Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Apache Plume / Rockland Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This shrubland association is currently only known from El Malpais National Monument in New Mexico, and the following description is based on occurrences there. Additional information will be added as it becomes available. This association occurs between 2030 and 2420 m (6650-7950 feet) in elevation typically on rough and broken, gently rolling lava plateaus, but occasionally on moderate to steep sideslopes of volcano craters. Substrates are typically derived from McCarty''s lava flow, though occasionally from Hoya de Cibola flows, Twin Craters, or older lavaflows. Ground cover is dominated by lava rock or gravel. Trees are rare in this shrubland, and the shrub Fallugia paradoxa is the dominant species, occurring in every sampling location with an occasional maximum relative cover of up to 42%. Other shrub species, including Holodiscus dumosus and Ericameria nauseosa, also occur but less frequently and in less abundance. The herbaceous layer is characteristically sparse (about 2% total cover), though it rarely ranges as high as 20%; it is about equally divided between graminoids and forbs. Schizachyrium scoparium and Elymus elymoides are the most abundant grasses, although they occur infrequently. The most commonly occurring forb is Heterotheca villosa.

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