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CEGL002775 Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Poa fendleriana Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Muttongrass Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sagebrush shrubland association is widespread throughout the northern Colorado Plateau, occurring on ridges, mesas and hills between 1600 and 2400 m (5250-7875 feet) elevation. Stands may cover entire plateaus or less than an acre in small openings in pinyon-juniper woodlands. Slopes range from 3% to more than 50% and are oriented to all aspects. Soils are deep and often derived from eolian loess or sand, although some stands are on residual soils derived from the underlying sandstone or shale. Total vegetation cover ranges widely, from 10 to 80%. The shrub layer is sparse in hot, dry sites (around 10% cover) but may cover more than 50% in sheltered areas. Other shrubs are usually present and may include Purshia tridentata, Atriplex confertifolia, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Amelanchier utahensis, and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus. The herbaceous understory is generally well-developed and is dominated by Poa fendleriana with around 3% cover in sparse shrublands and up to 35% cover in denser shrublands. Associated herbaceous species vary but generally include a number of grass species, especially Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata, Koeleria macrantha, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Bouteloua gracilis, and Achnatherum pinetorum. Forbs are inconsistent and usually contribute 1% cover or less. Some stands will have scattered Pinus edulis and Juniperus osteosperma trees.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This type of Wyoming big sagebrush shrubland is common in the northern Colorado Plateau. The total vegetation cover ranges widely from 10 to 80%. The shrub layer ranges from sparse in hot, dry sites (around 10% cover) to more than 50% in sheltered sites. Other shrubs are usually present and may include Purshia tridentata, Atriplex confertifolia, Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Amelanchier utahensis, and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus. The herbaceous understory is generally well-developed and is dominated by Poa fendleriana with around 3% cover in sparse shrublands and up to 35% cover in denser shrublands. Associated herbaceous species vary but generally include a number of grass species, especially Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata, Koeleria macrantha, Pseudoroegneria spicata, Bouteloua gracilis, and Achnatherum pinetorum. Forbs are inconsistent and usually contribute 1% cover or less. Some stands will have scattered trees of Pinus edulis and Juniperus osteosperma.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This sagebrush shrubland is widespread throughout the northern Colorado Plateau, occurring on ridges, mesas and hills between 1600 and 2400 m (5250-7875 feet) elevation. Stands may cover hundreds of acres or less than an acre in small openings in pinyon-juniper woodlands. Slopes range from 3% to more than 50% and are oriented to all aspects. Soils are deep and often derived from eolian loess or sand, although some stands are on residual soils derived from the underlying sandstone or shale.
Geographic Range: This association is widespread within the sagebrush shrublands of the Colorado Plateau. It has been documented from western Colorado and eastern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.770588
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 | CEGL002775 Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Muttongrass Shrubland | CEGL002775 | 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 / Poa fendleriana 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.
- 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.
- 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.