Print Report
A1574 Artemisia rigida Steppe & Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is characterized by a woody layer of scattered Artemisia rigida and occurs in scablands east of the Cascade Range in the Columbia Basin steppe and on the Snake River plateau of Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Scabland Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Scabland Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: A sparse (10-25% cover) woody layer of scattered Artemisia rigida is diagnostic of stands of this shrub-herbaceous alliance. Occasionally this dwarf-shrub layer exceeds 25% cover and may include woody Eriogonum spp. Stands have a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer (<0.5 m tall) that is dominated by either of the cool-season, perennial bunchgrasses Poa secunda or Pseudoroegneria spicata. Moss and lichen cover in undisturbed stands is often high and ranges from 1-60% cover. This alliance occurs in scablands east of the Cascade Range in the Columbia Basin steppe and on the Snake River plateau of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Elevations range from 190-1830 m. Stands are found on flat to undulating to rolling plateaus, plains, ridgetops and brows. The key environmental indicator is the fact that soils are shallow with a high percentage of rock fragments (10-70%) (lithic). Parent material is restricted to colluvium and residuum derived from basalt and acidic lava. The soil surface is mostly rock, erosion pavement (pebble surface), bare ground, and moss.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Sparse to moderately dense grassy herbaceous vegetation with a dominant woody layer of Artemisia rigida ranging from 10-25% cover occurring in scablands east of the Cascade Range in the Columbia Basin steppe and on the Snake River plateau of Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Vegetation included in this dwarf-shrub herbaceous alliance is very similar to the stands in ~Eriogonum spp. / Poa secunda Dwarf-shrub Steppe Alliance (A1568)$$ except for dominance of Artemisia rigida instead of Eriogonum spp. in the woody layer. Both have high cover and constancy of Poa secunda in the herbaceous layer and occur in similar habitats (e.g., shallow, lithic soils over fractured basalt). Daubenmire (1970) described as many stands in an intermediate habitat type between the Artemisia rigida - Poa and Eriogonum thymoides - Poa habitat types as in each of the "parent" types which suggests a large ecotone between stands in the two alliances. In addition, woody cover in some stands in this alliance is dense enough to be classified as a shrubland (Daubenmire 1970, Johnson and Simon 1987), but most average between 10-25%.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance has a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer that is dominated by perennial bunch grasses less than 0.5 m tall. There is also a sparse, deciduous dwarf-shrub layer that is diagnostic of this type, and a sparse layer of perennial forbs. Mosses and lichens may be common (<0.1 m tall). Annual forbs and grasses are seasonally present.
Floristics: Vegetation included in this alliance is typically open with total vascular cover much less than 60%. A sparse (10-25% cover) woody layer of scattered Artemisia rigida, a cold-deciduous dwarf-shrub, is diagnostic of these stands. Occasionally this dwarf-shrub layer exceeds 25% cover and may include woody Eriogonum spp. Stands have a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer (<0.5 m tall) that is dominated by either of the cool-season, perennial bunchgrasses Poa secunda or Pseudoroegneria spicata. Other characteristic species may include occasional graminoids such as Danthonia unispicata, Elymus elymoides, or Festuca idahoensis; perennial forbs such as Achillea millefolium, Allium spp., Antennaria spp., Balsamorhiza incana, Erigeron chrysopsidis, Eriogonum spp., Lithophragma glabrum, Lomatium spp., Phlox hoodii, Sedum lanceolatum, Sedum stenopetalum, or Trifolium macrocephalum; and the annuals Collinsia parviflora, Epilobium brachycarpum, Idahoa scapigera, Microsteris gracilis (= Phlox gracilis), Plantago patagonica, and Vulpia microstachys var. pauciflora. Moss and lichen cover in undisturbed stands is often high and ranges from 1-60% cover.
