Print Report
A3262 Hymenoclea monogyra - Brickellia laciniata Chihuahuan-Sonoran Desert Wash Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Chihuahuan Desert shrublands dominated by Hymenoclea monogyra and/or Brickellia laciniata that occur along dry washes and arroyos.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Single-whorl Burrobrush - Splitleaf Brickellbush Chihuahuan-Sonoran Desert Wash Alliance
Colloquial Name: Chihuahuan-Sonoran Burrobrush - Brickellbush Desert Wash
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Shrublands in this southwestern desert alliance occur along drainages that dissect bajadas and mesas in the Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts. The sparse to moderately dense shrub layer is dominated by Hymenoclea monogyra and/or Brickellia laciniata. Other shrubs often also present may include Acacia greggii, Ambrosia ambrosioides, Baccharis salicifolia, Baccharis sarothroides, Celtis ehrenbergiana, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Fallugia paradoxa, Olneya tesota, Parkinsonia microphylla, Prosopis velutina, and Rhus microphylla. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse and may include Mentzelia pumila and Polanisia dodecandra ssp. trachysperma. Stands occur in arroyo type riparian zones and adjacent floodplains. The best examples of this community are in the lower portions of the arroyo where the streambed widens.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Dominance of Hymenoclea monogyra and or Brickellia laciniata.
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: Vegetation in this alliance is characterized by sparse to moderately dense cover of xeromorphic drought-deciduous shrubs 1-4 m tall.
Floristics: The sparse to moderately dense shrub layer is dominated by Hymenoclea monogyra and/or Brickellia laciniata. Other shrubs often also present may include Acacia greggii, Ambrosia ambrosioides, Baccharis salicifolia (= Baccharis glutinosa), Baccharis sarothroides, Celtis ehrenbergiana (= Celtis pallida), Eriogonum fasciculatum, Fallugia paradoxa, Olneya tesota, Parkinsonia microphylla, Prosopis velutina, and Rhus microphylla. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse and may include Mentzelia pumila and Polanisia dodecandra ssp. trachysperma (= Polanisia trachysperma).
Dynamics: This alliance is dependent on the intermittent flows or occasional flooding of the channel to supplement soil moisture and maintain the water table (Willis 1939). Germination conditions for Hymenoclea monogyra are best on wide sandy channels that are disturbed by summer floods (Szaro 1989). Densities of Hymenoclea monogyra are highest within the intermittently flooded channels where its ability to germinate and asexually propagate from buried stems allows it to dominate the substrate (Campbell and Green 1968, Szaro and DeBano 1985).
Environmental Description: These communities are dependent on the intermittent flows/flooding of the channel to supplement soil moisture. The alluvial soils are generally sandy, often with cobbles and boulders. These shrublands utilize moisture from the water table and are dependent on the intermittent flows and flooding of the channel to supplement soil moisture and maintain the groundwater levels.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: AZ, NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899386
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.7 North American Warm-Desert Xeric-Riparian Scrub Macrogroup | M092 | 3.A.2.Na.7 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.7.a Desert-willow - Apache Plume - Desert Almond Desert Wash & Colluvial Slope Group | G541 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
| Alliance | A3262 Single-whorl Burrobrush - Splitleaf Brickellbush Chihuahuan-Sonoran Desert Wash Alliance | A3262 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
| Association | CEGL001169 Single-whorl Burrobrush Thicket Shrubland | CEGL001169 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
| Association | CEGL001953 Splitleaf Brickellbush - Single-whorl Burrobrush Shrubland | CEGL001953 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
Concept Lineage: A.1034, A.940
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Hymenoclea monogyra Community Type (Szaro 1989)
? Brickelbush Series (Dick-Peddie 1993) [part of Arroyo Riparian Vegetation Type]
? Burrobush Series (Dick-Peddie 1993) [part of Arroyo Riparian Vegetation Type.]
? Brickelbush Series (Dick-Peddie 1993) [part of Arroyo Riparian Vegetation Type]
? Burrobush Series (Dick-Peddie 1993) [part of Arroyo Riparian Vegetation Type.]
- Brown, D. E., editor. 1982a. Biotic communities of the American Southwest-United States and Mexico. Desert Plants Special Issue 4(1-4):1-342.
- Campbell, C. J., and W. Green. 1968. Perpetual succession of stream-channel vegetation in a semiarid region. Journal of the Arizona Academy of Science 5(2):86-98.
- Dick-Peddie, W. A. 1993. New Mexico vegetation: Past, present, and future. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. 244 pp.
- 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.
- 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.
- Szaro, R. C. 1989. Riparian forest and scrubland community types of Arizona and New Mexico. Desert Plants Special Issue 9(3-4):70-139.
- Szaro, R. C., and L. F. DeBano. 1985. The effects on streamflow modification on the development of a riparian ecosystem. Pages 211-215 in: R. R. Johnson, C. D. Ziebell, D. R. Patton, P. F. Folliott, and R. H. Hamre, editors. Riparian ecosystems and their management: Reconciling conflicting uses. Proceedings from the First North American Riparian Conference. General Technical Report RM-120. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO.
- Willis, E. L. 1939. Plant associations of the Rillito floodplain in Pima County. Unpublished thesis, University of Arizona, Tucson. 48 pp.