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A3196 Ericameria nauseosa Steppe & Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is characterized by shrub and shrub herbaceous vegetation where Ericameria nauseosa is dominant and includes both natural and semi-natural stands from throughout the Great Basin region of the western U.S.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rubber Rabbitbrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Rubber Rabbitbrush Steppe & Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: The vegetation is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense, short-shrub layer (5-60% cover) that is dominated by Ericameria nauseosa. Depending on geography, associated shrubs may include scattered Artemisia filifolia, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia spp., Prunus virginiana, Rhus trilobata, Symphoricarpos occidentalis, and Yucca spp. The herbaceous layer can vary from sparse moderately dense, being more prominent in some stands than shrubs, and dominated by graminoids. Common native grasses include Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua spp., Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus, Leymus flavescens, Pascopyrum smithii, Pleuraphis jamesii, Pseudoroegneria spicata, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Native forbs generally have low cover. Disturbed stands typically have high cover of introduced annual Bromus species. This alliance includes both natural and semi-natural stands from localized areas throughout the Great Basin region of the western U.S. Elevations range from 1100 to 2200 m. Soils are variable but generally well-drained and coarse-textured. Sites are flat to gently sloping, occurring on all aspects. The semi-natural stands included in this alliance are seral shrubland communities resulting from overgrazing by livestock, road building, or other cultural disturbance of typically grass-dominated communities.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Very widespread shrub and shrub herbaceous vegetation where Ericameria nauseosa ranges in cover from 15-60% cover and where herbaceous component is sparse or absent. Cover of Ericameria nauseosa is 5-25% in cover when graminoids are more abundant.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Further study is needed on the effects of livestock grazing on vegetation structure in these stands and on the relationship between Ericameria nauseosa shrub herbaceous associations and shrubland associations. ~Mahonia fremontii Shrubland (CEGL003967)$$ has been placed in this alliance tentatively until further studies can be completed on this association.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance has a sparse to dense layer of microphyllous evergreen shrubs (<2 m tall) with a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer dominated by perennial medium-tall and short grasses. Perennial forbs are sparse. Annual forbs and grasses may be present seasonally.

Floristics: The vegetation is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense, short-shrub layer (5-60% cover) that is dominated by Ericameria nauseosa. Depending on geography, associated shrubs may include scattered Artemisia filifolia, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia spp., Prunus virginiana, Rhus trilobata, Symphoricarpos occidentalis, and Yucca spp. The herbaceous layer can vary from sparse to dense and is dominated by graminoids. In some stands, the herbaceous component may surpass that of shrubs. Common native grasses include Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides), Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua spp., Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus, Leymus flavescens (= Elymus flavescens), Pascopyrum smithii, Pleuraphis jamesii, Pseudoroegneria spicata, and Sporobolus cryptandrus. Native forbs generally have low cover, but may include species such as Lygodesmia grandiflora, Machaeranthera canescens (= Aster canescens), Phacelia hastata (= Phacelia leucophylla), and Psoralidium lanceolatum (= Psoralea lanceolata). Disturbed stands typically have high cover of introduced annual Bromus species such as Bromus tectorum, Bromus arvensis (= Bromus japonicus), and Bromus rubens. Introduced forbs may include Bassia scoparia (= Kochia scoparia), Melilotus officinalis, and Salsola kali.

Dynamics:  Grazing has significantly impacted much of the vegetation in this region, which has had a long history of settlement and heavy livestock use. With proper livestock management and time, palatable species such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Artemisia tridentata, Elymus elymoides, Pascopyrum smithii, Schedonnardus paniculatus, and Sporobolus cryptandrus may increase, and Gutierrezia sarothrae and Ericameria nauseosa may decline in abundance (Francis 1986).
Environmental Description:  Stands occur in the a variety of habitats such as gentle or steep slopes, dunes, and washes. Elevations range from 1100 to 2200 m elevation. Substrates may be eolian, alluvial, or colluvial with soils that are generally well-drained and coarse-textured. The semi-natural stands included in this alliance are seral shrubland communities resulting from overgrazing by livestock, road building, or other cultural disturbance of typically grass-dominated communities.
Geographic Range: This alliance includes shrublands from throughout much of the Great Basin region of the western U.S.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CA, CO, ID, NM, NV, UT


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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup M171 3.B.1.Ne.1
Group 3.B.1.Ne.1.d Yellow Rabbitbrush - Rubber Rabbitbrush - Winterfat Steppe & Shrubland Group G310 3.B.1.Ne.1.d
Alliance A3196 Rubber Rabbitbrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance A3196 3.B.1.Ne.1.d
Association CEGL002713 Rubber Rabbitbrush Shrubland CEGL002713 3.B.1.Ne.1.d
Association CEGL002918 Rubber Rabbitbrush / Alkali Sacaton Shrubland CEGL002918 3.B.1.Ne.1.d
Association CEGL002996 Rubber Rabbitbrush / James'' Galleta - (Needle-and-Thread) Shrub Grassland CEGL002996 3.B.1.Ne.1.d
Association CEGL003495 Rubber Rabbitbrush / Blue Grama Shrub Grassland CEGL003495 3.B.1.Ne.1.d
Association CEGL003967 Fremont''s Mahonia Shrubland CEGL003967 3.B.1.Ne.1.d
Concept Lineage: This proposed alliance is the combination of two old alliances Ericameria nauseosa Shrubland Alliance (A.835) and Ericameria nauseosa Shrub Short Herbaceous Alliance (A.1546).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Chrysothamnus Subformation (Francis 1986)
Concept Author(s): K.A. Schulz, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M.E. Hall

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-14-14
  • 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.
  • Francis, R. E. 1986. Phyto-edaphic communities of the Upper Rio Puerco Watershed, New Mexico. Research Paper RM-272. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 73 pp.