | 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: = Artemisia tridentata / Leymus ambiguus Habitat Type (Hess 1981)
= Artemisia tridentata / Leymus ambiguus Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
= Artemisia tridentata / Leymus ambiguus Plant Association (Johnston 1987)
- 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/]
- Hess, K. 1981. Phyto-edaphic study of habitat types of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado. Unpublished dissertation, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 558 pp.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.