Print Report
CEGL005332 Eragrostis lehmanniana Ruderal Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lehmann''s Lovegrass Ruderal Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This desert grassland association occurs in southeastern Arizona on alluvial fans, ridges, hills and valley floors. The elevation range is 960-1100 m (3150-3600 feet). Sites occur on gentle to moderate slopes. Substrates are variable but are often well-drained sandy loam. This semi-natural grassland is characterized by dominance or codominance of Eragrostis lehmanniana, an introduced, perennial forage grass seeded and now naturalized throughout much of southern Arizona. Natural mixed desert grasslands are noted for their high species diversity and range in cover from relatively sparse to dense. This association is also variable in composition and cover and is defined by having 25% or more cover of Eragrostis lehmanniana or over a third of the total perennial graminoid cover for stands with a sparser herbaceous layer. Eragrostis lehmanniana also strongly dominates many stands with few native species remaining. Shrubs such as Prosopis velutina, Calliandra eriophylla, Cylindropuntia versicolor, and Isocoma tenuisecta may be present totaling 10% cover or less. Remnant desert grasses include Aristida ternipes, Bouteloua chondrosioides, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua rothrockii, Digitaria californica, and Eragrostis intermedia. Gutierrezia microcephala is abundant in some stands. Other common species include Allionia incarnata, Ambrosia confertiflora, Boerhavia erecta, Mollugo verticillata, Panicum hirticaule, Polygala barbeyana, Proboscidea parviflora, and Phemeranthus aurantiacus.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This grassland replaces native desert grasslands where Eragrostis lehmanniana was planted and/or naturalized. This association is similar to ~Eragrostis lehmanniana Ruderal Shrub Grassland (CEGL005333)$$ that is differentiated by the greater shrub cover (10-25%) typically dominated by Prosopis velutina, Calliandra eriophylla, or Isocoma tenuisecta.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This semi-natural grassland is characterized by dominance or codominance of Eragrostis lehmanniana, an introduced, perennial forage grass seeded and now naturalized throughout much of southern Arizona. Natural mixed desert grasslands are noted for their high species diversity and range in cover from relatively sparse to dense. This association is also variable in composition and cover and is defined by having 25% or more cover of Eragrostis lehmanniana or over a third of the total perennial graminoid cover for stands with a sparser herbaceous layer. Eragrostis lehmanniana also strongly dominates many stands with few native species remaining. Shrubs such as Prosopis velutina, Calliandra eriophylla, Cylindropuntia versicolor (= Opuntia versicolor), and Isocoma tenuisecta may be present totaling 10% cover or less. Remnant desert grasses include Aristida ternipes, Bouteloua chondrosioides, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua rothrockii, Digitaria californica, and Eragrostis intermedia. Gutierrezia microcephala is abundant in some stands. Other common species include Allionia incarnata, Ambrosia confertiflora, Boerhavia erecta, Mollugo verticillata, Panicum hirticaule, Polygala barbeyana, Proboscidea parviflora, and Phemeranthus aurantiacus (= Talinum aurantiacum).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This desert grassland association occurs in southeastern Arizona on alluvial fans, ridges, hills and valley floors. The elevation range is 960-1100 m (3150-3600 feet). Sites occur on gentle to moderate slopes. Substrates are variable but are often well-drained sandy loam.
Geographic Range: This desert grassland occurs in southern Arizona and possibly New Mexico in areas that where formerly mixed desert grasslands.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NM?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.806343
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.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.90 Honey Mesquite / Red Brome - Lehmann''s Lovegrass Desert Ruderal Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M512 | 3.A.2.Na.90 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.90.a Lehmann''s Lovegrass - Red Brome - Asian Mustard Warm Desert Ruderal Grassland Group | G677 | 3.A.2.Na.90.a |
| Alliance | A2687 Lehmann''s Lovegrass - Weeping Lovegrass Ruderal Desert Grassland Alliance | A2687 | 3.A.2.Na.90.a |
| Association | CEGL005332 Lehmann''s Lovegrass Ruderal Grassland | CEGL005332 | 3.A.2.Na.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Eragrostis lehmanniana Semi-natural Herbaceous Vegetation (Schulz 2004)
- 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.