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CEGL002084 Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Wyoming Big Sagebrush / James'' Galleta Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association occurs on alluvial flats and terraces, as well as on upland slopes and mesas in the Colorado Plateau. Sites tend to have gentle to moderately steep slopes, and elevations range from 1400 to 1939 m (4600-6360 feet). Known sites have an east or southeast aspect. Soils are derived from a wide variety of substrates; however, soil texture tends to be a sandy loam. Cryptobiotic crust cover is usually present. The vegetation is characterized by a moderately dense canopy of Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis with a sparse herbaceous understory dominated by Pleuraphis jamesii. Other shrubs present may include scattered individuals of Atriplex confertifolia, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Opuntia spp. Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Poa secunda, and Leymus salinus may be present in addition to Pleuraphis jamesii. Forbs tend to be sparse and inconsistent among stands but may include Calochortus spp., Astragalus nuttallianus, Oenothera pallida, and Sphaeralcea coccinea.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This shrubland association is characterized by a moderately dense canopy of Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, with low cover of herbaceous species in the understory dominated by Pleuraphis jamesii (1-10% cover). Total shrub cover ranges from 20 to 40% and may include scattered individuals of Atriplex confertifolia, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Opuntia spp. The herbaceous layer tends to be dominated in most years by perennial bunchgrasses, with Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Poa secunda, and Leymus salinus evident in addition to Pleuraphis jamesii. Forbs tend to be sparse and inconsistent among stands but may include Calochortus spp., Astragalus nuttallianus, Oenothera pallida, and Sphaeralcea coccinea.
Dynamics: Most stands of this association have been affected to some degree by livestock grazing, past and/or present. Stands are also subject to wildfire and prescribed burns. Carefully controlled prescribed burns result in a grassland dominated by native bunch grasses (T. Naumann pers. comm. 2005); wildfire may result in a system dominated by cheatgrass.
Environmental Description: This shrubland association occurs on alluvial flats and terraces, as well as on ridges, slopes, benches and mesas throughout the Colorado Plateau. Sites tend to have gentle slopes, but some sites range up to 55% slope. Elevations range from 1400 to 1939 m (4600-6360 feet), and sites may be oriented to any aspect, although most of the sampled stands have either an east or southeast aspect. Soils are derived from a wide variety of substrates, from alluvium, sandstone and eolian sands to limestone, metamorphic rocks and shales; however, soil texture tends to be a sandy loam. Cryptobiotic crust cover is usually present and ranges from sparse to nearly 30% cover.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the northern Colorado Plateau of southeastern Utah and western Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.757442
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.3 Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M169 | 3.B.1.Ne.3 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a Wyoming Big Sagebrush - Basin Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G303 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
| Alliance | A3184 Wyoming Big Sagebrush Dry Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3184 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
| Association | CEGL002084 Wyoming Big Sagebrush / James'' Galleta Shrubland | CEGL002084 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland (Von Loh et al. 2008)
- Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2008a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Dinosaur National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR-2008/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 814 pp.
- Naumann, Tamara. Personal communication. Botanist, National Park Service, Dinosaur National Monument, Dinosaur, CO.
- Peterson, E. B. 2008. International Vegetation Classification alliances and associations occurring in Nevada with proposed additions. Nevada Natural Heritage Program, Carson City, NV. 348 pp.
- Von Loh, J., G. Wakefield, A. Wight, A. Evenden, and J. Coles. 2008. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Hovenweep National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2008/092. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 328 pp.
- Von Loh, J., K. Landgraf, A. Evenden, T. Owens, S. Blauer, and M. Reid. 2007. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Colorado National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2007/061. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 564 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.