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CEGL002352 Ephedra torreyana / Achnatherum hymenoides - Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Torrey''s Joint-fir / Indian Ricegrass - James'' Galleta Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland is known from southeastern Utah. Total vegetation cover ranges from 5 to 25% which includes stands that are shrub-herbaceous in structure as well as shrublands and sparse vegetation. Vegetation composition is characterized by an open canopy of Ephedra torreyana that ranges between 2 to 25% cover, with an understory codominated by Achnatherum hymenoides and Pleuraphis jamesii with between 2 and 15% cover. Associated shrubs include Atriplex canescens, Opuntia polyacantha, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. The remaining herbaceous layer often includes Astragalus amphioxys, Malacothrix sonchoides, Sporobolus airoides, Sporobolus flexuosus, and Sphaeralcea parvifolia. This shrubland association occurs in large patches on broad sandy plains, as well as in smaller patches on knolls, toeslopes and pediments. Sites are flat to gentle (up to 8° slopes), occur between 1123 and 2000 m elevation, and tend to be oriented to warm south or west aspects. The unvegetated surface has up to 90% exposure of sand or bare soil. Parent materials include Entrada, Navajo, Summerville and Carmel formation materials that have eroded to alluvial or eolian sands and clays. Soils are rapidly drained to well-drained loamy sands where derived from secondary materials or sandy clays where derived from underlying shales.
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.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Total vegetation cover ranges from 5 to 25% in this variable community, which includes stands that are shrub-herbaceous in structure as well as shrublands and sparse vegetation. Vegetation composition is characterized by an open canopy of Ephedra torreyana that ranges between 2 to 25% cover, with an understory dominated by Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Sporobolus cryptandrus with between 2 and 15% cover. Associated shrubs include Atriplex canescens, Ericameria nauseosa, Ephedra cutleri, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Psorothamnus fremontii, and Opuntia polyacantha. Coleogyne ramosissima is absent or has 1% or less cover. The remaining herbaceous layer often includes Amsonia tomentosa, Abronia elliptica, Astragalus amphioxys, Malacothrix sonchoides, Sporobolus airoides, Sporobolus flexuosus, Sphaeralcea parvifolia, and Zigadenus paniculatus.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This shrubland association occurs in large patches on broad sandy plains, as well as in smaller patches on knolls, toeslopes and pediments. Sites are flat to gentle (up to 15° [~30%] slopes), occur between 1123 and 2000 m elevation, and tend to be oriented to warm south or west aspects. The unvegetated surface has high exposure of sand and bare soil (up to 90%) and sparse to low cover of litter. Parent materials include Entrada, Navajo, Summerville, Chinle and Carmel formation exposures that have eroded to alluvial or eolian sands. Soils are rapidly drained to well-drained loamy sands where derived from secondary materials or sandy clays where derived from underlying shales.
Geographic Range: This Colorado Plateau association is known from scattered sites in southeastern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769074
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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b Blackbrush - Cutler''s Joint-fir - Torrey''s Joint-fir Colorado Plateau Shrubland Group | G312 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Alliance | A2572 Torrey''s Joint-fir Shrubland Alliance | A2572 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Association | CEGL002352 Torrey''s Joint-fir / Indian Ricegrass - James'' Galleta Shrubland | CEGL002352 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ephedra torreyana / Achnatherum hymenoides - Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland (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.
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- 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.