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CEGL002822 Eriogonum leptocladon Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sand Buckwheat Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sparse shrubland association occurs in the Colorado Plateau in southeastern Utah. Total vegetation cover by vascular species rarely exceeds 15%. The open shrub canopy is consistently dominated by Eriogonum leptocladon with between 2 and 10% cover. Other shrubs present may include Eriogonum corymbosum, Atriplex canescens, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. If Artemisia filifolia or Coleogyne ramosissima are present, it is with 1% or less cover. The herbaceous layer is also generally sparse (5% or less total cover) and consists of species adapted to somewhat disturbed, sandy conditions. Common species include Achnatherum hymenoides, Abronia fragrans, Oenothera pallida, Sporobolus spp., and Salsola tragus. This sparse community is characteristic of sheets of loose or partially stabilized sand between 1220 and 1573 m (4000-5160 feet) elevation. Stands occur on level to gently sloping sites with a tendency toward warmer western aspects. Soils are loamy sands and sandy loams derived from local eroding sandstone or eolian sands. Most of the unvegetated surface is bare soil, although incipient biological soil crusts (consisting mostly of dark cyanobacteria) may cover up to 20% of the ground in more stable sites. Stands of this association tend to be small and occur in a mosaic of other sandy communities.
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
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands of this sparse shrubland association tend to be small and occur in a mosaic of other sandy communities. Total vegetation cover by vascular species rarely exceeds 15%. The open canopy is consistently dominated by Eriogonum leptocladon with between 2 and 10% cover. Other shrubs present may include Eriogonum corymbosum, Atriplex canescens, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. If Artemisia filifolia or Coleogyne ramosissima are present, it is with 1% or less cover. The herbaceous layer is also generally sparse (5% or less cover) and consists of species adapted to somewhat disturbed, sandy conditions. Common species include Achnatherum hymenoides, Abronia fragrans, Oenothera pallida, Sporobolus spp., and Salsola tragus.
Dynamics: Eriogonum leptocladon is characteristic of communities that occupy loose sands in the Colorado Plateau. It is the dominant in these situations only rarely. As sand systems stabilize, other shrubs, such as Artemisia filifolia, Coleogyne ramosissima, and Ephedra spp., tend to outcompete Eriogonum leptocladon.
Environmental Description: This association is characteristic of sheets of loose or partially stabilized sand in southeastern Utah. Elevations range between 1220 and 1573 m (4000-5160 feet). Stands occur on level to gently sloping sites with a tendency toward warmer western aspects. Soils are loamy sands and sandy loams derived from eroding sandstone or eolian sands. Most of the unvegetated surface is bare soil, although incipient biological soil crusts (consisting mostly of dark cyanobacteria) may cover up to 20% of the ground in more stable sites.
Geographic Range: This Colorado Plateau association has only been described from southeastern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.786252
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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e Intermountain Sparsely Vegetated Dune Scrub & Grassland Group | G775 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
| Alliance | A4149 Rubber Rabbitbrush - Sand Buckwheat - Four-part Horsebrush Sparse Scrub Alliance | A4149 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
| Association | CEGL002822 Sand Buckwheat Sparse Vegetation | CEGL002822 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Eriogonum leptocladon Sparse Vegetation (Clark et al. 2009)
- Clark, D., M. Dela Cruz, T. Clark, J. Coles, S. Topp, A. Evenden, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Capitol Reef National Park. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/187. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 882 pp.
- Romme, W. H., K. D. Heil, J. M. Porter, and R. Fleming. 1993. Plant communities of Capitol Reef National Park, Utah. USDI National Park Service, Technical Report NPS/NAUCARE/NRTER-93/02. Cooperative Park Studies Unit, Northern Arizona University. 37 pp.
- Tendick, A., J. Coles, K. Decker, M. Hall, J. Von Loh, T. Belote, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, and A. Evenden. 2012. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Canyonlands National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2012/577. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.