Print Report
A4162 Vitis arizonica - Vitis girdiana Wet Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This shrubland alliance forms an open to continuous shrub layer dominated by are either Vitis arizonica or Vitis girdiana. Others that are sometimes present include Baccharis sergiloides, Pluchea sericea, Salix exigua, and Salix laevigata. The alliance is currently known from Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, and Death Valley, California, where it is found localized along mountain drainages, seasonal riparian streams, washes, and spring areas in the desert west at various aspects.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Canyon Grape - Desert Wild Grape Wet Shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Wild Grape Desert Wet Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This shrubland alliance forms an open to continuous shrub layer. The emergent tree layer is typically not present, and the herbaceous layer is sparse to intermittent. The dominant and characteristic shrubs in this alliance are either Vitis arizonica, Vitis californica, or Vitis girdiana, and others that are sometimes present include Baccharis sergiloides, Pluchea sericea, Salix exigua, and Salix laevigata. Sometimes Salix exigua may be codominant with Vitis. The herbaceous layer may be well-developed or open with Phragmites australis often present at variable cover, and Cladium californicum, Marah macrocarpus, Bromus tectorum, Schismus spp., and Amsinckia spp. sometimes present. The alliance is currently known from Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, and Death Valley, California, where it is found localized along mountain drainages, seasonal riparian streams, washes, and spring areas in the desert west at various aspects. It is also found in cismontane California, especially along seasonal streams and rivers. Elevations range from approximately 450 to 1500 m. Soils are alluvial and derived from a variety of substrates including alkali-granite and sandstone.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by an open to continuous shrub layer with either Vitis arizonica, Vitis californica, or Vitis girdiana dominant. Sometimes Salix exigua may be codominant. The overall shrub cover ranges from 26 to 92%. The herbaceous layer can be well-developed or open, including Phragmites australis, Cladium californicum, Marah macrocarpus, and others.
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 continuous shrub layer and the overall shrub cover ranges from 26 to 92%. The tree layer is typically not present, and the herb layer is sparse to intermittent. Nonvascular plants are typically not present. Dominant and characteristic shrubs include Vitis arizonica or Vitis girdiana, and others that are sometimes present include Baccharis sergiloides, Pluchea sericea, Salix exigua, and Salix laevigata. Phragmites australis is often present in the herbaceous layer, and is often accompanied by Amsinckia spp., Bromus tectorum, Cladium californicum, Marah macrocarpus, and Schismus spp.
Dynamics: Vitis arizonica and Vitis girdiana form dense, thick mats of shrubby vines that are almost impenetrable. They may be present as the only shrub or clambering along with other shrubs, including willows in localized ravines and washes, especially in the Mojave Desert and southeastern Great Basin.
Environmental Description: The alliance is found primarily in perennial riparian areas at various aspects. The elevations range from approximately 650 to 1650 m. Soils are derived from a variety of substrates, including alkali-granite and sandstone.
Geographic Range: The alliance is localized in mountain drainages, seasonal streams, rivers, washes, and springs. Sites from warm desert areas include Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, include Grapevine Canyon in the Newberry Mountains and at Rogers Wash in the Echo Bay area. Sites from Death Valley National Monument, California, include the Panamint Range along Johnson Canyon and Warm Spring Canyon, and observations in Grapevine Canyon of the Grapevine Mountains. Sites in cismontane California include the American River, Sacramento River, Feather River, Kern River and other riparian areas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.941922
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass | S44 | 2.C |
| Formation | 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Nc Southwestern North American Warm Desert Freshwater Marsh & Bosque Division | D032 | 2.C.4.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nc.1 Warm Desert Lowland Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup | M076 | 2.C.4.Nc.1 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nc.1.b Honey Mesquite - Velvet Mesquite - False Willow species North American Warm Desert Riparian Low Bosque & Shrubland Group | G533 | 2.C.4.Nc.1.b |
| Alliance | A4162 Canyon Grape - Desert Wild Grape Wet Shrubland Alliance | A4162 | 2.C.4.Nc.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Vitis (arizonica, girdiana) Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
> Vitis californica Shrubland Alliance (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
> Vitis californica Shrubland Alliance (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]
- 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.