Print Report
A2540 Ericameria teretifolia Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This xeromorphic shrubland alliance is dominated by Ericameria teretifolia and occurs from southern California mountains and valleys to the Mojave Desert, north into the southeastern Great Basin.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Green Rabbitbrush Shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Green Rabbitbrush Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: The vegetation of this alliance is characterized by an open, xeromorphic, short-shrub layer (<2 m tall) that is dominated by Ericameria teretifolia. Other shrubs and dwarf-shrubs present may include Ephedra viridis, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Grayia spinosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa, Opuntia chlorotica, Prunus fasciculata, Salazaria mexicana, Salvia dorrii, Sphaeralcea ambigua, or Stephanomeria pauciflora. The generally sparse herbaceous layer is dominated by perennial graminoids. This xeromorphic shrubland alliance occurs from southern California mountains and valleys to the Mojave Desert, north into the southeastern Great Basin. Stands are found on ridges, slopes and valleys above Larrea tridentata- and Ambrosia dumosa-dominated desert scrub and below Artemisia tridentata-dominated shrublands and Pinus monophylla woodlands. Substrates are coarse-textured soils derived from bedrock or alluvium. Habitats include disturbed areas, including burns, washes, road cuts, and heavily grazed sites. Soils are variable in parent material and usually coarse, well-drained, and moderately acidic to slightly saline.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Ericameria teretifolia cover greater than or equal to other species (such as Eriogonum fasciculatum, Gutierrezia sarothrae, or Opuntia chlorotica) in relative cover in the shrub canopy (Keeler-Wolf et al. 1998, Thomas et al. 2004).
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This description is based on classification work done by Keeler-Wolf and Thomas (2000) on the Mojave Ecosystem Mapping Project. Ericameria teretifolia nearly always shares the shrub canopy with other shrub species. Stands occur above Larrea tridentata alliance and below Pinus monophylla and Artemisia tridentata alliances. Stands are adjacent to those of the Atriplex confertifolia, Coleogyne ramosissima, Grayia spinosa, Juniperus californica, and Juniperus osteosperma alliances.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation is characterized by an open, xeromorphic, short-shrub layer (<2 m tall) that is dominated by Ericameria teretifolia. Other shrubs and dwarf-shrubs present may include Ephedra viridis, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Grayia spinosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa (= Opuntia acanthocarpa), Opuntia chlorotica, Prunus fasciculata, Salazaria mexicana, Salvia dorrii, Sphaeralcea ambigua, or Stephanomeria pauciflora. The generally sparse herbaceous layer is dominated by perennial graminoids such as Achnatherum speciosum, Muhlenbergia porteri, Pleuraphis jamesii, Pleuraphis rigida, and Poa secunda (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000).
Dynamics: Disturbance appears to be important to the maintenance of this seral shrubland as it is found in burned-over Juniperus californica stands, road cuts, and heavily grazed areas, and in intermittent washes (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000).
Environmental Description: This xeromorphic shrubland alliance occurs from southern California mountains and valleys to the Mojave Desert, north into the southeastern Great Basin. Elevation ranges from 800 to 1700 m. Stands are found on ridges, slopes and valleys above Larrea tridentata- and Ambrosia dumosa-dominated desert scrub and below Artemisia tridentata-dominated shrublands and Pinus monophylla woodlands. Habitats include disturbed areas, including burns, washes, road cuts, and heavily grazed sites. Soils are variable in parent material and usually coarse, well-drained, and moderately acidic to slightly saline. Substrates are coarse-textured soils derived from bedrock or alluvium (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000).
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the Mojave Desert and extends into the southern California mountains and southeastern Great Basin.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899199
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d Yellow Rabbitbrush - Rubber Rabbitbrush - Winterfat Steppe & Shrubland Group | G310 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Alliance | A2540 Green Rabbitbrush Shrubland Alliance | A2540 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
| Association | CEGL002963 Green Rabbitbrush Shrubland | CEGL002963 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.d |
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.2540
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ericameria teretifolia (Needleleaf rabbitbrush scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [35.330.00]
= Ericameria teretifolia Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
= Ericameria teretifolia Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2012)
= Ericameria teretifolia Shrubland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [35.330.00]
>< Blackbush Scrub (#34300) (Holland 1986b)
>< Mojave Mixed Woody Scrub (#34210) (Holland 1986b)
>< Mojave Mixed Woody and Succulent Scrub (#34240) (Holland 1986b)
>< Mojavean Juniper Woodland and Scrub (#72220) (Holland 1986b)
>< Peninsular Juniper Woodland and Scrub (#72320) (Holland 1986b)
>< Sonoran Mixed Woody and Succulent Scrub (#33220) (Holland 1986b)
= Ericameria teretifolia Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
= Ericameria teretifolia Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2012)
= Ericameria teretifolia Shrubland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [35.330.00]
>< Blackbush Scrub (#34300) (Holland 1986b)
>< Mojave Mixed Woody Scrub (#34210) (Holland 1986b)
>< Mojave Mixed Woody and Succulent Scrub (#34240) (Holland 1986b)
>< Mojavean Juniper Woodland and Scrub (#72220) (Holland 1986b)
>< Peninsular Juniper Woodland and Scrub (#72320) (Holland 1986b)
>< Sonoran Mixed Woody and Succulent Scrub (#33220) (Holland 1986b)
- CNPS [California Native Plant Society]. 2015-2017. A manual of California vegetation [online]. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. [http://vegetation.cnps.org/].
- Evens, J. M., D. Roach-McIntosh, and D. Stout. 2012. Vegetation descriptions for Joshua Tree National Park. Unpublished report submitted to USDI, National Park Service, Mojave Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- 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.
- 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.
- Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., C. Roye, and K. Lewis. 1998a. Vegetation mapping and classification of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California. Unpublished report on file at California Natural Diversity Database, California Department Fish and Game, Sacramento.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., and K. Thomas. 2000. Draft descriptions of vegetation alliances for the Mojave Ecosystem Mapping project. California Natural Diversity Database, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Thomas, K. A., T. Keeler-Wolf, J. Franklin, and P. Stine. 2004. Mojave Desert Ecosystem Program: Central Mojave vegetation mapping database. U.S. Geological Survey, Western Regional Science Center. 251 pp.
- Thorne, R. F. 1982. The desert and other transmontane plant communities of southern California. Aliso 10(2):219-257.
- VegCAMP and AIS [Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program and Aerial Information Systems, Inc.]. 2013. 2012 California desert vegetation map and accuracy assessment in support of the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. Unpublished report to California Department of Fish and Wildlife Renewable Energy Program and the California Energy Commission. California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Vegetation Classification and Mapping Program and Aerial Information Systems, Inc.