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A2548 Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longicaulis Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This shrubland alliance is dominated by a low-shrub layer of Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longicaulis and is known from cold, dry areas of the Intermountain West, in and around the Lahontan Basin of northwestern Nevada, southeastern Oregon, and northeastern California.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lahontan Sagebrush Shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Lahontan Sagebrush Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: The vegetation included in this shrubland alliance is dominated by a low-shrub layer that averages more than 5% cover of Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longicaulis. Little is known about this alliance, but shrub associates could presumably include Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus spp., Ephedra spp., Ericameria spp., Grayia spinosa, Lycium shockleyi, Picrothamnus desertorum, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, and Tetradymia spp. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse, and perennial bunchgrasses may include Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum speciosum, Achnatherum thurberianum, Elymus elymoides, and Poa secunda. Forb cover is likely sparse. This alliance is known from cold, dry areas of the Intermountain West, in and around the Lahontan Basin of northwestern Nevada, southeastern Oregon, and northeastern California. Stands occur on alluvial fans, upland slopes and ridges. Soils are generally shallow and rocky.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Diagnostic of this alliance is the Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longicaulis-dominated shrub layer that has over 5% cover of the nominal species that contributes at least 40% of the total shrub cover.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: More survey and classification work are needed to fully describe this alliance. The information for this alliance comes entirely from the description of the subspecies (Winward and McArthur 1995) and is very brief. They provide the range of the subspecies, a number of frequent associates, and state that it often occurs in pure stands.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense microphyllous evergreen dwarf-shrub canopy (0.1-0.4 m in height). Cespitose graminoids dominate the sparse understory.
Floristics: The vegetation included in this alliance is dominated by a low-shrub layer that averages more than 5% cover of Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longicaulis. Shrub associates could presumably include Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis, Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus spp., Ephedra spp., Ericameria spp., Grayia spinosa, Lycium shockleyi, Picrothamnus desertorum, Sarcobatus vermiculatus (= var. baileyi), and Tetradymia spp. The herbaceous layer is likely sparse, and the perennial bunchgrasses may include Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum speciosum (= Stipa speciosa), Achnatherum thurberianum (= Stipa thurberiana), Elymus elymoides, and Poa secunda. Forb cover is typically sparse.
Dynamics: Heavy grazing by livestock and other ground disturbance may increase the abundance of introduced annual grasses. Burning may result in conversion to a Bromus tectorum annual grassland.
Environmental Description: This shrubland alliance is known from cold, dry areas of the Intermountain West. Stands typically occur on alluvial fans, upland slopes and ridges from 1000-2000 m elevation. Precipitation ranges from 17-35 cm annually, with a large proportion falling as winter snow. The range of the subspecies corresponds strongly to the pluvial Lake Lahontan. Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longicaulis occurs primarily on Aridisols and Mollisols that are generally shallow and rocky.
Geographic Range: The diagnostic taxon for this alliance is known to occur in and around the Lahontan Basin in northwestern Nevada, southeastern Oregon, and northeastern California. The subspecies likely dominates the vegetation, forming this alliance, in all three states.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, NV, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899200
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.b Little Sagebrush - Bigelow''s Sagebrush - Black Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G308 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
| Alliance | A2548 Lahontan Sagebrush Shrubland Alliance | A2548 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
| Association | CEGL002984 Lahontan Sagebrush - Spiny Hopsage Shrubland | CEGL002984 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
| Association | CEGL002986 Lahontan Sagebrush / Squirreltail Shrubland | CEGL002986 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.2548
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longicaulis (Lahontan sagebrush scrub) Provisional Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [35.121.00]
< SRM Cover Type #406 - Low Sagebrush (Shiflet 1994)
< SRM Cover Type #406 - Low Sagebrush (Shiflet 1994)
- 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.
- 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.
- Shiflet, T. N., editor. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Society for Range Management. Denver, CO. 152 pp.
- Winward, A. H., and E. D. McArthur. 1995. Lahontan sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longicaulis): A new taxon. Great Basin Naturalist 55(2):151-157.