Print Report
G144 Bouteloua gracilis - Bouteloua dactyloides - Pleuraphis jamesii Shortgrass Prairie Group
Type Concept Sentence: This semi-arid shortgrass grassland group occurs in the western half of the Western Great Plains and is usually composed of Bouteloua gracilis as the dominant or codominant species with associated graminoids Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua hirsuta, Bouteloua dactyloides, Hesperostipa comata, Hesperostipa neomexicana, Pascopyrum smithii, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus cryptandrus, and scattered shrubs, dwarf-shrubs and cacti.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Blue Grama - Buffalograss - James'' Galleta Shortgrass Prairie Group
Colloquial Name: Great Plains Shortgrass Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group occurs in the western half of the Western Great Plains Division in the rainshadow of the Rocky Mountains and forms the matrix grassland with Bouteloua gracilis as the typical dominant species. Associated graminoids may include Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua hirsuta, Bouteloua dactyloides, Hesperostipa comata, Hesperostipa neomexicana, Koeleria macrantha, Pascopyrum smithii, Pleuraphis jamesii, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Although mid-height grass species may be present, especially on more mesic land positions and sandy soils, they are secondary in importance to the sod-forming short grasses. Scattered shrub and dwarf-shrub species such as Artemisia filifolia, Artemisia frigida, Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex canescens, Eriogonum effusum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, and Lycium pallidum may also be present. Also, because this group spans a wide range, there can be some differences in the relative dominance of some species from north to south and from east to west. This group occurs primarily on flat to rolling uplands with loamy, ustic soils ranging from sandy to clayey ranging from the Nebraska Panhandle south into Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. In eastern Colorado and western Kansas and Nebraska, it grades into ~Central Great Plains Mixedgrass Prairie Group (G133)$$.
Large-scale processes such as climate, fire and grazing influence this group. High variation in amount and timing of annual precipitation impacts the relative cover of cool- and warm-season herbaceous species. In contrast to other prairie groups, fire is less important, especially in the western range of this group. This is because the dry to xeric climate conditions produce less vegetation/fuel load, so relative fire frequency is lower within the group. However, historically, fires that did occur were often very expansive, especially after a series of years with above average precipitation when litter/fine fuels could build up. Currently, fire suppression and more extensive grazing in the region have likely decreased the fire frequency even more, and it is unlikely that these processes could occur at a natural scale. A large part of the range for this group (especially in the east and near rivers) has been converted to agriculture. Areas of the central and western range have been impacted by the unsuccessful attempts to develop dryland cultivation during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. The short grasses that dominate this group are extremely drought- and grazing-tolerant. These species evolved with drought and large herbivores and, because of their stature, are relatively resistant to overgrazing. This group, in combination with the associated wetland groups, represents one of the richest areas for mammals and birds. Endemic bird species to the shortgrass group may constitute one of the fastest declining bird populations.
Large-scale processes such as climate, fire and grazing influence this group. High variation in amount and timing of annual precipitation impacts the relative cover of cool- and warm-season herbaceous species. In contrast to other prairie groups, fire is less important, especially in the western range of this group. This is because the dry to xeric climate conditions produce less vegetation/fuel load, so relative fire frequency is lower within the group. However, historically, fires that did occur were often very expansive, especially after a series of years with above average precipitation when litter/fine fuels could build up. Currently, fire suppression and more extensive grazing in the region have likely decreased the fire frequency even more, and it is unlikely that these processes could occur at a natural scale. A large part of the range for this group (especially in the east and near rivers) has been converted to agriculture. Areas of the central and western range have been impacted by the unsuccessful attempts to develop dryland cultivation during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. The short grasses that dominate this group are extremely drought- and grazing-tolerant. These species evolved with drought and large herbivores and, because of their stature, are relatively resistant to overgrazing. This group, in combination with the associated wetland groups, represents one of the richest areas for mammals and birds. Endemic bird species to the shortgrass group may constitute one of the fastest declining bird populations.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This group is characterized by a short, often discontinuous graminoid layer dominated or codominated by Bouteloua gracilis. Many other graminoids may be associated, including some medium-tall grasses; however, medium-tall and tall grasses will not dominate. Gutierrezia sarothrae is often present to codominant, especially in disturbed areas. Other woody plants may be present but characteristically do not form a layer, e.g., less than 10% cover. To the south, this group transitions to desert grassland groups that are characterized by desert species.