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CEGL002811 Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Achnatherum lettermanii Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Big Sagebrush / Letterman''s Needlegrass Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland occurs in the upper elevations of the sagebrush zone in plateau areas of western Colorado. Stands are located on gently to moderately sloping hills, ridgetops and benches. Elevations range from 2268 to 2609 m, and aspect is not a factor. Soils are deep, well-developed and often derived from eolian loess, although the underlying substrate may be sandstone, limestone or shale. Soil texture is silt loam or fine sandy loam. Litter covers most of the unvegetated ground surface. The vegetation of this association is characterized by a moderately closed shrub canopy dominated by Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana with a well-developed and diverse herbaceous understory dominated by Achnatherum lettermanii. Total shrub cover generally ranges between 20 and 50%, and the shrub layer often also includes Symphoricarpos oreophilus and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus. The herbaceous layer is dominated by graminoids and usually contains a number of species, including Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda, Achnatherum pinetorum, Elymus lanceolatus, and Carex rossii or Carex geyeri. Forbs vary among sites, but Eriogonum umbellatum is often present.
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 vegetation of this association is characterized by a moderately closed shrub canopy dominated by Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana with a well-developed and diverse herbaceous understory dominated by Achnatherum lettermanii. Total shrub cover generally ranges between 20 and 50%, and the shrub layer often also includes Symphoricarpos oreophilus and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus. The herbaceous layer is dominated by graminoids and usually contains a number of species, including Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda, Achnatherum pinetorum, and Carex rossii or Carex geyeri. Forbs vary among sites, but Eriogonum umbellatum is often present.
Dynamics: This association likely reflects a disturbed, somewhat degraded version of ~Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Poa fendleriana Shrubland (CEGL002812)$$. Achnatherum lettermanii tends to increase its cover in systems that are grazed by domestic livestock, because it is generally not as palatable as the other grasses present, such as Poa fendleriana.
Environmental Description: This shrubland occurs in the upper elevations of the sagebrush zone in plateau areas of western Colorado. Stands are located on gently to moderately sloping hills, ridgetops and benches. Elevations range from 2268 to 2609 m, and aspect is not a factor. Soils are generally deep, well-developed and often derived from eolian loess, although the underlying substrate may be sandstone, limestone or shale. Soil texture is silt loam or fine sandy loam. Litter covers most of the unvegetated ground surface.
Geographic Range: This association has been documented from western Colorado and southwestern Wyoming. It is likely to occur elsewhere in the western U.S. at higher elevations of the sagebrush zone.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.785239
Confidence Level: Low
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.c Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush - Mountain Silver Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G304 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
| Alliance | A3207 Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3207 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
| Association | CEGL002811 Mountain Big Sagebrush / Letterman''s Needlegrass Shrubland | CEGL002811 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Achnatherum lettermanii Shrubland (Coles et al. 2008a)
- 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.
- Friesen, B. A., S. Blauer, K. Landgraf, J. Von Loh, J. Coles, K. Schulz, A. Tendick, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Fossil Butte National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2010/319. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 552 pp. [http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/fobu/foburpt.pdf]
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.