Print Report

CEGL001304 Atriplex confertifolia / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Shadscale Saltbush / James'' Galleta Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This widespread western shrubland association is reported from the southwestern Great Plains, Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, Columbia Plateau and possibly Mojave Desert mountains. This shrubland association is characterized by a sparse to open canopy (5-25% cover) of short shrubs dominated by Atriplex confertifolia with a sparse to moderate graminoid layer dominated by Pleuraphis jamesii. It includes sparsely vegetated stands with as little as 1-2% cover of shrubs and 1% cover of Pleuraphis jamesii. Total vegetation cover is widely variable (2-70%). Associated shrubs include Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Atriplex canescens, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra torreyana, Ericameria nauseosa, Grayia spinosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Opuntia polyacantha, Picrothamnus desertorum, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, Suaeda calceoliformis, Suaeda moquinii, and Tetradymia canescens depending on substrate. Amphipappus fremontii, Ambrosia dumosa, and Lycium pallidum occur in the Mojave Desert. Other graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides, Sporobolus cryptandrus, and Elymus elymoides on sandy sites and Bouteloua gracilis and Sporobolus airoides on fine-textured soil. Forbs generally have low cover and may include Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, Eriogonum inflatum, and species of Chaenactis, Lappula, Phacelia, Plantago, and Chenopodium. Introduced species such as Bromus tectorum and Salsola kali are common on some sites. It occurs in a variety of habitats and can be found on two distinct substrates: coarse-textured, non-saline soils derived from sandstone or gravel or deep, fine-textured, alkaline, often saline soils derived from shale. Stands with coarse-textured soils tend to be on slopes, while those with fine-textured soils tend to be on low, relatively flat positions in the landscape (valley bottoms, basins, etc.). The common trait of these different substrates is that they are very dry either because of low precipitation or because of high internal plant moisture stress from soil salinity. The unvegetated surface is composed largely of bare soil, gravel, and large or small rocks.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This widespread shrubland association is only defined by the codominance of Atriplex confertifolia and Pleuraphis jamesii. Stands are found in different regions (primarily the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau with extensions into the Mojave Desert (possibly), southwestern Wyoming and in disjunct stands in the southwestern Great Plains), in different environments (clay bottomlands, dunes, desert mountains) and with different associated species. This association will likely need to be subdivided as more classification information becomes available. Stands of this association with a sparse herbaceous layer are similar to ~Atriplex confertifolia Great Basin Shrubland (CEGL001294)$$. Sparse stands included in the concept of this association are very similar to ~Atriplex confertifolia Sparse Shrubland (CEGL003830)$$. More classification work is needed to clarify differences.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This shadscale shrubland association is characterized by an open canopy (5-25% cover) of short shrubs dominated by Atriplex confertifolia with a sparse to moderate graminoid layer dominated by Pleuraphis jamesii. This association includes sparsely vegetated stands with as little as 1-2% cover of shrubs and 1% cover of Pleuraphis jamesii. Total vegetation cover is widely variable (2-70% in sampled stands). Associated shrubs include Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Atriplex canescens, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Eriogonum microthecum, Grayia spinosa, Gutierrezia microcephala, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Lycium pallidum, Picrothamnus desertorum, Psorothamnus fremontii, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, Suaeda calceoliformis, Suaeda moquinii (= Suaeda fruticosa), and Tetradymia canescens depending on substrate. Amphipappus fremontii, Ambrosia dumosa, and Lycium pallidum occur in the Mojave Desert. Succulents may include Echinocereus triglochidiatus, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea (= Opuntia erinacea), Opuntia polyacantha var. polyacantha, Sclerocactus whipplei, and Yucca harrimaniae. Rarely, tree and tall-shrub species are present and may include Juniperus osteosperma and Fraxinus anomala. If other Atriplex species are present, they do not dominate the canopy. The herbaceous layer is often sparse, less than 10% total cover, but ranges up to 30% cover. Other graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Sporobolus flexuosus, and Elymus elymoides on sandy sites and Bouteloua gracilis, Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda, and Sporobolus airoides on finer-textured soil. Forbs generally have low cover and moderate diversity and may include Astragalus nuttallianus, Calochortus flexuosus, Calochortus nuttallii, Cirsium sp., Cryptantha flavoculata, Cymopterus purpurascens, Descurainia pinnata, Eriogonum inflatum, Eriogonum lonchophyllum, Lappula occidentalis, Lepidium montanum, Oenothera pallida, Phacelia crenulata, Plantago patagonica, Platyschkuhria integrifolia, Rumex hymenosepalus, Senecio integerrimus, Sphaeralcea coccinea, Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, and species of Chaenactis, Cryptantha, Phacelia, and Chenopodium. Introduced annual species such as Bromus rubens, Bromus tectorum, Erodium cicutarium, and Salsola kali are common on some sites. Biological soil crusts are variable, with some stands having very little, but cover can be as high as 80%.

