Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Big Sagebrush - Rockspirea Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This mountain big sagebrush short-shrub association is uncommon and known only from two sites sampled at Curecanti National Recreation Area in the Gunnison River Valley in western Colorado. Stands occur on active slopes within ravines and gulches. Sites are steep (70-78% slopes), occur between 2352 and 2355 m elevation, and are oriented to the north and southwest. The unvegetated surface has high cover of bedrock, large and small rocks, and exposure of bare soil. Parent materials are metamorphic/granitic rocks. Soils are rapidly drained loamy sands. The vegetation is characterized by sparsely to moderately vegetated stands (10-70% total cover) with a typically open to moderately dense shrub layer dominated by Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana and codominated by Holodiscus dumosus. Other short and dwarf-shrubs provide sparse to low cover and include Amelanchier utahensis, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ribes leptanthum, and Symphoricarpos rotundifolius, and the succulent Opuntia polyacantha. Occasional Pseudotsuga menziesii and Juniperus scopulorum saplings or seedlings may be present. The herbaceous layer is diverse but sparse. Graminoids provide sparse to low cover and include Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum pinetorum, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, Poa compressa, Poa fendleriana, and Poa secunda. Forbs provide sparse cover. Crustose lichens may provide up to 25% cover within this association.

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