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CEGL003828 Atriplex canescens - Ephedra viridis Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fourwing Saltbush - Mormon-tea Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This Colorado Plateau shrubland association is known from Canyonlands and Glen Canyon national parks in southeastern Utah. Shrub cover is about 10% and characterized by Atriplex canescens and Ephedra viridis (or Ephedra cutleri), each with up to 5% cover. Other shrubs present with lesser cover may include Coleogyne ramosissima, Ericameria nauseosa, and many others. The herbaceous layer is moderately diverse and generally contributes only sparse cover, but some stands can have moderate grass cover. Grasses include Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata, Muhlenbergia pungens, Aristida purpurea, Sporobolus cryptandrus, and Sporobolus contractus. Forbs include sand-loving and weedy species. Stands occur on sand dunes, sandsheets and stream terraces. Sites are flat to moderately sloping (up to 11°), oriented to the southwest, and are located between 1140 and 1860 m elevation. Soils are rapidly drained sandy loams or loamy sands derived from eolian deposits.
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: Total vegetation cover is only around 10-15% and is characterized by a shrub layer of 10% cover with Atriplex canescens and Ephedra viridis (or Ephedra cutleri), each with up to 5% cover. Other shrubs present with lesser cover may include Coleogyne ramosissima, Ericameria nauseosa, Ephedra torreyana, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Psoralidium junceum, Psorothamnus fremontii, Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Gutierrezia microcephala, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Opuntia polyacantha. The herbaceous layer is moderately diverse and can be sparse to moderate in cover. Grasses include Achnatherum hymenoides, Hesperostipa comata, Muhlenbergia pungens, Aristida purpurea, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Bouteloua gracilis, Bouteloua barbata, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Sporobolus contractus. Forbs include the sand-loving and weedy species Rumex hymenosepalus, Sphaeralcea parvifolia, Artemisia campestris, Artemisia dracunculus, and Plantago patagonica. Introduced species include Chenopodium album, Bromus rubens, Bromus tectorum, Salsola tragus, and Schismus barbatus.
Dynamics: Both Atriplex canescens and Ephedra viridis are tolerant of surface fires and will resprout if top-killed (Anderson 2001b, Howard 2003).
Environmental Description: Stands occur on sand dunes, sandsheets, plateaus, sideslopes, hills and stream terraces. Sites are flat to moderately sloping (up to 11°), oriented to the southwest, and are located between 1140 and 1860 m elevation. Bare ground covers most of the unvegetated surface, with some litter. Soils are rapidly drained sandy loams or loamy sands derived from eolian deposits.
Geographic Range: This Colorado Plateau shrubland association is known from southeastern Utah. It may have once been more widespread.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.793478
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.5 Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Mat Saltbush Great Basin Scrub Macrogroup | M093 | 3.B.1.Ne.5 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Spiny Hopsage Scrub Group | G300 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Alliance | A0869 Fourwing Saltbush Scrub Alliance | A0869 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Association | CEGL003828 Fourwing Saltbush - Mormon-tea Shrubland | CEGL003828 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Atriplex canescens - Ephedra viridis Shrubland (Tendick et al. 2012)
- Anderson, M. D. 2001b. Ephedra viridis. In: Fire Effects Information System [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/] (accessed 15 October 2007 and 19 June 2011).
- Howard, J. L. 2003a. Atriplex canescens. In: Fire Effects Information System [Online]. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). [http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/] (accessed 13 July 2007).
- 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.