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CEGL005330 Bouteloua rothrockii Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rothrock''s Grama Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This mixed desert grassland association occurs on alluvial fans, ridges, and valley floors in southern Arizona. Elevation ranges from 1030-1105 m (3388-3625 feet). Sites occur on gentle to moderate slopes. Substrates are variable but have been described as well-drained sandy loam. Rock cover is generally low (<10%). The moderate to dense (>35% cover) herbaceous layer is typically strongly dominated by the perennial grass Bouteloua rothrockii with abundant cover (>10%). Diverse, mixed native perennial grasses generally codominate and often include species such as Hilaria belangeri, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua curtipendula, and Eragrostis intermedia. Gutierrezia microcephala or Gutierrezia sarothrae cover is significant in some stands. Annual grasses are often abundant, but there is good cover of perennial grasses. Scattered shrubs Prosopis velutina and Isocoma tenuisecta may be present with low cover. Other common species include Ambrosia confertiflora, Aristida ternipes, Bouteloua aristidoides, Bouteloua barbata, Chloris virgata, Eriochloa acuminata, Kallstroemia grandiflora, Portulaca suffrutescens, and Solanum elaeagnifolium. The exotic perennial grass Eragrostis lehmanniana is often present but with less than 25% cover and less than a third of the total cover of perennial grasses.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This mixed desert grassland is characterized by Bouteloua rothrockii, a shorter lived perennial that is common on dry, rocky hillsides, sandy mesas and valley bottoms (Gould 1988).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The moderate to dense (>35% cover) herbaceous layer is typically strongly dominated by the perennial grass Bouteloua rothrockii with abundant cover (>10%). Diverse, mixed native perennial grasses generally codominate and often include species such as Hilaria belangeri, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua curtipendula, and Eragrostis intermedia. Gutierrezia microcephala or Gutierrezia sarothrae cover is significant in some stands. Annual grasses are often abundant, but there is good cover of perennial grasses. Scattered shrubs Prosopis velutina and Isocoma tenuisecta may be present with low cover. Other common species include Ambrosia confertiflora, Aristida ternipes, Bouteloua aristidoides, Bouteloua barbata, Chloris virgata, Eriochloa acuminata, Kallstroemia grandiflora, Portulaca suffrutescens, and Solanum elaeagnifolium. The exotic perennial grass Eragrostis lehmanniana is often present but with less than 25% cover and less than a third of the total cover of perennial grasses.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This mixed desert grassland association occurs on alluvial fans, ridges, and valley floors in southern Arizona. Elevation ranges from 1030-1105 m (3388-3625 feet). Sites occur on gentle to moderate slopes. Substrates are variable but have been described as well-drained sandy loam. Rock cover is generally low (<10%).
Geographic Range: This grassland is found in southern Arizona, but it likely occurs across southern New Mexico and northern Mexico
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: AZ, MXSON?, NM?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.806325
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.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.3 Black Grama - Bullgrass - Tobosa Grass Chihuahuan Semi-Desert Grassland Macrogroup | M087 | 3.A.2.Na.3 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.3.a Black Grama - Chino Grama - Bush Muhly Semi-Desert Grassland Group | G490 | 3.A.2.Na.3.a |
| Alliance | A3205 Sotol species / Sideoats Grama - Curly-leaf Muhly Foothill Desert Grassland Alliance | A3205 | 3.A.2.Na.3.a |
| Association | CEGL005330 Rothrock''s Grama Grassland | CEGL005330 | 3.A.2.Na.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Bouteloua rothrockii Herbaceous Vegetation (Schulz 2004)
- Gould, F. W. 1988. Grasses of the southwestern United States. University of Arizona Press, Tucson. 343 pp.
- Schulz, K. A. 2004. Vegetation classification of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona. Unpublished report submitted to USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. NatureServe, Western Regional Office, Boulder, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.