Print Report
G559 Atriplex canescens - Ericameria nauseosa Shrub & Herb Wash-Arroyo Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group includes sparsely to densely vegetated shrublands that occur along dry watercourses that experience periodic flash flooding, and is dominated by Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Brickellia spp., Ephedra spp., Ericameria nauseosa, and/or Fraxinus anomala, found throughout interior western deserts.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fourwing Saltbush - Rubber Rabbitbrush Shrub & Herb Wash-Arroyo Group
Colloquial Name: Great Basin-Intermountain Shrub & Herb Wash-Arroyo
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This is a sparsely to densely vegetated group that occurs along dry watercourses that experience periodic flash flooding. These are shrublands dominated by Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Brickellia spp., Ephedra spp., Ericameria nauseosa, and/or Fraxinus anomala. Other associated shrubs include Artemisia filifolia, Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex gardneri, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Lycium andersonii, Purshia stansburiana, Quercus havardii, Rhus trilobata, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and/or Suaeda moquinii. Herbaceous cover is sparse (<10% cover) with a variety of grasses and forbs; non-native annuals can be abundant. This group is known from eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, the Columbia Basin, and throughout the Great Basin. Elevations range from 500-2500 m. Stands occur along the banks or edges of, in or near temporary watercourses (aka washes, dry streambeds, gullies and the like). Surfaces occupied include sandy terraces, wash bottoms, point bars, as well as basin floors that are flat or gently sloping. Substrates are rapidly drained and coarse, such as sandy or gravelly soils derived from alluvium, gneiss, shale, cinder and sandstone, that are often very rocky as well.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This shrubland group is characterized by a sparse to dense (1-65% cover) shrub layer dominated by Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Brickellia spp., Ephedra spp., Ericameria nauseosa, and/or Fraxinus anomala. Stands occur in or near temporary watercourses on sandy terraces, wash bottoms, point bars, and basin floors that are flat or gently sloping.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: These associations can be difficult to differentiate from surrounding upland communities.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is defined as a broadleaf deciduous shrubland with 1-65% cover. Herbaceous cover is generally low to sparse and characterized by a mixed composition of graminoids.
Floristics: Stands are sparse to dense (1-65% cover) and dominated by Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Brickellia spp., Ephedra spp., Ericameria nauseosa, and/or Fraxinus anomala. Associated shrubs include Artemisia filifolia, Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex gardneri, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Lycium andersonii, Purshia stansburiana, Quercus havardii, Rhus trilobata, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and/or Suaeda moquinii (= Suaeda torreyana). Herbaceous cover is sparse (<10% cover) with a variety of grasses and forbs such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Artemisia dracunculus, Descurainia pinnata, Elymus elymoides, Glycyrrhiza lepidota, Hesperostipa comata, Hordeum jubatum, Muhlenbergia porteri, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sphaeralcea parvifolia, Sporobolus contractus, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Stanleya pinnata, and Scabrethia scabra (= Wyethia scabra). Non-native annuals such as Bromus tectorum and Salsola tragus are sometimes present to abundant.
Dynamics: This group is often associated with a combination of dry conditions, coarse-textured substrates and intermittent severe disturbance by flash floods. The vegetation is usually scattered, occurring in parts of the channel protected from the worst flooding, and shrubs have extensive root systems to allow them to resprout quickly when damaged or partially uprooted by flooding.
Environmental Description: Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates are rapidly drained, sandy or gravelly soils derived from alluvium, gneiss, shale, cinder and sandstone. Scattered large rocks, gravel and bare ground cover most of the unvegetated surface, although some litter is typically present.
Geographic Range: This group is known from eastern Washington, eastern Oregon, the Columbia Basin, and throughout the Great Basin.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.849358
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.4 Great Basin-Intermountain Xeric-Riparian Scrub Macrogroup | M095 | 3.B.1.Ne.4 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.4.a Fourwing Saltbush - Rubber Rabbitbrush Shrub & Herb Wash-Arroyo Group | G559 | 3.B.1.Ne.4.a |
| Alliance | A3266 Fourwing Saltbush - Rubber Rabbitbrush Desert Wash Alliance | A3266 | 3.B.1.Ne.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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