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CEGL003830 Atriplex confertifolia Sparse Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Shadscale Saltbush Sparse Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sparse shadscale shrubland occurs in the canyonlands area of the Colorado Plateau. Total vegetation cover rarely exceeds 5% and consists primarily of scattered dwarfed Atriplex confertifolia shrubs. Many other species may be present but in general do not exceed a trace or at most 1% cover. Herbaceous associates include Aristida purpurea, Eriogonum inflatum, Pleuraphis jamesii, Stanleya pinnata, Suaeda moquinii, and Tiquilia latior. Stands occur on steep colluvial slopes, cliffs, escarpments, terraces, and benches with poor, alkaline soils. Sites are moderately to steeply sloping (to 35°) and may occur on any aspect between 1121 and 1621 m elevation. Soils are rapidly drained sands, sandy loams, sandy clay loams, sandy clays, or loams.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Sparse stands included in concept of ~Atriplex confertifolia / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland (CEGL001304)$$ are very similar to ~Atriplex confertifolia Sparse Shrubland (CEGL003830)$$ if Pleuraphis jamesii is present in understory. More classification work is needed to clarify differences.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This sparse shadscale shrubland rarely exceeds 5% total vegetation cover and consists primarily of scattered dwarfed Atriplex confertifolia shrubs. Many other species may be present but in general do not exceed a trace or at most 1% cover. Associated shrubs include Brickellia microphylla, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Eriogonum corymbosum, Gutierrezia microcephala, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha, Psorothamnus fremontii, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Xylorhiza glabriuscula. Herbaceous associates include Aristida purpurea, Eriogonum inflatum, Pleuraphis jamesii, Stanleya pinnata, Suaeda moquinii, and Tiquilia latior. Introduced species such as Bromus tectorum and Salsola tragus can be common on some stands.
Dynamics: Atriplex confertifolia has a deep and extensive rooting network and broad ecological amplitude which allows it to occupy colluvial slopes with large interstitial spaces.
Environmental Description: This sparse shadscale shrubland occurs in the canyonlands area of the Colorado Plateau on steep colluvial slopes, cliffs, escarpments, terraces, and benches with poor, alkaline soils. Sites are gently to steeply sloping (to 35°) and may occur on any aspect between 1121 and 1621 m elevation. The unvegetated surface has low to moderate exposure of bare soil and low to moderate cover of large rocks. Soils are rapidly drained sands, loams, sandy loams, sandy clay loams, silt loams, silty clay loams, clay loams, silty clays, or sandy clays derived from the Chinle, Moenkopi or Carmel formations, Dakota sandstone, Shinarump conglomerate, Tropic shale, talus/colluvium, or alluvial deposits.
Geographic Range: This sparse shadscale shrubland is found in Colorado Plateau in Canyonlands National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in of southeastern Utah, but is wider ranging and occurs north and west into the Great Basin and Columbia Plateau and southeast to central New Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NM, NV, OR, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.793483
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.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 | A0870 Shadscale Saltbush Scrub Alliance | A0870 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Association | CEGL003830 Shadscale Saltbush Sparse Shrubland | CEGL003830 | 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 confertifolia Sparse Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 1998d)
= Atriplex confertifolia Sparse Shrubland (Tendick et al. 2012)
= Atriplex confertifolia Sparse Shrubland (Tendick et al. 2012)
- Muldavin, E., G. Shore, K. Taugher, and B. Milne. 1998d. A vegetation map classification and map for the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. Final report submitted to USDI, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, NM, by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 73 pp. + appendices.
- Peterson, E. B. 2008. International Vegetation Classification alliances and associations occurring in Nevada with proposed additions. Nevada Natural Heritage Program, Carson City, NV. 348 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.