Print Report
A3792 Cercocarpus montanus - Eriogonum fasciculatum - Adenostoma sparsifolium Western Mojave Desert Chaparral Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Stands are characterized by the co-importance of Cercocarpus montanus var. glaber and Eriogonum fasciculatum. This shrubland of California''s southern mountains and the western margins of the Mojave and Colorado deserts and Baja California occurs in a wide variety of habitats.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Eastern Mojave Buckwheat - Redshank Western Mojave Desert Chaparral Alliance
Colloquial Name: Western Mojave Desert Chaparral
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Stands are characterized by the co-importance of Cercocarpus montanus var. glaber and Eriogonum fasciculatum. Adenostoma sparsifolium also may dominate. Other shrubs may include Adenostoma fasciculatum, Ceanothus megacarpus, Fremontodendron californicum, Garrya flavescens, Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia, Quercus dumosa, Salvia apiana, and Hesperoyucca whipplei. The herbaceous layer is sparse. This shrubland of California''s southern mountains and the western margins of the Mojave and Colorado deserts and Baja California, occurs in a wide variety of habitats. Elevations range from 300-2000 m. Stands are found on all slopes. Soils are usually derived from alluvium, and may be deep, shallow or, on steep slopes, completely absent.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Dominance of Cercocarpus montanus var. glaber, Eriogonum fasciculatum, or Adenostoma sparsifolium is diagnostic of this chaparral alliance.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The placement of this alliance in the USNVC group level needs review.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This sclerophyllous, broad-leaved and microphyllous, evergreen, extremely xeromorphic shrubland forms a continuous canopy less than 4 m in height. The herbaceous layer is sparse.
Floristics: Stands are characterized by the co-importance of Cercocarpus montanus var. glaber and Eriogonum fasciculatum. Adenostoma sparsifolium also may dominate. Other shrubs may include Adenostoma fasciculatum, Ceanothus megacarpus, Fremontodendron californicum, Garrya flavescens, Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia, Quercus dumosa, Salvia apiana, and Hesperoyucca whipplei (= Yucca whipplei). The herbaceous layer is sparse.
Dynamics: This alliance is less fire-prone than other types of chaparral due to lower fuel loads. Plants are dormant much of the year due to intense heat in the late summer and fall, and cold in the winter. Stands are often found on previously burned sites.
Environmental Description: This shrubland of California''s southern mountains and the western margins of the Mojave and Colorado deserts and Baja California occurs in a wide variety of habitats. Elevations range from 300-2000 m. Stands are found on all slopes. Soils are usually derived from alluvium, and may be deep, shallow or, on steep slopes, completely absent. This alliance is probably winter-dormant due to cold temperatures. Precipitation totals are low, ranging from 25 to 50 cm per year. Summers are dry and winters are relatively cool and moist.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in California''s inner, southern Coast Ranges, the Transverse and Peninsular ranges, and west to the margins of the Mojave and Colorado deserts.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: CA, MXBCN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899844
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Ng Western North American Interior Chaparral Division | D061 | 2.B.2.Ng |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Ng.2 Sonoran Scrub Oak - Pointleaf Manzanita - Desert Ceanothus Warm Interior Chaparral Macrogroup | M091 | 2.B.2.Ng.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Ng.2.b Sonoran Scrub Oak - Desert Ceanothus - Mexican Manzanita Chaparral Group | G281 | 2.B.2.Ng.2.b |
| Alliance | A3792 Alderleaf Mountain-mahogany - Eastern Mojave Buckwheat - Redshank Western Mojave Desert Chaparral Alliance | A3792 | 2.B.2.Ng.2.b |
Concept Lineage: A.756 and A.848 This alliance is composed of associations from Old Alliance III.A.2.N.c. Adenostoma sparsifolium Shrubland Alliance (A.756) and Old Alliance III.A.5.N.a. Cercocarpus montanus - Eriogonum fasciculatum Shrubland Alliance (A.848)
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Adenostoma sparsifolium (Redshank chaparral) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [37.501.00]
>< Cercocarpus montanus (Birch leaf mountain mahogany chaparral) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [76.100.00]
>< Eriogonum fasciculatum (California buckwheat scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.040.00]
>< Flannel Bush Chaparral (#37J00) (Holland 1986b)
>< Red Shank Chaparral (#37300) (Holland 1986b)
>< Semi-Desert Chaparral (#37400) (Holland 1986b)
>< Cercocarpus montanus (Birch leaf mountain mahogany chaparral) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [76.100.00]
>< Eriogonum fasciculatum (California buckwheat scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.040.00]
>< Flannel Bush Chaparral (#37J00) (Holland 1986b)
>< Red Shank Chaparral (#37300) (Holland 1986b)
>< Semi-Desert Chaparral (#37400) (Holland 1986b)
- 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.
- Hickman, J. C. 1993. The Jepson manual: Higher plants of California. University of California Press, Ltd., Berkeley, CA. 1400 pp.
- Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
- Marion, L. H. 1943. The distribution of Adenostoma sparsifolium. The American Midland Naturalist 29:106-116.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.