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CEGL003776 Rhus trilobata - Ephedra (viridis, torreyana) Talus & Slickrock Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Skunkbush Sumac - (Mormon-tea, Torrey''s Joint-fir) Talus & Slickrock Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This Colorado Plateau mixed shrub assemblage tends to be slightly more mesic than most other talus type vegetation. Total vegetation cover is sparse, not exceeding 25%. It is characterized by a scattered mixture of shrubs, among which Rhus trilobata var. trilobata and Ephedra torreyana or Ephedra viridis are conspicuous and either dominant or codominant. As many as ten other species of shrubs may also be present, including Amelanchier utahensis, Artemisia bigelovii, Atriplex confertifolia, Brickellia microphylla, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ericameria nauseosa, Eriogonum corymbosum, and Philadelphus microphyllus. Fraxinus anomala is absent, and if Pinus edulis or Juniperus osteosperma are present, cover is less than 1%. Herbaceous cover is sparse and variable. Biological soil crust formation is rare on these active slopes. Stands occur on steep, rocky colluvial slopes and bedrock canyon rims associated with mesas, canyons, benches, ravines, hills, hogbacks, escarpments and valley sides. Slopes are typically moderate and range from level to steep (0-70%), occur between 1238 and 1700 m (4000-5580 feet) elevation, and tend to occur on southerly to westerly aspects (less often east-facing slopes). Soils are shallow and rocky and range from rapidly drained clay loams to sandy loams derived from shales and sandstones. It tends to be slightly more mesic than most other talus type vegetation.
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: This shrubland association has sparse to low cover of vegetation, not exceeding 25% total cover. It is characterized by a scattered mixture of shrubs, among which Rhus trilobata var. trilobata and Ephedra torreyana or Ephedra viridis are conspicuous and either dominant or codominant. As many as ten other species of shrubs may also be present, including Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Amelanchier utahensis, Artemisia bigelovii, Atriplex confertifolia, Brickellia microphylla, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ericameria nauseosa, Eriogonum corymbosum, Glossopetalon spinescens, Lycium andersonii, Philadelphus microphyllus, and Shepherdia rotundifolia. Fraxinus anomala is absent or has trace cover, and if Pinus edulis or Juniperus osteosperma are present, cover is less than 1%. The herbaceous layer may include many species but never provides more than a few percent cover. Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum speciosum (= Stipa speciosa), Aristida purpurea, Elymus elymoides, Pleuraphis jamesii, Leymus salinus, Sporobolus cryptandrus, and exotic annuals Bromus rubens or Bromus tectorum are common grasses. Forbs compositions are variable with frequent species including Artemisia ludoviciana, Chaetopappa ericoides, Cryptantha crassisepala, Plantago patagonica, Stephanomeria pauciflora, and Stanleya pinnata. Biological soil crust formation is rare on these active slopes.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This Colorado Plateau mixed shrub assemblage occurs on steep, rocky colluvial slopes and bedrock canyon rims associated with mesas, canyons, benches, ravines, hills, hogbacks, escarpments and valley sides. Slopes are typically moderate and range from level to steep (0-70%), occur between 1119 and 1700 m (3670-5580 feet) elevation, and tend to occur on southerly to westerly aspects (less often east-facing slopes). Soils are shallow and range from rapidly drained clay loams to sandy loams. Parent materials include shales (Carmel, Chinle, Moenkopi, or Morrison (Salt Wash Member) formations) and sandstones (Cedar Mountain, Navajo, Wingate formations). Most of the unvegetated surface is covered by gravel, talus, bedrock and large rocks, and occasionally petrified wood. There is little dead wood, biological soil crust or litter. It tends to be slightly more mesic than most other talus type vegetation.
Geographic Range: This association is known from Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, and Petrified Forest National Park and is likely widespread in the canyonlands of the Colorado Plateau in southeastern Utah and northern Arizona.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.791994
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.6 Saltbush species - Joint-fir species - Buckwheat species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Macrogroup | M118 | 3.B.1.Ne.6 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a Saltbush species - Mountain-mahogany species - Joint-fir species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Group | G570 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Alliance | A4050 Mormon-tea - Yellow Rabbitbrush - Skunkbush Sumac Talus Sparse Scrub Alliance | A4050 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
| Association | CEGL003776 Skunkbush Sumac - (Mormon-tea, Torrey''s Joint-fir) Talus & Slickrock Shrubland | CEGL003776 | 3.B.1.Ne.6.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Rhus trilobata - Ephedra (viridis, torreyana) Talus Shrubland (Coles et al. 2009a)
- Coles, J., A. Tendick, G. Manis, A. Wight, G. Wakefield, J. Von Loh, and A. Evenden. 2009a. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Arches National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCPN/NRTR--2009/253. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 544 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.
- 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.
- Thomas, K. A., M. L. McTeague, A. Cully, K. Schulz, and J. M. S. Hutchinson. 2009a. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Petrified Forest National Park. National Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2009/273. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 294 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.