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A4023 Cleome isomeris - Ephedra californica - Ericameria linearifolia Sparsely Vegetated Clay Flats, Hills & Badlands Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of sparsely vegetated areas (<10% vascular plant cover) where species such as Atriplex hymenelytra, Cleome isomeris, Ephedra californica, and/or Ericameria linearifolia are characteristic. This alliance occurs from California to Texas and adjacent Mexico and is restricted to barren substrates typically derived from marine shale or mudstone, such as badlands and barren mudhills.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bladderpod Spiderflower - California Joint-fir - Narrowleaf Goldenbush Sparsely Vegetated Clay Flats, Hills & Badlands Alliance
Colloquial Name: Sparsely Vegetated Clay Flats, Hills & Badlands
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of sparsely vegetated areas (<10% vascular plant cover) where species such as Atriplex hymenelytra, Cleome isomeris, Ephedra californica, and/or Ericameria linearifolia are characteristic. Other species present may include Eriogonum fasciculatum, Isocoma acradenia, and/or Eastwoodia elegans. The herbaceous layer, if present, is often mostly graminoids. This alliance occurs from California to Texas and adjacent Mexico. It is restricted to barren substrates typically derived from marine shale or mudstone (badlands and mudhills). The harsh soil properties and high rate of erosion and deposition are driving environmental variables limiting the vascular vegetative cover. Nonvascular soil crusts are typically common.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: May better work as a group-level concept. Very poorly documented. Nominal species are representative of the habitat; other species may be characteristic of any single stand. Quantitative plot data are needed to describe the range in variation of species composition and validate this alliance.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Sparsely vegetated by microphyllous evergreen shrubs <3 m in height. The herbaceous layer contains graminoids.
Floristics: Atriplex hymenelytra, Cleome isomeris, Ephedra californica, and/or Ericameria linearifolia may represent the open shrub canopy. Other species present include Eriogonum fasciculatum, Isocoma acradenia, and/or Eastwoodia elegans. The herbaceous layer is dominated by graminoids. Nonvascular soil crusts are typically common.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: It is restricted to barren substrates typically derived from marine shale or mudstone (badlands and mudhills). The harsh soil properties and high rate of erosion and deposition are driving environmental variables limited the vascular vegetative cover.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs from California to Texas and adjacent Mexico.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, MXBCN, MXCHH, MXSON, NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.900074
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.6 Ocotillo - Desert-holly - Watson''s Amaranth North American Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M117 | 3.A.2.Na.6 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.6.a Ocotillo - Bear-grass species - Desert-holly Rock Vegetation Group | G569 | 3.A.2.Na.6.a |
| Alliance | A4023 Bladderpod Spiderflower - California Joint-fir - Narrowleaf Goldenbush Sparsely Vegetated Clay Flats, Hills & Badlands Alliance | A4023 | 3.A.2.Na.6.a |
| Association | CEGL003056 Bladderpod Spiderflower - California Joint-fir - Narrowleaf Goldenbush Shrubland | CEGL003056 | 3.A.2.Na.6.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Monvero Residual Dunes (#23200) (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.
- 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.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.