Print Report
A4011 Redfieldia flexuosa - Leymus flavescens - Achnatherum hymenoides Grassland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This herbaceous alliance occurs on sandy sites in the intermountain western U.S. and is characterized by a sparse to an open herbaceous layer composed of Redfieldia flexuosa, Leymus flavescens, Achnatherum hymenoides, and Psoralidium lanceolatum, which may dominate solely or in combination on active and stable dunes and sandsheets.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Blowout Grass - Yellow Wildrye - Indian Ricegrass Grassland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Blowout Grass - Yellow Wildrye - Indian Ricegrass Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This herbaceous alliance occurs on sandy sites in the intermountain western U.S. from the Columbia Basin, Great Basin, Centennial Valley in Montana, Wyoming Basins, Colorado Plateau and the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado. This herbaceous layer is characterized by a sparsely vegetated to open herbaceous layer composed of Redfieldia flexuosa, Leymus flavescens, Achnatherum hymenoides, and Psoralidium lanceolatum, which may dominate solely or in combination. There are several associated species, including graminoids Muhlenbergia pungens, Hesperostipa comata, Schizachyrium scoparium, Calamovilfa gigantea, forbs Heliotropium convolvulaceum, Machaeranthera canescens, Oxytheca dendroidea, Polanisia dodecandra ssp. trachysperma, Polanisia jamesii, Reverchonia arenaria, Sophora stenophylla, Scabrethia scabra, and the annual forb Eriogonum deflexum. Stands occur on active and stable dunes, sand blowouts and sandsheets. Elevations range from 1500-2400 m. All sites have semi-arid climates. Substrates are eolian sands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by a sparse to open herbaceous layer composed of Redfieldia flexuosa, Leymus flavescens, Achnatherum hymenoides, and Psoralidium lanceolatum, which may dominate solely or in combination on rapidly drained sands.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The majority of this alliance occurs in the intermountain western U.S.; however, two of the associations may extend out into the shortgrass region of the western Great Plains. These associations need further review of floristic composition and range, such as on "blowout" sites where sandy plains or stabilized dunes have been disturbed (Ramaley 1939b).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The vegetation in this alliance has a sparse to moderate graminoid cover dominated by medium-tall bunchgrasses. Forb cover is generally sparse.
Floristics: This intermountain western U.S. herbaceous alliance is characterized by a sparsely vegetated to open herbaceous layer composed of Redfieldia flexuosa, Leymus flavescens, Achnatherum hymenoides, and Psoralidium lanceolatum, which may dominate solely or in combination. There are several associated species, including graminoids Muhlenbergia pungens, Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata), Schizachyrium scoparium, Calamovilfa gigantea, forbs Heliotropium convolvulaceum, Machaeranthera canescens (= Aster canescens), Oxytheca dendroidea (= Eriogonum dendroideum), Polanisia dodecandra ssp. trachysperma, Polanisia jamesii, Reverchonia arenaria, Sophora stenophylla, Scabrethia scabra (= Wyethia scabra), and the annual forb Eriogonum deflexum. On the Colorado Plateau, active dune sites have codominants such as Calamovilfa gigantea, Psoralidium lanceolatum, Reverchonia arenaria, Sophora stenophylla, and Scabrethia scabra (Castle 1954, Bowers 1982).
Dynamics: Achnatherum hymenoides is one of the most drought-tolerant grasses in the western U.S. and occurs on a variety of xeric sites (USFS 1937). It is also a valuable forage grass in arid and semi-arid regions. Improperly managed livestock grazing could increase soil erosion, decrease cover of this palatable plant species and increase weedy species (USFS 1937).
Dunes gradually become smaller and reach a threshold of size, below which they become stabilized by vegetation. This alliance occurs on recent sand deposits, but over time, if deposition slows, it will succeed to shrubby vegetation types.
Dunes gradually become smaller and reach a threshold of size, below which they become stabilized by vegetation. This alliance occurs on recent sand deposits, but over time, if deposition slows, it will succeed to shrubby vegetation types.
Environmental Description: Stands of this herbaceous alliance occur in the intermountain western U.S. on active and stable dunes, sandsheets, and small isolated sand blowouts. Elevations range from 1500-2400 m. All sites have semi-arid climates. Substrates are eolian sands. In the San Luis Valley in Colorado, at approximately 2400 m elevation, stands occur on a sandsheet on the windward side of dunes (R. Rondeau, CONHP, pers. comm.). In semi-arid dune systems in the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin, stands of this alliance occur in active dunes (Van Pelt 1978, Bowers 1982). They are early-seral communities that colonize bare sand in interdune valleys. The plants adapt to sand deposition by stem elongation but eventually will be buried or dug up as the dunes move. On dune margins, stabilization may occur as other sand-adapted species colonize, eventually succeeding into the adjacent desert scrub community. In the Colorado Plateau of southeastern Utah and western Colorado, this alliance is often limited to small stands on sandy point bars, islands or terraces in the beds of intermittent streams. These stands are subject to periodic flooding but are usually isolated from the water table. A few Colorado Plateau stands occupy unconsolidated sands in areas with active dunes. In the Snake River Valley, this community has been documented in sand blowouts in the rolling hills of sagebrush. Additional review is needed to characterize the environments of this alliance in its full range.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs on sandy sites in the intermountain western U.S. from the Columbia Basin, Great Basin, Centennial Valley in Montana, Wyoming Basins, Colorado Plateau and the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: CO, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.900062
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e Intermountain Sparsely Vegetated Dune Scrub & Grassland Group | G775 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
| Alliance | A4011 Blowout Grass - Yellow Wildrye - Indian Ricegrass Grassland Alliance | A4011 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
| Association | CEGL001563 Yellow Wildrye Grassland | CEGL001563 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
| Association | CEGL001650 Indian Ricegrass - Lemon Scurfpea Grassland | CEGL001650 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
| Association | CEGL002917 Blowout Grass - (Lemon Scurfpea) Grassland | CEGL002917 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.e |
Concept Lineage: This contains an association from A.2505 and one from A.1262.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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