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: We follow the concepts of many ecologists who restrict the concept of shortgrass prairie to the central and southern portions of the Great Plains (Singh et al. 1983, Lauenroth and Milchunas 1992, Dick-Peddie 1993, Sims and Risser 2000, and Lauenroth and Burke 2008). Kuchler (1964) also follows that approach in his type 65: grama-buffalo grass. Others consider stands in this group to be disclimax grassland of mixedgrass prairie resulting from overgrazing by livestock (Weaver and Albertson 1956). Because this group classifies existing vegetation, it includes both early-seral "disclimax" and late-seral "climax" stands extending from the northwestern mixedgrass region in Montana and Canada, south into the Texas Panhandle. The Shortgrass Prairie grassland type in Sims et al. (1978) is closest conceptually to this group. This group reaches its northern limit in the southwest corner of Nebraska on deep loess, though its similar to dry mixedgrass prairie as well. (G. Steinauer pers. comm 2019). In Colorado, according to K. Schulz (pers. comm 2019), parts of the Shortgrass Prairie is or has potential to be mixed grass (Heterostipa comata, Pascopyrum smithii, Koeleria macrantha, Carex filifolia) if grazing were lighter. There are areas that have not "recovered" under light to moderate grazing after over 70 years. This suggests some areas might be limited to shortgrass prairie dominance because of factors other than grazing. In southeast Wyoming, according to G. Jones (pers. comm. 2019) the limit of shortgrass to the southeast corner of the state makes a lot of sense. The landmark is the boundary of northern end of the High Plains (Fenneman’s physiography), north of which one drops into the Goshen hole and the North Platte River valley. In the northern mixedgrass prairie region, heavily grazed mixedgrass prairie that has shortgrass dominants is tracked by CEGL002270.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is characterized by a short, often discontinuous herbaceous layer dominated by short perennial grasses.
Floristics: This group spans a wide range and thus there can be some differences in the relative dominance of some species from north to south and from east to west. This group is primarily dominated by Bouteloua gracilis throughout its range with various associated graminoid species depending on precipitation, soils and management. Associated graminoids may include Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua hirsuta, Bouteloua dactyloides (= Buchloe dactyloides), Carex filifolia, Hesperostipa comata, Koeleria macrantha (= Koeleria cristata), Muhlenbergia torreyi, Pascopyrum smithii (= Agropyron smithii), Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus airoides, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Although mid-height grass species may be present, especially on more mesic land positions and soils, they are secondary in importance to the sod-forming short grasses. Sandy soils have higher cover of Hesperostipa comata, Sporobolus cryptandrus, and Yucca spp. Scattered shrub and dwarf-shrub species such as Artemisia filifolia, Artemisia frigida, Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex canescens, Eriogonum effusum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Lycium pallidum, and Rhus trilobata may also be present. High annual variation in amount and timing of precipitation impacts relative cover of herbaceous species. Cover of cool-season grasses is dependent on winter and early spring precipitation whereas warm-season grasses respond to mid-summer thunderstorms). Floristic information was compiled from Weaver and Albertson (1956), Sims et al. (1978), Brown et al. (1980, 1998), Barbour and Billings (1988), Milchunas et al. (1989), Lauenroth and Milchunas (1992), Dick-Peddie (1993), Ricketts et al. (1999), Sims and Risser (2000), and Lauenroth and Burke (2008).
Dynamics: Climate, fire and grazing constitute the primary processes impacting this group. Drought-tolerant shortgrass species have root systems that extend up near the soil surface where they can utilize low precipitation events (Sala and Lauenroth 1982). Fire is less important in this group compared to other Western Great Plains prairie systems, especially in the western portion of its range (Milchunas et al. 1989). Previous comments in the literature citing Opuntia spp. increasing with overgrazing may not be borne out by more recent research (R. Rondeau pers. comm.). The Long expedition found extensive prickly-pear stands near the South Platt River above the forks in 1823 (Hart 2008). Milchunas et al. (2008) found that Opuntia spp. do not increase with grazing. The dominant grass in this group, Bouteloua gracilis, is tolerant of heavy grazing and drought, which favor it over other taller and less xeric grass species (Weaver and Albertson 1956).
Upland Prosopis glandulosa shrublands have expanded in the shortgrass prairie in the last hundred years and most consider ~Prosopis glandulosa Prairie Ruderal Scrub Alliance (A3952)$$ to be ruderal or novel vegetation. Prosopis glandulosa was reported in the Texas Panhandle in 1849 and along the Canadian River in New Mexico in 1715 prior to extensive cattle grazing (Hart 2008). However, conversion to agriculture and pastureland with subsequent irrigation has degraded and extirpated this group in some areas of its range.