Dynamics: This xeric shrubland vegetation occurs under relatively extreme soil-moisture conditions. Stands are found on shallow rocky soils with limited water-holding capacity. These soils are often saturated from fall to spring by winter precipitation, but they typically dry out completely to bedrock by mid-summer (Daubenmire 1970, 1992, Johnson and Simon 1987). Poa secunda is well-adapted to these conditions because it starts growing early in the spring and completes its reproductive cycle early while there is still moisture in the soil (Daubenmire 1970, 1992, Johnson and Simon 1987). Also, if there is late-summer or early-fall precipitation, dormant Poa secunda can respond quickly and green up. Daubenmire (1970) and Johnson and Simon (1987) suggest that the basalt bedrock present under these dwarf-shrub/grassland stands is fractured enough to support deeper-rooted dwarf-shrubs. Moss does well in this habitat. In addition to drought tolerance, Poa secunda is also tolerant of grazing and trampling by livestock (Daubenmire 1970, Ganskopp 1979). Artemisia rigida is favored winter browse for elk and deer, and moderately palatable to livestock (Johnson and Clausnitzer 1992). The saturated spring soils are vulnerable to trampling, but the rocky soils discourage livestock (Daubenmire 1992). However, in areas excluded from grazing entirely, Pseudoroegneria spicata and Festuca idahoensis may dominate with Artemisia rigida in portions of the alliance''s range, also growing in rock fractures.
Stands in this alliance are generally considered to be late-seral with species composition controlled by the harsh edaphic conditions of the site (Daubenmire 1970, Johnson and Simon 1987). With disturbance, such as livestock impacts, comes an increase in erosion pavement and bare ground, and a decrease in moss and lichen cover (Daubenmire 1970, Johnson and Simon 1987). Frost heaving may be severe, causing local soil disturbance in the winter when these thin, saturated soils freeze and push soil and plants up out of the ground. Pedestalled Artemisia rigida plants and bunch grasses are common (Daubenmire 1970, Hironaka et al. 1983). Exotic plants have invaded many stands especially where disturbed (Tisdale 1986, Daubenmire 1992). Common exotics may include annual grasses such as Bromus tectorum, Bromus arvensis, and Bromus briziformis, which may be abundant during wet years, and annual forbs such as Epilobium brachycarpum, Erodium cicutarium, Lactuca serriola, Tragopogon dubius, and the perennial forb Hypericum perforatum.
Fire is thought to be unimportant because it is unlikely that the sparse vegetation in these stands could carry a fire. However, if it did occur, the Artemisia rigida plants are not tolerant and would be killed (Johnson and Simon 1987, Daubenmire 1992, Johnson and Clausnitzer 1992).
Stands in this alliance are generally considered to be late-seral with species composition controlled by the harsh edaphic conditions of the site (Daubenmire 1970, Johnson and Simon 1987). With disturbance, such as livestock impacts, comes an increase in erosion pavement and bare ground, and a decrease in moss and lichen cover (Daubenmire 1970, Johnson and Simon 1987). Frost heaving may be severe, causing local soil disturbance in the winter when these thin, saturated soils freeze and push soil and plants up out of the ground. Pedestalled Artemisia rigida plants and bunch grasses are common (Daubenmire 1970, Hironaka et al. 1983). Exotic plants have invaded many stands especially where disturbed (Tisdale 1986, Daubenmire 1992). Common exotics may include annual grasses such as Bromus tectorum, Bromus arvensis, and Bromus briziformis, which may be abundant during wet years, and annual forbs such as Epilobium brachycarpum, Erodium cicutarium, Lactuca serriola, Tragopogon dubius, and the perennial forb Hypericum perforatum.
Fire is thought to be unimportant because it is unlikely that the sparse vegetation in these stands could carry a fire. However, if it did occur, the Artemisia rigida plants are not tolerant and would be killed (Johnson and Simon 1987, Daubenmire 1992, Johnson and Clausnitzer 1992).
Environmental Description: These sparse shrublands/grasslands are characteristic of the scablands in the Columbia Basin and portions of the Snake River plain. Elevations range from 190-1830 m. The climate is temperate, with a winter precipitation peak. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 25-50 cm, and occurs primarily in the winter as snow or rain. This moisture is stored in the soil profile and utilized during the typically dry summers. Stands are found on flat to undulating to rolling plateaus, plains, ridgetops and brows. Sites are nearly level to moderately sloping (to 30%). The alliance occurs on all aspects, but is more common on southern slopes, although given that most sites are flat, aspect is not very significant. The key environmental indicator is the fact that soils are shallow (7-30 cm) with a high percentage of rock fragments (10-70%) (lithic). They are moderately to well-drained, non-calcareous, sandy to clay loams, with pH of 6.3-6.6. Parent material is restricted to colluvium and residuum derived from basalt and acidic lava. Soil surface is mostly rock, erosion pavement (pebble surface), bare ground, and moss. Litter accumulates under the scattered Artemisia rigida plants forming moss-covered mounds up to 20 cm deep. These hummocks persist several years after the death of the dwarf-shrub (Daubenmire 1970, 1992). Moss and lichen cover a significant amount of the ground surface, often with up to 50% cover.
