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A3253 Alhagi maurorum - Zygophyllum fabago Ruderal Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This cool, semi-arid interior western U.S. ruderal shrubland alliance is strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by invasive, exotic shrub species such as Alhagi maurorum, Cytisus striatus, or Zygophyllum fabago and occurs in disturbed dry to mesic basins, alluvial fans, and foothills at elevations up to 2200 m.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Camelthorn - Syrian Bean-caper Ruderal Shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Ruderal Camelthorn - Syrian Bean-caper Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This interior western U.S. ruderal shrubland alliance has an open to dense shrub canopy (>10% absolute cover) that is strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by invasive, introduced shrub species such as Alhagi maurorum, Cytisus striatus, or Zygophyllum fabago. Additionally, this alliance includes shrublands dominated or codominated by native shrub species (>10% relative cover) with a significant herbaceous understory (>10% absolute cover) that is strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by exotic herbaceous species. Herbaceous layers are composed of either exotic annuals with low cover of perennial species, or high cover of exotic perennials. Numerous exotic herbaceous species may compose the introduced herbaceous layer such as Bromus tectorum, Brassica nigra, and Agropyron cristatum Stands occur in disturbed dry to mesic basins, alluvial fans, and foothills from sea level to 2200 m elevation throughout the cool, semi-arid intermountain western U.S. region. It is an early-successional type that may occur in areas disturbed by fire, grazing or mining.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Dominant diagnostic species for this alliance are invasive shrubs such as Alhagi maurorum, Cytisus striatus, or Zygophyllum fabago. Additionally, this alliance includes shrublands dominated or codominated by native shrub species (>10% absolute shrub cover) with a significant herbaceous understory (>10% absolute cover) that is strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by exotic herbaceous species.
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 ruderal alliance is characterized by an open to dense shrub canopy (>10% absolute cover) that is strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by invasive, introduced shrub and sparse to dense herbaceous layer dominated by perennial forbs with low cover of shrubs or annual graminoids and forbs (<5% absolute cover).
Floristics: This interior western U.S. ruderal shrubland alliance has an open to dense shrub canopy (>10% absolute cover) that is strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by invasive, introduced shrub species such as Alhagi maurorum, Cytisus striatus, or Zygophyllum fabago. Additionally, this alliance includes shrublands dominated or co-dominated by native shrub species (>10% relative cover) with a significant herbaceous understory (>10% absolute cover) that is strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by exotic herbaceous species. Herbaceous layers are composed of either exotic annuals with low cover of perennial species, or high cover of exotic perennials. Numerous exotic herbaceous species may compose the introduced herbaceous layer such as Agropyron cristatum, Bromus tectorum, Cardaria draba, or Centaurea solstitialis.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This ruderal shrubland alliance occurs in the cool, semi-arid interior western U.S. Elevations range from sea level up to 2200 m. Stands occur in disturbed dry to mesic basins, alluvial fans, and foothills. Substrates are variable. Disturbance is important to initiating and maintaining many of these stands.
Geographic Range: This ruderal shrubland alliance occurs in the cool, semi-arid interior western U.S.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899377
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.90 Crested Wheatgrass - Cheatgrass - Tall Tumblemustard Western North American Ruderal Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M499 | 3.B.1.Ne.90 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a Great Basin-Intermountain Ruderal Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group | G600 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Alliance | A3253 Camelthorn - Syrian Bean-caper Ruderal Shrubland Alliance | A3253 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Association | CEGL002784 Camelthorn Ruderal Scrub | CEGL002784 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1937. Range plant handbook. Dover Publications Inc., New York. 816 pp.
- Whitson, T. D., L. C. Burrill, S. A. Dewey, D. W. Cudney, B. E. Nelson, R. D. Lee, R. Parker. 2000. Weeds of the West. The Western Society of Weed Science in cooperation with the Western United States Land Grant Universities, Cooperative Extension Services. University of Wyoming, Laramie. 630 pp.