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G304 Artemisia tridentata ssp. spiciformis - Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana - Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula Steppe & Shrubland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This sagebrush shrubland and shrub-steppe group is found at montane and subalpine elevations across the western U.S. where the open to dense shrub layer is composed primarily of Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, Artemisia cana ssp. bolanderi, Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula, and related taxa such as Artemisia tridentata ssp. spiciformis and Artemisia rothrockii with Symphoricarpos spp. often codominant and there is usually an abundant perennial herbaceous layer (over 25% cover).
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush - Mountain Silver Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group
Colloquial Name: Intermountain Mountain Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group includes sagebrush communities occurring at foothills (in Wyoming) to montane and subalpine elevations across the western U.S. from 1000 m in eastern Oregon and Washington to over 3000 m in the Southern Rockies. In Montana, it occurs on mountain "islands" in the north-central portion of the state and possibly along the Boulder River south of Absarokee and at higher elevations. In British Columbia, it occurs between 450 and 1650 m in the southern Fraser Plateau and the Thompson and Okanagan basins. Across its range of distribution, this is a compositionally diverse group. It is composed primarily of Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, and related taxon Artemisia tridentata ssp. spiciformis often with Symphoricarpos spp. present to codominant. Also included, but less common, are stands dominated by Artemisia cana ssp. bolanderi, Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula, and Artemisia rothrockii (a California endemic). Additionally, there are mixed shrub stands codominated by Amelanchier spp., Chamaebatiaria millefolium, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa, Peraphyllum ramosissimum, Purshia tridentata, and Ribes cereum. Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis may be present to codominant if the stand is clearly montane as indicated by montane indicator species such as Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, Danthonia intermedia, Festuca thurberi, or Leucopoa kingii.
Most stands have an abundant perennial herbaceous layer (over 25% cover, and in many cases over 50% cover), but this group also includes Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana shrublands that lack a significant herbaceous layer. Other common graminoids include Achnatherum lettermanii, Achnatherum occidentale, Achnatherum pinetorum, Bromus carinatus, Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, Elymus trachycaulus, Festuca arizonica, Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, Hesperostipa comata, Leucopoa kingii, Muhlenbergia montana, Pascopyrum smithii, Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda, and Pseudoroegneria spicata. In many areas, wildfires can maintain an open herbaceous-rich steppe condition, although at most sites, shrub cover can be unusually high for a steppe system (>40%), with the moisture providing equally high grass and forb cover.
Most stands have an abundant perennial herbaceous layer (over 25% cover, and in many cases over 50% cover), but this group also includes Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana shrublands that lack a significant herbaceous layer. Other common graminoids include Achnatherum lettermanii, Achnatherum occidentale, Achnatherum pinetorum, Bromus carinatus, Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, Elymus trachycaulus, Festuca arizonica, Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, Hesperostipa comata, Leucopoa kingii, Muhlenbergia montana, Pascopyrum smithii, Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda, and Pseudoroegneria spicata. In many areas, wildfires can maintain an open herbaceous-rich steppe condition, although at most sites, shrub cover can be unusually high for a steppe system (>40%), with the moisture providing equally high grass and forb cover.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This montane and subalpine sagebrush shrubland and shrub-steppe group is dominated by diagnostic shrub species Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, Artemisia cana ssp. bolanderi, Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula, and related taxa such as Artemisia tridentata ssp. spiciformis and Artemisia rothrockii (a California endemic). Symphoricarpos spp. are often codominant, but other shrubs may be present, forming a mixed canopy. There is usually an abundant perennial herbaceous layer (over 25% cover). Characteristic montane and subalpine herbaceous species include Achnatherum lettermanii, Achnatherum occidentale, Achnatherum pinetorum, Bromus carinatus, Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, Carex exserta, Danthonia intermedia, Danthonia parryi, Elymus trachycaulus, Festuca arizonica, Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, Festuca thurberi, Leucopoa kingii, and Muhlenbergia montana.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Artemisia cana is often found in mesic to wet swales and toeslopes. Some Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula communities are included in this group, when they are not composed of more obligate wetland taxa, such as Juncus, wetland Carices, and such.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Microphyllous-leaved evergreen and broad-leaved, cold-deciduous shrub-steppe group with open to dense cover of sagebrush species and an abundant perennial herbaceous layer of graminoid and forb species.
