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A3244 Yucca elata - Ephedra torreyana / Bouteloua eriopoda Sandy Plains Semi-Desert Grassland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This Chihuahuan Desert grassland alliance is dominated by thick and often luxuriant Bouteloua eriopoda often with regularly scattered Yucca elata or Ephedra torreyana. Stands are most abundant on rolling sandy plains and scattered along the upper slopes of alluvial fans.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Soaptree Yucca - Torrey''s Joint-fir / Black Grama Sandy Plains Semi-Desert Grassland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Black Grama Sandy Plains Semi-Desert Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This Chihuahuan Desert grassland alliance is dominated by thick and often luxuriant Bouteloua eriopoda often with regularly scattered Yucca elata or Ephedra torreyana forming a conspicuous sparse shrub layer. Other common shrub associates include Gutierrezia sarothrae and Opuntia phaeacantha. The herbaceous layer is highly diverse; yet, among the 30 grasses known from the association, only Sporobolus flexuosus is an occasional codominant and well-represented. A wide variety of forbs are also possible (71 species). Machaeranthera pinnatifida var. pinnatifida, Senecio flaccidus, Thelesperma megapotamicum, and Bahia absinthifolia are the more constant species. This Chihuahuan Desert alliance occurs in south-central, southwestern and southeastern New Mexico and extends into the Trans-Pecos area of western Texas and into northern Mexico. Stands are most abundant on rolling sandy plains and scattered along the upper slopes of alluvial fans. Substrates are sand and loamy sand.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This grassland alliance occurs on sandy plains and is dominated by characteristic perennial grass Bouteloua eriopoda typically with scattered Yucca elata or Ephedra torreyana shrubs or other species diagnostic of sandy substrates. Associated herbaceous species with high constancy include the grass Sporobolus flexuosus and forbs Machaeranthera pinnatifida var. pinnatifida, Senecio flaccidus, Thelesperma megapotamicum, and Bahia absinthifolia.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Grasslands dominated by Bouteloua eriopoda occur in other alliances in the Chihuahuan Desert and north into the Colorado Plateau in northern Arizona and Utah. Classification review is needed to determine if these associations should be included in this Chihuahuan Desert alliance.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance is dominated by short sod grasses with a sparse xeromorphic shrub layer 1-3 m tall.
Floristics: The vegetation of this alliance is dominated by thick and often luxuriant Bouteloua eriopoda often with regularly scattered Yucca elata or Ephedra torreyana forming a conspicuous shrub layer. Other common shrub associates include Gutierrezia sarothrae and Opuntia phaeacantha. The herbaceous layer is highly diverse; yet, among the 30 grasses known from the association, only Sporobolus flexuosus is an occasional codominant and well-represented. A wide variety of forbs are also possible (71 species). Machaeranthera pinnatifida var. pinnatifida, Senecio flaccidus, Thelesperma megapotamicum, and Bahia absinthifolia are the more constant species.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This Chihuahuan Desert grassland alliance is most abundant on rolling sandy plains and scattered along the upper slopes of alluvial fans. Elevation ranges from 1400 to 1950 m (4600-6400 feet). Mean annual precipitation ranges from 22-30 cm, but is highly variable with drought years not uncommon. Typically half to two-thirds of the annual precipitation falls in July through October, often as high-intensity convective storms, with the balance occurring during the winter. May and June often experience drought. Stands occur on moderately steep rocky mountain slopes and ridges, nearly level mesatops, lower slopes of mesa escarpments and sandy alluvium. Aspect is not restricted. Substrates are sand and loamy sand.
Geographic Range: This Chihuahuan Desert alliance occurs in south-central, southwestern and southeastern New Mexico and extends into the Trans-Pecos area of western Texas and into northern Mexico.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: MXCHH, NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899368
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.c Soaptree Yucca / Black Grama - Mesa Dropseed Semi-Desert Grassland Group | G491 | 3.A.2.Na.3.c |
| Alliance | A3244 Soaptree Yucca - Torrey''s Joint-fir / Black Grama Sandy Plains Semi-Desert Grassland Alliance | A3244 | 3.A.2.Na.3.c |
| Association | CEGL001731 Torrey''s Joint-fir / Black Grama Shrub Grassland | CEGL001731 | 3.A.2.Na.3.c |
| Association | CEGL001735 Soaptree Yucca / Black Grama Shrub Grassland | CEGL001735 | 3.A.2.Na.3.c |
Concept Lineage: This alliance includes 2 associations from Old Alliance V.A.7.N.m. Bouteloua eriopoda Xeromorphic Shrub Herbaceous Alliance (A.1553).
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Bouteloua eriopoda Series (Muldavin et al. 1994a)
< Bouteloua eriopoda Series (Muldavin et al. 1998c)
< Bouteloua eriopoda Series (Muldavin et al. 1998c)
- 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.
- Ferguson, C. W. 1950. An ecological analysis of lower Sonoran zone relic vegetation in southcentral Arizona. Unpublished thesis. University of Arizona, Tucson. 41 pp.
- Muldavin, E., P. Mehlhop, and E. DeBruin. 1994a. A survey of sensitive species and vegetation communities in the Organ Mountains of Fort Bliss. Volume III: Vegetation communities. Report prepared for Fort Bliss, Texas, by New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, Albuquerque.
- Muldavin, E., V. Archer, and P. Neville. 1998a. A vegetation map of the Borderlands Ecosystem Management Area. Final report submitted to USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Experiment Station, Flagstaff, AZ, by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. 58 pp.
- 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.
- Muldavin, E., et al. 1998c. Plant community inventory for Fort Bliss. Unpublished report in preparation by the New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, Albuquerque, NM.