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CEGL002299 Opuntia polyacantha / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Plains Prickly-pear / James'' Galleta Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This low-succulent association occurs in the northern Colorado Plateau. Total vegetation cover is between 15 and 30% and is characterized by patches of Opuntia polyacantha, with clumps of Pleuraphis jamesii between the shrubs. Other drought-tolerant shrubs may occur in the canopy with low cover, including Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Atriplex confertifolia, Atriplex canescens, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra spp., Gutierrezia sarothrae, Grayia spinosa, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus. The herbaceous layer is dominated by grasses, with Achnatherum hymenoides and Hesperostipa comata often present in addition to Pleuraphis jamesii. Juniperus osteosperma trees are scattered throughout the community but do not form a stratum. Cryptogams are absent in gravelly sites but may have up to 25% cover in sandy sites. Stands occur on hot, dry, relatively undisturbed sites on benches, valley floors, and on gentle to steep (4-72%) slopes between 1457 and 1628 m (4780-5340 feet) elevation. Substrates may be fine- or coarse-textured soils derived from eolian sand, alluvium and colluvium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau. A number of cactus dwarf-shrublands have been identified in the northern Colorado Plateau through the NPS vegetation mapping program. A careful analysis of the aggregate data is necessary to determine which types are consistent.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This succulent-dominated dwarf-shrubland is characteristic of rocky sites that are too dry for most vegetation. Total vegetation cover tends to be somewhat sparse, between 13 and 30%. This association is characterized by an open, patchy canopy of Opuntia polyacantha, with between 2 and 25% cover, and low to moderate cover of the bunchgrass Pleuraphis jamesii, usually with between 2 and 10% cover. The shrub layer is low in cover and may be diverse, with scattered short and dwarf-shrubs such as Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra cutleri, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Eriogonum microthecum, Grayia spinosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Opuntia phaeacantha, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, or Sclerocactus whipplei, but none will have higher cover than Opuntia polyacantha, and usually have much less. Juniperus osteosperma trees may be scattered through the community but do not form a stratum. The herbaceous layer is sparse or contributes low cover, usually less than 10% total cover. Graminoids associates may include Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Vulpia octoflora, and the exotic annual Bromus tectorum. Forb cover is sparse and variable. Forbs may include Astragalus nuttallianus, Cryptantha flava, Hymenopappus filifolius, Lappula occidentalis, Lepidium densiflorum, Lepidium montanum, Sphaeralcea coccinea, Sphaeralcea leptophylla, Streptanthella longirostris, and the exotic annual Salsola tragus. Biological soil crusts may be absent or range up to 25% cover.
Dynamics: This association occurs on the hottest, driest sites. Unlike other Opuntia-dominated associations, this community is the result of environmental conditions, not chronic disturbance.
Environmental Description: These prickly-pear dwarf-shrublands tend to be characteristic of rocky sites that are too dry for most vegetation. Sites include small ridges in canyons, benches, midslopes, toeslopes, alluvial fans, stream terraces, valley floors, plains and flats in the northern Colorado Plateau. Stands occur on gentle to steep (4-72%) slopes with are oriented to eastern and southern aspects between 1457 and 1673 m (4780-5340 feet) elevation. The unvegetated surface has moderate to high cover of bare soil and large and small rocks. Litter is variable but can be as high as 45%. Cryptogamic cover can approach 20%. Soils may be fine- or coarse-textured and range from rapidly drained sand or sandy loams, to somewhat poorly drained silty loams or sandy clays derived from eolian sand, alluvium and colluvium. Parent materials are variable and include sandstone, shale, Precambrian gneiss, and deposits of eolian, sheetwash, and rockfall material.
Geographic Range: This association occurs on xeric sites in the northern Colorado Plateau of Colorado and Utah and southern Colorado Plateau in northern Arizona and is likely more widespread.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.758172
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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d Yellow Rabbitbrush - Rubber Rabbitbrush - Winterfat Steppe & Shrubland Group | G310 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Alliance | A2650 Prickly-pear species Colorado Plateau Shrubland Alliance | A2650 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Association | CEGL002299 Plains Prickly-pear / James'' Galleta Shrubland | CEGL002299 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Opuntia polyacantha / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland (Von Loh et al. 2007)
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- Reid, M. S., and M. E. Hall. 2010. Vegetation classification of Grand Canyon National Park. Draft report submitted to National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
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- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.