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CEGL002349 Ephedra torreyana - (Atriplex spp.) / Nonvascular Gypsum Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Torrey''s Joint-fir - (Saltbush species) / Nonvascular Gypsum Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sparse shrubland is restricted to the barren slopes of badlands, ridges, hills and gullies with gypsum soils in the northern Colorado Plateau of eastern Utah and western Colorado, and Mojave Desert of Nevada. Sites are flat to moderately steep (0-36° slopes), occur between 1280 and 1845 m (4200-6050 feet) elevation, and are oriented to all aspects. The unvegetated surface has up to 95% cover of ground lichens or bare soil. Litter and rocks are scarce, but surface erosion may expose a layer of gravel. Parent materials are gypsiferous shales of the Paradox, Moenkopi or Carmel formations. Soils are rapidly drained and range in texture from sandy loam to silty clay, although the sand often consists entirely of unweathered gypsum crystals. The vegetation is characterized by the moderate to near-total cover by gypsophilous ground lichens. The total vascular vegetation cover ranges from 1 to 10% and rarely as high as 30%. It consists of a scattering of Ephedra torreyana shrubs that ranges in cover from 1 to 15%. Other shrubs may be present, including Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Ericameria nauseosa, and Opuntia polyacantha. The herbaceous layer is absent to extremely sparse in terms of cover, but some plots may contain occasional plants of Achnatherum hymenoides, Poa fendleriana, Pleuraphis jamesii, and the forbs Eriogonum inflatum, Lepidium montanum, Lappula occidentalis, and Sphaeralcea parvifolia.
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 unusual sparse shrubland is limited by soils within the Colorado Plateau. This association is characterized by the moderate to near-total cover by gypsophilous ground lichens. The total vascular vegetation cover ranges from 1 to 10% and rarely as high as 30%. It consists of a scattering of Ephedra torreyana shrubs that ranges in cover from 1 to 15%. Other shrubs may be present, including Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Ericameria nauseosa, and Opuntia polyacantha. The herbaceous layer is absent to extremely sparse in terms of cover, but some plots may contain occasional plants of Achnatherum hymenoides, Poa fendleriana, Pleuraphis jamesii, and the forbs Eriogonum inflatum, Lepidium montanum, Lappula occidentalis, and Sphaeralcea parvifolia.
Dynamics: Because gypsum erodes easily, these are inherently unstable habitats. The nearly complete ground coverage by gypsiferous lichens retards erosion and gives a cement-like feel to the ground surface.
Environmental Description: This sparse shrubland is restricted to the barren slopes of badlands, ridges, hills and gullies with gypsum soils in the northern Colorado Plateau of eastern Utah and western Colorado. Sites are flat to moderately steep (0-36° slopes), occur between 1280 and 1845 m (4200-6050 feet) elevation, and are oriented to all aspects. The unvegetated surface has up to 95% cover of ground lichens or bare soil. Litter and rocks are scarce, but surface erosion may expose a layer of gravel. Parent materials are gypsiferous shales of the Paradox, Moenkopi or Carmel formations. Soils are rapidly drained and range in texture from sandy loam to silty clay, although the sand often consists entirely of unweathered gypsum crystals.
Geographic Range: This association is known from gypsum outcrops and soils in southern Nevada, eastern Utah and western Colorado.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769027
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.6 Saltbush species - Joint-fir species - Buckwheat species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Macrogroup | M118 | 3.B.1.Ne.6 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a Saltbush species - Mountain-mahogany species - Joint-fir species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Group | G570 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Alliance | A4052 Joint-fir species - Saline Wildrye - Crispleaf Buckwheat Badlands Cold Desert Sparse Vegetation Alliance | A4052 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Association | CEGL002349 Torrey''s Joint-fir - (Saltbush species) / Nonvascular Gypsum Sparse Vegetation | CEGL002349 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ephedra torreyana-(Atriplex spp.) / Nonvascular Gypsum Sparse Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Ephedra torreyana - (Atriplex spp.) / Nonvascular Gypsum Sparse Vegetation (Clark et al. 2009)
= Ephedra torreyana - (Atriplex spp.) / Nonvascular Gypsum Sparse Vegetation (Clark et al. 2009)
- 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., A. Tendick, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2009a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Arches National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/253. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 544 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.
- Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- 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.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, K. Decker, M. Hall, J. Von Loh, T. Belote, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2012. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Canyonlands National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2012/577. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Tendick, A., J. Spence, M. Reid, K. Shulz, G. Kittel, K. Green, A. Wight, and G. Wakefield. 2017. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRR—2017/1500. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 1464 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.