Print Report

A3242 Artemisia filifolia / Andropogon hallii - Bouteloua breviseta Gypsum Dune Desert Grassland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This Chihuahuan Desert alliance is composed of sparse to moderately dense cover of sand-tolerant species such as Andropogon hallii, Artemisia filifolia, Muhlenbergia pungens, or Psorothamnus scoparius, occurring on gypsum dunes and sandsheets usually with gypsophilous species present such as Bouteloua breviseta, Calylophus hartwegii, Gaillardia multiceps, Kallstroemia grandiflora, Mentzelia humilis, Sartwellia flaveriae, Sporobolus nealleyi, Tidestromia carnosa, Tidestromia lanuginosa, and Tiquilia hispidissima.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sand Sagebrush / Sand Bluestem - Gypsum Grama Gypsum Dune Desert Grassland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Chihuahuan Gypsum Dune Desert Grassland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Stands in this Chihuahuan Desert alliance are characterized by the presence of sand-tolerant species such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Andropogon hallii, Artemisia filifolia, Bouteloua eriopoda, Muhlenbergia pungens, or Psorothamnus scoparius with diagnostic gypsophilous species Bouteloua breviseta, Calylophus hartwegii, Gaillardia multiceps, Kallstroemia grandiflora, Mentzelia humilis, Sporobolus nealleyi, and Tidestromia carnosa. This alliance is restricted to gypsum dunes and sandy interdune areas derived from gypsum parent material.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by the presence of sand-tolerant species such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Andropogon hallii, Artemisia filifolia, Dalea lanata, Muhlenbergia pungens, and Psorothamnus scoparius with diagnostic gypsophilous species Bouteloua breviseta, Calylophus hartwegii, Gaillardia multiceps, Kallstroemia grandiflora, Mentzelia humilis, Sartwellia flaveriae, Sporobolus nealleyi, Tidestromia carnosa, Tidestromia lanuginosa, and Tiquilia hispidissima.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The eolian processes and sand substrate on gypsum dunes may be as important ecologically as the chemical properties of the gypsum parent material as seen by the presence of sand-loving plant species such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Andropogon hallii, Artemisia filifolia, Dalea lanata, Muhlenbergia pungens, and Psorothamnus scoparius on gypsum dunes. Because of this, alliances in this group were based on associations occurring on gypsum dune versus primary gypsum outcrop or secondary alluvial gypsum deposits. This alliance includes some stands with borderline sparse vegetation (~10% total cover). ~Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium - Muhlenbergia pungens Grassland (CEGL001684)$$ needs further review but will be included here for now. A few associations included in this alliance also occur outside the Chihuahuan Desert on gypsum sands in the Colorado Plateau (Francis 1986). More association review is needed to clarify distribution of this alliance.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance has a sparse herbaceous layer of medium-tall, perennial grasses with short grasses or perennial forbs. Scattered shrubs and dwarf-shrubs may form a sparse to open woody layer.

