Print Report
A2572 Ephedra torreyana Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance includes semi-desert shrublands from the Colorado Plateau region of eastern Utah and northern Arizona characterized by an open canopy of Ephedra torreyana.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Torrey''s Joint-fir Shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Colorado Plateau Torrey''s Joint-fir Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: The vegetation is characterized by an open canopy of Ephedra torreyana shrubs. Stands range from less than <10 to 75% total vegetation cover and range in structure from shrub-herbaceous (steppe) to shrublands. Vegetation composition is dominated or codominated by Ephedra torreyana that ranges between 2 and 25% cover. Associated shrubs and cacti include Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Echinocereus triglochidiatus, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha, and Yucca harrimaniae. Coleogyne ramosissima is absent or has low cover. If present, the understory may include a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer composed mostly of dry grasses, such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa comata, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus airoides, and Sporobolus flexuosus, with low cover of forbs. This alliance includes semi-desert shrublands from the Colorado Plateau region of eastern Utah and northern Arizona between 1220 and 2000 m elevation. Stands occur in large patches on broad sandy plains, as well as in smaller patches on knolls, toeslope pediments, and a mesa capped with basalt boulders. Sites are flat to gentle (up to 10% slope) and occur on all aspects, although it often is found on warmer south- or west-facing slopes. The unvegetated surface has up to 90% exposure of sand, bare soil, cinder, large and small rocks or gravel. Litter cover is generally low. Soils are rapidly drained to well-drained loamy sands to sandy clays derived from basalt, cinder, sandstone or shales.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Sparse to dense low shrubland and shrub-herbaceous vegetation dominated by Ephedra torreyana in association with other low shrubs and grasses of the Colorado Plateau.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The placement of ~Ephedra torreyana - (Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia) Sparse Vegetation (CEGL005801)$$ within this alliance is tentative. There is not a suitable ecological group developed for Colorado Plateau sparse vegetation.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The vegetation in this alliance is characterized by sparse to moderate cover (<10-70%) of cold-deciduous or evergreen shrubs. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse (<20% cover) and dominated by cespitose perennial grasses or annual forbs and grasses.
Floristics: The vegetation included in this alliance is characterized by an open to moderate canopy of Ephedra torreyana shrubs. Stands range from 75% to less than 10% total vegetation cover and vary in structure from shrub-herbaceous (steppe) to shrublands. Vegetation composition is dominated or codominated by Ephedra torreyana that ranges between 2 and 25% cover. Associated shrubs and cacti include Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Echinocereus triglochidiatus, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha, and Yucca harrimaniae. Coleogyne ramosissima is absent or has low cover. If present, the understory may include a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer composed mostly of dry grasses, such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa comata, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus airoides, and Sporobolus flexuosus. Low cover of forbs is usually present and includes Astragalus amphioxys, Chaetopappa ericoides, Malacothrix sonchoides, Sphaeralcea coccinea, and Sphaeralcea parvifolia.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This alliance includes semi-desert shrublands from the Colorado Plateau region of eastern Utah and northern Arizona between 1220 and 2000 m elevation. Stands occur in large patches on broad sandy plains, as well as in smaller patches on knolls, toeslope pediments, and a mesa capped with basalt boulders. Sites are flat to gentle (up to 10% slope) and occur on all aspects, although it often is found on warmer south- or west-facing slopes. The unvegetated surface has up to 90% exposure of sand, bare soil, large and small rocks and gravel. Soils are rapidly drained to well-drained loamy sands where derived from secondary materials or sandy clays where derived from underlying shales. Parent materials may include sandy clays derived from basalt, cinder deposits and Entrada, Navajo, Summerville and Carmel formation materials that have eroded to alluvial or eolian sands and clays.
Geographic Range: This alliance includes semi-desert shrublands from the Colorado Plateau region of eastern Utah and northern Arizona.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, NM, NV?, UT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899208
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.2572; 1 association from A.2571 added.
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.