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CEGL001543 Gutierrezia sarothrae / Pleuraphis rigida - Sphaeralcea ambigua Shrub Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Broom Snakeweed / Big Galleta - Desert Globemallow Shrub Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association reportedly occurs extensively in Grand Canyon National Park in northwestern Arizona from 1160-1430 m elevation. However, it may be determined that this vegetation represents more than one association and may warrant being split. As currently defined, it is found on flat to gently rolling sites of all aspects in Toroweep Valley and Tuckup Canyon. The substrate is derived from basalt lava flows or consolidated alluvium, and the soils are shallow and cobbly. This association is dominated by graminoids with sparse sclerophyllous evergreen and deciduous shrubs and dwarf-shrubs, all less than 1 m in height. Total vegetation canopy cover is less than 50%. The graminoid layer is a mixture of perennial and annual grasses codominated by the native perennial grass Pleuraphis rigida and the annual exotic grass Bromus tectorum. Other characteristic grasses include Achnatherum hymenoides and species of Aristida, Bouteloua, Muhlenbergia and Stipa. The dwarf-shrub Gutierrezia sarothrae dominates the woody layer. Other characteristic shrubs and dwarf-shrubs include Atriplex canescens, Lycium pallidum, Krascheninnikovia lanata and Ephedra viridis. Succulents may include the cacti, Cylindropuntia whipplei, Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea, Coryphantha spp. and the rosette, Yucca baccata. Other common annual forbs are Plantago ovata, Eriogonum inflatum, Cleome lutea, and the exotic Salsola kali. The association is also found in the central and northern Mojave Desert such as at mid elevations in the Panamint Mountains of Death Valley National Park and at high elevations in the eastern half of Mojave National Preserve, California.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This grassland association needs to be re-evaluated and possibly reclassified as an anthropogenic type. These stands have been heavily disturbed by livestock grazing in the past, and the codominance of Gutierrezia sarothrae and Bromus tectorum is undoubtedly a result of this grazing. What is unclear is whether the sampled vegetation represents what is left of a presettlement association of Hilaria and Gutierrezia, or is a truly unrecognizable anthropogenic type. In addition, it may be determined that this vegetation represents more than one association and may warrant being split.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is dominated by graminoids with sparse sclerophyllous evergreen and deciduous shrubs and dwarf-shrubs, all less than 1 m in height. Total vegetation canopy cover is less than 50%. The graminoid layer is a mixture of perennial and annual grasses codominated by the native perennial grass Pleuraphis rigida (= Hilaria rigida) and the annual exotic grass Bromus tectorum. Other characteristic grasses include Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides) and species of Aristida, Bouteloua, Muhlenbergia and Stipa. The dwarf-shrub Gutierrezia sarothrae dominates the woody layer. Other characteristic shrubs and dwarf-shrubs include Atriplex canescens, Lycium pallidum, Krascheninnikovia lanata and Ephedra viridis. Succulents may include the cacti, Cylindropuntia whipplei (= Opuntia whipplei), Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea (= Opuntia erinacea), Coryphantha spp. and the rosette, Yucca baccata. Other common annual forbs are Plantago ovata (= Plantago insularis), Eriogonum inflatum, Cleome lutea, and the exotic Salsola kali.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association reportedly occurs extensively in Grand Canyon National Park in northwestern Arizona from 1160-1430 m elevation. It is found on flat to gently rolling sites of all aspects in Toroweep Valley and Tuckup Canyon. The substrate is derived from basalt lava flows or consolidated alluvium, and the soils are shallow and cobbly.
Geographic Range: This association reportedly occurs extensively in Grand Canyon National Park in northwestern Arizona from 1160 to 1430 m elevation. It is also found at mid elevations in the Panamint Mountains of Death Valley National Park and at high elevations in the eastern half of Mojave National Preserve, California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689383
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2Q
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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d Yellow Rabbitbrush - Rubber Rabbitbrush - Winterfat Steppe & Shrubland Group | G310 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Alliance | A3203 Broom Snakeweed - Threadleaf Snakeweed Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A3203 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Association | CEGL001543 Broom Snakeweed / Big Galleta - Desert Globemallow Shrub Grassland | CEGL001543 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = 142.2511 Hilaria rigida - Bromus tectorum - Gutierrezia sarothrae Association (Warren et al. 1982)
= Gutierrezia sarothrae - (Opuntia spp.) / Sphaeralcea ambigua Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Gutierrezia sarothrae - (Opuntia spp.) / Sphaeralcea ambigua Association (Evens et al. 2014)
- 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.
- Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- Kearsley, M. J. C., K. Green, M. Tukman, M. Reid, M. Hall, T. J. Ayers, and K. Christie. 2015. Grand Canyon National Park-Grand Canyon / Parashant National Monument vegetation classification and mapping project. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRCA/NRR--2015/913. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 75 pp. plus appendices.
- Reid, M. S., and M. E. Hall. 2010. Vegetation classification of Grand Canyon National Park. Draft report submitted to National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Warren, P. L., K. L. Reichhardt, D. A. Mouat, B. T. Brown, and R. R. Johnson. 1982. Vegetation of Grand Canyon National Park. Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit Technical Report 9. Tucson, AZ. 140 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.