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CEGL002200 Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata / Sporobolus airoides Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Basin Big Sagebrush / Alkali Sacaton Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs on riparian terraces and drainage bottoms in western Colorado that rarely, if ever, flood. Elevations range from 1521 to 1873 m (5000-6145 feet), and sites are level to gently sloping. Soils tend to be fine-textured silty clays derived from alluvium. The vegetation is characterized by a canopy of Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata 1-3 m tall with 30-45% cover, and a moderately dense understory dominated by Sporobolus airoides with 30% cover. Other shrubs associated with this community may include Ericameria nauseosa, Rhus trilobata, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus. The herbaceous layer may include Achnatherum hymenoides, Distichlis spicata, Pascopyrum smithii, Phragmites australis, and Glycyrrhiza lepidota.
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 canopy of Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata 1-3 m tall and between 30 and 45% cover. Other shrubs associated with this community may include Ericameria nauseosa, Rhus trilobata, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus. The herbaceous layer is well-developed and dominated by the bunchgrass Sporobolus airoides with approximately 30% cover. Other herbaceous species present vary but may include Achnatherum hymenoides, Distichlis spicata, Pascopyrum smithii, Phragmites australis, and Glycyrrhiza lepidota. Some stands have at least rudimentary cryptobiological crusts.
Dynamics: These stands have an intermediate level of salts in the soil, low enough for Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata to tolerate.
Environmental Description: This association occurs on high riparian terraces and drainage bottoms in western Colorado that rarely, if ever, flood. Elevations range from 1521 to 1873 m (5000-6145 feet), and sites are level to gently sloping. The substrate is alluvium, and soils tend to be fine-textured silty clays.
Geographic Range: This association is known from western Colorado. It is to be expected throughout the Colorado Plateau.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.758079
Confidence Level: Low
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 | A3194 Basin Big Sagebrush - Foothill Big Sagebrush Dry Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3194 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
| Association | CEGL002200 Basin Big Sagebrush / Alkali Sacaton Shrubland | CEGL002200 | 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. tridentata / Sporobolus airoides Shrubland (Von Loh et al. 2007)
- Clark, D., M. Dela Cruz, T. Clark, J. Coles, S. Topp, A. Evenden, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Capitol Reef National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/187. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 882 pp.
- 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.
- Romme, W. H., K. D. Heil, J. M. Porter, and R. Fleming. 1993. Plant communities of Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. USDI National Park Service, Technical Report NPS/NAUCARE/NRTER-93/02. Cooperative Park Studies Unit, Northern Arizona University. 37 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.