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A4159 Amphipappus fremontii - Salvia funerea Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance forms a sparse to open shrub layer of Amphipappus fremontii and/or Salvia funerea; others that are often present include Ambrosia dumosa, Atriplex confertifolia, Echinocactus polycephalus, and Lepidium fremontii. The alliance is currently known from Death Valley National Monument in California where it occurs on alluvial fan toeslopes to summits on all aspects.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Fremont''s Chaffbush - Woolly Sage Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Fremont''s Chaffbush - Woolly Sage Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance forms a sparse to open shrub layer. The emergent tree layer is typically sparse, and the herbaceous layer is sparse to open. Characteristic shrubs are Amphipappus fremontii and/or Salvia funerea; others that are often present include Ambrosia dumosa, Atriplex confertifolia, Echinocactus polycephalus, and Lepidium fremontii. Eriogonum inflatum is an herb that is often present. Commonly associated nonvascular plants include cryptogamic crust and unknown moss. The alliance is currently known from Death Valley National Monument in California where it occurs on alluvial fan toeslopes to summits on all aspects. Elevations range from approximately 700 to 1550 m. Soils are derived from a variety of substrates, and textures range from sand to silty clay.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by a sparse to open shrub layer with Amphipappus fremontii and/or Salvia funerea dominant or codominant. The overall shrub cover ranges from 0.7 to 19%.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Stands with Amphipappus fremontii and/or Salvia funerea dominant or codominant are found in both the Great Basin and Mojave Desert. ~Mojave Mid-Elevation Mixed Desert Scrub Group (G296)$$ has been tentatively assigned to this alliance because of where the surveys clustered in the classification analysis (Evens et al. 2014), though ~Intermountain Semi-Desert Steppe & Shrubland Group (G310)$$ could also be considered.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The alliance forms a sparse to open shrub layer with Amphipappus fremontii and/or Salvia funerea dominant or codominant, and the overall shrub cover ranges from 0.7 to 19%. The tree layer is typically sparse, and the herb layer is sparse to open. Nonvascular plants are typically sparse. The characteristic shrubs are Amphipappus fremontii and/or Salvia funerea; others that are often present include Ambrosia dumosa, Atriplex confertifolia, Echinocactus polycephalus, and Lepidium fremontii. Eriogonum inflatum is an herb that is often present. Commonly associated nonvascular plants include cryptogamic crust and unknown moss.
Dynamics: Both Amphipappus fremontii and Salvia funerea prefer rocky sites, and they are often found on harsher, calcareous parent materials.
Environmental Description: This alliance occurs at mid to high elevations (approximately 700-1550 m) from toeslopes to summits at all aspects. It primarily occurs on shallow rocky soils with exposed bedrock. Soil textures are variable and are derived from a variety of substrates.
Geographic Range: The alliance was sampled in California in Death Valley National Monument at mid to upper elevations. It occurs in Eureka Valley, Joshua Flat, Cottonwood, Funeral, Grapevine, and Panamint mountains and in the Last Chance Range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.941912
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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 | A4159 Fremont''s Chaffbush - Woolly Sage Scrub Alliance | A4159 | 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: = Amphipappus fremontii-Salvia funerea 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.