Floristics: Stands in this Chihuahuan Desert alliance are characterized by the presence of sand-tolerant species such as Achnatherum hymenoides, Andropogon hallii, Artemisia filifolia, Dalea lanata, Muhlenbergia pungens, and Psorothamnus scoparius with diagnostic gypsophilous species Bouteloua breviseta, Calylophus hartwegii, Gaillardia multiceps, Kallstroemia grandiflora, Mentzelia humilis, Sartwellia flaveriae, Sporobolus nealleyi, Tidestromia carnosa, Tidestromia lanuginosa, and Tiquilia hispidissima. On very active gypsum dunes, vegetation cover is sparse, and large patches of bare gypsum sand occur, sometimes with only scattered Artemisia filifolia, Andropogon hallii, Achnatherum hymenoides, and Yucca elata. Other sand-tolerant and gypsophilous species present may include Atriplex canescens, Bouteloua trifida, Chrysothamnus pulchellus, Dalea lanata, Dimorphocarpa wislizeni (= Dithyrea wislizeni), Ephedra torreyana, Krameria lanceolata, Lepidium alyssoides var. angustifolium, Mentzelia saxicola, Munroa squarrosa, Nama carnosum, Nerisyrenia linearifolia, Senecio warnockii, Sphaeralcea incana, Sporobolus contractus, Sporobolus flexuosus, Sporobolus giganteus, and Thelesperma megapotamicum.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This alliance is restricted to gypsum dunes and interdune flats in a gypsum dune landscape in the Chihuahuan Desert from western Texas and south-central New Mexico and northern Mexico. Elevations range from 1150-1740 m. Climate is semi-arid to arid with most of the highly variable precipitation falling in late summer and early fall. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 20-32 cm. Substrate is sand derived from gypsum parent material (Neher and Bailey 1976, Muldavin and Mehlhop 1992, Muldavin et al. 2000b).
Geographic Range: Stands included in this alliance are found in western Texas and south-central New Mexico. The alliance is also found in similar habitats in northern Mexico

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  MXCHH?, MXCOA?, NM, TX


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.3 Black Grama - Bullgrass - Tobosa Grass Chihuahuan Semi-Desert Grassland Macrogroup M087 3.A.2.Na.3
Group 3.A.2.Na.3.b Hairy Crinklemat / Gypsum Grama - Gyp Dropseed Grassland Group G492 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Alliance A3242 Sand Sagebrush / Sand Bluestem - Gypsum Grama Gypsum Dune Desert Grassland Alliance A3242 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL001684 Little Bluestem - Sandhill Muhly Grassland CEGL001684 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL001697 Gyp Dropseed - Black Grama Grassland CEGL001697 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL004559 Sand Sagebrush / Sand Bluestem - Indian Ricegrass Gypsum Dune Shrubland CEGL004559 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL004560 Sand Sagebrush / Gypsum Grama - Onion Blanket-flower Shrubland CEGL004560 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL004561 Sand Sagebrush - Broom Smokebush - Woolly Prairie-clover Gypsum Dune Shrubland CEGL004561 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Association CEGL004573 Hairy Crinklemat / Gypsum Grama - Gypsum Blazingstar Dwarf-shrub Grassland CEGL004573 3.A.2.Na.3.b
Concept Lineage: This alliance include some associations from Old Alliances V.A.5.N.d. Sporobolus nealleyi Herbaceous Alliance (A.1269), V.A.7.N.h. Sporobolus nealleyi Shrub Herbaceous Alliance (A.1542), III.A.4.N.a. Artemisia filifolia Shrubland Alliance (A.816), ; and a single association from Old Alliance V.A.5.N.d. Schizachyrium scoparium Bunch Herbaceous Alliance (A.1266).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

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

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • 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.
  • Muldavin, E., M. P. Moreno, J. Thomson, and P. Mehlhop. 1994b. A vegetation map for White Sands National Monument. Final report prepared for White Sands National Monument: Alamogordo, NM, by New Mexico Natural Heritage Program.
  • Muldavin, E., Y. Chauvin, and G. Harper. 2000b. The vegetation of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico: Volume I. Handbook of vegetation communities. Final report to Environmental Directorate, White Sands Missile Range. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 195 pp. plus appendices
  • Muldavin, E., and P. Mehlhop. 1992. A preliminary classification and test vegetation map for White Sands Missile Range and San Andreas National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico. University of New Mexico, New Mexico Natural Heritage Program.
  • Neher, R. E., and O. F. Bailey. 1976. Soil survey of White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, parts of Dona Ana, Lincoln, Otero, Sierra, and Socorro counties. USDA Soil Conservation Service in cooperation with U.S. Army and New Mexico Agriculture Experiment Station.
  • Warnock, B. H. 1974. Wildflowers of the Guadalupe Mountains and the Sand Dune Country, Texas. Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX.