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A3143 Peucephyllum schottii - Pleurocoronis pluriseta Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of an open, xeromorphic shrub layer dominated by Peucephyllum schottii. This alliance occurs in Mojave Desert of California, southern Nevada and western Arizona on disturbed upland sites and cliffs.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Schott''s Pygmy-cedar - Bush Arrowleaf Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Schott''s Pygmy-cedar - Bush Arrowleaf Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of an open, xeromorphic shrub layer dominated by Peucephyllum schottii. Gutierrezia microcephala is codominant in some stands. Other shrubs may include Eriogonum fasciculatum, Eucnide urens, Pleurocoronis pluriseta, and Larrea tridentata. Herbs that are sometimes present include Bromus rubens, Cryptantha spp., Eriogonum inflatum, Sphaeralcea ambigua, and Nicotiana obtusifolia. This alliance occurs in Mojave Desert of California, southern Nevada and western Arizona. Elevation ranges from 1000-1500 m. Habitats are disturbed upland sites and cliffs. The alliance is found primarily on steep slopes with exposed bedrock and drainage channel walls at various aspects. Soils are derived most commonly from basalt, limestone, sandstone, and calcareous gravel. Soil texture is highly variable ranging from sand to silt to clay loam.
Diagnostic Characteristics: The vegetation is characterized by an open, xeromorphic shrub layer dominated by Peucephyllum schottii. Gutierrezia microcephala, Eucnide urens, and/or Pleurocoronis pluriseta is sometimes codominant.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance is based on plots from unpublished work by Joe Watts and a few observations at Grand Canyon. More survey and plot data are needed to fully describe the range and variability of vegetation within this alliance. In California, this alliance is usually a fine-scale matrix type adjacent to stands of Larrea tridentata - Ambrosia dumosa, Larrea tridentata - Encelia farinosa, Acacia greggii, and Hymenoclea salsola alliances (Sawyer et al. 2009) and other related sparsely vegetated stands on cliffs and rockwalls.
The alliance name has been changed to Peucephyllum schottii - Pleurocoronis pluriseta Scrub Alliance, as some stands do not have Peucephyllum, and instead have Pleurocoronis pluriseta and other scrub species present in sparsely vegetated settings. This allows for flexibility in what may be encountered on the ground and enables others to understand that Peucephyllum is not the only scrub necessary to have in stands.
The alliance name has been changed to Peucephyllum schottii - Pleurocoronis pluriseta Scrub Alliance, as some stands do not have Peucephyllum, and instead have Pleurocoronis pluriseta and other scrub species present in sparsely vegetated settings. This allows for flexibility in what may be encountered on the ground and enables others to understand that Peucephyllum is not the only scrub necessary to have in stands.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The alliance forms a sparse to intermittent shrub. The tree layer is typically not present, and the herb layer is sparse to open. Nonvascular plants are typically sparse to open.
Floristics: The vegetation is characterized by an open, xeromorphic shrub layer dominated by Peucephyllum schottii. Gutierrezia microcephala is codominant is some stands. Other shrubs may include Eriogonum fasciculatum, Eucnide urens, Pleurocoronis pluriseta, and Larrea tridentata. Herbs that are sometimes present include Bromus rubens, Cryptantha spp., Eriogonum inflatum, Sphaeralcea ambigua, and Nicotiana obtusifolia.
Dynamics: Stands of Peucephyllum schottii and Pleurocoronis pluriseta prefer steep slopes with intermittent colluvial disturbance, washes with intermittent alluvial disturbance, and canyon walls above arroyo channels. The Peucephyllum schottii - Eucnide urens - Pleurocoronis pluriseta association (Evens et al. 2014) is often found on steep slopes and cliffs with calcareous parent material, while the Peucephyllum schottii Association is often found on steep slopes, cliffs, and channel walls with basalt and sandstone parent material.
Environmental Description: Stands occur on disturbed upland sites at mid elevations (1000-1500 m) in the Mojave Desert. The alliance is found primarily on steep slopes with exposed bedrock and drainage channel walls at various aspects. Soils are derived most commonly from basalt, limestone, sandstone, and calcareous gravel. Soil texture was highly variable ranging from sand to silt to clay loam.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in Mojave Desert of California, southern Nevada and western Arizona.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899268
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.6 Ocotillo - Desert-holly - Watson''s Amaranth North American Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M117 | 3.A.2.Na.6 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.6.a Ocotillo - Bear-grass species - Desert-holly Rock Vegetation Group | G569 | 3.A.2.Na.6.a |
| Alliance | A3143 Schott''s Pygmy-cedar - Bush Arrowleaf Scrub Alliance | A3143 | 3.A.2.Na.6.a |
| Association | CEGL005770 Schott''s Pygmy-cedar - Desert Stingbush - Bush Arrowleaf Shrubland | CEGL005770 | 3.A.2.Na.6.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Peucephyllum schottii Provisional Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2012)
= Peucephyllum schottii Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
= Peucephyllum schottii Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
- 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.
- Evens, Julie M. Personal communication. Vegetation Program Director, 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.
- Keeler-Wolf, T. 1997. Preliminary table of Mojave Desert ecosystem vegetation types.
- 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.
- 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.