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CEGL003961 Ericameria nauseosa - (Xylorhiza tortifolia) Talus Sparse Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rubber Rabbitbrush – (Mojave Woody-aster) Talus Sparse Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sparse shrubland occurs in the Colorado Plateau and is known from Canyonlands National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in southeastern Utah. Total vegetation cover ranges from 2 to 14%. The vegetation is characterized by a sparse shrub canopy dominated by Ericameria nauseosa var. juncea with up to 8% cover. Associated shrubs, dwarf-shrubs and succulents include scattered Ephedra viridis, Ephedra torreyana, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus var. stenophyllus, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Xylorhiza tortifolia, Yucca angustissima, and Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea. Occasional Juniperus osteosperma trees and seedlings may be present with less than 1% cover. The sparse herbaceous layer has variable composition, depending on the substrate. Species such as Pleuraphis jamesii, Achnatherum hymenoides, Tiquilia latior, Cryptantha sp., Stanleya pinnata, Lepidium montanum var. jonesii, and Eriogonum inflatum are commonly present. The introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum is common in some stands. Although biological soil crusts provide little cover (because most of the surface is rock-covered), they are well-developed and include Collema sp., Gyalolechia sp., Toninia sp., mosses, and dark cyanobacteria. Stands occur on colluvium in canyons on gentle to steep slopes (5-34°) between 1142 and 1549 m elevation. Rocks and gravel cover most of the unvegetated surface, with low cover by bare soil. Soils are rapidly drained sands, loams, and sandy clay loams derived from talus/colluvial or alluvial 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 ranges from 2 to 14%. The vegetation is characterized by a sparse shrub canopy dominated by Ericameria nauseosa var. juncea with up to 8% cover. Associated shrubs, dwarf-shrubs and succulents include scattered Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus var. stenophyllus, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea (= Opuntia erinacea), Xylorhiza tortifolia, and Yucca angustissima. Occasional Juniperus osteosperma trees and seedlings may be present with less than 1% cover. The sparse herbaceous layer has variable composition, depending on the substrate. Species such as Pleuraphis jamesii, Achnatherum hymenoides, Tiquilia latior, Cryptantha sp., Stanleya pinnata, Lepidium montanum var. jonesii, and Eriogonum inflatum are commonly present. The introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum is common in some stands. Although biological soil crusts provide little cover (because most of the surface is rock-covered), they are well-developed and include Collema sp., Gyalolechia sp. (= Fulgensia sp.), Toninia sp., mosses, and dark cyanobacteria.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This sparse shrubland is only known from Canyonlands National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in eastern Utah. Stands occur on colluvial deposits in canyons on gentle to steep slopes (5-34°) between 1142 and 1549 m elevation. Rocks and gravel cover most of the unvegetated surface, with low cover by bare soil. Soils are rapidly drained sands, loams, sandy clay loams derived from talus/colluvial or alluvial deposits, from White Rim sandstone, and Carmel, Moenkopi and Organ Rock formations.
Geographic Range: This sparse shrubland occurs in the Colorado Plateau and is known from Canyonlands National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in southeastern Utah.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.793511
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.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 | CEGL003961 Rubber Rabbitbrush – (Mojave Woody-aster) Talus Sparse Shrubland | CEGL003961 | 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: = Ericameria nauseosa Sparse Shrubland (Tendick et al. 2012)
- 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.