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A2565 Artemisia frigida Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This shrubland alliance is dominated by the dwarf-shrub Artemisia frigida and is described from the Colorado Plateau and western slope of the southern Rocky Mountains.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Prairie Sagewort Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Prairie Sagewort Dwarf-shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This shrubland alliance is dominated by the dwarf-shrub Artemisia frigida. Total shrub cover ranges from 5-85%. Other common shrubs and dwarf-shrubs include Artemisia nova, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Tetradymia canescens, and the cactus Pediocactus simpsonii. The understory is dominated by perennial graminoids, including Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, and Poa secunda. Other herbaceous species often include low-growing cushion plants. Other herbaceous associates may include Festuca brachyphylla, Hymenoxys richardsonii, Paronychia sessiliflora, Penstemon strictus, Poa fendleriana, Stenotus armerioides, Pleiacanthus spinosus, and Tetraneuris torreyana. Cryptogamic cover varies from low to moderate and is occasionally as high as 55%, mostly composed of crustose and foliose lichens. This alliance is described from the Colorado Plateau and western slope of the southern Rocky Mountains. Stands occur on mid to upper slopes and tops of mesas, hills and ridges, but also midslopes of mountains, active slopes and on valley terraces. Site are flat to moderately steep (to 53% slope) on all aspects between 2315 and 2965 m elevation.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Shrublands of the Colorado Plateau and western slope of the southern Rocky Mountains in which Artemisia frigida is dominant and has >50% of the total shrub cover, typically found on exposed, wind-blown sites. The other characteristic species are perennial graminoids.
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: This alliance is characterized by a sparse to moderate cover of a suffrutescent plant that occurs as both a dwarf-shrub and forb. Cespitose graminoids dominate the understory.
Floristics: Vegetation is dominated by the suffrutescent dwarf-shrub Artemisia frigida. Total shrub cover ranges from 5-85%. Other common shrubs and dwarf-shrubs include Artemisia nova, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Tetradymia canescens, and the cactus Pediocactus simpsonii. The understory is dominated by perennial graminoids, including Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua gracilis, and Poa secunda. Other herbaceous species often include low-growing cushion plants. Other herbaceous associates may include Festuca brachyphylla, Hymenoxys richardsonii, Paronychia sessiliflora, Penstemon strictus, Poa fendleriana, Stenotus armerioides, Pleiacanthus spinosus (= Lygodesmia spinosa), and Tetraneuris torreyana. Cryptogamic cover varies from low to moderate and is occasionally as high as 55%, mostly composed of crustose and foliose lichens.
Dynamics: Dry, windswept conditions appear to be important for this alliance.
Environmental Description: Stands occur on mid to upper slopes and tops of mesas, hills and ridges, but also midslopes of mountains, active slopes and on valley terraces. Site are flat to moderately steep (to 53% slope) on all aspects between 2315 and 2965 m elevation. Various amounts of bedrock, large and small rocks, and bare soil compose the majority of the ground surface, with sparse to low cover of litter. Parent materials are frequently volcanic (basalt) rocks that are present as bedrock, boulders and gravel, Mesozoic shale, and Quaternary landslide deposits. Soils are shallow, rapidly drained and range from coarse sand and sandy loam to sandy clay loam and sandy clay.
Geographic Range: This shrubland is described from the Colorado Plateau and western slope of the southern Rocky Mountains.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899206
Confidence Level: Moderate
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 | A2565 Prairie Sagewort Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A2565 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
| Association | CEGL002344 Prairie Sagewort - (Blue Grama, Indian Ricegrass, Sandberg Bluegrass) - Lichens Rocky Mesa Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL002344 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.2565
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.