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CEGL005385 Atriplex canescens / Muhlenbergia porteri Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fourwing Saltbush / Bush Muhly Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This saltbush shrubland association is currently known from Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument and White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The information below is based on data collected there and will be updated when additional inventory data are available. At Salinas Pueblo Missions, this association is reported from 1980 m (6490 feet) in elevation on a gentle, southwest-facing slope of a low hill. The substrate is derived from limestone of the Permian San Andres Formation. The ground surface is characterized by exposed soil and litter. The reported site is in close proximity to pueblo ruins, and soils appear to have been disturbed. At Grand Canyon, it occurs on fairly steep, mid and upper sideslopes at 1575 to 1625 m (5200-5300 feet) elevation, but likely also occurs outside of this elevational range. It is typically found on southeast- to southwest-facing, moderate to steep gradients (22-35°). Soils are well- to rapidly-drained silty loams. This desert shrubland is dominated by Atriplex canescens with a luxuriant grass understory dominated by Muhlenbergia porteri, which can reach 40% total cover underneath shrubs and in the intershrub spaces. At Grand Canyon, Juniperus osteosperma trees occasionally occur, but tall shrubs are absent. The short-shrub layer also includes Ephedra aspera, Aloysia wrightii, Coleogyne ramosissima, Cylindropuntia bigelovii, and Yucca baccata. The dwarf-shrub layer is poorly-developed and is typically represented only by Gutierrezia sarothrae or Gutierrezia microcephala. Bromus rubens often accompanies Muhlenbergia porteri in the graminoid understory, while other native bunchgrasses such as Achnatherum speciosum, Bouteloua curtipendula, Hesperostipa comata, and Tridens muticus occasionally occur. At Salinas Pueblo Missions, Bouteloua gracilis and Sporobolus contractus are also common associates. A ruderal vegetation phase is indicated by the presence of Erysimum capitatum, Marrubium vulgare, Phacelia integrifolia, Portulaca oleracea, and Solanum jamesii.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This desert shrubland is dominated by Atriplex canescens with a luxuriant grass understory dominated by Muhlenbergia porteri, which can reach 40% total cover underneath shrubs and in the intershrub spaces. At Grand Canyon, Juniperus osteosperma trees occasionally occur, but tall shrubs are absent. The short-shrub layer also includes Ephedra aspera (= Ephedra fasciculata), Aloysia wrightii, Coleogyne ramosissima, Cylindropuntia bigelovii (= Opuntia bigelovii), and Yucca baccata. The dwarf-shrub layer is poorly-developed and is typically represented only by Gutierrezia sarothrae or Gutierrezia microcephala. Bromus rubens often accompanies Muhlenbergia porteri in the graminoid understory, while other native bunchgrasses such as Achnatherum speciosum, Bouteloua curtipendula, Hesperostipa comata, and Tridens muticus occasionally occur. At Salinas Pueblo Missions, Bouteloua gracilis and Sporobolus contractus are also common associates. A ruderal vegetation phase is indicated by the presence of Erysimum capitatum, Marrubium vulgare, Phacelia integrifolia, Portulaca oleracea, and Solanum jamesii.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: At Salinas Pueblo Missions, this association is reported from 1980 m (6490 feet) in elevation on a gentle, southwest-facing slope of a low hill. The substrate is derived from limestone of the Permian San Andres Formation. The ground surface is characterized by exposed soil and litter. The reported site is in close proximity to pueblo ruins, and soils appear to have been disturbed. At Grand Canyon, it occurs on fairly steep, mid and upper sideslopes at 1575 to 1625 m (5200-5300 feet) elevation, but likely also occurs outside of this elevational range. It is typically found on southeast- to southwest-facing, moderate to steep gradients (22-35°). Soils are well- to rapidly-drained silty loams.
Geographic Range: This association is known from White Sands Missile Range and Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument in New Mexico and Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. More survey work is needed to fully document its global range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NM
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.827827
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.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.5 Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Mat Saltbush Great Basin Scrub Macrogroup | M093 | 3.B.1.Ne.5 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Spiny Hopsage Scrub Group | G300 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Alliance | A0869 Fourwing Saltbush Scrub Alliance | A0869 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
| Association | CEGL005385 Fourwing Saltbush / Bush Muhly Shrubland | CEGL005385 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Atriplex canescens / Muhlenbergia porteri Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 1998d)
= Fourwing Saltbush/Bush Muhly PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Atriplex canescens/Muhlenbergia porteri: ATRCAN/MUHPOR)]
= Fourwing Saltbush/Bush Muhly PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Atriplex canescens/Muhlenbergia porteri: ATRCAN/MUHPOR)]
- Kearsley, M. J. C., K. Green, M. Tukman, M. Reid, M. Hall, T. J. Ayers, and K. Christie. 2015. Grand Canyon National Park-Grand Canyon / Parashant National Monument vegetation classification and mapping project. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRCA/NRR--2015/913. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 75 pp. plus appendices.
- Muldavin, E., G. Shore, K. Taugher, and B. Milne. 1998d. A vegetation map classification and map for the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. Final report submitted to USDI, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, Socorro, NM, by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 73 pp. + appendices.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, A. Kennedy, T. Neville, P. Neville, K. Schulz, and M. Reid. 2012a. Vegetation classification and map: Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2012/553. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, and G. Harper. 2000b. The vegetation of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico: Volume I. Handbook of vegetation communities. Final report to Environmental Directorate, White Sands Missile Range. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 195 pp. plus appendices
- Reid, M. S., and M. E. Hall. 2010. Vegetation classification of Grand Canyon National Park. Draft report submitted to National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.