Floristics: Vegetation types within this group are usually less than 1.5 m tall and dominated by Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, Artemisia tridentata ssp. spiciformis, or Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula, often with Symphoricarpos spp. present to codominant. Also included, but less common, are stands dominated by Artemisia cana ssp. bolanderi, Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula, and Artemisia rothrockii (a California endemic). Additionally, there are mixed shrub stands codominated by Amelanchier spp., Chamaebatiaria millefolium, Peraphyllum ramosissimum, and Purshia tridentata. A variety of other shrubs can be found in some occurrences, but these are seldom dominant. They include Amelanchier alnifolia, Artemisia arbuscula, Ceanothus velutinus, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa, Ribes cereum, and Rosa woodsii. Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis may be present to codominant if the stand is clearly montane to subalpine as indicated by montane indicator species such as Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana, Danthonia intermedia, Festuca thurberi, or Leucopoa kingii. The shrub canopy cover ranges from 10 to 80%. The herbaceous layer is usually well-represented (over 25% cover, and in many cases over 50% cover), but bare ground may be common in particularly arid or disturbed occurrences. Additional characteristic graminoids may include Achnatherum lettermanii, Achnatherum occidentale, Achnatherum pinetorum, Bromus carinatus, Calamagrostis rubescens, Carex geyeri, Carex exserta, Danthonia parryi, Elymus trachycaulus, Festuca arizonica, Festuca campestris, Festuca idahoensis, Hesperostipa comata, Muhlenbergia montana, Pascopyrum smithii, Poa fendleriana, Poa secunda, and Pseudoroegneria spicata. Forbs are often numerous and an important indicator of health. Common forbs include Achillea millefolium, Antennaria rosea, Artemisia ludoviciana, Balsamorhiza sagittata, Eriogonum umbellatum, Fragaria virginiana, Hymenoxys hoopesii (= Helenium hoopesii), and several species of Astragalus, Castilleja, Erigeron, Geum, Lupinus, Penstemon, Phlox, and Potentilla.
Dynamics: Healthy sagebrush shrublands are very productive, are often grazed by domestic livestock, and are strongly preferred during the growing season (Padgett et al. 1989). Prolonged livestock use can cause a decrease in the abundance of native bunch grasses and increase in the cover of shrubs and non-native grass species such as Poa pratensis. Artemisia cana resprouts vigorously following spring fire, and prescribed burning may increase shrub cover. Conversely, fire in the fall may decrease shrub abundance (Hansen et al. 1995). Artemisia tridentata is generally killed by fires and may take over ten years to form occurrences of some 20% cover or more. The condition of most sagebrush steppe has been degraded due to fire suppression and heavy livestock grazing. It is unclear how long restoration will take to restore degraded occurrences.
Environmental Description: This group occurs in many of the western United States, usually at middle elevations (1000-2500 m). The climate regime is cool, semi-arid to subhumid, with yearly precipitation ranging from 25 to 90 cm/year. Much of this precipitation falls as snow. Temperatures are continental with large annual and diurnal variation. In general, this group shows an affinity for mild topography, fine soils, and some source of subsurface moisture. Soils generally are moderately deep to deep, well-drained, and of loam, sandy loam, clay loam, or gravelly loam textural classes; soils often have a substantial volume of coarse fragments, and are derived from a variety of parent materials. This group primarily occurs on deep-soiled to stony flats, ridges, nearly flat ridgetops, and mountain slopes. All aspects are represented, but the higher elevation occurrences may be restricted to south- or west-facing slopes.
Geographic Range: This group is found at montane and subalpine elevations across the western U.S. from 1000 m in eastern Oregon and Washington to over 3000 m in the Southern Rockies. In British Columbia, it occurs in the southern Fraser Plateau and the Thompson and Okanagan basins. This group also occurs in central Montana in the Rocky Mountain island ranges
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB?, AZ, BC, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.835909
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.3 Big Sagebrush - Threetip Sagebrush - Antelope Bitterbrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M169 | 3.B.1.Ne.3 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush - Mountain Silver Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G304 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
| Alliance | A1098 Rothrock''s Sagebrush Shrubland Alliance | A1098 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
| Alliance | A3200 Bolander''s Silver Sagebrush - Mountain Silver Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3200 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
| Alliance | A3207 Spiked Big Sagebrush - Mountain Big Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3207 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
| Alliance | A3208 Mountain Big Sagebrush - Mixed Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3208 | 3.B.1.Ne.3.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Mountain Big Sagebrush (402) (Shiflet 1994)
= Western Intermountain sagebrush steppe (West 1983c)
= Western Intermountain sagebrush steppe (West 1983c)
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
- Hansen, P. L., R. D. Pfister, K. Boggs, B. J. Cook, J. Joy, and D. K. Hinckley. 1995. Classification and management of Montana''s riparian and wetland sites. Miscellaneous Publication No. 54. Montana Forest and Conservation Experiment Station, School of Forestry, University of Montana. 646 pp. plus posters.
- Hironaka, M., M. A. Fosberg, and A. H. Winward. 1983. Sagebrush-grass habitat types of southern Idaho. Forestry, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station Bulletin No. 15, University of Idaho, Moscow. 44 pp.
- Johnston, B. C. 2001. Ecological types of the Upper Gunnison Basin. Technical Report R2-RR-2001-01. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Denver, CO.
- Mueggler, W. F., and W. L. Stewart. 1980. Grassland and shrubland habitat types of western Montana. General Technical Report INT-66. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT. 154 pp.
- Padgett, W. G., A. P. Youngblood, and A. H. Winward. 1989. Riparian community type classification of Utah and southeastern Idaho. Research Paper R4-ECOL-89-0. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, UT.
- Shiflet, T. N., editor. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Society for Range Management. Denver, CO. 152 pp.
- West, N. E. 1983c. Western Intermountain sagebrush steppe. Pages 351-374 in: N. E. West, editor. Temperate deserts and semi-deserts. Ecosystems of the world, Volume 5. Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam.