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CEGL004009 Opuntia (fragilis, polyacantha, phaeacantha) Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Brittle Prickly-pear, Plains Prickly-pear, Tulip Prickly-pear) Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This succulent-dominated dwarf-shrubland is known only from Canyon de Chelly National Monument in northeastern Arizona in the southern Colorado Plateau. It occurs in canyons on terraces and alluvial fans at the base of cliffs from 1755 to 1787 m (5758-5863 feet) elevation. Stands occur on gentle slopes (1-11%) with generally hot, south-facing aspects. One stand is seasonally flooded. The soils are sandy loam in texture. There is moderate to high cover of bare ground. The vegetation is characterized by an open to moderately dense succulent dwarf-shrub layer dominated by Opuntia species. Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia polyacantha, or Cylindropuntia whipplei may dominate solely or in combination with the others. Other shrubs may be present, including Artemisia filifolia, Artemisia tridentata, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. The sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer has a diversity of species. Common herbaceous species are Astragalus lentiginosus, Bouteloua gracilis, Chaetopappa ericoides, Conyza canadensis, Croton texensis, Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata, Heterotheca villosa, Lappula occidentalis, Solanum elaeagnifolium, and Sphaeralcea fendleri. The native annual forb Plantago patagonica may dominate after good spring precipitation. The annual exotic grass Bromus tectorum is generally abundant with 1-5% cover. Other exotic species include Cynodon dactylon, Erodium cicutarium, and Salsola kali.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: One stand at Canyon de Chelly National Monument has an open tree layer 5-10 m in height, dominated by Celtis laevigata var. reticulata, which covers 10-25%, and with one dbh measurement at 44.2 cm. A "subcanopy" 2-5 m tall with <5% cover is dominated Juniperus osteosperma and <1% cover of Pinus edulis. This stand (CACH-136) may be better classified as an open canopy Celtis laevigata var. reticulata woodland.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation is characterized by an open to moderately dense succulent dwarf-shrub layer dominated by Opuntia species. Opuntia phaeacantha, Opuntia polyacantha, or Cylindropuntia whipplei (= Opuntia whipplei) may dominate solely or in combination with the others. Other shrubs may be present, including Artemisia filifolia, Artemisia tridentata, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. The sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer has a diversity of species. Common herbaceous species are Astragalus lentiginosus, Bouteloua gracilis, Chaetopappa ericoides, Conyza canadensis, Croton texensis, Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata, Heterotheca villosa, Lappula occidentalis, Solanum elaeagnifolium, and Sphaeralcea fendleri. The native annual forb Plantago patagonica may dominate after good spring precipitation. The annual exotic grass Bromus tectorum is generally abundant with 1-5% cover. Other exotic species include Cynodon dactylon, Erodium cicutarium, and Salsola kali.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This succulent-dominated dwarf-shrubland is known only from Canyon de Chelly National Monument in northeastern Arizona in the southern Colorado Plateau. It occurs in canyons on terraces and alluvial fans at the base of cliffs from 1755 to 1787 m (5758-5863 feet) elevation. Stands occur on gentle slopes (1-11%) with generally hot, south-facing aspects. One stand is seasonally flooded. The soils are sandy loam in texture. There is moderate to high cover of bare ground.
Geographic Range: This dwarf-shrubland is known only from Canyon de Chelly National Monument in northeastern Arizona in the southern Colorado Plateau.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.794996
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.d Yellow Rabbitbrush - Rubber Rabbitbrush - Winterfat Steppe & Shrubland Group | G310 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Alliance | A2650 Prickly-pear species Colorado Plateau Shrubland Alliance | A2650 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Association | CEGL004009 (Brittle Prickly-pear, Plains Prickly-pear, Tulip Prickly-pear) Shrubland | CEGL004009 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Opuntia (fragilis, polyacantha, phaeacantha) Shrubland (Thomas et al. 2010)
- 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.
- Thomas, K. A., M. L. McTeague, L. Ogden, K. Schulz, T. Fancher, R. Waltermire, and A. Cully. 2010. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Canyon de Chelly National Monument. National Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR-2010/306. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 338 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.