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A4081 Cynodon dactylon Ruderal Desert Grassland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance comprises improved pastures and disturbed riverbanks dominated by the non-native grass Cynodon dactylon.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bermuda Grass Ruderal Desert Grassland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Ruderal Bermuda Grass Desert Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance comprises improved pastures and disturbed riverbanks of the southwest U.S. Sites are overwhelmingly dominated by Cynodon dactylon, with varying degrees of native composition remaining on a wide variety of soils and sites.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized as occurring on improved pastures and disturbed riverbanks of the southwest U.S. and is overwhelmingly dominated by Cynodon dactylon, with varying degrees of native composition.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance was formally part of the Cynodon dactylon Herbaceous Alliance (A.1279) which was a concept that covered all of the southern U.S. This concept includes stands occurring only in the southwest U.S. Although originally planted, Cynodon dactylon maintains itself spontaneously and is considered weedy or "semi-natural" as opposed to cultivated.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by a relatively sparse to dense herbaceous layer dominated or codominated by an exotic perennial forage grass.
Floristics: Vegetation is dominated by the introduced grass Cynodon dactylon, with various remnant native species. Although originally planted, Cynodon dactylon maintains itself spontaneously and is considered weedy or "semi-natural" as opposed to cultivated. Scattered shrubs often occur intermixed or around the periphery of these dense patches of grass. Along riverbanks, the tall non-native shrub Tamarix ramosissima is often present.
Species of Interest: The following species tracked by the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory (2015) occur in one out of three samples of this alliance: Pinus torreyana ssp. insularis (CRPR 1B.2) and Suaeda taxifolia (CRPR 4.2).
Species of Interest: The following species tracked by the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory (2015) occur in one out of three samples of this alliance: Pinus torreyana ssp. insularis (CRPR 1B.2) and Suaeda taxifolia (CRPR 4.2).
Dynamics: Although originally planted, Cynodon dactylon maintains itself spontaneously.
Environmental Description: This alliance is known from improved pastures and disturbed riverbanks.
Geographic Range: This type is reported from Arizona at Grand Canyon National Park and Tuzigoot National Monument, but is likely more widespread. It''s been documented on the Channel Islands of California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.903281
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.90 Honey Mesquite / Red Brome - Lehmann''s Lovegrass Desert Ruderal Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M512 | 3.A.2.Na.90 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.90.a Lehmann''s Lovegrass - Red Brome - Asian Mustard Warm Desert Ruderal Grassland Group | G677 | 3.A.2.Na.90.a |
| Alliance | A4081 Bermuda Grass Ruderal Desert Grassland Alliance | A4081 | 3.A.2.Na.90.a |
| Association | CEGL005463 Bermuda Grass Western Ruderal Grassland | CEGL005463 | 3.A.2.Na.90.a |
Concept Lineage: A.1279, in part.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cynodon dactylon - Crypsis spp. - Paspalum spp. Moist Ruderal Herbaceous Alliance (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
= Cynodon dactylon Provisional Stand Type (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
= Cynodon dactylon Provisional Stand Type (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
- Buck-Diaz, J., S. Batiuk, and J. M. Evens. 2012. Vegetation alliances and associations of the Great Valley ecoregion, California. California Native Society, Sacramento, CA. [http://cnps.org/cnps/vegetation/pdf/great_valley_eco-vegclass2012.pdf]
- 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.
- Newman, D. 1992. Element Stewardship Abstract for Cynodon dactylon. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA. [http://www.invasive.org/gist/esadocs/documnts/cynodac.pdf]
- Rodriguez, D., K. G. Sikes, T. Keeler-Wolf, G. Kittel, J. Curtis, C. Curley, and J. Evens. 2017. Vegetation classification of Channel Islands National Park. Report to the National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.