Print Report
A4156 Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa / Pleuraphis rigida Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance forms an open to intermittent shrub layer in which Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa is a characteristic shrub and is dominant or codominant. The alliance is currently known from desert areas of California and Nevada, where it occurs on low to high slopes with east to southwest aspects.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Buckhorn Cholla / Big Galleta Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Buckhorn Cholla Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance forms an open to intermittent shrub layer. The emergent tree layer is typically sparse, and the herbaceous layer is open. Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa is a characteristic shrub and is dominant or codominant. Other characteristic shrubs include Echinocereus engelmannii, Ephedra nevadensis, Ferocactus cylindraceus, and Krameria erecta. Shrubs that are often present include Ambrosia dumosa, Encelia farinosa, Larrea tridentata, Viguiera parishii, and Yucca schidigera. Herbs that are often present include Bromus rubens, Eriogonum inflatum, Erodium cicutarium, Pleuraphis rigida, Porophyllum gracile, and Sphaeralcea ambigua. The alliance is currently known from California at Mojave National Preserve and Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, where it occurs on low to high slopes with east to southwest aspects. Elevations range from approximately 650 to 1450 m. Soils are rocky and derived from a variety of substrates and textures ranging from fine sand to clay loam.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by an open to intermittent shrub layer with Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa dominant or codominant. The overall shrub cover ranges from 11 to 35%.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The alliance forms an open to intermittent shrub layer and the overall shrub cover ranges from 11 to 35%. The tree layer is typically sparse, and the herb layer is sparse to open. Nonvascular plants are typically sparse. Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa is a characteristic and dominant to codominant shrub. Other characteristic shrubs include Echinocereus engelmannii, Ephedra nevadensis, Ferocactus cylindraceus, and Krameria erecta. Shrubs that are often present include Ambrosia dumosa, Encelia farinosa, Larrea tridentata, Viguiera parishii, and Yucca schidigera. Herbs that are often present include Bromus rubens, Eriogonum inflatum, Erodium cicutarium, Pleuraphis rigida, Porophyllum gracile, and Sphaeralcea ambigua.
Dynamics: Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa occurs in a fine-scale matrix with other mid-elevation shrubland types in the Mojave Desert where soils are shallow and sites are exposed and rocky.
Environmental Description: The alliance occurs at mid to high elevations (approximately 650-1450 m) on low to high slopes with east to southwest aspects. Soils are rocky and range from sand to clay loam derived from a variety of substrates.
Geographic Range: The alliance was sampled in California at Mojave National Preserve in Fenner and Lanfair Valley, in the Ivanpah and Providence mountains, and in the Paiute Range. It also occurs at Temple Bar in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.941884
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4?
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.a Joshua Tree - Eastern Mojave Buckwheat - Rough Joint-fir Mixed Desert Scrub Group | G296 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a |
| Alliance | A4156 Buckhorn Cholla / Big Galleta Scrub Alliance | A4156 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
- 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.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., C. Roye, and K. Lewis. 1998a. Vegetation mapping and classification of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California. Unpublished report on file at California Natural Diversity Database, California Department Fish and Game, Sacramento.