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CEGL005154 Psorothamnus fremontii Wash Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fremont''s Smokebush Wash Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This Fremont''s smokebush shrubland association is currently described from the Colorado Plateau and northeastern Mojave Desert. Vegetation is moderately dense (39-45% total cover) and dominated by Psorothamnus fremontii, with 10-18% cover. Larrea tridentata is commonly found in a very sparse tall-shrub layer in lower elevation stands. The short-shrub layer also occasionally includes Ambrosia dumosa, Atriplex confertifolia, Ericameria nauseosa, Ephedra torreyana, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Hymenoclea salsola, Krameria grayi, and Opuntia basilaris. Graminoid cover is quite sparse and generally weedy. Natives Vulpia octoflora and Dasyochloa pulchella may occur in some stands with exotics Bromus tectorum and Schismus barbatus common in disturbed stands. Eriogonum inflatum regularly occurs in the forb understory, while Cryptantha sp., Antheropeas lanosum, Lepidium montanum, Oenothera spp., Plantago ovata, Phacelia crenulata, and Tiquilia latior occur sporadically. This association typically occurs in drainage channels, on sideslopes, and less commonly in valley bottoms or on badlands at 375 to 675 m (1250-2225 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 1150 m (3750 feet). It is primarily found on gentle slopes (1-12°), but can also occur on steeper gradients (25-30°), and occurs across all aspects. Soils are mostly well-drained sandy or silty loams derived from various parent materials.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is largely known and described from National Park Service inventory efforts in the Colorado Plateau and Mojave Desert.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation is moderately dense (39-45% total cover) and dominated by Psorothamnus fremontii, with 10-18% cover. Larrea tridentata is commonly found in a very sparse tall-shrub layer in lower elevation stands. The short-shrub layer also occasionally includes Ambrosia dumosa, Atriplex confertifolia, Ericameria nauseosa, Ephedra torreyana, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Hymenoclea salsola, Krameria grayi, and Opuntia basilaris. Graminoid cover is quite sparse and generally weedy. Natives Vulpia octoflora and Dasyochloa pulchella may occur in some stands with exotics Bromus tectorum and Schismus barbatus common in disturbed stands. Eriogonum inflatum regularly occurs in the forb understory, while Cryptantha sp., Antheropeas lanosum, Lepidium montanum, Oenothera spp., Plantago ovata, Phacelia crenulata, and Tiquilia latior occur sporadically.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association typically occurs in drainage channels, on sideslopes, and less commonly in valley bottoms or on badlands at 375 to 675 m (1250-2225 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 1150 m (3750 feet). It is primarily found on gentle slopes (1-12°), but can also occur on steeper gradients (25-30°), and occurs across all aspects. Soils are mostly well-drained sandy or silty loams derived from various parent materials.
Geographic Range: This Fremont''s smokebush shrubland association is currently described from the Colorado Plateau in Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in southern Utah, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.840624
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 | A4186 Fremont''s Smokebush - Nevada Smokebush Desert Wash Scrub Alliance | A4186 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
| Association | CEGL005154 Fremont''s Smokebush Wash Shrubland | CEGL005154 | 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: = Psorothamnus fremontii-(Hymenoclea salsola) Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Psorothamnus fremontii Shrubland (Reid and Hall 2010)
= Psorothamnus fremontii Shrubland (Reid and Hall 2010)
- Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- 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.
- Tendick, A., J. Spence, M. Reid, K. Shulz, G. Kittel, K. Green, A. Wight, and G. Wakefield. 2017. Vegetation classification and mapping project report, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Natural Resource Report NPS/NCPN/NRR—2017/1500. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 1464 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.