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CEGL005973 Populus deltoides ssp. wislizeni / Schizachyrium scoparium Flooded Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rio Grande Cottonwood / Little Bluestem Flooded Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This type is known only from interdune swales of gypsum dunelands of the Tularosa Basin in south-central New Mexico at elevations around 1220 m (4000 feet) and may also occur in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. In the interdune areas, water accumulates during the summer rainy season, and the water table remains near the surface (0.5 m). Mature Populus deltoides trees form very open canopies (30% or less cover) with a grassy understory dominated by the gypsophile Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium along with Sporobolus airoides as a common associate. Scattered Baccharis salicina and Tamarix ramosissima are often present in the shrub layer. Although overall diversity is relatively low (29 species), there are six wetland indicators and only one exotic.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The dominant grass of this association is referred to as Schizachyrium neomexicanum (Nash) Nash or, alternatively, Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash var. neomexicanum (Nash) Gould. This species is a gypsophilic version of what PLANTS Database [http://plants.usda.gov] now synonymizes under Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash var. scoparium. Regardless, the occurrence of Schizachyrium in these stands is diagnostic of gypsum substrates in the local landscape and not reflected in adjacent non-gypsum grasslands.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Mature Populus deltoides trees form very open canopies (30% or less cover) with a grassy understory dominated by the gypsophile Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium (= Schizachyrium neomexicanum) along with Sporobolus airoides as a common associate. Scattered Baccharis salicina and Tamarix ramosissima are often present in the shrub layer. Although overall diversity is relatively low (29 species), there are six wetland indicators and only one exotic.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This type is known only from interdune swales of gypsum dunelands of the Tularosa Basin in south-central New Mexico at elevations around 1220 m (4000 feet) and may also occur in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. In the interdune areas, water accumulates during the summer rainy season, and the water table remains near the surface (0.5 m).
Geographic Range: This association is found in the Tularosa Basin in south-central New Mexico but may occur in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NM, TX?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.737592
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nd Western North American Interior Flooded Forest Division | D013 | 1.B.3.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nd.2 Interior Warm & Cool Desert Riparian Forest Macrogroup | M036 | 1.B.3.Nd.2 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b Western Interior Riparian Forest & Woodland Group | G797 | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b |
| Alliance | A3802 Rio Grande Cottonwood - Plains Cottonwood Riparian Forest Alliance | A3802 | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b |
| Association | CEGL005973 Rio Grande Cottonwood / Little Bluestem Flooded Woodland | CEGL005973 | 1.B.3.Nd.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Plains Cottonwood/New Mexico Bluestem CT (Muldavin et al. 2000a)
- Muldavin, E., P. Durkin, M. Bradley, M. Stuever, and P. Mehlhop. 2000a. Handbook of wetland vegetation communities of New Mexico. Volume I: Classification and community descriptions. Final report to the New Mexico Environment Department and the Environmental Protection Agency prepared by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.