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CEGL004004 Salsola spp. Ruderal Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Russian-thistle species Ruderal Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This herbaceous association is widespread on disturbed areas in semi-arid regions of the interior western U.S. Vegetation is dominated by exotic annual weedy species, especially Salsola tragus and, less frequently, other species such as Salsola collina, Salsola kali, or Salsola paulsenii. Scattered native shrubs may be present, including Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Ephedra torreyana, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Ericameria nauseosa, Opuntia polyacantha, Opuntia phaeacantha, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Sclerocactus whipplei. Remnant native herbaceous species contribute little cover but are usually present; Sporobolus cryptandrus, Achnatherum hymenoides, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus airoides, Cryptantha sp., Sphaeralcea coccinea, Plantago patagonica, Cleome lutea, Ambrosia acanthicarpa, Eriogonum inflatum, and Lappula occidentalis were recorded in sampled plots. Bromus tectorum generally has significant cover. Some areas with fine-textured soils lack biological soil crusts, but sandy sites can have as much as 60% cover. This herbaceous association occurs on floodplains, canyon bottoms, playas, and on active sand dunes. Sites are on flat to steep slopes. Sand or bare soil covers most of the unvegetated surface, although some sites have moderate cover of litter representing the previous crop of annual weeds. Biological soil crusts provide sparse to moderate cover depending on whether the site is being grazed or otherwise disturbed. Soils are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained sands, silt loams, or clays derived from alluvium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Stand have also been observed on dunes at Petrified Forest National Park.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation is dominated by exotic annual weedy species, especially Salsola tragus. Scattered native shrubs may be present, including Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Ephedra torreyana, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Ericameria nauseosa, Opuntia polyacantha, Opuntia phaeacantha (= var. major), Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Sclerocactus whipplei. Remnant native herbaceous species contribute little cover but are usually present; Sporobolus cryptandrus, Achnatherum hymenoides, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus airoides, Cryptantha sp., Sphaeralcea coccinea, Plantago patagonica, Cleome lutea, Ambrosia acanthicarpa, Eriogonum inflatum, and Lappula occidentalis were recorded in the sample plots. Bromus tectorum generally has significant cover. Other exotic annual grasses include Bromus rubens, Bouteloua barbata, and Schismus barbatus. Some areas with fine-textured soils lack biological soil crusts, but sandy sites can have as much as 60% cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This herbaceous association is widespread on disturbed areas in semi-arid regions of the interior western U.S. Stands occur on floodplains, canyon bottoms, playas, and on active sand dunes. Sites are on flat to steep slopes. Where sampled in the Colorado Plateau and San Luis Valley, elevations range from 1089 and 2297 m. Sand or bare soil cover most of the unvegetated surface, although some sites have moderate cover of litter representing the previous crop of annual weeds. Biological soil crusts provide sparse to moderate cover depending on whether the site is being grazed or otherwise disturbed. Soils are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained sands, silt loams, or clays derived from alluvium.
Geographic Range: This ruderal annual herbaceous association is widespread on disturbed areas in semi-arid regions of the interior western U.S. It has been sampled from the Colorado Plateau and San Luis Valley, but is often overlooked during vegetation studies because it is often ephemeral.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.794372
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.90 Crested Wheatgrass - Cheatgrass - Tall Tumblemustard Western North American Ruderal Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M499 | 3.B.1.Ne.90 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a Great Basin-Intermountain Ruderal Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group | G600 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Alliance | A3257 Yellow Star-thistle - Dyer''s Woad - Prickly Russian-thistle Ruderal Annual Forb Alliance | A3257 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Association | CEGL004004 Russian-thistle species Ruderal Grassland | CEGL004004 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
Concept Lineage: Upgraded to Standard during screening.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Salsola spp. Semi-natural Herbaceous Vegetation (Tendick et al. 2012)
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- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.