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CEGL001778 Pleuraphis jamesii - Sporobolus airoides Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: James'' Galleta - Alkali Sacaton Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This once-extensive grassland of the northern Chihuahuan Desert, Colorado Plateau and Great Basin has been described in New Mexico from White Sands Missile Range and the upper Rio Puerco watershed, as well as in north-central Arizona and southeastern Utah. It has, however, experienced significant declines throughout its range. The vegetation is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense perennial herbaceous layer that is dominated by Pleuraphis jamesii with Sporobolus airoides as a subdominant. Total vegetation cover in grazed sites generally does not exceed 20% but may be as high as 50% in protected areas. Occasionally, Sporobolus airoides may be codominant or dominant over Pleuraphis jamesii. This association usually has a sparse but diverse shrub layer that may include scattered Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Atriplex obovata, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra torreyana, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Cylindropuntia imbricata, Opuntia macrorhiza, Opuntia phaeacantha, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Yucca angustissima. The key graminoid species dominate the herbaceous layer and account for more than 80% of the total plant cover. Associated herbaceous species, such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Muhlenbergia porteri, Muhlenbergia pungens, Muhlenbergia torreyi, Pascopyrum smithii, Scleropogon brevifolius, Sphaeralcea coccinea, and Sporobolus cryptandrus, may be present with low cover. Biological soil crusts may be extensive in undisturbed examples of this association. It primarily occurs in swales within open valley bottoms and alluvial flats, although sandsheets and dunes also can support the association. Sites are on level to gentle slopes (<15%) at elevations between 1300-2075 m (4260-6800 feet). Soils are generally deep, with surface textures ranging from loamy sands, fine loams to silty clay loams and clays, derived from substrates that include lava flows, cinders, eolian sands, alluvium and relict Pleistocene river cobbles.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In the classification of the plant communities of the upper Rio Puerco watershed, Francis (1986) described two plant communities codominated by Pleuraphis jamesii - Sporobolus airoides that were separated by the relative dominance of the key species. Both plant communities were combined into this association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense perennial herbaceous layer that is codominated by Pleuraphis jamesii (= Hilaria jamesii) and Sporobolus airoides. Total vegetation cover generally does not exceed 20% in grazed sites but may be as high as 75% in protected areas. Occasionally, Sporobolus airoides may be codominant or dominant over Pleuraphis jamesii. This association usually has a sparse but diverse shrub layer that may include scattered Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Atriplex obovata, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra torreyana, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Cylindropuntia imbricata (= Opuntia imbricata), Opuntia macrorhiza, Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia polyacantha, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Yucca angustissima. The key graminoid species dominate the herbaceous layer and typically account for more than 80% of the total plant cover. Associated herbaceous species, such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Chaenactis stevioides, Cryptantha sp., Cymopterus newberryi, Bouteloua gracilis, Ipomopsis gunnisonii (= Gilia gunnisonii), Lappula occidentalis, Muhlenbergia porteri, Muhlenbergia pungens, Muhlenbergia torreyi, Pascopyrum smithii, Plantago patagonica, Scleropogon brevifolius, Sphaeralcea coccinea, and Sporobolus cryptandrus, may be present with low cover (Francis 1986, Muldavin et al. 2000b). Biological soil crusts may be extensive in undisturbed examples of this association.
Dynamics: Many stands are on sandy, alkaline bottomlands that could easily support Atriplex spp. or Sarcobatus vermiculatus shrublands. Soil texture, moisture-holding capacity and depth to water table may determine which of these communities occurs in a valley bottom.
Environmental Description: This grassland association is described in New Mexico from White Sands Missile Range and the upper Rio Puerco watershed, as well as in north-central Arizona and southeastern Utah. It primarily occurs in swales within open valley bottoms and alluvial flats, although sandsheets and dunes also can support the association. Sites are on level to gentle slopes (<15%) at elevations between 1300-2075 m (4260-6800 feet). Soils are generally deep, with surface textures ranging from loamy sands, fine loams to silty clay loams and clays, derived from substrates that include lava flows, cinders, eolian sands, alluvium and relict Pleistocene river cobbles.
Geographic Range: This once-extensive grassland of the northern Chihuahuan Desert, Colorado Plateau and Great Basin is reported in New Mexico from White Sands Missile Range and the upper Rio Puerco watershed. More recently, it has been documented in north-central Arizona and southeastern Utah. It has experienced significant declines throughout its range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, NM, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689755
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
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.c James'' Galleta - Indian Ricegrass - Needle-and-Thread Semi-Desert Grassland Group | G311 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
| Alliance | A1287 James'' Galleta Grassland Alliance | A1287 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
| Association | CEGL001778 James'' Galleta - Alkali Sacaton Grassland | CEGL001778 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Hilaria jamesii-Sporobolus airoides Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 1998b)
> Pleuraphis jamesii / Sporobolus airoides Plant Community (Francis 1986)
> Sporobolus airoides / Pleuraphis jamesii Plant Community (Francis 1986)
= Galleta-Alkali Sacaton PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Hilaria jamesii/Sporobolus airoides: HILJAM-SPOAIR)]
> Pleuraphis jamesii / Sporobolus airoides Plant Community (Francis 1986)
> Sporobolus airoides / Pleuraphis jamesii Plant Community (Francis 1986)
= Galleta-Alkali Sacaton PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Hilaria jamesii/Sporobolus airoides: HILJAM-SPOAIR)]
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