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CEGL002768 Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Sparse Understory Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Sparse Understory Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is intended to represent sagebrush shrublands where the sparse understory is the result of edaphic conditions, not grazing or other disturbance. Total vegetation cover is somewhat sparse in these sagebrush communities, rarely exceeding 40% and usually closer to 25%. The shrub layer consists of dwarfed Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis shrubs, sometimes accompanied by Purshia tridentata, Atriplex confertifolia, Ephedra viridis, or Ericameria nauseosa. The understory of dwarf-shrubs and herbaceous species has less than 5% cover, and usually much less. Common species include Gutierrezia sarothrae, Achnatherum hymenoides, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Bouteloua gracilis. Cryptobiotic crusts may be well-developed in sandy sites. It occurs in scattered patches throughout the sagebrush zone of the Colorado Plateau and western Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Utah. Elevations range from 1590 to 2390 m (5215-7840 feet), and sites occur on level to moderately steep slopes. There is a slight tendency toward hot western and southern exposures. Soils may be thin over bedrock, or loose, unstable sands, or tight clays, or extremely well-drained gravels; all of these situations tend to discourage herbaceous growth.
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. This association is intended to represent sagebrush shrublands in which the substrate is such that few herbaceous species can grow. Situations in which the understory has been removed by grazing or other disturbance should be assigned to ~Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Disturbed Understory Ruderal Shrubland (CEGL002083)$$. Peterson (2008) is cited as the source for stands in Nevada.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Total vegetation cover is relatively low in these sagebrush communities, rarely exceeding 40% and usually closer to 25%. The shrub layer consists of dwarfed Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis shrubs, sometimes accompanied by Atriplex confertifolia, Ephedra viridis, Ephedra cutleri, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia microcephala, Opuntia spp., and/or Purshia tridentata. The understory of dwarf-shrubs and herbaceous species has less than 5% cover, and usually much less. Common species include Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, Packera multilobata (= Senecio multilobatus), and Pleuraphis jamesii. While cryptobiotic crusts may be well-developed in sandy sites, in general substrates are thin, loose, unstable sands, or tight clays, or extremely well-drained gravels; all of which tends to discourage herbaceous growth.
Dynamics: This association is relatively rare, in that the understory is sparse because of edaphic conditions, not disturbance history. The majority of Wyoming sagebrush stands with little understory result from grazing disturbance.
Environmental Description: This shrubland association occurs on deep soils of plateaus, mesatops, and alluvial fans. Elevations range from 1590 to 2390 m (5215-7840 feet), and sites occur on level to moderately steep slopes. There is a slight tendency toward hot western and southern exposures. Soils may be thin over bedrock, or loose, unstable sands, or tight clays, or extremely well-drained gravels; all of these situations tend to discourage herbaceous growth.
Geographic Range: This association is scattered widely over the Colorado Plateau of Utah and Colorado and extends west into the Great Basin and east into the southern Rocky Mountains.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.770580
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 | CEGL002768 Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Sparse Understory Shrubland | CEGL002768 | 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 / Sparse Understory Shrubland (Von Loh et al. 2008)
- 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.
- 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.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, P. Williams, G. Bradshaw, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Curecanti National Recreation Area. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/408. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 797 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.
- Von Loh, J., G. Wakefield, A. Wight, A. Evenden, and J. Coles. 2008. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Hovenweep National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2008/092. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 328 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.