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CEGL005130 Gutierrezia (sarothrae, microcephala) - Ephedra spp. - Agave utahensis Dwarf-shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Broom Snakeweed, Threadleaf Snakeweed) - Joint-fir species - Utah Agave Dwarf-shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dwarf-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 typically occurs on sideslopes, but also sometimes occurs in valley bottoms, plateaus, and on ridges, at 750 to 1450 m (2475-4700 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 1850 m (6075 feet). It is primarily found on moderate to steep gradients (20-40°), but also occasionally occurs on gentler slopes (1-9°), across all aspects, other than north-facing. Soils are well- to rapidly-drained and range from silty or sandy loams to clays. The underlying geology is typically limestone. Trees are essentially lacking in this shrubland association; however, scattered Juniperus osteosperma infrequently occurs in both the canopy and subcanopy layers, and Acacia greggii sporadically occurs in a sparse tall-shrub layer. Vegetation is characterized by the codominance of one of Ephedra viridis, Ephedra aspera, or Ephedra torreyana, along with Gutierrezia sarothrae and Agave utahensis. In rare stands in which Gutierrezia sarothrae is not present (typically at lower elevations), Gutierrezia microcephala occurs in its place. The short-shrub layer also sometimes supports Yucca baccata, Encelia farinosa, and Ferocactus cylindraceus. The native bunchgrasses Muhlenbergia porteri and Achnatherum speciosum occasionally occur in the graminoid understory. The exotic Bromus rubens frequently occurs as well. Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, Artemisia ludoviciana, and Galium stellatum are frequent components of the forb layer.
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: Trees are essentially lacking in this shrubland association; however, scattered Juniperus osteosperma infrequently occurs in both the canopy and subcanopy layers, and Acacia greggii sporadically occurs in a sparse tall-shrub layer. Vegetation is characterized by the codominance of one of Ephedra viridis, Ephedra aspera (= Ephedra fasciculata), or Ephedra torreyana, along with Gutierrezia sarothrae and Agave utahensis. In rare stands in which Gutierrezia sarothrae is not present (typically at lower elevations), Gutierrezia microcephala occurs in its place. The short-shrub layer also sometimes supports Yucca baccata, Encelia farinosa, and Ferocactus cylindraceus. The native bunchgrasses Muhlenbergia porteri and Achnatherum speciosum occasionally occur in the graminoid understory. The exotic Bromus rubens frequently occurs as well. Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, Artemisia ludoviciana, and Galium stellatum are frequent components of the forb layer.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This dwarf-shrubland typically occurs on sideslopes, but also sometimes occurs in valley bottoms, plateaus, and on ridges, at 750 to 1450 m (2475-4700 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 1850 m (6075 feet). It is primarily found on moderate to steep gradients (20-40°), but also occasionally occurs on gentler slopes (1-9°), across all aspects, other than north-facing. Soils are well- to rapidly-drained and range from silty or sandy loams to clays. The underlying geology is typically limestone.
Geographic Range: This shrubland association is currently known from Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument 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.2.840584
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.d Yellow Rabbitbrush - Rubber Rabbitbrush - Winterfat Steppe & Shrubland Group | G310 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Alliance | A3203 Broom Snakeweed - Threadleaf Snakeweed Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A3203 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Association | CEGL005130 (Broom Snakeweed, Threadleaf Snakeweed) - Joint-fir species - Utah Agave Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL005130 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Gutierrezia (sarothrae, microcephala) - Ephedra spp. - Agave utahensis Dwarf-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.