Although Prosopis glandulosa has expanded in the shortgrass prairie in the last hundred years and some consider ~Prosopis glandulosa Prairie Ruderal Scrub Alliance (A3952)$$ to be ruderal or novel vegetation, Prosopis glandulosa was reported in the Texas Panhandle in 1849 and along the Canadian River in New Mexico in 1715 prior to extensive cattle grazing (Hart 2008). However, conversion to agriculture and pastureland with subsequent irrigation has degraded and extirpated this group in some areas of its range.
Upland Prosopis glandulosa shrublands have expanded in the shortgrass prairie in the last hundred years and most consider ~Prosopis glandulosa Prairie Ruderal Scrub Alliance (A3952)$$ to be ruderal or novel vegetation. Prosopis glandulosa was reported in the Texas Panhandle in 1849 and along the Canadian River in New Mexico in 1715 prior to extensive cattle grazing (Hart 2008). However, conversion to agriculture and pastureland with subsequent irrigation has degraded and extirpated this group in some areas of its range.
Although Prosopis glandulosa has expanded in the shortgrass prairie in the last hundred years and some consider ~Prosopis glandulosa Prairie Ruderal Scrub Alliance (A3952)$$ to be ruderal or novel vegetation, Prosopis glandulosa was reported in the Texas Panhandle in 1849 and along the Canadian River in New Mexico in 1715 prior to extensive cattle grazing (Hart 2008). However, conversion to agriculture and pastureland with subsequent irrigation has degraded and extirpated this group in some areas of its range.
Environmental Description: This group is located on primarily flat to rolling uplands. Soils typically are loamy and ustic and range from sandy to clayey. Climate is continental with mean annual precipitation generally about 300 mm ranging to 500 mm to the south in Texas. Most of the annual precipitation occurs during the growing season as thunderstorms (Sims et al. 1978). Precipitation events are mostly <10 cm with occasional larger events (Sala and Lauenroth 1982).
Geographic Range: This group is found primarily in the western half of the Western Great Plains Division east of the Rocky Mountains and ranges from the Nebraska Panhandle and High Plains of Southeast Wyoming south into the panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas and New Mexico.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AZ, CO, KS, NE, NM, OK, TX, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.856717
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nb Central North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D023 | 2.B.2.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nb.3 Blue Grama - Buffalograss Shortgrass Prairie Macrogroup | M053 | 2.B.2.Nb.3 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nb.3.a Blue Grama - Buffalograss - James'' Galleta Shortgrass Prairie Group | G144 | 2.B.2.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A4000 Blue Grama - Buffalograss Shortgrass Prairie Alliance | A4000 | 2.B.2.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A4001 Blue Grama - Hairy Grama - Sideoats Grama Shortgrass Prairie Alliance | A4001 | 2.B.2.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A4002 Blue Grama - Hairy Grama - New Mexico Feathergrass Shortgrass Prairie Alliance | A4002 | 2.B.2.Nb.3.a |
Concept Lineage: Bruce Hoagland''s G070, G071, G072 merged to form G144
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Bouteloua-Buchloë (Küchler 1964) [This potential natural vegetation type is broader than the NVC group existing vegetation.]
= Grama "Shortgrass" Series - 142.12 (Brown et al. 1980)
= Grama "Shortgrass" Series - 142.12 (Brown et al. 1998)
= Grama - Buffalo Grass Section (3113) (Bailey 1980)
>< Mixed "Shortgrass" Series - 142.13 (Brown et al. 1998)
>< Mixed "Shortgrass" Series - 142.14 (Brown et al. 1980)
>< Plains and Mesas Grasslands (Dick-Peddie 1993)
= Shortgrass Prairie (Sims et al. 1978)
= Shortgrass Steppe (Singh et al. 1983)
>< Shrub-Grass Disclimax Series - 142.15 (Brown et al. 1980)
= Grama "Shortgrass" Series - 142.12 (Brown et al. 1980)
= Grama "Shortgrass" Series - 142.12 (Brown et al. 1998)
= Grama - Buffalo Grass Section (3113) (Bailey 1980)
>< Mixed "Shortgrass" Series - 142.13 (Brown et al. 1998)
>< Mixed "Shortgrass" Series - 142.14 (Brown et al. 1980)
>< Plains and Mesas Grasslands (Dick-Peddie 1993)
= Shortgrass Prairie (Sims et al. 1978)
= Shortgrass Steppe (Singh et al. 1983)
>< Shrub-Grass Disclimax Series - 142.15 (Brown et al. 1980)
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