Print Report
A1356 Panicum bulbosum Intermittent Desert Wash Grassland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Lush wet desert meadows on intermittent streams with silty alluvium soils and dominated by Panicum bulbosum, with either Alopecurus aequalis or Lycurus phleoides.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bulb Panicgrass Intermittent Desert Wash Grassland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Bulb Panicgrass Desert Wash Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Vegetation in this alliance is dominated by perennial grass Panicum bulbosum, with either Alopecurus aequalis or Lycurus phleoides. Grasslands in this alliance occur in draws and arroyos. These lush wet desert meadows occur on intermittent streams with silty alluvium soils. Because stands are usually found in draws, these grasslands are temporarily flooded with runoff and gully flow during the typically high-intensity convection storms common during the monsoon season. Grasslands in this alliance occur in draws and arroyos in southwestern New Mexico and possibly adjacent regions.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Meadows dominated by Panicum bulbosum.
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: Vegetation in this alliance is dominated by short, perennial grasses.
Floristics: This semi-desert grassland has a dense graminoid layer that is usually dominated by the perennial bunchgrass Panicum bulbosum; Alopecurus aequalis and/or Lycurus phleoides may codominate. Several other graminoid species are often present, but do not add up to much cover. Forbs are usually very sparse. Scattered shrubs and trees such as Cercocarpus montanus and Fraxinus velutina may also be present. Bourgeron et al. (1993b) described one stand with canopy cover of 20% Panicum bulbosum and 40% Alopecurus aequalis. Other graminoids can include Cyperus parishii, Eleocharis macrostachya, Leptochloa dubia, Panicum hirticaule var. stramineum (= Panicum stramineum), Setaria grisebachii, and others.
Dynamics: Stands of this grassland alliance occur in draws and gullies and are relatively mesic because of temporary flooding due to runoff moisture. They are frequently disturbed by gully erosion from flash flood events.
Environmental Description: Grasslands in this alliance occur in draws and arroyos in southwestern New Mexico. Elevation ranges from 1400-1900 m in areas upland of the Chihuahuan desertscrub. Climate is semi-arid with most of the 25-43 cm of precipitation falling during the late summer and early fall monsoon period. Because stands of this alliances are usually found in draws, these grasslands are temporarily flooded with runoff and gully flow during the typically high-intensity convection storms common during the monsoon season. These minor grasslands are restricted to these relatively mesic sites and are tolerant of the disturbance caused by gully erosion. Bourgeron et al. (1993b) described a stand in this alliance with ground cover of 60% litter. The substrate is derived from rhyolite.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in southern New Mexico and may be found in adjacent southeastern Arizona, Mexico and Texas.
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: AZ?, NM, TX?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899118
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.7 North American Warm-Desert Xeric-Riparian Scrub Macrogroup | M092 | 3.A.2.Na.7 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.7.a Desert-willow - Apache Plume - Desert Almond Desert Wash & Colluvial Slope Group | G541 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
| Alliance | A1356 Bulb Panicgrass Intermittent Desert Wash Grassland Alliance | A1356 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
| Association | CEGL001653 Bulb Panicgrass - Short-awn Foxtail Grassland | CEGL001653 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
| Association | CEGL001654 Bulb Panicgrass - Common Wolf''s-tail Grassland | CEGL001654 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.1356
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Bourgeron, P. S., L. D. Engelking, H. C. Humphries, E. Muldavin, and W. H. Moir. 1993b. Assessing the conservation value of the Gray Ranch: Rarity, diversity and representativeness. Unpublished report prepared for The Nature Conservancy by the Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. (Volume I and II).
- Bourgeron, P. S., L. D. Engelking, H. C. Humphries, E. Muldavin, and W. H. Moir. 1995a. Assessing the conservation value of the Gray Ranch: Rarity, diversity and representativeness. Desert Plants 11(2-3):3-68.
- 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.