Print Report
CEGL001281 Atriplex canescens Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fourwing Saltbush Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association is known from the Great Basin north into the southern Columbia Basin, east into Wyoming, the Colorado Plateau and northern Chihuahuan Desert, and west into the Mojave Desert of California. The vegetation is characterized by a sparse short-shrub layer (10-35% cover) dominated or codominated by Atriplex canescens, typically with a variable and often sparse herbaceous layer. Notable codominants in the shrub layer include Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra nevadensis, Eriogonum nummulare, Grayia spinosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Lycium pallidum, or several species of Psorothamnus. The herbaceous layer includes low cover of species such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Elymus elymoides, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Introduced species, especially Bromus tectorum, Bromus diandrus, and Salsola kali, are common on disturbed sites and can create an herbaceous layer much denser than on undisturbed sites. Winter annual forb cover is variable depending on annual precipitation. It is common at middle elevations on alluvial fans and toeslopes in deep, sandy soils but will occur at lower elevations along alluvial benches where soils are often finer-textured and possibly saline/alkaline. Parent materials are variable.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This widespread, broadly defined association is characterized by dominance of Atriplex canescens in a sparse to moderately dense shrub layer (10-35% cover) with a variable, often sparse herbaceous layer. Therefore, this association may include degraded stands from a variety of other associations. More classification review is needed to determine if stands have associated species that may represent certain ecoregions.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This broadly defined association is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense shrub layer (10-35% cover) dominated or codominated by Atriplex canescens, typically with a variable and often sparse herbaceous layer. Total vegetation cover ranges from sparse to moderate (5-56% cover). Notable codominants in the shrub layer include Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra nevadensis, Eriogonum nummulare (= Eriogonum kearneyi), Ericameria nauseosa, Grayia spinosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Lycium pallidum, Psorothamnus fremontii, or Psorothamnus polydenius. Artemisia bigelovii, Artemisia filifolia, Artemisia tridentata, Ephedra viridis, Ephedra cutleri, Isocoma rusbyi, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Purshia stansburiana, or Opuntia polyacantha may be present but are not codominants. The typically sparse herbaceous layer includes low cover of semi-arid grasses such as Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides), Aristida purpurea, Elymus elymoides, Pleuraphis jamesii (= Hilaria jamesii), and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Common forb species on sandy sites include Cymopterus ripleyi, Dalea searlsiae, Lesquerella ludoviciana, and Oenothera pallida, and on disturbed sites Cryptantha crassisepala, Descurainia pinnata, Erodium cicutarium, Lappula occidentalis, Lepidium montanum, Plantago patagonica, and Rumex hymenosepalus may be present. Winter annual forb cover is variable depending on annual precipitation. Introduced species such as Bromus tectorum, Bromus diandrus, Erodium cicutarium, Salsola kali, Salsola tragus, Schismus barbatus, and Tribulus terrestris can be common on disturbed sites.
Dynamics: Stands of this association may be affected during large flood events.
Environmental Description: This widespread shrubland association occurs on bajadas, low stream terraces, valley floors and toeslopes. Sites are flat to gently sloping with any aspect. It is commonly found on deep, sandy soils at elevations of 1235-2256 m (2000-7400 feet) on the Colorado Plateau and at lower elevations (down to 610 m [2000 feet]) in the Great Basin region where it occurs along alluvial benches where soils are often finer-textured and possibly saline/alkaline (Beatley 1976). Soils are well-drained to rapidly drained loams, silt loams, or loamy sands derived from alluvium or eolian deposits. The unvegetated surface is predominantly bare soil and/or sand. Larger rocks and organic material are rare. Parent materials include volcanic tuff, shale and sandstone.
Geographic Range: This shrubland occurs from the southern Columbia Basin and Great Basin east into Wyoming and south into the Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau and northern Chihuahuan Desert. This shrubland association occurs throughout much of the interior western U.S.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, CO, NM, NV, UT, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689979
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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 | A0869 Fourwing Saltbush Scrub Alliance | A0869 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Association | CEGL001281 Fourwing Saltbush Shrubland | CEGL001281 | 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: = Atriplex canescens (Sawyer et al. 2009) [36.310.01]
= Atriplex canescens Association (Evens et al. 2012)
< Atriplex canescens Association (Beatley 1976)
= Atriplex canescens Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Atriplex canescens Sparse Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 1998d)
< Atriplex ssp. Shrubland Alliance (Ostler et al. 2000)
= Fourwing Saltbush/Sparse Undergrowth PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Atriplex canescens/Sparse; ATRCAN/SPARSE)]
= Atriplex canescens Association (Evens et al. 2012)
< Atriplex canescens Association (Beatley 1976)
= Atriplex canescens Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Atriplex canescens Sparse Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 1998d)
< Atriplex ssp. Shrubland Alliance (Ostler et al. 2000)
= Fourwing Saltbush/Sparse Undergrowth PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Atriplex canescens/Sparse; ATRCAN/SPARSE)]
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