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CEGL009683 Cladium californicum Seep
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: California Sawgrass Seep
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This graminoid wetland is dominated by Cladium californicum. Other forbs and grasses may be present to codominant, including Adiantum capillus-veneris, Distichlis spicata, Eleocharis rostellata, Phragmites australis, and Schoenoplectus americanus. Woody species may be present with very low cover, such as Pluchea sericea, Baccharis spp., Allenrolfea occidentalis, Vitis arizonica, and/or Yucca angustissima var. toftiae. It occurs on alkali seeps and washes in Death Valley and freshwater hanging gardens found in spring-fed alcoves and cliff faces of the Colorado Plateau.
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: The association forms a continuous herbaceous layer and the overall herbaceous cover ranges from 35 to 97% cover. Woody plants, when present, are sparse, as are nonvascular plants. The dominant herb is Cladium californicum; other herbs present may include Adiantum capillus-veneris, Anemopsis californica, Cirsium neomexicanum, Distichlis spicata, Eleocharis rostellata, Juncus arcticus, Phragmites australis, Samolus valerandi ssp. parviflorus, Schoenoplectus americanus, and Solidago spectabilis. The shrub layer is emergent and sparse and may include Pluchea sericea, Baccharis spp., Allenrolfea occidentalis, Vitis arizonica, and/or Yucca angustissima var. toftiae (= Yucca toftiae).
Dynamics: Cladium californicum is tolerant of alkalinity, occurring along both alkali springs and washes with calcareous water discharges as small stands in fine-scale mosaics with other herbs, shrubs and trees. However, it also is found in freshwater seeps, along with Schoenoplectus americanus.
Environmental Description: The association occurs from 220 to 1160 m in elevation, on alkali and freshwater springs in hanging gardens, on slopes and in alkali washes, which have water discharges from carbonate rock aquifers. Soils are alluvium or derived from sandstone.
Geographic Range: This association has been documented on springs and seeps throughout the Mojave and lower Colorado River basin of the southwestern U.S.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.878882
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.5 Salt Marsh Formation | F035 | 2.C.5 |
| Division | 2.C.5.Nd North American Western Interior Brackish Marsh, Playa & Shrubland Division | D036 | 2.C.5.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.5.Nd.1 Warm & Cool Desert Alkali-Saline Marsh, Playa & Shrubland Macrogroup | M082 | 2.C.5.Nd.1 |
| Group | 2.C.5.Nd.1.a Saltgrass - Lemmon''s Alkali Grass - Saltwort species Alkaline-Saline Marsh & Playa Group | G538 | 2.C.5.Nd.1.a |
| Alliance | A4164 California Sawgrass Alkaline Seep Alliance | A4164 | 2.C.5.Nd.1.a |
| Association | CEGL009683 California Sawgrass Seep | CEGL009683 | 2.C.5.Nd.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cladium californicum Seep (provisional) Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Gutierrezia (microcephala, sarothrae) Dwarf-shrubland [Park Special] (Reid and Hall 2010)
= Gutierrezia (microcephala, sarothrae) Dwarf-shrubland [Park Special] (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.