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A4158 Mortonia utahensis Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance forms an open shrub layer in which Mortonia utahensis is dominant or codominant; other shrubs often present include Echinocactus polycephalus, Echinocereus engelmannii, Eriogonum heermannii, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. The alliance is currently known from desert areas of Nevada, California, and Arizona, where it is found primarily on skeletal rocky slopes of various aspects.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Utah Mortonia Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Utah Mortonia Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance forms an open shrub layer. The emergent tree layer is typically sparse, and the herbaceous layer is open. Mortonia utahensis is dominant or codominant in the shrub layer, and other shrubs often present include Echinocactus polycephalus, Echinocereus engelmannii, Eriogonum heermannii, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. Dominant and characteristic herbs include Bromus rubens and Sphaeralcea ambigua, and Aristida purpurea is often present. Cryptogamic crust is often present. The alliance is currently known from Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, Mojave National Preserve and Death Valley National Monument, California, and Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, where it is found primarily on skeletal rocky slopes of various aspects. Elevations range from approximately 900 to 1700 m. Soils are typically calcareous, and textures include clay loam, silty clay loam, and sandy loam.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by an open shrub layer of Mortonia utahensis as a dominant or codominant shrub. The overall shrub cover ranges from 4 to 29%.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Mortonia utahensis associations are currently placed in ~Mojave Mid-Elevation Mixed Desert Scrub Group (G296)$$ and ~Western Madrean Chaparral Group (G281)$$ of the USNVC hierarchy. However, stands within Evens et al.''s (2014) study area are also ecologically related to those within ~Colorado Plateau Blackbrush - Mormon-tea Shrubland Group (G312)$$. Other related associations include those with Eriogonum heermannii, Buddleja utahensis, Coleogyne ramosissima, and Purshia stansburiana.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The alliance forms an open shrub layer with the overall shrub cover ranging from 4 to 29%. The tree layer is typically sparse, and the herb layer is sparse to open. Nonvascular plants are typically sparse. Mortonia utahensis is dominant or codominant in the shrub layer, and other shrubs often present include Echinocactus polycephalus, Echinocereus engelmannii, Eriogonum heermannii, and Gutierrezia sarothrae. Dominant and characteristic herbs include Bromus rubens and Sphaeralcea ambigua, and Aristida purpurea is often present. Cryptogamic crust is often present in this alliance.
Dynamics: Mortonia utahensis stands occur on steep, rocky slopes with nutrient-poor sedimentary substrates, including limestone and sandstone.
Environmental Description: The alliance is found primarily on skeletal rocky slopes of various aspects. The alliance occurs at mid to high elevations (approximately 900-1700 m). Soils are typically calcareous, and textures include clay loam, silty clay loam, and sandy loam.
Geographic Range: The alliance is found northeast of Iceberg Canyon in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, and in California in Mojave National Preserve in the Clark Mountains, and in Death Valley National Monument in the Funeral Mountains. It also occurs in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.941891
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
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 | A4158 Utah Mortonia Scrub Alliance | A4158 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a |
| Association | CEGL005153 Utah Mortonia Shrubland | CEGL005153 | 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: = Mortonia utahensis 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., and K. Thomas. 2000. Draft descriptions of vegetation alliances for the Mojave Ecosystem Mapping project. California Natural Diversity Database, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.