Print Report

A3222 Artemisia nova Steppe & Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: Associations within this alliance are dominated by Artemisia nova and occur at intermediate elevations (1400-2500 m) in the Intermountain West and Rocky Mountains.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Black Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Structurally, this alliance may occur as shrub-herbaceous or shrub-dominated vegetation. The shrub layer is characterized by the dominance of the dwarf-shrub Artemisia nova, which may have sparse to moderate cover of 10-60%. Associated shrub species that occur in stands of this alliance include Artemisia arbuscula, Artemisia cana, Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Grayia spinosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Purshia tridentata, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. The ground layer is dominated by perennial bunchgrasses which may exceed the height and cover of shrubs, ranging from sparse to dense cover. Recurrent species include Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum speciosum, Achnatherum thurberianum, Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata, Koeleria macrantha, Poa secunda, and Pseudoroegneria spicata. In southern stands, Bouteloua gracilis and Pleuraphis jamesii may also be important. Common forbs include Balsamorhiza sagittata, Castilleja angustifolia, Heterotheca villosa, Packera multilobata, Phlox hoodii, Senecio integerrimus, Sphaeralcea coccinea, and Stenotus armerioides. Associations within this alliance occur at intermediate elevations (1400-2500 m) in the Intermountain West and Rocky Mountains, a region of semi-arid, continental climate regime. Soils are typically young, shallow, coarse-textured, and often derived from calcareous parent materials. Artemisia nova associations occur on well-drained slopes and ridges and often grow with other Artemisia associations on deeper soils. In the Columbia River Basin, the vegetation in this alliance occupies the driest habitats of all the Artemisia-dominated alliances.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Shrublands of the Intermountain West and Rocky Mountains where Artemisia nova has <50% of the total shrub cover. Structurally, this alliance may occur as shrub-herbaceous or shrub-dominated vegetation. The herbaceous layer is graminoid-dominated and may be dominant over shrubs in some stands.

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 shrubland alliance is characterized by sparse to moderate cover (10-60%) of a low-statured, microphyllous evergreen shrub, and a sparse to well-developed graminoid layer. The graminoids often exceed the shrubs in height, and ungrazed stands may have the appearance of perennial grasslands (Baker and Kennedy 1985). The shrubs may be pruned by livestock and native ungulate browsing into low, spreading cushion-like shrubs. Prostrate and, occasionally, upright forbs are present, but with very low cover.

Floristics: Associations within this alliance are characterized by the dominance of the dwarf-shrub Artemisia nova, which must contribute at least 40% of the total shrub cover in any stand. Structurally, this alliance may occur as shrub-herbaceous or shrub-dominated vegetation. Associated shrub species that occur in stands of this alliance include Artemisia arbuscula, Artemisia cana, Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Grayia spinosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Purshia tridentata, and Symphoricarpos oreophilus. The ground layer is dominated by perennial bunchgrasses which may exceed the height and cover of the shrubs, but typically may be sparse to very dense. Recurrent species include Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides), Achnatherum speciosum (= Stipa speciosa), Achnatherum thurberianum (= Stipa thurberiana), Elymus elymoides, Festuca idahoensis, Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata), Koeleria macrantha, Poa secunda, and Pseudoroegneria spicata. In southern stands, Bouteloua gracilis and Pleuraphis jamesii (= Hilaria jamesii) may also be important. Common forbs include Balsamorhiza sagittata, Castilleja angustifolia, Heterotheca villosa, Packera multilobata (= Senecio multilobatus), Phlox hoodii, Senecio integerrimus, Sphaeralcea coccinea, and Stenotus armerioides.

Dynamics:  This shrubland alliance is associated with shallow, rocky soils which experience extreme drought in summer. The plants are low and widely spaced, which tends to decrease the risk of fire (Chappell et al. 1997). Barbour and Major (1977) report that Artemisia nova is utilized by livestock to a much greater degree than other species of Artemisia, resulting in low, pruned plants. Artemisia nova dwarf-shrublands grow in more xeric sites than other Artemisia shrublands. Blackburn and Tueller (1970) noted rapid invasion of these communities by Juniperus osteosperma and Pinus monophylla in Nevada, citing overgrazing coupled with fire suppression, and possibly climate change as causative variables.
Environmental Description:  Associations within this alliance occur at intermediate elevations (1400-2500 m) in the Intermountain West and Rocky Mountains. The climate is semi-arid with 20-30 cm of annual precipitation. The temperature regime is continental, with cold winters, warm summers, a large diurnal temperature range, and a short frost-free season. Soils are typically young, shallow, coarse-textured, and often derived from calcareous parent materials. Artemisia nova associations occur on well-drained slopes and ridges and often grow with other Artemisia associations on deeper soils. In the Columbia River Basin, the vegetation in this alliance occupies the driest habitats of all the Artemisia-dominated alliances. At the edges of intermountain basins, this alliance is usually contiguous with Atriplex confertifolia shrublands (Hironaka 1978).
Geographic Range: Associations in this alliance occur in the mountains of the Mojave Desert, throughout the Great Basin, and east into western and central Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah, and northwestern New Mexico. It also occurs in the upper Columbia River Basin of southeastern Idaho.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WY


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4

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 A3222 Black Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance A3222 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Association CEGL001417 Black Sagebrush Shrubland CEGL001417 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Association CEGL001418 Black Sagebrush / Squirreltail Shrubland CEGL001418 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Association CEGL001419 Black Sagebrush - Broom Snakeweed / Blue Grama - James'' Galleta Shrubland CEGL001419 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Association CEGL001420 Black Sagebrush / James'' Galleta Shrubland CEGL001420 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Association CEGL001421 Black Sagebrush / Saline Wildrye Shrub Grassland CEGL001421 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Association CEGL001422 Black Sagebrush / Indian Ricegrass Shrubland CEGL001422 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Association CEGL001423 Black Sagebrush / Sandberg Bluegrass Shrubland CEGL001423 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Association CEGL001424 Black Sagebrush / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Shrubland CEGL001424 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Association CEGL001425 Black Sagebrush / Needle-and-Thread Shrubland CEGL001425 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Association CEGL001524 Black Sagebrush / Idaho Fescue Shrub Grassland CEGL001524 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Association CEGL002698 Black Sagebrush / Muttongrass Shrubland CEGL002698 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Association CEGL002773 Black Sagebrush - Dwarf Goldenbush Shrubland CEGL002773 3.B.1.Ne.2.b
Concept Lineage: This alliance is the combination of the former Artemisia nova Shrubland (A.1105) and Artemisia nova Shrub Herbaceous Alliances (A.1567).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Artemisia nova (Black sagebrush scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [35.130.00]
= Artemisia nova Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
= Artemisia nova Shrubland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [35.130.00]
>< Big Sagebrush Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Black Sagebrush Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Pebble Plain Community (Holland 1986b)
> SRM Cover Type #320 - Black Sagebrush-Bluebunch Wheatgrass (Shiflet 1994)
> SRM Cover Type #321 - Black Sagebrush-Idaho Fescue (Shiflet 1994)
> SRM Cover Type #322 - Black Sagebrush-Rough Fescue (Shiflet 1994)
= SRM Cover Type #405 - Black Sagebrush (Shiflet 1994)
>< Subalpine Sagebrush Scrub (#35220) (Holland 1986b)
Concept Author(s): D. Sarr, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M.E. Hall

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-14-14
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