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A3158 Opuntia engelmannii - Cylindropuntia imbricata - Grusonia schottii Chihuahuan Desert Succulent Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Stands in this Chihuahuan Desert alliance are characterized by succulents such as Opuntia engelmannii, Cylindropuntia imbricata, Grusonia schottii, and Cylindropuntia spinosior and a wide variety of scattered shrubs and dwarf-shrubs. Sites are often associated with shallow rocky soils and rock outcrop.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Cactus-apple - Tree Cholla - Dog Cholla Chihuahuan Desert Succulent Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Chihuahuan Desert Cholla Succulent Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This Chihuahuan Desert alliance is characterized by an open succulent cacti scrub. A wide variety of shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may be present, but succulents such as Opuntia engelmannii dominate. Other cacti such as Cylindropuntia imbricata, Grusonia schottii, and Cylindropuntia spinosior may also dominate stands. The herbaceous cover typically is low and seldom exceeds 10%. The most common grasses are Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, and Muhlenbergia porteri. Forbs are moderately diverse and scattered. Stands occur on gentle to steep slopes, often with rocky shallow soils, and are often associated with rock outcrop.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This open succulent scrub is characterized by dominance of succulent species, especially Opuntia engelmannii, and other cacti such as Cylindropuntia imbricata, Grusonia schottii, and Cylindropuntia spinosior. The herbaceous is typically low (10% cover), however, it may contain species diagnostic of the Chihuahuan Desert such as Bouteloua eriopoda and Muhlenbergia porteri.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is Opuntia-dominated vegetation, not desert grassland with a cholla or prickly-pear layer. Highly degraded cholla grasslands with reduced grass cover resemble vegetation in this alliance, but would have more developed soil that could support moderate to high cover of perennial grasses. This alliance needs additional classification work to characterize it as Opuntia-dominated desert scrub focused on Opuntia engelmannii instead of Cylindropuntia imbricata. Muldavin et al. (2003) describe three Opuntia engelmannii associations that need to be reviewed for inclusion in this alliance. Muldavin et al. (2003) include these associations in a Cactus-Ocotillo Desert Succulent Shrubland.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation included in this alliance has an open layer of succulent (cactus) shrubs with scattered microphyllous and broad-leaved evergreen shrubs less than 2 m tall. If present, the understory is sparse cover of annual and perennial forbs and grasses.
Floristics: This Chihuahuan Desert alliance is characterized by an open succulent cacti scrub. A wide variety of shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may be present, but succulents such as Opuntia engelmannii dominate. Other cacti such as Cylindropuntia imbricata (= Opuntia imbricata), Grusonia schottii (= Opuntia schottii), and Cylindropuntia spinosior (= Opuntia spinosior) may also dominate stands. The herbaceous cover typically is low and seldom exceeds 10%. The most common grasses are Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, and Muhlenbergia porteri. Forbs are moderately diverse and scattered.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands in this Chihuahuan Desert alliance occur on gentle to steep slopes, often with rocky shallow soils, and are often associated with rock outcrop.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the Trans-Pecos of western Texas and Chihuahua, Mexico, extending west into southern New Mexico and likely throughout the Chihuahuan Desert region.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: MXCHH, NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899283
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.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.2 Creosotebush - American Tarwort - Mesquite species Chihuahuan Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M086 | 3.A.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.2.d Lechuguilla - Candelilla - Cactus-apple Chihuahuan Desert Succulent Scrub Group | G286 | 3.A.2.Na.2.d |
| Alliance | A3158 Cactus-apple - Tree Cholla - Dog Cholla Chihuahuan Desert Succulent Scrub Alliance | A3158 | 3.A.2.Na.2.d |
| Association | CEGL004567 Creosotebush - Big Bend Prickly-pear Shrubland | CEGL004567 | 3.A.2.Na.2.d |
Concept Lineage: Old Alliance III.A.5.N.c. Opuntia imbricata Shrubland Alliance (A.878), in part - only included Chihuahuan Desert associations, Old Alliance III.A.5.N.a. Larrea tridentata Shrubland Alliance (A.851), in part, only include Chihuahuan Desert
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Opuntia engelmannii Shrubland Alliance (Muldavin et al. 2003a)
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