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CEGL002356 Ephedra viridis / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mormon-tea / James'' Galleta Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association is found in southeastern Utah on the Colorado Plateau. The vegetation is characterized by an open canopy of Ephedra viridis that ranges in cover from 5 to 55% and the short bunchgrass Pleuraphis jamesii that ranges in cover from 1 to 15%. If Achnatherum hymenoides and Hesperostipa comata are present, it is with much less cover than Pleuraphis jamesii. Associated shrubs include Atriplex canescens, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Opuntia polyacantha. The herbaceous layer is diverse in terms of species composition and provides sparse to low cover. Associated graminoids include Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Sporobolus airoides, Sporobolus cryptandrus, and the annual exotic grass Bromus tectorum. Forbs commonly present include Cryptantha crassisepala, Helianthus petiolaris, Lappula occidentalis, and Sphaeralcea parvifolia. Total vegetation cover ranges from 6 to 85%. It occurs on partly stabilized dunefields and sandsheets on valley floors, plateau slopes, benches and mesatops. Sites are located on gentle slopes (3-10 %) between 1129 and 1850 m (3700-6070 feet) elevation. The rapidly drained, fine sandy loam, loamy sand, and sandy clay soils are derived from sandstones and shales, eolian deposits and alluvium.
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. It is not clear what the habitat differences are that determine whether this association or ~Ephedra viridis / (Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata) Shrubland (CEGL002354)$$ will occupy a site; both prefer relatively level sites with loose sandy soils. Yet they are distinct; on the Island in the Sky in Canyonlands National Park, there is a boundary between the two associations so sharp you can stand astride it.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands of this Ephedra viridis association usually occur as patches of one to several hectares within a matrix of other sandy communities dominated by Coleogyne ramosissima or Artemisia filifolia, although occasionally it will be the matrix community. The appearance is that of a grassland containing large, low-growing clonal clumps of Ephedra viridis. The total vegetation cover ranges from 6 to 85% in these sparsely to moderately vegetated stands. This short-shrub association is characterized by an open to moderately dense canopy of Ephedra viridis that ranges in cover from 2 to 55% and the short bunchgrass Pleuraphis jamesii that ranges in cover from 1 to 15%. If Achnatherum hymenoides and Hesperostipa comata are present, it is with much less cover than Pleuraphis jamesii. Associated shrubs include Atriplex canescens, Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Ephedra torreyana, Gutierrezia sarothrae and other Gutierrezia species, Opuntia polyacantha and other Opuntia species, and Yucca angustissima. The herbaceous layer is diverse in terms of species composition and provides sparse to low cover (<20%). Associated graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Sporobolus airoides, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Sporobolus contractus, and Sporobolus flexuosus, as well as the annual exotic grass Bromus tectorum (up to 15% cover). Forb cover is low but may be diverse. Associated forbs include Calochortus nuttallii, Cryptantha crassisepala, Eriogonum cernuum, Gilia inconspicua, Helianthus petiolaris, Lappula occidentalis, Lupinus pusillus, Mentzelia albicaulis, Packera multilobata (= Senecio multilobatus), Plantago patagonica, and Sphaeralcea parvifolia.
Dynamics: Ephedra viridis takes the form of a clonal, unbranched shrub in this association, appearing almost grasslike in stature. It is known to sprout vigorously from roots or woody rootcrowns or establish by seed following fire (Anderson 2001b). These fire adaptations may favor it over more fire-sensitive species such as Coleogyne ramosissima.
Environmental Description: This shrubland association occurs on partly stabilized dunefields and sandsheets on valley floors, plateau slopes, benches and mesatops. Sites are located on flat to gentle slopes (<10%) between 1129 and 1850 m (3700-6070 feet) elevation. Aspect is not important in determining the distribution of this association. The unvegetated surface is variable but generally has high exposure of bare soil and sparse to moderate cover of litter and cryptogamic soil communities; rare sites will have high cover of colluvial boulders. Cryptogams may provide up to 30% cover. Soils are derived from sandstones and shales, eolian deposits and alluvium. They are deep, rapidly drained, fine sandy loams, loamy sands, and sandy clays. Parent materials include Dakota sandstone that eroded to eolian and sandsheet deposits, Morrison Formation and alluvium.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the Colorado Plateau in southeastern Utah and likely occurs in adjacent states.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769145
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.b Blackbrush - Cutler''s Joint-fir - Torrey''s Joint-fir Colorado Plateau Shrubland Group | G312 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Alliance | A3201 Mormon-tea Colorado Plateau Shrubland Alliance | A3201 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Association | CEGL002356 Mormon-tea / James'' Galleta Shrubland | CEGL002356 | 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 viridis / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland (Clark et al. 2009)
- Anderson, M. D. 2001b. Ephedra viridis. In: Fire Effects Information System [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/] (accessed 15 October 2007 and 19 June 2011).
- 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.
- 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.