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CEGL002358 Grayia spinosa Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Spiny Hopsage Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs in the Great Basin and the eastern Mojave Desert, and extends east into the Colorado Plateau. Total vegetation cover ranges from 5 to 25%, most of which is concentrated in an open canopy of Grayia spinosa shrubs. Associated shrubs include Atriplex confertifolia, Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra viridis, Ephedra torreyana, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and the succulents Opuntia polyacantha and Yucca harrimaniae. The herbaceous layer contributes little to the community, being both sparse and depauperate. Herbaceous species include Pleuraphis jamesii, Chamaesyce fendleri, and Lepidium montanum. Biological soil crusts provide less than 5% cover. This association commonly occurs in large patches on plains, alluvial fans, and benches, but may occur as smaller patches in alluvial flat shrublands. Soils are variable but frequently occur on rapidly drained clay loam.
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. The description is based on plots from Arches National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Information from Mojave Desert and Great Basin stands has not yet been incorporated.
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%, most of which is concentrated in an open canopy of Grayia spinosa shrubs. Associated shrubs include Atriplex confertifolia, Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra cutleri, Ephedra viridis, Ephedra torreyana, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and the succulents Opuntia polyacantha and Yucca harrimaniae. The herbaceous layer contributes little to the community, being both sparse and depauperate. Herbaceous species include Pleuraphis jamesii, Chamaesyce fendleri (= Euphorbia fendleri), and Lepidium montanum. Biological soil crusts provide less than 5% cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association is found in the Great Basin and the eastern Mojave Desert, and extends east into the Colorado Plateau. It occurs as large patches on plains, alluvial fans, and benches, but may occur as smaller patches in alluvial flat shrublands. Soils are variable but frequently occur on rapidly drained clay loam. Bare soil or sand and small rocks cover most of the unvegetated surface; litter, large rocks, or bedrock have sparse to moderate cover.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in the Great Basin and the eastern Mojave Desert and east into the Colorado Plateau of southern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.769159
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.5 Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Mat Saltbush Great Basin Scrub Macrogroup | M093 | 3.B.1.Ne.5 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Spiny Hopsage Scrub Group | G300 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Alliance | A3171 Spiny Hopsage Scrub Alliance | A3171 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Association | CEGL002358 Spiny Hopsage Shrubland | CEGL002358 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Grayia spinosa Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Grayia spinosa Shrubland (Clark et al. 2009)
= Grayia spinosa 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.
- 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.
- Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- Peterson, E. B. 2008. International Vegetation Classification alliances and associations occurring in Nevada with proposed additions. Nevada Natural Heritage Program, Carson City, NV. 348 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. 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.