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CEGL005031 Sporobolus cryptandrus - Schizachyrium scoparium - Bouteloua curtipendula Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sand Dropseed - Little Bluestem - Sideoats Grama Grassland
Colloquial Name: Gypsum Outcrop Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association has been identified in the northern panhandle of Texas but is likely found elsewhere in the southern Great Plains. It occurs on gypsum outcrops within Permian redbeds. These sites can be nearly flat to sloping and are usually small (less than 1 ha). Sites with higher gypsum content have less vegetation cover. The herbaceous stratum is sparse to moderate, and composition varies according to aspect, slope, and gypsum content. Common species include the grasses Sporobolus cryptandrus, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Bouteloua curtipendula. Forbs are less abundant and include Mentzelia strictissima, Haploesthes greggii, Phacelia integrifolia, Liatris punctata, and Oenothera macrocarpa.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The relationship of this association to ~Schizachyrium scoparium - Lesquerella gordonii - Castilleja purpurea var. citrina Grassland (CEGL002252)$$ is unclear. They have similarities in composition and habitat and may deserve to be combined, but little is known of either.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This community is usually sparsely vegetated, with vegetation decreasing as the gypsum content increases. The plants that do occur are able to survive under extreme conditions of gypsiferous soil, low fertility, and low available water. The community may have grasses, forbs, and a few shrubs present. Number of species is limited. The most commonly occurring grasses are Sporobolus cryptandrus, Bouteloua curtipendula, Schizachyrium scoparium, Erioneuron pilosum, and Aristida purpurea. The more common forbs are Calylophus serrulatus, Oenothera macrocarpa, Phacelia integrifolia, Mentzelia strictissima, Eriogonum jamesii, Haploesthes greggii, and Hymenopappus flavescens. Few shrubs occur, but scattered Dalea formosa, Yucca glauca, and occasional Rhus trilobata can be observed. Occasional cacti species are found, with the most common species being Echinocereus reichenbachii and Opuntia macrorhiza.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community occurs on gypsiferous soils on relatively small acreages. These communities are located on small hills, ridges, and ledges within the Permian redbed geology. Gypsum content of the soils is high. The greater the gypsum content, the more sparse the individual plants and the more narrow the list of species becomes. Some sites are almost pure gypsum and have almost no vegetation present. At best, vegetation is sparse. It is unlikely that fire played a significant role in shaping this community due to the sparse cover. Grazing animals tend to shun these areas due to lack of plant palatability. The drier south- and west-facing slopes tend to have the least amount of total vegetation present. Runoff is greater on sloping terrain and infiltration is limited.
Geographic Range: No Data Available
Nations: US
States/Provinces: TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.788035
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nb Central North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D023 | 2.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nb.2 Needle-and-Thread - Western Wheatgrass - Plains Rough Fescue Grassland Macrogroup | M051 | 2.B.2.Nb.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nb.2.a Little Bluestem - Sideoats Grama - Western Wheatgrass Mixedgrass Prairie Group | G133 | 2.B.2.Nb.2.a |
| Alliance | A4042 Little Bluestem - Sideoats Grama Central Plains Grassland Alliance | A4042 | 2.B.2.Nb.2.a |
| Association | CEGL005031 Sand Dropseed - Little Bluestem - Sideoats Grama Grassland | CEGL005031 | 2.B.2.Nb.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Fenton, K., J. R. Bell, and D. Wegner. 2007. Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, Texas. Technical Memorandum No. 86-68260-07-01. Bureau of Reclamation, Denver, CO.
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.