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CEGL002357 Fallugia paradoxa Colorado Plateau Desert Wash Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Apache Plume Colorado Plateau Desert Wash Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dry wash association has been documented in southern Utah to north-central New Mexico, and may occur further west and north into the Great Basin. The shrub canopy is characterized by Fallugia paradoxa with 6 to 50% cover. Associated shrubs include Amelanchier utahensis, Atriplex canescens, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Fraxinus anomala, Gutierrezia microcephala, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Mahonia fremontii, Purshia stansburiana, Rhus trilobata, and Shepherdia rotundifolia. The herbaceous layer is low in species diversity and provides sparse to low cover; a combination of severe occasional flooding and otherwise dry conditions makes it difficult for herbaceous species to become established. Commonly associated graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides, the exotic annual Bromus tectorum, and Pleuraphis jamesii. Forbs are typically rare in this community; however, Stanleya pinnata frequently occurs. Scattered Juniperus osteosperma and Pinus edulis may be present but do not form a tree layer. This is a low-elevation shrubland occurring in canyon bottoms, washes, streambanks and point bars of intermittent drainages, and on alluvial terraces. Slopes are low to moderate (3-20%). Elevation ranges between 1111 and 1829 m (3650-6000 feet). Soils include rapidly drained sands and loamy sands.
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 22 to 95%. This tall-shrub community is characterized by Fallugia paradoxa shrubs that range in cover from 6 to 50%. The associated shrub layer has moderate to high species composition and provides moderate to dense cover. Commonly associated tall shrubs include Amelanchier utahensis, Purshia stansburiana, Mahonia fremontii, Rhus trilobata, and Fraxinus anomala. Short and dwarf-shrubs that are typically present include Atriplex canescens, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra cutleri, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Grayia spinosa, Gutierrezia microcephala, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Lycium andersonii, Opuntia polyacantha, and/or Shepherdia rotundifolia. Forestiera pubescens is uncommon or absent. Trees, typically 2-5 m tall, are sometimes present, providing sparse to low cover, and include Juniperus osteosperma, Juniperus monosperma, and Pinus edulis. The herbaceous layer is low in species diversity and provides sparse to low cover. Common associates include Achnatherum hymenoides, the exotic Bromus tectorum, and native Vulpia octoflora among grasses, and Ipomopsis longiflora and Lappula occidentalis among forbs.
Dynamics: Drainages are subject to ephemeral flood events following large summer thunderstorms that may scour the channels.
Environmental Description: This community occurs in intermittent drainages, wash bottoms, canyon bottoms, some with low solar exposure, alluvial terraces and bars adjacent to or within drainage channels with low gradients (3-7% slope). Slopes are gentle (1-8°) and are oriented to all aspects, and the elevation ranges between 1111 and 1829 m (3650-6000 feet) elevation. The unvegetated surface has low to moderate cover of litter, gravel, cobble, sand, and bare soil. Parent materials are shale of the Moenkopi Formation and sandstones of the Wingate, Navajo and Morrison formations. Soils are rapidly drained and texturally are sand and loamy sand derived from mixed alluvium of stream terraces, or rocky outcrops.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in southern Utah (Capitol Reef National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area) and in north-central New Mexico (Bandelier National Monument). It may occur elsewhere in the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin regions.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ?, NM, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769150
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.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.7 North American Warm-Desert Xeric-Riparian Scrub Macrogroup | M092 | 3.A.2.Na.7 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.7.a Desert-willow - Apache Plume - Desert Almond Desert Wash & Colluvial Slope Group | G541 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
| Alliance | A3259 Apache Plume Desert Wash Scrub Alliance | A3259 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
| Association | CEGL002357 Apache Plume Colorado Plateau Desert Wash Shrubland | CEGL002357 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Fallugia paradoxa Desert Wash 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.
- Muldavin, E., A. Kennedy, C. Jackson, P. Neville, T. Neville, K. Schulz, and M. Reid. 2011b. Vegetation classification and map: Bandelier National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2011/438. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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. 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.