Print Report
A3978 Sarcobatus vermiculatus Great Plains Badlands Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This greasewood alliance is found in the Badlands regions of the northwestern Great Plains on weakly consolidated sedimentary rocks, where eroded slopes contain interbedded clay and silt shales. Stands have a sparse to moderate woody layer (15-40% cover) dominated by the deciduous, facultative halophytic shrub Sarcobatus vermiculatus.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Greasewood Great Plains Badlands Alliance
Colloquial Name: Great Plains Greasewood Badlands
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This greasewood alliance is found in the Badlands regions of the northwestern Great Plains. Stands have a sparse to moderate woody layer (15-40% cover) dominated by the deciduous, facultative halophytic shrub Sarcobatus vermiculatus. Other characteristic shrubs and dwarf-shrubs include Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex canescens, Ericameria nauseosa, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. The herbaceous layer ranges from absent to moderately sparse cover (<25%) of scattered tall and medium-tall bunchgrasses, such as Pseudoroegneria spicata, Achnatherum hymenoides, and the sod grass Bouteloua gracilis. Annual grasses, especially the exotic Bromus tectorum and Bromus arvensis, may be present. Forbs are sparse, except on disturbed, weedy sites. Forb species may include Eriogonum pauciflorum, Suaeda calceoliformis, or Sphaeralcea coccinea. Occasionally, cacti such as Opuntia fragilis or Opuntia polyacantha may also be present. Stands are found on weakly consolidated sedimentary rocks, where eroded slopes contain interbedded clay and silt shales. Slopes range from 0-80%, and average about 35-40%, with a southwest- to southeast-facing aspect. A thin, highly saline crust 1-5 cm in depth may form on the surface. Soil pH is around 8.0.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Shrub-dominated stands on eroded badlands habitat in the western Great Plains. Total vegetation cover ranges from sparse to moderate and Sarcobatus vermiculatus is the dominant shrub.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance contains just one association (CEGL001367) at present. Other Sarcobatus vermiculatus-dominated communities that occur near CEGL001367 are associated with intermittent wetlands/riparian zones. The boundary between the lower parts of this alliance and the higher parts of those communities needs better delineation.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance in composed of a sparse to moderate (15-40% cover) woody layer dominated by deciduous shrubs 0.5-1.5 m tall. The herbaceous layer ranges from absent to moderately sparse (0-25%) and is largely medium-tall bunch grasses.
Floristics: Stands have a sparse to moderate woody layer (15-40% cover) dominated by the deciduous, facultative halophytic shrub Sarcobatus vermiculatus. Other characteristic shrubs and dwarf-shrubs include Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex canescens, Ericameria nauseosa (= Chrysothamnus nauseosus), and Gutierrezia sarothrae. The herbaceous layer ranges from absent to moderately sparse cover (<25%) of scattered tall and medium-tall bunchgrasses, such as Pseudoroegneria spicata, Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides), and the sod grass Bouteloua gracilis. Annual grasses, especially the exotic Bromus tectorum and Bromus arvensis (= Bromus japonicus), may be present. Forbs are sparse, except on disturbed, weedy sites. Forb species may include Eriogonum pauciflorum, Suaeda calceoliformis, or Sphaeralcea coccinea. Occasionally, cacti such as Opuntia fragilis or Opuntia polyacantha may also be present.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands are found on weakly consolidated sedimentary rocks, where eroded slopes contain interbedded clay and silt shales. Slopes range from 0-80%, and average about 35-40%, with a southwest- to southeast-facing aspect. A thin, highly saline crust 1-5 cm in depth may form on the surface (Brown 1971). Soil pH is around 8.0.
Geographic Range: This community is found in the badlands regions of southeastern Montana and western South Dakota, and possibly in northeastern Wyoming and western North Dakota.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CO?, MT, ND, SD, WY?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.900029
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class | C06 | 6 |
| Subclass | 6.B Temperate & Boreal Open Rock Vegetation Subclass | S04 | 6.B |
| Formation | 6.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation | F034 | 6.B.1 |
| Division | 6.B.1.Na Eastern North American Temperate Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division | D051 | 6.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 6.B.1.Na.3 Great Plains Badlands Vegetation Macrogroup | M115 | 6.B.1.Na.3 |
| Group | 6.B.1.Na.3.a Greasewood / Few-flower Buckwheat - Broom Snakeweed Badlands Group | G566 | 6.B.1.Na.3.a |
| Alliance | A3978 Greasewood Great Plains Badlands Alliance | A3978 | 6.B.1.Na.3.a |
| Association | CEGL001367 Greasewood / Bluebunch Wheatgrass Shrubland | CEGL001367 | 6.B.1.Na.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Sarcobatus vermiculatus/Agropyron spicatum Habitat Type (Hansen et al. 1988a)
>< Sarcobatus vermiculatus Series (Johnston 1987)
>< Sarcobatus vermiculatus Series (Johnston 1987)
- Brown, R. W. 1971. Distribution of plant communities in southeastern Montana badlands. The American Midland Naturalist 85(2):458-477.
- 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.
- Hansen, P. L. 1985. An ecological study of the vegetation of the Grand River/Cedar River, Sioux, and Ashland districts of the Custer National Forest. Unpublished dissertation, South Dakota State University. 257 pp.
- Hansen, P. L., and G. R. Hoffman. 1988. The vegetation of the Grand River/Cedar River, Sioux, and Ashland districts of the Custer National Forest: A habitat type classification. General Technical Report RM-157. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 68 pp.
- Hansen, P., S. Chadde, R. Pfister, J. Joy, D. Svoboda, J. Pierce, and L. Myers. 1988a. Riparian site types, habitat types, and community types of southwestern Montana. Draft Version 1. University of Montana, Montana Riparian Association, School of Forestry, Missoula. 140 pp.
- Johnston, B. C. 1987. Plant associations of Region Two: Potential plant communities of Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas. R2-ECOL-87-2. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region. Lakewood, CO. 429 pp.