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CEGL003772 Ephedra torreyana / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Torrey''s Joint-fir / James'' Galleta Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This short shrubland occurs in the canyonlands of the Colorado Plateau of southern Utah and possibly Arizona. The vegetation ranges from 5 to 25% total cover and is characterized by an open canopy of Ephedra torreyana shrubs with up to 15% cover and the short bunchgrass Pleuraphis jamesii that ranges in cover from 1 to 5%. Associated shrubs Atriplex gardneri and Coleogyne ramosissima may be present to codominant. Other shrubs may include Atriplex confertifolia, Ericameria nauseosa, Eriogonum microthecum, Opuntia spp., and Sclerocactus whipplei The remaining herbaceous component includes grasses such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Sporobolus cryptandrus, and Vulpia octoflora, and the forbs Amsonia tomentosa, Chenopodium album, Lepidium lasiocarpum, Plantago patagonica, and Streptanthella longirostris. Biological soil crusts provide sparse cover in some stands. Stands are found typically on deep alkaline soils of plateaus, mesas, benches, lower slopes and stream terraces that are flat to moderately steep (up to 32% slopes) and occur between 1226 and 1506 m elevation. The unvegetated surface has high cover of bare soil and/or gravel with sparse cover of litter. Soils are rapidly drained loamy sands and clay loams.
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. Except for the absence of Achnatherum hymenoides, this association is very similar to ~Ephedra torreyana / Achnatherum hymenoides - Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland (CEGL002352)$$. More survey and classification work are needed to clarify differences.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation ranges from 5 to 25% total cover and is characterized by an open canopy of Ephedra torreyana shrubs with up to 15% cover and perennial grasses, especially the short bunchgrass Pleuraphis jamesii, which ranges in cover from 1 to 6%. Associated shrubs can be quite variable, all with very low cover, and include Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Atriplex gardneri, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ericameria nauseosa, Eriogonum microthecum, Gutierrezia microcephala, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea (= Opuntia erinacea), Opuntia macrorhiza, Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia polyacantha var. polyacantha, Picrothamnus desertorum (= Artemisia spinescens), Psorothamnus spp., Sclerocactus whipplei, Xylorhiza tortifolia, and Yucca angustissima. Other herbaceous species include occasional clumps of Achnatherum hymenoides, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Vulpia octoflora (= Festuca octoflora), and the exotic annual Bromus tectorum. Forbs commonly present include Amsonia tomentosa, Chenopodium album, Lepidium lasiocarpum, Plantago patagonica, Sphaeralcea leptophylla, Streptanthella longirostris, and the exotic annual Salsola tragus. Biological soil crust cover is variable, with some stands having none, while others have as much as 33% cover by Collema sp., mosses, and dark cyanobacteria.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This desert short-shrub association occurs on deep alkaline soils on plateaus, mesas, benches, badlands, lower slopes and stream terraces in canyonlands of the Colorado Plateau. Sites are flat to moderately steep (up to 32% slopes) and occur between 1137 and 1506 m elevation. The unvegetated surface has high cover of bare soil and/or gravel with sparse cover of litter. Soils are rapidly drained loams, clay loams, silty clay loams, sandy loams, sandy clay loams, silty clays, sandy clays, or sands derived from alluvium, Mancos shale, Moenkopi, Carmel or Chinle formations, White Rim sandstone, Organ Rock shale, Shinarump conglomerate, Salt Wash member of the Morrison Formation, eolian or talus/colluvium deposits.
Geographic Range: This association is widespread throughout the canyonlands of the Colorado Plateau in southeastern Utah and possibly northern Arizona.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ?, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.792298
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.b Blackbrush - Cutler''s Joint-fir - Torrey''s Joint-fir Colorado Plateau Shrubland Group | G312 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Alliance | A2572 Torrey''s Joint-fir Shrubland Alliance | A2572 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
| Association | CEGL003772 Torrey''s Joint-fir / James'' Galleta Shrubland | CEGL003772 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ephedra torreyana / Pleuraphis jamesii 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.