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CEGL002761 Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Hesperostipa comata Colorado Plateau Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Needle-and-Thread Colorado Plateau Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association occurs throughout the Colorado Plateau in northern Arizona, eastern Utah, and western Colorado. The type likely occurs in southwestern Wyoming as well. Total vegetation cover ranges from 25 to 75% and is dominated by Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis. Other shrubs provide little additional cover but may include Atriplex canescens, Chrysothamnus greenei, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra cutleri, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Linanthus pungens, Opuntia polyacantha, and Yucca harrimaniae. Hesperostipa comata dominates or codominates the sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer. Other grass species present depend on the soil texture, with Achnatherum hymenoides, Elymus elymoides, and Koeleria macrantha more common on sandy soils, whereas Bouteloua gracilis, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Poa fendleriana are more common on silty soils. Forbs provide little total cover but may include Arenaria fendleri, Calochortus gunnisonii, Lepidium montanum, Linum lewisii, Packera sp., Phlox hoodii, Penstemon teucrioides, and Sphaeralcea coccinea. Bromus tectorum may be codominant in heavily disturbed sites. Scattered young Juniperus osteosperma and Pinus edulis trees are often present. Cryptobiotic soil crusts are common in this type, but development is uneven and tends to be sparse. Stands occur on deep soils on the slopes and summits of plateaus, ridges, hills and mesas. Elevations range from 1450 to 2419 m (4750-7940 feet). Slopes are level to moderately steep (0-50%). Substrates include eolian sands, loess and landslide deposits; most often soils are not residual but develop from these secondary sources. Soils are deep and fine, derived from sandstone, alluvial or eolian deposits. Most of the unvegetated surface is bare soil with low to moderate cover of litter and biological soil crusts. Biological soil crusts are generally in an early stage of development especially in sites that have had long-term grazing by livestock.
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. A similar association, ~Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland (CEGL001051)$$, describes a shrubland type of the Columbia River Basin of Oregon and Washington and the Snake River Plain of Idaho that is restricted to dry calcareous hardpan sites. However, little is known of the specifics of this association and its possible relationship to the Colorado Plateau shrubland. Baker''s (1984a) concept of Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Stipa comata Association includes both the Colorado and Columbia Basin/Snake River Plain communities. As more data become available, and especially as the range of the Colorado Plateau shrubland type is better known, these two associations should be revisited and compared to justify their separation.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This sagebrush association is widespread throughout the northern Colorado Plateau and is abundant in northwestern Colorado. Total vegetation cover ranges from 14 to 75% and is dominated by Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis with between 5 and 65% cover. Other shrubs provide little additional cover but may include Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Linanthus pungens (= Leptodactylon pungens), Opuntia polyacantha, and Yucca harrimaniae. Scattered Pinus edulis and Juniperus osteosperma trees and seedlings may be present but do not form a layer. Hesperostipa comata dominates the sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer. Other grass species present depend on the soil texture, with Achnatherum hymenoides, Elymus elymoides, and Koeleria macrantha more common on sandy soils, whereas Pleuraphis jamesii, Bouteloua gracilis, and Poa fendleriana are more common on silty soils. Forbs provide little total cover but may include Arenaria fendleri, Calochortus gunnisonii, Eriogonum cernuum, Lepidium montanum, Linum lewisii, Machaeranthera canescens, Oenothera albicaulis, Phlox hoodii, Penstemon teucrioides, and Sphaeralcea coccinea. Bromus tectorum may be codominant in heavily disturbed sites. Scattered young Juniperus osteosperma and Pinus edulis trees are often present. Cryptobiotic soil crusts are common in this type, but development is uneven and tends to be sparse in sites that have been grazed by domestic livestock.
Dynamics: This association is subject to periodic fire. When burned, it generally converts to a grassland dominated by Hesperostipa comata and Achnatherum hymenoides [see ~Hesperostipa comata - Achnatherum hymenoides Grassland (CEGL001703)$$]. Without additional disturbance, sagebrush will generally re-invade and regain canopy dominance within 20 to 50 years. This association is also subject to invasion by cheatgrass when grazed heavily, and in these stands, fire will generally convert the community more or less permanently to ~Bromus tectorum Ruderal Grassland (CEGL003019)$$.
Environmental Description: This widespread shrubland association occurs on deep soils on the slopes and summits of plateaus, ridges, hills and mesas throughout the Colorado Plateau in eastern Utah and western Colorado. The type is likely to occur in southwestern Wyoming as well. Elevations range from 1450 to 2419 m (4750-7940 feet). Slopes are level to moderately steep (0-50%). Substrates include eolian sands, loess and landslide deposits; most often soils are not residual but develop from these secondary sources. In sparsely vegetated stands, there is usually an abundance of exposed soil on the ground surface, whereas in denser stands litter covers most of the ground.
Geographic Range: This shrubland association occurs on deep soils on the slopes and summits of plateaus, ridges, hills and mesas throughout the Colorado Plateau in northern Arizona, eastern Utah and western Colorado, and may extend into Wyoming.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, UT, WY?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.770570
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.3 Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M169 | 3.B.1.Ne.3 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a Wyoming Big Sagebrush - Basin Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G303 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
| Alliance | A3184 Wyoming Big Sagebrush Dry Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3184 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
| Association | CEGL002761 Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Needle-and-Thread Colorado Plateau Shrubland | CEGL002761 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Stipa comata Plant Association (Baker 1984a)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Hesperostipa comata Colorado Plateau Shrubland (Von Loh et al. 2007)
= Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Hesperostipa comata Colorado Plateau Shrubland (Von Loh et al. 2007)
- Baker, W. L. 1984a. A preliminary classification of the natural vegetation of Colorado. Great Basin Naturalist 44(4):647-676.
- Coles, J., A. Tendick, J. Von Loh, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/361. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Coles, J., D. Cogan, D. Salas, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2008a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Dinosaur National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR-2008/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 814 pp.
- Salas, D. E., D. Wegner, and C. Bolen. 2010a. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Navajo National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2010/298. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 160 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.
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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.
- Thomas, K. A., M. L. McTeague, L. Ogden, M. L. Floyd, K. Schulz, B. Friesen, T. Fancher, R. Waltermire, and A. Cully. 2009b. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Mesa Verde National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/SCPN/NRR--2009/112. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 352 pp.
- Von Loh, J., K. Landgraf, A. Evenden, T. Owens, S. Blauer, and M. Reid. 2007. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Colorado National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2007/061. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 564 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.