Geographic Range: These sparse dwarf-shrublands occur in the Columbia Basin of eastern Washington, eastern Oregon and Idaho.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899154
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.2 Little Sagebrush - Black Sagebrush - Scabland Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M170 | 3.B.1.Ne.2 |
Group | 3.B.1.Ne.2.a Scabland Sagebrush - Buckwheat species Dwarf-shrubland & Steppe Group | G307 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.a |
Alliance | A1574 Scabland Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A1574 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.a |
Association | CEGL001528 Scabland Sagebrush / Sandberg Bluegrass Shrub Grassland | CEGL001528 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.a |
Association | CEGL001529 Scabland Sagebrush / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Shrub Grassland | CEGL001529 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.a |
Association | CEGL002995 Scabland Sagebrush / Idaho Fescue Shrub Grassland | CEGL002995 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.a |
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.1574
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Artemisia rigida-Poa secunda habitat type (Daubenmire 1970) [includes an association by the same name.]
? Artemisia rigida-Poa secunda habitat type (Hironaka et al. 1983)
? Artemisia rigida Series (Tisdale 1986)
= SRM Cover Type #407 - Stiff Sagebrush (Shiflet 1994)
? Scabland Sage (Shantz 1924)
? Stiff Sage Scabland (Hall 1973) [Artemisia rigida-Poa sandbergii scabland]
? Artemisia rigida-Poa secunda habitat type (Hironaka et al. 1983)
? Artemisia rigida Series (Tisdale 1986)
= SRM Cover Type #407 - Stiff Sagebrush (Shiflet 1994)
? Scabland Sage (Shantz 1924)
? Stiff Sage Scabland (Hall 1973) [Artemisia rigida-Poa sandbergii scabland]
- Daubenmire, R. F. 1970. Steppe vegetation of Washington. Washington State University Agricultural Experiment Station Technical Bulletin No. 62. 131 pp.
- Daubenmire, R. F. 1992. Palouse prairie. Pages 297-312 in: R. T. Coupland, editor. Natural grasslands introduction and Western Hemisphere. Ecosystems of the world, Volume 8A. Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam.
- 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.
- Ganskopp, D. C. 1979. Plant communities and habitat types of the Meadow Creek Experimental Watershed. Unpublished thesis, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 162 pp.
- Hall, F. C. 1973. Plant communities of the Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. R6 Area Guide 3-1. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 62 pp.
- Hironaka, M., M. A. Fosberg, and A. H. Winward. 1983. Sagebrush-grass habitat types of southern Idaho. Forestry, Wildlife, and Range Experiment Station Bulletin No. 15, University of Idaho, Moscow. 44 pp.
- Johnson, C. G., Jr., and S. A. Simon. 1987. Plant associations of the Wallowa-Snake Province Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Technical Paper R6-ECOL-TP-255A-86. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 399 pp. plus appendices.
- Johnson, C. G., and R. R. Clausnitzer. 1992. Plant associations of the Blue and Ochoco mountains. R6-ERW-TP-036-92. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. 163 pp. plus appendices.
- Shantz, H. L. 1924. Desert shrub vegetation. From Atlas of American Agriculture. Part I. The physical basis of agriculture. Section E, Natural vegetation. USDA Bureau of Agricultural Economics, Washington, DC. 9 pp.
- Shiflet, T. N., editor. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Society for Range Management. Denver, CO. 152 pp.
- Tisdale, E. W. 1986. Canyon grasslands and associated shrublands of west-central Idaho and adjacent areas. Bulletin No. 40. Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station, University of Idaho, Moscow. 42 pp.