Print Report
CEGL005090 Ephedra aspera Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rough Joint-fir Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This joint-fir 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 at 750 to 1100 m (2425-3225 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 1650 m (5350 feet). It is primarily found on moderate to steep (20-40°), north- to east-facing slopes, but also occasionally occurs on gentler slopes (8-15°). Soils are well- to rapidly-drained silty or sandy loams that occasionally contain clay. Vegetation is characterized by the dominance of Ephedra aspera in the short-shrub stratum. Tall shrubs are rare and sparse, but Acacia greggii is occasionally present as either a tall or short shrub. The short-shrub layer also includes Bernardia myricifolia. Gutierrezia sarothrae is a common dwarf-shrub. Muhlenbergia porteri, Vulpia octoflora, and Aristida purpurea are fairly common in the graminoid understory. The non-native Bromus rubens also occurs in most stands. Acourtia wrightii, Galium stellatum, Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, and Erodium cicutarium (exotic) are common components of the forb understory.
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. Tall shrubs are rare and sparse, but Acacia greggii is occasionally present as either a tall or short shrub. The short-shrub layer also includes Bernardia myricifolia. Gutierrezia sarothrae is a common dwarf-shrub. Muhlenbergia porteri, Vulpia octoflora, and Aristida purpurea are fairly common in the graminoid understory. The non-native Bromus rubens also occurs in most stands. Acourtia wrightii, Galium stellatum, Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, and Erodium cicutarium (exotic) are common components of the forb understory.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This joint-fir shrubland typically occurs on sideslopes at 750 to 1100 m (2425-3225 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 1650 m (5350 feet). It is primarily found on moderate to steep (20-40°), north- to east-facing slopes, but also occasionally occurs on gentler slopes (8-15°). Soils are well- to rapidly-drained silty or sandy loams that occasionally contain clay.
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.2.840565
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.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 | CEGL005090 Rough Joint-fir Shrubland | CEGL005090 | 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 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.