Print Report

A4052 Ephedra spp. - Leymus salinus - Eriogonum corymbosum Badlands Cold Desert Sparse Vegetation Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of sparsely vegetated (<10% vascular cover) areas with varied characteristic species such as Enceliopsis nudicaulis, Eriogonum brevicaule, Leymus salinus ssp. salinus, Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis, Lupinus argenteus, Pseudoroegneria spicata, and/or Zuckia brandegeei. This alliance occurs throughout the Intermountain West on badlands of shales, siltstones or mudstones on typically rounded hills and plains that form a rolling topography that can be steep and highly eroded.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Joint-fir species - Saline Wildrye - Crispleaf Buckwheat Badlands Cold Desert Sparse Vegetation Alliance

Colloquial Name: Intermountain Shale Badlands Cold Desert Sparse Vegetation

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of sparsely vegetated (<10% vascular cover) areas with varied characteristic species such as Enceliopsis nudicaulis, Eriogonum brevicaule, Leymus salinus ssp. salinus, Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis, Lupinus argenteus, Pseudoroegneria spicata, and/or Zuckia brandegeei. Other species include dwarf-shrubs such as Atriplex confertifolia, Gutierrezia spp., and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus var. stenophyllus. Characteristic forbs and grasses include Achnatherum hymenoides, Arenaria hookeri, Astragalus spp., Cryptantha spp., Eriogonum pauciflorum, Machaeranthera grindelioides, Pleuraphis jamesii, Platyschkuhria integrifolia, Poa secunda, and/or Xylorhiza venusta. This alliance occurs throughout the Intermountain West. Habitats are badlands of marine shales, siltstones and mudstones (clay). Landforms are typically rounded hills and plains that form a rolling topography, but at time can be steep and highly eroded. The harsh soil properties and high rate of erosion and deposition are driving environmental variables.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Exactly where this transitions to ecological system ~Western Great Plains Badlands (CES303.663)$$ in central Wyoming needs to be clarified.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance has a sparse herbaceous layer codominated by perennial bunchgrasses and forbs. There are also sparsely scattered short shrubs and scale-leaved trees. Annual forbs and grasses are seasonally present.

Floristics: This alliance consists of sparsely vegetated (<10% vascular cover) areas with varied characteristic species such as Enceliopsis nudicaulis, Eriogonum brevicaule, Leymus salinus ssp. salinus, Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis, Lupinus argenteus, Pseudoroegneria spicata and/or Zuckia brandegeei. Other species include dwarf-shrubs such as Atriplex confertifolia, Gutierrezia spp., and Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus var. stenophyllus. Characteristic forbs and grasses include Achnatherum hymenoides, Arenaria hookeri, Astragalus spp., Cryptantha spp., Eriogonum pauciflorum, Machaeranthera grindelioides, Pleuraphis jamesii, Platyschkuhria integrifolia, Poa secunda, and/or Xylorhiza venusta.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This alliance occurs on steep slopes composed of fine volcanic tuffs or clays at low elevations, from roughly 1280 to 1890 m. This substrate is typically unstable, with constant downslope movement of soil surface layers, and a high shrink-swell ratio. Chronic soil disturbance is therefore a major factor in the species composition of the alliance. Soil textures range from sandy clay, clay to clay loam, and may be alkaline. The effects of shrink-swell action and sheet erosion in these soils are evident in the high percentage of bare ground.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the cool semi-desert region of the intermountain western U.S., from Arizona and New Mexico north to Idaho and Montana. It is confirmed by Oregon and Washington reviewers to not occur in either of those states.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY


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.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.6 Saltbush species - Joint-fir species - Buckwheat species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Macrogroup M118 3.B.1.Ne.6
Group 3.B.1.Ne.6.a Saltbush species - Mountain-mahogany species - Joint-fir species Intermountain Basins Sparse Vegetation Group G570 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Alliance A4052 Joint-fir species - Saline Wildrye - Crispleaf Buckwheat Badlands Cold Desert Sparse Vegetation Alliance A4052 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL001343 Crispleaf Buckwheat / Saline Wildrye Dwarf-shrubland CEGL001343 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL001642 Salmon Wildrye - Naked-stem Sunray Sparse Vegetation CEGL001642 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL001643 Salmon Wildrye - Silvery Lupine Sparse Vegetation CEGL001643 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL001667 Bluebunch Wheatgrass - Shortstem Buckwheat Sparse Vegetation CEGL001667 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL002349 Torrey''s Joint-fir - (Saltbush species) / Nonvascular Gypsum Sparse Vegetation CEGL002349 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL002350 Torrey''s Joint-fir - Bigelow''s Sagebrush Sparse Vegetation CEGL002350 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL002353 Torrey''s Joint-fir Sparse Vegetation CEGL002353 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL002493 Siltbush Sparse Vegetation CEGL002493 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL002745 Saline Wildrye Shale Sparse Vegetation CEGL002745 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL002976 Nevada Joint-fir / Lichens Sparse Vegetation CEGL002976 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL002979 Crispleaf Buckwheat Badlands Sparse Vegetation CEGL002979 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL004013 Slenderleaf Buckwheat Sparse Vegetation CEGL004013 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL005116 Longleaf Joint-fir Badlands Shrubland CEGL005116 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Association CEGL005319 Shortstem Buckwheat - Cushion Plants Sparse Vegetation CEGL005319 3.B.1.Ne.6.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Chrysothamnus nauseosus/Eriogonum brevicaule Community Type (DeVelice and Lesica 1993) [synonym for the sole association in this alliance.]
? Ephedra torreyana-Psorothamnus fremontii Sparsely Vegetated Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
? Mixed Desert Shrubland (Knight et al. 1987) [This alliance may correspond to this general type if Eriogonum brevicaule is substituted for Eriogonum pauciflorum.]
Concept Author(s): M.S. Reid, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M.S. Reid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • DeVelice, R. L., and P. Lesica. 1993. Plant community classification for vegetation on BLM lands, Pryor Mountains, Carbon County, Montana. Unpublished report by Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT. 78 pp.
  • Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
  • 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.
  • Knight, D. H., G. P. Jones, Y. Akashi, and R. W. Myers. 1987. Vegetation ecology in the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Unpublished report prepared for the USDI National Park Service and University of Wyoming-National Park Service Research.
  • Lesica, P., and R. L. DeVelice. 1992. Plant communities of the Pryor Mountains. Preliminary report prepared by the Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, MT.
  • Moseley, R. K. 1987b. Area of Critical Environmental Concern and Research Natural Area proposal for the Malm Gulch and Germer Basin area, Bureau of Land Management, Salmon District, Idaho. Unpublished report prepared for USDI Bureau of Land Management, Salmon District, ID, by The Nature Conservancy, Moscow, ID. 18 pp.
  • Tiedemann, J. A., R. E. Francis, C. Terwilliger, Jr., and L. H. Carpenter. 1987. Shrub-steppe habitat types of Middle Park, Colorado. Research Paper RM-273. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO. 20 pp.