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CEGL002353 Ephedra torreyana Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Torrey''s Joint-fir Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This very sparse shrub association is locally common in eastern Utah and likely extends into northern Arizona. Total vegetation cover ranges from 1 to 15% but is generally less than 10%. The vegetation is dominated or codominated by a sparse canopy of Ephedra torreyana with between 1 and 10% cover. Associated shrubs may include Atriplex confertifolia, Coleogyne ramosissima, Eriogonum corymbosum, Eriogonum leptocladon, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia spp., and Xylorhiza spp. The herbaceous layer may have as much cover as the shrubs but will rarely exceed a few percent and may often be nearly absent. Common herbaceous species include Pleuraphis jamesii, Eriogonum inflatum, and Sphaeralcea spp. Achnatherum hymenoides is absent or has only trace cover. Exotic species Bromus tectorum, Salsola tragus, or Schismus barbatus may be present to abundant in disturbed sites. This very sparse shrub association is locally common in eastern Utah, occurring on alluvial fans, pediments, terraces, benches, mesas, rocky canyon slopes and stabilized dunes. This community occupies sites that are often actively eroding steep slopes, with pedestalled shrubs and gullies. A few stands are on level to gently sloping sandsheets that are subject to blowouts. Sampled stands are located between 997 and 1780 m (3270-5840 feet) elevation. Bare ground, rocks and gravel cover most of the unvegetated surface, although biological soil crusts may cover up to 50% of the surface in sandier sites. Soils are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained and variable in texture depending on the parent material. Soil textures range from sands and loam sands to silt loams, silty clay loams, and silty clays derived from 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. All Ephedra torreyana shrubland types are relatively sparse, and many have some degree of graminoid understory. This association is distinguished from others by having only Pleuraphis jamesii in the understory and lacking any significant cover by Bouteloua gracilis or Achnatherum hymenoides. However, there is relatively little quantitative data and no literature to support these associations; as additional data become available, it may be necessary to revisit and revise association concepts.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This sparse shrub association is locally common in eastern Utah. Total vegetation cover ranges from 1 to 15% but is generally less than 10%. The vegetation is dominated or codominated by a sparse canopy of Ephedra torreyana with between 1 and 10% cover. Associated shrubs may include Atriplex confertifolia, Coleogyne ramosissima, Eriogonum leptocladon, Eriogonum corymbosum, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia spp., Psorothamnus spp., and Xylorhiza spp. The herbaceous layer may have as much cover as the shrubs but will rarely exceed a few percent and may often be nearly absent. Diversity is moderate considering the sparse nature of the community and often includes Pleuraphis jamesii, Eriogonum inflatum, Phacelia crenulata, and Sphaeralcea spp. Achnatherum hymenoides is absent or has only trace cover. Exotic species Bromus tectorum, Salsola tragus, or Schismus barbatus may be present to abundant in disturbed sites.
Dynamics: This community occupies sites that are often actively eroding, with pedestalled shrubs and gullies in many plots. A few plots are on sandsheets that are subject to blowouts.
Environmental Description: This very sparse shrub association occurs in patches scattered throughout the northern Colorado Plateau on a broad range of landforms, including alluvial fans, pediments, terraces, benches, mesas, rocky canyon slopes and stabilized dunes. Stands are located on level to moderately steep slopes (to 50%) between 997 and 1780 m (3270-5840 feet) elevation. Most sampled plots are on cooler north or east aspects, with few plots on south or west aspects. Bare ground, rocks and gravel cover most of the unvegetated surface, although biological soil crusts may cover up to 50% of the surface in sandier sites. There is little litter. Soils are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained and variable in texture depending on the parent material. Soil textures include loamy sands, sands, and loams derived from alluvial deposits or Navajo sandstone, and silt loams, silty clay loams, and silty clays derived from shales of the Chinle, Cutler, Moenkopi, Morrison, Organ Rock, and Summerville formations.
Geographic Range: This Colorado Plateau association has been documented from southeastern Utah and may occur in northern Arizona, although it is likely to be fairly restricted in both its range and in the size of occurrences.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ?, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769077
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.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 | CEGL002353 Torrey''s Joint-fir Sparse Vegetation | CEGL002353 | 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 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.
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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.