Print Report
CEGL002355 Ephedra viridis / Bromus tectorum Ruderal Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mormon-tea / Cheatgrass Ruderal Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This ruderal association occurs in the Colorado Plateau and has been reported from northwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah. Ephedra viridis dominates the open shrub layer in this association; few other shrubs are present or contribute more than 1% cover. The herbaceous layer is dominated by exotic invasive Bromus tectorum, although it is usually accompanied by native grasses, including Hesperostipa comata, Poa fendleriana, and Poa secunda. Other weedy herbaceous species may also be present, such as Erodium cicutarium. Stands result from disturbance of other shrubland types, either by persistent grazing or by fire. It occurs on hills, plateaus, ridges and canyon walls in western Colorado and southern Utah. Elevations range from 1124 to 1650 m (3690-5415 feet), and slopes range from gentle to steep. Soils range from sandy loams to silt loams and may be derived from eolian or alluvial deposits.
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. There is little quantitative information for this ruderal association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Ephedra viridis dominates the open shrub layer in this association. Scattered Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra torreyana, Glossopetalon spinescens, or Psorothamnus fremontii may occur in a stand, but few other shrubs are present or contribute more than 1% cover. The herbaceous layer is dominated by exotic invasive Bromus tectorum, although it is usually accompanied by sparse native grasses, including Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata, Pleuraphis jamesii, Poa fendleriana, and Poa secunda. Other weedy herbaceous species may also be present, such as Erodium cicutarium.
Dynamics: Some stands occur in a matrix of Coleogyne ramosissima shrublands and represent degraded forms of ~Ephedra viridis / (Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata) Shrubland (CEGL002354)$$ or ~Ephedra viridis / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland (CEGL002356)$$. Others represent burned mixed shrublands occurring on colluvial slopes.
Environmental Description: This shrub association occurs on hills, plateaus, ridges and canyon walls in western Colorado and southern Utah. Elevations range from 1124 to 1650 m (3690-5415 feet), and slopes range from gentle to steep. Soils are rapidly drained sandy loams or silt loams derived from eolian, talus/colluvial, or alluvial deposits.
Geographic Range: This ruderal association occurs in the Colorado Plateau and has been reported from northwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah and is likely to be widespread in the southwestern U.S. within the range of Ephedra viridis.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769105
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.90 Crested Wheatgrass - Cheatgrass - Tall Tumblemustard Western North American Ruderal Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M499 | 3.B.1.Ne.90 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a Great Basin-Intermountain Ruderal Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group | G600 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Alliance | A4213 Sagebrush species - Mixed Shrub Ruderal Understory Shrubland Alliance | A4213 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Association | CEGL002355 Mormon-tea / Cheatgrass Ruderal Shrubland | CEGL002355 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ephedra viridis / Bromus tectorum Semi-natural 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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- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.