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M076 Warm Desert Lowland Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup

Type Concept Sentence: This macrogroup includes desert freshwater wetlands, including low-statured Prosopis glandulosa and Prosopis velutina stands and shrubby areas of Baccharis emoryi, Baccharis salicifolia, Pluchea sericea, Salix lasiolepis, Shepherdia argentea, and Salix exigua, along perennial and intermittent streams, lake or playa edges, and alkaline seeps and springs, at low elevations (>1100 m) in the warm desert regions of the southwestern U.S.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Warm Desert Lowland Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup

Colloquial Name: Warm Desert Lowland Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Macrogroup

Type Concept: This macrogroup of desert freshwater wetlands consists of low-elevation (<1100 m) wetlands where dominant scrub species are Prosopis glandulosa and Prosopis velutina, and other shrubs include Baccharis emoryi, Baccharis salicifolia, Pluchea sericea, Salix geyeriana, Salix lasiolepis, Shepherdia argentea, and Salix exigua. Woody vegetation is relatively dense, especially when compared to drier washes. These wetlands occur along perennial and intermittent streams, lake or playa edges, and alkaline seeps and springs. Vegetation, especially the mesquites, tap into groundwater below the streambed when surface flows stop. Vegetation is dependent upon annual rise in the water table or annual/periodic flooding and associated sediment scour and/or annual rise in the water table for growth and reproduction. This macrogroup occurs in the warm desert regions of the southwestern U.S. and adjacent Mexico.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Desert climes of the southwestern U.S., intermittent and perennial streambanks, riverbanks and floodplains, alkaline springs and seeps, with native woody tree and shrub species.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Further review of the differences between ~Chihuahuan Desert Scrub Macrogroup (M086)$$ (e.g., G287 and G299) is needed since some associations appear to cross Chihuahuan, Sonoran, and Mojave deserts.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Scrubby growth of short bosque or thickets of drought-deciduous shrubs along lower elevation stream courses.

Floristics: Dominant scrub/trees include Prosopis glandulosa, Prosopis pubescens, and Prosopis velutina. Dominants of shrub communities include Baccharis emoryi, Baccharis salicifolia, Baccharis sergiloides, Pluchea sericea, Salix geyeriana, Salix lasiolepis, Shepherdia argentea, and Salix exigua.

Dynamics:  Vegetation is dependent upon occasional rise in the water table or annual/periodic flooding and associated sediment scour and/or annual rise in the water table for growth and reproduction (Szaro 1989, Muldavin et al. 2000b).
Environmental Description:  Climate: Mild, low-elevation arid southwestern deserts. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Low-elevation (<1100 m) riparian corridors along perennial and intermittent streams and rivers throughout canyons and desert valleys with alluvial soils, lakeshores, playa edges with high water tables, and alkaline spring/seeps.
Geographic Range: This macrogroup occurs in the warm desert regions of the southwestern U.S. and adjacent Mexico. Rivers include the lower Colorado (into the Grand Canyon), Gila, Santa Cruz, Salt, lower Rio Grande (below Elephant Butte Reservoir in New Mexico to the coastal plain of Texas), and the lower Pecos (up to near its confluence with Rio Hondo in southeastern New Mexico) and their tributaries that occur in the desert portions of their range, and various rivers in southern and central California.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CA, CO, MXBCN, MXCHH, MXSON, NM, NV, TX, UT


Confidence Level: High

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.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Nc Southwestern North American Warm Desert Freshwater Marsh & Bosque Division D032 2.C.4.Nc
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nc.1 Warm Desert Lowland Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M076 2.C.4.Nc.1
Group 2.C.4.Nc.1.a Maidenhair Fern species - Monkeyflower species - Columbine species Colorado Plateau Seep Group G545 2.C.4.Nc.1.a
Group 2.C.4.Nc.1.b Honey Mesquite - Velvet Mesquite - False Willow species North American Warm Desert Riparian Low Bosque & Shrubland Group G533 2.C.4.Nc.1.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): D.E. Brown (1982a)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 10-15-14
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