Print Report
G491 Yucca elata / Bouteloua eriopoda - Sporobolus flexuosus Semi-Desert Grassland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This grassland group occurs on sandy soils across the Chihuahuan Desert and is characterized by dominance of Bouteloua eriopoda and Sporobolus flexuosus with other psammophilous species such as Artemisia filifolia, Ephedra torreyana, Muhlenbergia arenicola, Sporobolus cryptandrus, and Yucca elata.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Soaptree Yucca / Black Grama - Mesa Dropseed Semi-Desert Grassland Group
Colloquial Name: Chihuahuan Sandy Plains Semi-Desert Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This dry grassland group occurs on sandy sites across the Chihuahuan Desert with the graminoid layer typically dominated or codominated by Bouteloua eriopoda and Sporobolus flexuosus. Other common species are Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa neomexicana (minor), Muhlenbergia arenicola, Sporobolus airoides, Sporobolus contractus, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Typically, there are scattered desert shrubs and stem succulents present, such as Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra trifurca, Opuntia phaeacantha, Yucca elata, and Yucca torreyi, that may form a layer. The widespread shrub Artemisia filifolia is also present in some stands, especially in the northern extent. Stands occur across the Chihuahuan Desert where soils have a high sand content such as on sandy plains and on sandy mesatops. They are often associated with alluvial or eolian deposits and sandstone substrates.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This dry grassland or steppe group is found on sandy substrates and is dominated or codominated by sandy-site species Bouteloua eriopoda and Sporobolus flexuosus with characteristic Chihuahuan Desert species with scattered but highly constant Yucca elata and/or Ephedra torreyana.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: When degraded, this grassland will convert to open to dense shrublands frequently dominated by Prosopis glandulosa or Artemisia filifolia. This degraded type is classified as ~Chihuahuan Desert Sand Scrub Group (G287)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This dry grassland group has an open to moderately dense herbaceous layer dominated by perennial graminoids. Scattered shrubs are often present.
Floristics: This group is characterized by an open to moderately dense herbaceous layer dominated or codominated by perennial graminoids Bouteloua eriopoda and Sporobolus flexuosus, the former characteristic Chihuahuan species (although it can range into the Colorado Plateau and southern Great Plains). Other common species are Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa neomexicana (minor), Muhlenbergia arenicola, Paspalum setaceum, Sporobolus airoides, Sporobolus contractus, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Typically, there are scattered desert shrubs and stem succulents present, such as Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra trifurca, Opuntia phaeacantha, Yucca elata, and Yucca torreyi, that are characteristic of the Chihuahuan Desert. The widespread shrub Artemisia filifolia is also present in some stands, especially in the northern extent.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This group occurs across the Chihuahuan Desert where soils have a high sand content. These dry grasslands or steppe are found on sandy plains and on sandy mesatops where sandy soils are stabilized by desert grasses and scattered shrubs. Substrates range from deep sand to sandy loam soils and are frequently associated with alluvial or eolian deposits and sandstone substrates.
Geographic Range: This Chihuahuan Desert group extends into the southern Great Plains where soils have a high sand content.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: AZ, MXCHH, NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.837743
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.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.c Soaptree Yucca / Black Grama - Mesa Dropseed Semi-Desert Grassland Group | G491 | 3.A.2.Na.3.c |
| Alliance | A3244 Soaptree Yucca - Torrey''s Joint-fir / Black Grama Sandy Plains Semi-Desert Grassland Alliance | A3244 | 3.A.2.Na.3.c |
| Alliance | A3245 Mesa Dropseed Sandy Plains Semi-Desert Grassland Alliance | A3245 | 3.A.2.Na.3.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Black Grama/Soaptree Yucca PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Bouteloua eriopoda/Yucca elata: BOUERI/YUCELA)]
> Black Grama/Torrey’s Jointfir PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Bouteloua eriopoda/Ephedra torreyana: BOUERI/EPHTOR)]
< Grama Grass - Scrub Series - 143.11 (Brown et al. 1979)
= Grama Grass - Scrub Series, Bouteloua eriopoda-Yucca elata Association - 143.111 (Brown et al. 1979)
> Black Grama/Torrey’s Jointfir PA (Muldavin et al. 2000b) [(Bouteloua eriopoda/Ephedra torreyana: BOUERI/EPHTOR)]
< Grama Grass - Scrub Series - 143.11 (Brown et al. 1979)
= Grama Grass - Scrub Series, Bouteloua eriopoda-Yucca elata Association - 143.111 (Brown et al. 1979)
- Brown, D. E., C. H. Lowe, and C. P. Pase. 1979. A digitized classification system for the biotic communities of North America with community (series) and association examples for the Southwest. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science 14:1-16.
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