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CEGL002799 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Yellow Rabbitbrush / Needle-and-Thread Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs on disturbed ridges and valleys in the northern Colorado Plateau of Colorado and Utah and into the southern Rocky Mountains. The total vegetation cover rarely exceeds 60% and is characterized by an open shrub canopy of Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus with between 5 and 35% cover. The native bunchgrass Hesperostipa comata contributes 10 to 20% cover. Other short shrubs providing sparse cover include Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Artemisia nova, and Tetradymia canescens. The herbaceous layer is diverse in terms of species composition. Associated graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, Pascopyrum smithii, Poa fendleriana, and Poa secunda. Forbs are diverse but contribute very little cover, including Chenopodium leptophyllum, Crepis acuminata, Cryptantha cinerea var. jamesii, Erigeron engelmannii, Eriogonum umbellatum, Lupinus caudatus, Opuntia fragilis, Packera tridenticulata, Sedum lanceolatum, Senecio spartioides, Linanthus pungens, Heterotheca villosa, and Schoenocrambe linifolia. This association occurs between 1800 and 2440 m (5900-8000 feet) elevation. Slopes range from gentle to moderately steep. Soils have textures ranging from silt loam to sandy loam to loamy sand, and bare soil covers most of the unvegetated ground surface. This community generally occurs in areas that have experienced significant disturbance (such as fire) or on-going natural disturbance such as season-long grazing.
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: The total vegetation cover rarely exceeds 60% and is characterized by an open shrub canopy of Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus with between 5 and 35% cover. The native bunchgrass Hesperostipa comata contributes 10 to 20% cover. Other short shrubs providing sparse cover include Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Artemisia nova, and Tetradymia canescens. The herbaceous layer is diverse in terms of species composition. Associated graminoids include Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, Pascopyrum smithii, Poa fendleriana, and Poa secunda. The non-native Bromus tectorum may also be present. Forbs are diverse but contribute very little cover, including Chenopodium leptophyllum, Crepis acuminata, Cryptantha cinerea var. jamesii, Erigeron engelmannii, Eriogonum umbellatum, Lupinus caudatus, Opuntia fragilis, Packera tridenticulata, Sedum lanceolatum, Senecio spartioides, Linanthus pungens (= Leptodactylon pungens), Heterotheca villosa (= Chrysopsis villosa), and Schoenocrambe linifolia.
Dynamics: This community generally occurs in areas that have experienced significant disturbance (such as fire) or on-going natural disturbance such as season-long grazing. At least one site was documented as being a sagebrush-dominated stand that burned and recovered to this association. Although rabbitbrush will temporarily dominate this association, if the source of disturbance is removed, other shrubs such as Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis will replace it.
Environmental Description: This association occurs on level to moderately sloping disturbed sites on ridges and in valleys between 1800 and 2440 m (5900-8000 feet) elevation. Substrates include eolian sands, metamorphic rocks, granite or limestone, and the soil is likewise variable, with textures ranging from silt loam to sandy loam to loamy sand. Bare soil covers most of the unvegetated ground surface.
Geographic Range: This association is apparently relatively uncommon and has been documented from western Colorado and Utah. It is likely to occur throughout the interior western U.S. in sandy, disturbed areas that normally support sagebrush shrublands.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, ID, MT, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.785173
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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d Yellow Rabbitbrush - Rubber Rabbitbrush - Winterfat Steppe & Shrubland Group | G310 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Alliance | A3195 Yellow Rabbitbrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3195 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Association | CEGL002799 Yellow Rabbitbrush / Needle-and-Thread Shrubland | CEGL002799 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
Concept Lineage: The few plots for this type (CEGL002753) belong in CEGL002799 & CEGL002347, and this one is no longer valid
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland (Tendick et al. 2010)
= Yellow Rabbitbrush / Needle and Thread Shrubland (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland) (Bell et al. 2009)
= Yellow Rabbitbrush / Needle and Thread Shrubland (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland) (Bell et al. 2009)
- Bell, J., D. Cogan, J. Erixson, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation inventory project report, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/UCBN/NRTR-2009/277. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 358 pp.
- 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.
- MTNHP [Montana Natural Heritage Program]. 2002b. List of ecological communities for Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program, Montana State Library, Helena, MT.
- Tendick, A., G. Kittel, J. Von Loh, P. Williams, D. Cogan, J. Coles, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2011b. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Bryce Canyon National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2011/442. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.