Print Report
A1106 Artemisia pygmaea Low Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: These communities are characterized by a sparse dwarf-shrub layer of Artemisia pygmaea and occur in relatively dry areas of the sagebrush desert of Nevada and Utah, from 1200-1800 m in elevation.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pygmy Sagebrush Low Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Pygmy Sagebrush Low Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance is characterized by a sparse dwarf-shrub layer of Artemisia pygmaea, with other shrubs scattered through the stands. Only one association from central Nevada is presently described for this alliance. In addition to Artemisia pygmaea, that association included Artemisia nova, Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, and Ephedra nevadensis in the shrub layer. According to the authors, none of these associated shrubs is constant or characteristic of these communities. A sparse graminoid layer is usually present, including Achnatherum hymenoides and Elymus elymoides. Forbs include Astragalus spp., Eriogonum caespitosum, and Sphaeralcea coccinea. Adjacent vegetation types are most often dominated by Artemisia nova, which often forms the vegetation matrix surrounding these unique communities. These communities often harbor regionally rare plant species. They occur in relatively dry areas of the sagebrush desert of Nevada and Utah, from 1200-1800 m in elevation. Precipitation averages 15-20 cm annually, with a significant proportion arriving as snow. Growing-season drought is characteristic. Soils are usually shallow and often unique, including Green River shale, heavy clays, or calcareous outcrops or gravels.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Nearly sparsely vegetated low shrublands of the Nevada and Utah deserts where Artemisia pygmaea has <15% total cover, but remains the dominant shrub species.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Although these communities are classified as dwarf-shrublands, examination of stand data for the one association linked to this alliance indicates this vegetation may be better classified as sparsely vegetated. Total shrub cover is less than 15% and total vegetation cover is less than 25% for all species. Further inventory and classification work are needed to document this alliance.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These are sparse dwarf-shrublands dominated by a microphyllous evergreen shrub from 0.05-0.2 m in height. Larger shrubs are often scattered through these communities, but are of low cover and constancy. Scattered cespitose graminoids are also usually present, but of low cover (<10%).
Floristics: This alliance is characterized by a sparse dwarf-shrub layer of Artemisia pygmaea, with other shrubs scattered through the stands. Only one association from central Nevada is presently described for this alliance (Blackburn et al. 1968c). In addition to Artemisia pygmaea, that association includes Artemisia nova, Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, and Ephedra nevadensis in the shrub layer. According to the authors, none of these associated shrubs is constant or characteristic of these communities. A sparse graminoid layer is usually present, including Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides) and Elymus elymoides. Forbs include Astragalus spp., Eriogonum caespitosum, and Sphaeralcea coccinea.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These communities occur in relatively dry areas of the sagebrush desert of Nevada and Utah, from 1200-1800 m in elevation. Precipitation averages 15-20 cm annually, with a significant proportion arriving as snow. Growing-season drought is characteristic. Soils are usually shallow and often unique, including Green River shale, heavy clays, or calcareous outcrops or gravels.
Geographic Range: This alliance has been quantitatively described from Nevada and also occurs in Utah (Welsh et al. 1993).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NV, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899073
Confidence Level: Low
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.5 Shadscale Saltbush - Fourwing Saltbush - Mat Saltbush Great Basin Scrub Macrogroup | M093 | 3.B.1.Ne.5 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.5.a Mat Saltbush - Gardner''s Saltbush - Birdfoot Sagebrush Dwarf-Scrub Group | G301 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.a |
| Alliance | A1106 Pygmy Sagebrush Low Scrub Alliance | A1106 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.a |
| Association | CEGL001436 Pygmy Sagebrush / Squirreltail - Indian Ricegrass Shrubland | CEGL001436 | 3.B.1.Ne.5.a |
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.1106
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < SRM Cover Type #408 - Other Sagebrush Types (Shiflet 1994)
- Blackburn, W. H., P. T. Tueller, and R. E. Eckert, Jr. 1968c. Vegetation and soils of the Duckwater watershed. Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin R-40. University of Nevada, Reno. 76 pp.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
- Shiflet, T. N., editor. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Society for Range Management. Denver, CO. 152 pp.
- Welsh, S. L., N. D. Atwood, S. Goodrich, and L. C. Higgins, editors. 1987. A Utah flora. Great Basin Naturalist Memoirs 9. Provo, UT. 894 pp.
- Welsh, S. L., N. D. Atwood, S. Goodrich, and L. C. Higgins. 1993. A Utah flora. Second edition, revised. Jones Endowment Fund, Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT.