Print Report

A0866 Allenrolfea occidentalis Wet Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of herbaceous flats dominated by Allenrolfea occidentalis known from saline habitats throughout the arid intermountain western United States, such as alkaline flats along the margins of salt lakes, in depressions among gypsum ridges, and along washes in saline overflow areas.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Iodinebush Wet Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Iodinebush Wet Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This herbaceous alliance consists of vegetation dominated by Allenrolfea occidentalis. Associated species include Atriplex canescens, Atriplex gardneri, Distichlis spicata, Suaeda suffrutescens, Sporobolus airoides, and/or Sporobolus wrightii. Stands occur in alkaline flats along the margins of salt lakes, in depressions among gypsum ridges, and along washes in saline overflow areas. In all cases, it occurs at sites that are seasonally moist or flooded and where evaporation concentrates transported salts, leaving visible mineral crusts at the soil surface. The nominal species can cover large acreages, with little else except barren soil. This alliance occurs throughout the arid intermountain western United States.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Allenrolfea occidentalis >2% absolute cover in the shrub canopy, and no other species with greater or equal cover (Keeler-Wolf et al. 1998a, Thomas et al. 2004).

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance can form landscape mosaics with other saline communities in saline marshes or gyp-influenced habitats.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These are sparse to moderately dense (15-45% cover) xeromorphic, evergreen, succulent shrublands. Shrubs are generally less than 1 m in height. These stands are usually monotypic and harbor a depauperate understory and abundant bare ground. When present, the herbaceous layer consists of a sparse cover of mat-forming or cespitose graminoids and/or salt-tolerant annual forbs.

Floristics: Stands are usually strongly dominated by Allenrolfea occidentalis and may cover large areas of excessively salty soils. Stands of this alliance may be monotypic. Associated species are all halophytic, and other shrub species may occur. Such species include Atriplex canescens, Atriplex gardneri, Atriplex lentiformis, Atriplex polycarpa, Frankenia salina, and Sarcobatus vermiculatus. Common graminoid associates include Distichlis spicata, Eleocharis palustris, Kalinia obtusiflora (= Eragrostis obtusiflora), and Sporobolus airoides. Succulent halophytic annuals, such as Salicornia rubra, Salicornia bigelovii, and Suaeda spp., are typical forb associates. Additional associated species from stands in western Texas include Suaeda suffrutescens var. detonsa and Sporobolus wrightii.

Dynamics:  Fluvial processes rather than fire primarily disturb stands. Plants sprout after fire and other disturbances, but information on fire characteristics is lacking. Because of the harsh environment and succulent nature of the plants, fire is unlikely in all but the densest and driest stands.
Environmental Description:  This alliance occurs in topographic depressions usually without surface drainage (playas) and stream terraces from sea level to 1800 m (5900 feet) elevation. In all cases, it occurs at sites that are seasonally moist or flooded and where evaporation concentrates transported salts, leaving visible mineral crusts at the soil surface. Allenrolfea occidentalis is tolerant of extreme salinities and heavy soils which tend to exclude other species, and usually forms the lowest ring of perennial vegetation around desert salt flats. This vegetation is also associated with hummocks scattered over barren salt flats. These hummocks are formed by eolian deposition of sands within the individual shrubs. Although Allenrolfea occurs at sites with up to 3% soil salinity, optimum growth occurs at about 1% (Mozingo 1987).
Geographic Range: Vegetation included in this widespread western alliance occurs in saline habitats in the deserts of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, from the Chihuahuan Desert of western Texas and New Mexico, across the Sonoran and Mojave deserts to Baja California and north into the Central Valley of California. It also occurs in the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin and Columbia Plateau regions of Nevada, Oregon, and Utah from Death Valley to Petrified Forest national parks.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CA, MXBCN, NM, NV, OR, TX, UT, WY


Confidence Level: Low

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.b Greasewood - Saltbush species Alkaline-Saline Wet Scrub Group G537 2.C.5.Nd.1.b
Alliance A0866 Iodinebush Wet Shrubland Alliance A0866 2.C.5.Nd.1.b
Association CEGL000988 Iodinebush Wet Shrubland CEGL000988 2.C.5.Nd.1.b
Association CEGL000989 Iodinebush / Gardner''s Saltbush Wet Shrubland CEGL000989 2.C.5.Nd.1.b
Concept Lineage: A.866 with edits

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Allenrolfea occidentalis (Iodine bush scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [36.120.00]
= Allenrolfea occidentalis Alliance (Iodine bush scrub) (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
= Allenrolfea occidentalis Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
? Iodine Bush Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
Concept Author(s): D. Sarr and K.A. Schulz, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel, D. Sarr, K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
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