Print Report
G492 Tiquilia hispidissima / Bouteloua breviseta - Sporobolus nealleyi Grassland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This Chihuahuan Desert group is composed of typically sparse to open grasslands, steppes or dwarf-shrublands that are restricted to gypsum outcrops, gypsiferous soils and gypsum dunes and is characterized by a variety of gypsophilous plants such as Bouteloua breviseta, Calylophus hartwegii, Frankenia jamesii, Mentzelia perennis, Nama carnosum, Sartwellia flaveriae, Selinocarpus lanceolatus, Sporobolus nealleyi, Tidestromia carnosa, and Tiquilia hispidissima.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Hairy Crinklemat / Gypsum Grama - Gyp Dropseed Grassland Group
Colloquial Name: Chihuahuan Gypsophilous Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group is restricted to gypsum outcrops, gypsiferous soils and gypsum dunes in the Chihuahuan Desert. Vegetation is composed of typically sparse to open grasslands, steppes or dwarf-shrublands that are characterized by a variety of gypsophilous plants, many of which are endemic to these habitats. Characteristic species include such as Bouteloua breviseta, Calylophus hartwegii, Frankenia jamesii, Gaillardia multiceps, Mentzelia perennis, Nama carnosum, Sartwellia flaveriae, Selinocarpus lanceolatus, Sporobolus nealleyi, Tidestromia carnosa, Tiquilia hispidissima, and other gypsophilous species. Additionally, several wide-ranging associates such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Andropogon hallii, Artemisia filifolia, Atriplex canescens, Atriplex obovata, Dalea lanata, Fouquieria splendens, Larrea tridentata, Muhlenbergia pungens, Psorothamnus scoparius, and Schizachyrium scoparium that appear to tolerate gypsiferous soils may be present to codominate in some stands. Stands occur in basins and slopes ranging from 1100 to 2000 m elevation.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This group is defined and generally dominated by a variety of gypsophilous plants, many of which are endemic to these habitats, such as Bouteloua breviseta, Calylophus hartwegii, Kallstroemia grandiflora, Nama carnosum, Sartwellia flaveriae, Selinocarpus lanceolatus, Sporobolus nealleyi, Tidestromia carnosa, and Tiquilia hispidissima.
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: This group ranges from a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer, dwarf-shrub and/or shrub layer that forms open grasslands, shrub-steppes and shrublands. It often has low cover because the gypsum substrate is a harsh medium for growth of most plant species. The presence of gypsophilous species is a more important indicator than vegetation structure.
Floristics: This group occurs as typically sparse or open grasslands, dwarf-shrublands or shrub-steppes. The presence of gypsophilous plants, many of which are endemic to these habitats, is diagnostic of this group. Characteristic species include Bouteloua breviseta, Calylophus hartwegii (= Oenothera hartwegii), Frankenia jamesii, Kallstroemia grandiflora, Mentzelia perennis, Nama carnosum, Selinocarpus lanceolatus, Sporobolus nealleyi, Sartwellia flaveriae, Tidestromia carnosa, and Tiquilia hispidissima. In addition, several wide-ranging associates such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Andropogon hallii, Artemisia filifolia, Atriplex canescens, Atriplex obovata, Dalea lanata, Fouquieria splendens, Larrea tridentata, Muhlenbergia pungens, Psorothamnus scoparius, Schizachyrium scoparium and Sporobolus airoides that appear to tolerate gypsiferous soils may be present to codominant in some stands.
Dynamics: Burgess and Northington (1977) report Sporobolus nealleyi is dominant with Tiquilia hispidissima and Opuntia polyacantha on crusted gypsum ridges, but not on unstable gypsum dunes. The eolian processes and sand substrate on gypsum dunes may be as important ecologically as the chemical properties of the gypsum parent material as seen by presence of sand-loving plant species such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Andropogon hallii, Artemisia filifolia, Muhlenbergia pungens, and Psorothamnus scoparius on gypsum dunes.
Environmental Description: This group is restricted to gypsum outcrops, gypsiferous soils, and soils or gypsum dunes that occur in basins and slopes in the Chihuahuan Desert. Dune processes may promote the presence of sand-loving species. Elevation ranges from 1100-2000 m.
Geographic Range: This group is found on basins and slopes in the Chihuahuan Desert at elevations ranging from 1100-2000 m.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: AZ, MXCHH, MXCOA, MXNLE?, MXSIN, MXZAC?, NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.837750
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.b Hairy Crinklemat / Gypsum Grama - Gyp Dropseed Grassland Group | G492 | 3.A.2.Na.3.b |
| Alliance | A3242 Sand Sagebrush / Sand Bluestem - Gypsum Grama Gypsum Dune Desert Grassland Alliance | A3242 | 3.A.2.Na.3.b |
| Alliance | A3243 Hairy Crinklemat / Gyp Dropseed - Fleshy Honeysweet Gypsum Outcrop & Alluvial Flat Desert Scrub Alliance | A3243 | 3.A.2.Na.3.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Gypsophilous Scrub (Henrickson et al. 1985)
< MLRA 42 - Southern Desertic Basin (SD-1) Gyp Uplands (NRCS 2006a)
< MLRA 42 - Southern Desertic Basin (SD-2) Gyp Uplands (NRCS 2006a)
< MLRA 42 - Southern Desertic Basin (SD-3) Gyp Uplands (NRCS 2006a)
< MLRA 42 - Southern Desertic Basin (SD-1) Gyp Uplands (NRCS 2006a)
< MLRA 42 - Southern Desertic Basin (SD-2) Gyp Uplands (NRCS 2006a)
< MLRA 42 - Southern Desertic Basin (SD-3) Gyp Uplands (NRCS 2006a)
- Burgess, T. L., and D. K. Northington. 1977. Desert vegetation of the Guadalupe Mountains region. Pages 229-243 in: R. H. Wauer and D. H. Riskind, editors. Transactions of the symposium on the biological resources of the Chihuahuan Desert region, United States and Mexico. USDI National Park Service. Transaction Proceedings Series No. 3. Washington, DC.
- Dick-Peddie, W. A. 1993. New Mexico vegetation: Past, present, and future. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. 244 pp.
- 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]
- Henrickson, J., M. C. Johnston, and D. H. Riskind. 1985. Natural vegetation and community types of Texas: Trans-Pecos and the Chihuahuan Desert region. Unpublished working draft. 90 pp.
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- Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, T. Neville, A. Fettes, and P. Neville. [2013]b. A vegetation classification and preliminary map: White Sands National Monument. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/CHDN/NRTR--201X/00X, National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. [http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/products/parkname.html] [in press]
- 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
- NRCS [Natural Resources Conservation Service]. 2006a. Field Office Technical Guide: Section II Soil and Site Information. New Mexico major land resource and subresource areas. USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service. [http://www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/fotg/section-2/ESD.html]
- Neher, R. E., and O. F. Bailey. 1976. Soil survey of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, parts of Dona Ana, Lincoln, Otero, Sierra, and Socorro counties. USDA Soil Conservation Service in cooperation with U.S. Army and New Mexico Agriculture Experiment Station.
- Powell, A. M., and B. L. Turner. 1974. Aspects of the plant biology of the gypsum outcrops of the Chihuahuan Desert. Pages 315-325 in: R. H. Wauer and D. H. Riskind, editors. Transactions of the Symposium on the Biological Resources of the Chihuahuan Desert region, United States and Mexico. USDI National Park Service, Washington, DC.
- Warnock, B. H. 1974. Wildflowers of the Guadalupe Mountains and the Sand Dune Country, Texas. Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX.