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CEGL002697 Artemisia filifolia Colorado Plateau Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sand Sagebrush Colorado Plateau Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sand sagebrush shrubland association is widespread in the Colorado Plateau of Utah, Arizona and probably New Mexico. Total vegetation cover ranges from sparsely vegetated (<5%) on often disturbed sites to stable, well-developed communities with more than 50% cover. Regardless, the vegetation is characterized by an open shrub canopy dominated by Artemisia filifolia that is usually mixed with other shrubs, especially Atriplex canescens, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Psorothamnus fremontii, Rhus aromatica, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Vanclevea stylosa. The herbaceous layer is moderate in terms of species composition and provides sparse to moderate cover. Graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides, Elymus repens, Hesperostipa comata, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Sporobolus giganteus, and Vulpia octoflora. Forbs vary among sites but are typical of sandy habitats, including Abronia fragrans, Lepidium montanum, Oenothera pallida, and Sphaeralcea parvifolia. Cryptogams may be absent or may provide up to 40% cover. This shrubland occurs on sandy soils of valley floors, stream terraces, stabilized dunes and sandsheets, benches, floodplains and alluvial fans. Most sites are level to gently sloping. Elevations range from 1122 to 1769 m (3645-5803 feet). Soils are sandy and derived from sandstones, alluvium, or eolian deposits.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is distinguished from other Artemisia filifolia shrubland associations by its restriction to the Colorado Plateau, the somewhat mixed shrub canopy that usually includes Atriplex canescens, a poorly-developed herbaceous layer and often a number of species that indicate disturbance or somewhat alkaline conditions. This association also occurs in a broader range of habitats than other Artemisia filifolia types. However, ~Artemisia filifolia - Ephedra (torreyana, viridis) Shrubland (CEGL002786)$$ is poorly defined, and many stands of ~Artemisia filifolia Colorado Plateau Shrubland (CEGL002697)$$ contain one or the other species of Ephedra; it is possible that these two associations should be combined. This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Total vegetation cover ranges broadly, from sparsely vegetated disturbed and alluvial terrace sites with less than 5% total cover to more stable, well-developed communities with greater than 50% cover. Regardless of cover, the vegetation is characterized by an open shrub canopy of Artemisia filifolia, usually mixed with other shrubs such as Atriplex canescens, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Eriogonum leptocladon, Fraxinus anomala. Gutierrezia spp., Mahonia fremontii, Opuntia spp., Psorothamnus fremontii, Rhus aromatica, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Vanclevea stylosa. The herbaceous layer is moderate in terms of species composition and provides sparse to moderate cover. Graminoids that are consistently present include Achnatherum hymenoides, Elymus repens, Hesperostipa comata, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Sporobolus giganteus, and Vulpia octoflora. Forbs vary among sites but are typical of sandy habitats, including Abronia fragrans, Artemisia dracunculus, Cordylanthus spp., Lepidium montanum, Machaeranthera canescens, Oenothera pallida, Sphaeralcea parvifolia, and other Sphaeralcea species. Cryptogams may be absent or may provide up to 40% cover. Exotic species are often present and include Bromus tectorum, Schismus barbatus, and Salsola tragus.
Dynamics: Sites are found on active and stabilized dunes, high stream terraces and a few sandsheets. This community is well-adapted to disturbance and to its sandy substrate. On sites in northern Colorado Plateau, Artemisia filifolia appears mid-seral with recently disturbed stands having higher cover of Eriogonum leptocladon and Vanclevea stylosa, versus Coleogyne ramosissima in more stabilized sites. Coleogyne ramosissima does not occur in southern portions of the Colorado Plateau.
Environmental Description: This common association occurs on sandy sites on washes, valley floors, valley sides, stream terraces, stabilized dunes and sandsheets, benches, floodplains, terraces, mesatops and alluvial fans. Most sites are level to gently sloping, with a few on moderate slopes (up to 21%), and may be oriented to any aspect, although there is a slight tendency to occur on warmer southerly aspects. Elevations range from 1111 to 1769 m (3645-5803 feet). Sand or bare soil covers most of the unvegetated ground surface, although cryptobiological soil crusts may have up to 40% cover. Soils are sandy to sometimes gravelly and derived from local sandstones, alluvium, or eolian deposits.
Geographic Range: This sand sagebrush shrubland association is widespread on the Colorado Plateau of Utah, western Colorado, northern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, NM, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.690008
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.b Blackbrush - Cutler''s Joint-fir - Torrey''s Joint-fir Colorado Plateau Shrubland Group | G312 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Alliance | A3181 Sand Sagebrush Colorado Plateau Shrubland Alliance | A3181 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Association | CEGL002697 Sand Sagebrush Colorado Plateau Shrubland | CEGL002697 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
Concept Lineage: Determined to be the same association. CEGL002818 has been merged into CEGL002697.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia filifolia Colorado Plateau Shrubland (Cogan et al. 2004)
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