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CEGL005053 Acacia greggii Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Catclaw Acacia Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This catclaw acacia shrubland association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in Arizona. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It predominantly occurs on sideslopes at 700 to 1325 m (2250-4325 feet) elevation, but can be found as low as 400 m (1275 feet). It is primarily found on moderate to steep slopes (20-50°), but also occurs on more gentle gradients (3-8°) as well. Soils are well- to rapidly-drained sandy loams or loamy sands, which lie above limestone or rarely shale, sandstone, or schist. Vegetation is characterized and dominated by Acacia greggii which typically occurs as a tall shrub but is also occasionally found as a short shrub. Ephedra aspera occurs quite frequently in the short-shrub layer, while Ferocactus cylindraceus and Aloysia wrightii also occur occasionally. Agave utahensis, Gutierrezia spp., Opuntia basilaris, Brickellia atractyloides, and Janusia gracilis occur sporadically in the sparse dwarf-shrub layer. Bromus rubens consistently occurs in a relatively well-developed graminoid layer. The perennial grasses Aristida purpurea and Achnatherum speciosum are also sporadically present. A fairly weak forb layer is common, in which Porophyllum gracile, Acourtia wrightii, Cryptantha spp., and Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia occur.
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
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation is characterized and dominated by Acacia greggii which typically occurs as a tall shrub but is also occasionally found as a short shrub. Ephedra aspera (= Ephedra fasciculata) occurs quite frequently in the short-shrub layer, while Ferocactus cylindraceus and Aloysia wrightii also occur occasionally. Agave utahensis, Gutierrezia spp., Opuntia basilaris, Brickellia atractyloides, and Janusia gracilis occur sporadically in the sparse dwarf-shrub layer. Bromus rubens consistently occurs in a relatively well-developed graminoid layer. The perennial grasses Aristida purpurea and Achnatherum speciosum are also sporadically present. A fairly weak forb layer is common, in which Porophyllum gracile, Acourtia wrightii, Cryptantha spp., and Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia occur.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This catclaw acacia shrubland predominantly occurs on sideslopes at 700 to 1325 m (2250-4325 feet) elevation, but can be found as low as 400 m (1275 feet). It is primarily found on moderate to steep slopes (20-50°), but also occurs on more gentle gradients (3-8°) as well. Soils are well- to rapidly-drained sandy loams or loamy sands, which lie above limestone or rarely shale, sandstone, or schist.
Geographic Range: This shrubland association is currently known from Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in Arizona. More survey work is needed to fully document its global range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.840534
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.7 North American Warm-Desert Xeric-Riparian Scrub Macrogroup | M092 | 3.A.2.Na.7 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.7.a Desert-willow - Apache Plume - Desert Almond Desert Wash & Colluvial Slope Group | G541 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
| Alliance | A4187 Catclaw Acacia - Desert-lavender - Beloperone Desert Wash Scrub Alliance | A4187 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
| Association | CEGL005053 Catclaw Acacia Shrubland | CEGL005053 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Acacia greggii Shrubland (Reid and Hall 2010)
- Kearsley, M. J. C., K. Green, M. Tukman, M. Reid, M. Hall, T. J. Ayers, and K. Christie. 2015. Grand Canyon National Park-Grand Canyon / Parashant National Monument vegetation classification and mapping project. Natural Resource Report NPS/GRCA/NRR--2015/913. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 75 pp. plus appendices.
- Reid, M. S., and M. E. Hall. 2010. Vegetation classification of Grand Canyon National Park. Draft report submitted to National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.