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CEGL005344 Prosopis velutina / Atriplex canescens / Mixed Grasses Ruderal Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Velvet Mesquite / Fourwing Saltbush / Mixed Grasses Ruderal Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland is described from Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona. Plot data indicate elevations of 990-1180 m (3245-3550 feet) where it is found on ridgetops, alluvial fans and valley floors (including floodplains). Sites are flat to gently sloping, and soils are sandy loam to silt loam. The vegetation is characterized by an open to moderately dense (10-40% cover) tall-shrub canopy that is dominated by Prosopis velutina with an open to moderately dense (10-50% cover) short-shrub layer dominated by abundant Atriplex canescens, which is diagnostic of this association. Sometimes there is sparse to moderate cover of Acacia greggii, Gutierrezia sarothrae, or Lycium spp. in the short-shrub layer. The moderately dense to dense herbaceous layer is dominated by mixed grasses but may have high species richness of forbs (>25 species), generally with relatively low cover. Characteristic species include Aristida ternipes, Bouteloua aristidoides, Bouteloua barbata, Bouteloua chondrosioides, Bouteloua eriopoda, Chamaesyce florida, Evolvulus alsinoides, Ipomoea hederacea, Setaria spp., and Phemeranthus aurantiacus. If present, Eragrostis lehmanniana cover is relatively low (less than 25% cover and generally less than a third of the total perennial graminoid cover).
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Dick-Peddie (1993) described a riparian Prosopis glandulosa / Atriplex canescens / mesic forb riparian shrubland in New Mexico; however, this type is upland. High cover of Atriplex canescens may be an important indicator of soil characteristics (saline/alkaline?).
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 (10-40% cover) tall-shrub canopy that is dominated by Prosopis velutina with an open to moderately dense (10-50% cover) short-shrub layer dominated by abundant Atriplex canescens, which is diagnostic of this association. Sometimes there is sparse to moderate cover of Acacia greggii, Gutierrezia sarothrae, or Lycium spp. in the short-shrub layer. The moderately dense to dense herbaceous layer is dominated by mixed grasses but may have high species richness of forbs (>25 species), generally with relatively low cover. Characteristic species include Aristida ternipes, Bouteloua aristidoides, Bouteloua barbata, Bouteloua chondrosioides, Bouteloua eriopoda, Chamaesyce florida, Evolvulus alsinoides, Ipomoea hederacea, Setaria spp., and Phemeranthus aurantiacus (= Talinum aurantiacum). If present, Eragrostis lehmanniana cover is relatively low (less than 25% cover and generally less than a third of the total perennial graminoid cover).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This shrubland is described from Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona. Plot data indicate elevations of 990-1180 m (3245-3550 feet) where it is found on ridgetops, alluvial fans and valley floors (including floodplains). Sites are flat to gently sloping, and soils are sandy loam to silt loam.
Geographic Range: This shrubland is found on foothills of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona and likely occurs in Sonora, Mexico.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: AZ, MXSON
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.806404
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.b Honey Mesquite - Velvet Mesquite Warm Desert Ruderal Scrub Group | G819 | 3.A.2.Na.90.b |
| Alliance | A3163 Velvet Mesquite Ruderal Desert Scrub Alliance | A3163 | 3.A.2.Na.90.b |
| Association | CEGL005344 Velvet Mesquite / Fourwing Saltbush / Mixed Grasses Ruderal Shrubland | CEGL005344 | 3.A.2.Na.90.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Prosopis velutina / Atriplex canescens / Mixed Grasses Shrubland (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.