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CEGL002261 Ericameria nauseosa Desert Wash Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rubber Rabbitbrush Desert Wash Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association has sparse to moderate total vegetation cover (1-65%), and is characterized by an open short-shrub layer distributed in linear rows along the intermittent drainages. Ericameria nauseosa is the dominant shrub with 1-15% cover. Other shrubs are typically present but contribute little cover. These include Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Ephedra viridis, Fraxinus anomala, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Purshia stansburiana, Quercus havardii, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus. The herbaceous stratum has sparse to moderate cover. The exotic Bromus tectorum is often abundant. Other herbaceous species commonly found are Achnatherum hymenoides, Descurainia pinnata, Elymus elymoides, Glycyrrhiza lepidota, Hesperostipa comata, Hordeum jubatum, and Pleuraphis jamesii. This association is found in or near temporary watercourses on point bars, basin floors, and low stream terraces in western Colorado and eastern Utah. Stands have been found between 1189 and 2104 m (3900-6900 feet) elevation. Sites are flat to gently sloping (<3°) and of any aspect. There is usually little litter, but sometimes woody debris can be deposited by floods. Parent materials are variable, but sandstone, shale, and gneiss are most common on sampled stands. Soils are rapidly drained to well-drained sands or sandy loams.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In sparse or patchy stands, Ericameria nauseosa acts as an indicator species. This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau and Mojave Desert.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This shrubland association has sparse to moderate total vegetation cover (1-65%). This association is characterized by an open to moderately dense short-shrub layer distributed in linear rows along the intermittent drainages. Ericameria nauseosa is the dominant shrub with 1-15% cover. In sparse or patchy stands, Ericameria nauseosa acts as an indicator species. Other shrubs are typically present, but contribute little cover. These include Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Baccharis salicina, Brickellia oblongifolia, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Fraxinus anomala, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Psorothamnus fremontii, Purshia mexicana, Purshia stansburiana, Quercus havardii, Rhus aromatica, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, Salix exigua, and Tamarix chinensis (exotic). The herbaceous stratum has sparse to moderate cover. The exotic Bromus tectorum is often abundant. Other herbaceous species commonly found are Achnatherum hymenoides, Amsonia tomentosa, Astragalus sp., Cryptantha spp., Descurainia pinnata, Distichlis spicata, Elymus elymoides, Glycyrrhiza lepidota, Hesperostipa comata, Hordeum jubatum, Plantago patagonica, Pleuraphis jamesii, Salsola tragus, and Stephanomeria pauciflora.
Dynamics: This association results from a combination of usually dry conditions, coarse-textured substrates and intermittent severe disturbance by flash floods. The vegetation is usually scattered, occurring in parts of the channel protected from the worst flooding, and shrubs have extensive root systems to allow them to resprout quickly when damaged or partially uprooted by flooding.
Environmental Description: This association is found in or adjacent to temporary watercourses on point bars, basin floors, and low stream terraces. Stands have been found between 1020 and 2104 m (3346-6900 feet) elevation. Sites are flat to gently sloping (<3°) and of any aspect. The unvegetated surface is mostly bare soil, sand, and/or loose rocks. There is usually little litter, but sometimes woody debris can be deposited by floods. Parent materials are variable, but sandstone, shale, and gneiss are most common on sampled stands. Soils are rapidly drained to well-drained sands, sandy loams or silt loams derived from alluvium. Biological soil crusts may be present but do not provide much cover.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in the Colorado Plateau in western Colorado and eastern Utah and northern Mojave Desert in southeastern California. It is likely found in other places of the arid western U.S.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.758124
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.4 Great Basin-Intermountain Xeric-Riparian Scrub Macrogroup | M095 | 3.B.1.Ne.4 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.4.a Fourwing Saltbush - Rubber Rabbitbrush Shrub & Herb Wash-Arroyo Group | G559 | 3.B.1.Ne.4.a |
| Alliance | A3266 Fourwing Saltbush - Rubber Rabbitbrush Desert Wash Alliance | A3266 | 3.B.1.Ne.4.a |
| Association | CEGL002261 Rubber Rabbitbrush Desert Wash Shrubland | CEGL002261 | 3.B.1.Ne.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ericameria nauseosa Desert Wash (Evens et al. 2014)
= Ericameria nauseosa Desert Wash Shrubland (Von Loh et al. 2007)
= Ericameria nauseosa Desert Wash Shrubland (Von Loh et al. 2007)
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