Print Report
CEGL005084 Ephedra aspera / Mixed Semi-Desert Grasses Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rough Joint-fir / Mixed Semi-Desert Grasses Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It typically occurs on sideslopes or rarely in drainages and valley bottoms at 675 to 950 m (2250-3075 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 1350 m (5500 feet). It is primarily found on moderate gradients (15-25°), but is occasionally found on steeper slopes (25-35°). Soils are rapidly-drained sandy loams that typically obscure various underlying bedrock types. Vegetation is characterized by the dominance of Ephedra aspera in the short-shrub stratum, together with a strong mixed-species graminoid understory. Tall shrubs are rare and sparse. The short-shrub layer also includes Encelia farinosa and sometimes Ferocactus cylindraceus. Gutierrezia sarothrae is the most common component of a relatively sparse dwarf-shrub layer. Muhlenbergia porteri and Pleuraphis jamesii dominate the well-developed graminoid understory. Other common graminoids include Achnatherum speciosum, Dasyochloa pulchella, Aristida purpurea, and Vulpia octoflora. The non-native Bromus rubens occurs in almost all stands. Artemisia ludoviciana, Machaeranthera pinnatifida, and Erodium cicutarium (exotic) are the most common forbs. A relatively high cover of moss occurs in some stands.
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 by the dominance of Ephedra aspera (= Ephedra fasciculata) in the short-shrub stratum, together with a strong mixed-species graminoid understory. Tall shrubs are rare and sparse. The short-shrub layer also includes Encelia farinosa and sometimes Ferocactus cylindraceus. Gutierrezia sarothrae is the most common component of a relatively sparse dwarf-shrub layer. Muhlenbergia porteri and Pleuraphis jamesii dominate the well-developed graminoid understory. Other common graminoids include Achnatherum speciosum, Dasyochloa pulchella, Aristida purpurea, and Vulpia octoflora. The non-native Bromus rubens occurs in almost all stands. Artemisia ludoviciana, Machaeranthera pinnatifida, and Erodium cicutarium (exotic) are the most common forbs. A relatively high cover of moss occurs in some stands.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This shrubland typically occurs on sideslopes or rarely in drainages and valley bottoms at 675 to 950 m (2250-3075 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 1350 m (5500 feet). It is primarily found on moderate gradients (15-25°), but is occasionally found on steeper slopes (25-35°). Soils are rapidly-drained sandy loams that typically obscure various underlying bedrock types.
Geographic Range: This shrubland association is currently known from Grand Canyon National Park in northern 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.2.840562
Confidence Level: Low
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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a Joshua Tree - Eastern Mojave Buckwheat - Rough Joint-fir Mixed Desert Scrub Group | G296 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a |
| Alliance | A3139 Rough Joint-fir Scrub Alliance | A3139 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a |
| Association | CEGL005084 Rough Joint-fir / Mixed Semi-Desert Grasses Shrubland | CEGL005084 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ephedra fasciculata / Mixed Semi-desert Grasses 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.