Print Report
A3972 Sophora secundiflora - Acacia roemeriana - Cercocarpus montanus var. paucidentatus Chaparral Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Vegetation is characterized by a moderate to dense shrub canopy dominated by diagnostic evergreen shrub species Acacia roemeriana, Cercocarpus montanus var. paucidentatus, Sophora secundiflora, and Ungnadia speciosa, and is primarily a canyon scrub. This alliance is found in the Sierra Madre Oriental in northern Mexico, in mountains across Trans-Pecos Texas and extends into southeastern New Mexico into the Guadalupe Mountains.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mescalbean - Round-flower Catclaw - Hairy Mountain-mahogany Chaparral Alliance
Colloquial Name: Mescalbean - Round-flower Catclaw - Hairy Mountain-mahogany Chaparral
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Vegetation is characterized by a moderate to dense shrub canopy dominated by diagnostic evergreen shrub species Acacia roemeriana, Cercocarpus montanus var. paucidentatus, Sophora secundiflora, and Ungnadia speciosa. Widespread chaparral species, such as Arctostaphylos pungens, Ceanothus greggii, Fallugia paradoxa, and Garrya wrightii, may be present. If present, evergreen oak species such as Quercus pungens have low cover. Other Madrean species diagnostic of this alliance include Arbutus xalapensis, Dasylirion wheeleri, Fraxinus greggii, Fendlera rigida, Garrya ovata, Mortonia scabrella, and Mortonia sempervirens. The usually sparse understory is dominated by graminoids such as Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi, Bouteloua curtipendula, Eragrostis intermedia, and Muhlenbergia emersleyi, and with scattered forbs. Occasional trees such as Pinus discolor may be present. This alliance is found in the Sierra Madre Oriental in northern Mexico, in mountains across Trans-Pecos Texas and extends into southeastern New Mexico into the Guadalupe Mountains. Stands often dominate along the mid-elevation transition from the Chihuahuan Desert into mountains (1700-2500 m). It is primarily a canyon scrub rather than an open slope chaparral. Sites include foothills, mountain slopes and canyons in drier habitats below the encinal and pine woodlands that are often associated with more xeric and coarse-textured substrates such as limestone, basalt or alluvium, especially in higher-elevation transition areas with more mesic woodlands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is dominated by diagnostic evergreen shrub species such as Acacia roemeriana, Cercocarpus montanus var. paucidentatus, Sophora secundiflora, and Ungnadia speciosa. Other Madrean species characteristic of this alliance include Arbutus xalapensis, Dasylirion wheeleri, Fraxinus greggii, Fendlera rigida, Garrya ovata, Mortonia sempervirens, and Rhus virens var. choriophylla.
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 dominated by xeromorphic, broad-leaved evergreen and deciduous shrubs (0.5-3 m tall). The sparse herbaceous layer is dominated by medium-tall perennial graminoids. Scattered trees and cacti may be present.
Floristics: Vegetation is characterized by a moderate to dense shrub canopy dominated by diagnostic evergreen shrub species Acacia roemeriana, Cercocarpus montanus var. paucidentatus, Rhus virens var. choriophylla, Sophora secundiflora, and Ungnadia speciosa. Widespread chaparral species, such as Arctostaphylos pungens, Ceanothus greggii, Fallugia paradoxa, and Garrya wrightii, may be present. If present, evergreen oak species such as Quercus pungens have low cover. Other Madrean species diagnostic of this alliance include Arbutus xalapensis (= Arbutus texana), Dasylirion wheeleri, Fraxinus greggii, Fendlera rigida (= Fendlera linearis), Garrya ovata, Mortonia scabrella, and Mortonia sempervirens. The usually sparse understory is dominated by graminoids such as Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi (= Aristida glauca), Bouteloua curtipendula, Eragrostis intermedia, and Muhlenbergia emersleyi with forbs such as Notholaena spp., Verbesina rothrockii, and Viguiera dentata. Scattered trees such as Pinus discolor may be present.
Dynamics: Most chaparral species are fire-adapted, resprouting vigorously after burning or producing fire-resistant seeds.
Environmental Description: Stands often dominate along the mid-elevation transition from the Chihuahuan Desert into mountains (1600-2500 m). It is primarily a canyon scrub rather than an open slope chaparral (E. Muldavin pers. comm. 2014) occurring in the Canyon - Bajada Arroyo Shrubland map unit at Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Muldavin et al. 2003). Sites include foothills, mountain slopes, canyons, and inset arroyo on broad alluvial fans. It also occurs in drier habitats below the encinal and pine woodlands that are often associated with more xeric and coarse-textured substrates such as limestone, basalt or alluvium, especially in higher-elevation transition areas with more mesic woodlands.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the Sierra Madre Oriental in northern Mexico, in mountains across Trans-Pecos Texas and extends into southeastern New Mexico into the Guadalupe Mountains.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.900023
Confidence Level: Low
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.a Dwarf Oak - Lacey Oak - Pungent Oak Chaparral Group | G280 | 2.B.2.Ng.2.a |
| Alliance | A3972 Mescalbean - Round-flower Catclaw - Hairy Mountain-mahogany Chaparral Alliance | A3972 | 2.B.2.Ng.2.a |
| Association | CEGL002723 Mescalbean - Round-flower Catclaw Shrubland | CEGL002723 | 2.B.2.Ng.2.a |
Concept Lineage: This new alliance includes associations from Old Alliance III.A.2.N.a. Sophora secundiflora Shrubland Alliance (A.2646)
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Cercocarpus montanus var. paucidentatus Shrubland Alliance (Muldavin et al. 2003a)
> Sophora secundiflora - Acacia roemeriana Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 2003a)
> Sophora secundiflora - Acacia roemeriana Plant Association (Muldavin et al. 2003a)
- 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., P. Neville, P. Arbetan, Y. Chauvin, A. Browder, and T. Neville. 2003a. A vegetation map of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Final report submitted in partial fulfillment of Cooperative Agreement No. Ca-7170-99-004. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 102 pp.