Print Report
CEGL001252 Encelia farinosa - Ephedra (aspera, nevadensis) Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Brittlebush - (Rough Joint-fir, Nevada Joint-fir) Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association has been described from the inner gorge of Grand Canyon National Park in northwestern Arizona. Elevation ranges from 610-1340 m. Stands occur on south-facing colluvial slopes below cliffs. Sites are predominately steep to moderate slopes, often talus with frequent rock outcrops. Substrate is shallow, rocky soil derived from limestone, sandstone, shale or igneous parent materials. Stands have a sparse (less than 20% cover), short woody canopy (less than 1 m tall) that is dominated by the xeromorphic evergreen shrubs Encelia farinosa and the xeromorphic evergreen shrubs Ephedra nevadensis and Ephedra viridis. Other common shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may include Acacia greggii, Gutierrezia sarothrae, or Lycium andersonii. The sparse herbaceous layer is composed of scattered forbs such as Galium stellatum, Machaeranthera pinnatifida, Eriogonum inflatum, and the introduced annual grass Bromus rubens. Succulents are common and include Opuntia basilaris, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea, Opuntia phaeacantha, Echinocereus engelmannii, Echinocactus polycephalus, Ferocactus cylindraceus, and Agave utahensis. Extent outside the park is not known. This association appears to be restricted to these inner-canyon habitats in the Grand Canyon. Disturbance from rockslides may be important in maintaining this successional type. Shrublands with similar species composition have been reported from California, but survey and classification work are needed to determine if they represent the same association as this.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands have a sparse (less than 20% cover), short woody canopy (less than 1 m tall) that is dominated by the xeromorphic evergreen shrubs Encelia farinosa and the xeromorphic evergreen shrubs Ephedra nevadensis and Ephedra viridis. Other common shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may include Acacia greggii, Gutierrezia sarothrae, or Lycium andersonii. The sparse herbaceous layer is composed of scattered forbs such as Galium stellatum, Machaeranthera pinnatifida, Eriogonum inflatum, and the introduced annual grass Bromus rubens. Succulents are common and include Opuntia basilaris, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea (= Opuntia erinacea), Opuntia phaeacantha, Echinocereus engelmannii, Echinocactus polycephalus, Ferocactus cylindraceus (= Ferocactus acanthodes), and Agave utahensis.
Dynamics: Disturbance from rockslides may be important in maintaining this successional type.
Environmental Description: Elevation ranges from 610-1340 m. Stands occur on south-facing colluvial slopes below cliffs. Sites are predominately steep to moderate slopes, often talus with frequent rock outcrops. Substrate is shallow, rocky soil derived from limestone, sandstone, shale or igneous parent materials. This association appears to be restricted to inner-canyon habitats in the Grand Canyon.
Geographic Range: Assuming this association is restricted to the Grand Canyon, then its range is less than 5000 square km. Occurrence of stands outside the inner gorge of Grand Canyon National Park is unknown.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689542
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.4 Saguaro - Organ Pipe Cactus - Burrobush Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M088 | 3.A.2.Na.4 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.4.b Creosotebush - Burrobush - Brittlebush Desert Scrub Group | G295 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Alliance | A4215 Brittlebush Desert Scrub Alliance | A4215 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Association | CEGL001252 Brittlebush - (Rough Joint-fir, Nevada Joint-fir) Shrubland | CEGL001252 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Encelia farinosa - Ephedra spp. - Acacia greggii Association (Warren et al. 1982)
- 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.
- 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.