Dynamics:  Ecological processes vary with landscape type, but droughty conditions are important in shaping and maintaining this association. In wetter year, trees such as Juniperus osteosperma may invade.
Environmental Description:  Elevation ranges from 1066 to 1951 m in the Colorado Plateau. It is found on two distinct substrates: coarse-textured (rocky or sandy), non-saline soils derived from sandstone or gravel, or deep fine-textured, poorly drained, alkaline, often-saline soils derived from shale or shale-derived alluvium. Sites with coarse-textured soils include gravel and cobble outcrops, ridges, mesa escarpments, talus slopes, alluvial fans, mountain and hillslopes, canyonsides, benches and along toeslopes of river bluffs. Fine-textured soil sites include canyon bottoms, plains, alluvial flats, floodplains and basins. Stands with coarse-textured soils can be on flat to moderately steep slopes, while stands with fine-textured soils are typically on flat to gently sloping sites. The common trait of these different substrates is that they are very dry either because of low precipitation (15-23 cm annually) or because of high internal plant moisture stress from soil salinity. The unvegetated surface is composed largely of bare soil, gravel, and large or small rocks. Cryptogamic crusts and mosses are important in some stands. Parent materials are variable and in the Colorado Plateau include sandstones and shale of the Burro Canyon Formation, Cedar Mountain Formation, Chinle Formation, Elephant Canyon Formation, Entrada Formation, Kayenta Formation sandstone, Mancos shale, Morrison Formation, Moenkopi Formation, and Wingate Formation typically deposited as alluvium or eolian sand.
Geographic Range: This widespread shrubland association occurs throughout much of the southern intermountain western U.S. and is reported from the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, and possibly Mojave Desert mountains and east into the disjunct stands in the southwestern Great Plains.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CA?, CO, NM, NV, UT, WY


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G5

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.5 Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Mat Saltbush Great Basin Scrub Macrogroup M093 3.B.1.Ne.5
Group 3.B.1.Ne.5.b Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Spiny Hopsage Scrub Group G300 3.B.1.Ne.5.b
Alliance A0870 Shadscale Saltbush Scrub Alliance A0870 3.B.1.Ne.5.b
Association CEGL001304 Shadscale Saltbush / James'' Galleta Shrubland CEGL001304 3.B.1.Ne.5.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Atripletum confertifolae association (Ibrahim et al. 1972) [Total canopy cover was sparse (10%) with 4.6% ATCO and 3.3% PLJA.]
= Atriplex confertifolia / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland (Von Loh 2000)
= Atriplex confertifolia/Hilaria jamesii Habitat Type (West and Ibrahim 1968) [See note from Ibrahim et al. 1972.]
>< Atriplex confertifolia Association in the Mixed Shrub Zone (Annable 1985)
= Atriplex confertifolia Plant Community (Branson et al. 1976)
= Atriplex confertifolia cover type (Tuhy and MacMahon 1988) [Includes both Atriplex confertifolia/Hilaria jamesii community type and Atriplex confertifolia/Hilaria jamesii- Stipa hymenoides community type.]
= Atriplex-Tetradymia Association (Graham 1937)
>< Gutierrezia sarothrae - Atriplex confertifolia (Potter et al. 1985) [Occurs on top of Mancos Shale knolls.]
>< Frontier Sandstone (Welsh 1957) [Occurs on northern exposures on sand and on southern aspects at base of slope.]
>< Mat Atriplex-Hilaria Community (Dastrup 1963) [This community is codominated by Atriplex confertifolia and Atriplex corrugata.]
= Shadscale/grass (Harper and Jaynes 1986)
Concept Author(s): K.A. Schulz

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz, J. Drake, J. Coles and G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-06-16
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