Print Report
G307 Artemisia rigida - Eriogonum spp. Dwarf-shrubland & Steppe Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group is found in the Columbia Plateau region and forms extensive low shrublands dominated by diagnostic dwarf-shrub, Artemisia rigida along with other species, particularly diagnostic Eriogonum spp. such as Eriogonum compositum, Eriogonum douglasii, Eriogonum microthecum, Eriogonum niveum, Eriogonum sphaerocephalum, Eriogonum strictum, and Eriogonum thymoides, which sometimes dominate the dwarf-shrub layer without Artemisia rigida.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Scabland Sagebrush - Buckwheat species Dwarf-shrubland & Steppe Group
Colloquial Name: Columbia Plateau Scabland Dwarf-shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This scabland group is found in the Columbia Plateau region and forms extensive low shrublands. Total vegetation cover is typically low, generally less than 50% and often much less than that. Vegetation is characterized by an open dwarf-shrub canopy dominated by Artemisia rigida or Salvia dorrii along with other dwarf-shrub and suffrutescent species, particularly diagnostic Eriogonum spp. such as Eriogonum compositum, Eriogonum douglasii, Eriogonum microthecum, Eriogonum niveum, Eriogonum sphaerocephalum, Eriogonum strictum, and Eriogonum thymoides, which sometimes dominate the dwarf-shrub layer without Artemisia rigida or Salvia dorrii. Other shrubs, especially shrubby Artemisia spp., are uncommon in this group. These stands are characterized by low cover of perennial bunchgrasses, primarily Poa secunda, but may include Danthonia unispicata, Elymus elymoides, Festuca idahoensis, or Pseudoroegneria spicata, as well as scattered forbs, including species of Allium, Antennaria, Balsamorhiza, Lomatium, Phlox, and Sedum. Individual sites can be dominated by grasses and semi-woody forbs, such as Physaria oregona or Nestotus stenophyllus. Annuals may be seasonally abundant, and cover of moss and lichen is often high in undisturbed areas (1-60% cover). These xeric shrublands occur under relatively extreme soil-moisture conditions. Substrates are typically shallow lithic soils with limited water-holding capacity over fractured basalt. Because of poor drainage through basalt, these soils are often saturated from fall to spring by winter precipitation but typically dry out completely to bedrock by midsummer.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This group is characterized by an open dwarf-shrub canopy dominated or codominated by diagnostic species Artemisia rigida, Eriogonum compositum, Eriogonum douglasii, Eriogonum microthecum, Eriogonum niveum, Eriogonum sphaerocephalum, Eriogonum strictum, Eriogonum thymoides, and/or Salvia dorrii. Poa secunda and other dry-site grasses and forbs may be present usually with low cover.
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: Vegetation structure is a sparse to moderately dense dwarf-shrub canopy (10-25% cover and <0.5 m tall). Occasionally, woody cover may exceed 25%. If present, the herbaceous layer typically has low cover.
Floristics: This group is found in the Columbia Plateau region and forms extensive low shrublands. These xeric shrublands occur under relatively extreme soil-moisture conditions. Vegetation is characterized by an open dwarf-shrub canopy dominated by Artemisia rigida or Salvia dorrii along with other dwarf-shrub species, particularly Eriogonum spp. which sometimes dominates the dwarf-shrub layer without Artemisia rigida or Salvia dorrii. Diagnostic species of Eriogonum include Eriogonum compositum, Eriogonum douglasii, Eriogonum microthecum, Eriogonum niveum, Eriogonum sphaerocephalum, Eriogonum strictum, and Eriogonum thymoides. Other shrubs are uncommon. This group does not include mixed stands codominated by Artemisia rigida and other Artemisia species such as Artemisia tridentata. Low cover of perennial bunchgrasses, such as Danthonia unispicata, Elymus elymoides, Festuca idahoensis, or primarily Poa secunda, as well as scattered forbs, including species of Allium, Antennaria, Balsamorhiza, Lomatium, Phlox, and Sedum, characterize these sites. Individual sites can be dominated by grasses and semi-woody forbs, such as Nestotus stenophyllus (= Stenotus stenophyllus). Annuals may be seasonally abundant, and cover of moss and lichen is often high in undisturbed areas (1-60% cover).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This scabland group is found in the Columbia Plateau region and forms extensive low shrublands. These xeric shrublands occur under relatively extreme soil-moisture conditions. Substrates are typically shallow lithic soils with limited water-holding capacity over fractured basalt. Because of poor drainage through basalt, these soils are often saturated from fall to spring by winter precipitation but typically dry out completely to bedrock by midsummer. Total vegetation cover is typically low, generally less than 50% and often much less than that.
Geographic Range: This group occurs in the Columbia Plateau region of southern Idaho, eastern Oregon and eastern Washington, and extreme northern Nevada.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, ID, NV, OR, UT?, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.837824
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.2 Little Sagebrush - Black Sagebrush - Scabland Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M170 | 3.B.1.Ne.2 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.2.a Scabland Sagebrush - Buckwheat species Dwarf-shrubland & Steppe Group | G307 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.a |
| Alliance | A1107 Slender Buckwheat Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A1107 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.a |
| Alliance | A1129 Purple Sage Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A1129 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.a |
| Alliance | A1568 Buckwheat species / Sandberg Bluegrass Dwarf-shrub Steppe Alliance | A1568 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.a |
| Alliance | A1574 Scabland Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A1574 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Edaphic Series - Lithosols (Daubenmire 1970)
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- Shiflet, T. N., editor. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Society for Range Management. Denver, CO. 152 pp.