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A2509 Ericameria paniculata Mojave Desert Wash Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This scrub alliance is dominated or codominated by Ericameria paniculata along with other desert scrub species. Stands are widespread, though localized, in intermittently flooded arroyos, channels, and washes throughout the hot deserts of Arizona, California and Nevada.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mojave Rabbitbrush Mojave Desert Wash Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Mojave Rabbitbrush Desert Wash Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This scrub alliance forms an open to intermittent shrub layer <5 m tall with Ericameria paniculata dominant or codominant along with Ambrosia eriocentra, Hymenoclea salsola, Brickellia incana, Cucurbita palmata, Encelia farinosa, Encelia virginensis, Ephedra californica, Ephedra nevadensis, Eriogonum fasciculatum, and Salvia dorrii. Emergent trees or tall shrubs may be present at low cover, including Acacia greggii or Chilopsis linearis. The herbaceous layer is sparse to open with Bromus rubens often present. Stands are widespread, though localized, in intermittently flooded arroyos, channels, and washes throughout the hot deserts of Arizona, California and Nevada. Most stands are in medium to large washes where flooding events occur every few years. Areas with high rates of scour and flooding intensities are not conducive to high seedling establishment. Many stands are monospecific, intermittent to dense, and lacking an understory. Soils are coarse to fine sand, usually well-drained, and moderately acidic to slightly saline.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Ericameria paniculata >5% absolute cover in the shrub canopy with no other shrub >50% relative cover in cover. Trees may comprise <2% absolute cover (Evens 2000).
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: Shrubs <5 m; canopy is closed to open. Herbaceous layer is open with seasonal annuals.
Floristics: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: No Data Available
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.943938
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.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.7 North American Warm-Desert Xeric-Riparian Scrub Macrogroup | M092 | 3.A.2.Na.7 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.7.a Desert-willow - Apache Plume - Desert Almond Desert Wash & Colluvial Slope Group | G541 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
| Alliance | A2509 Mojave Rabbitbrush Mojave Desert Wash Scrub Alliance | A2509 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
| Association | CEGL002706 Mojave Rabbitbrush Desert Wash Shrubland | CEGL002706 | 3.A.2.Na.7.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ericameria paniculata (= Chrysothamnus paniculatus) Shrubland Alliance (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2005)
= Ericameria paniculata (Black-stem rabbitbrush scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [35.340.00]
= Ericameria paniculata Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
= Ericameria paniculata Shrubland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [35.340.00]
< Mojave Desert Wash Scrub (#63700) (Holland 1986b)
= Ericameria paniculata (Black-stem rabbitbrush scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [35.340.00]
= Ericameria paniculata Shrubland Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
= Ericameria paniculata Shrubland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [35.340.00]
< Mojave Desert Wash Scrub (#63700) (Holland 1986b)
- CNPS [California Native Plant Society]. 2015-2017. A manual of California vegetation [online]. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. [http://vegetation.cnps.org/].
- Evens, J. M. 2000. Water course vegetation on granite and calcareous substrates in the eastern Mojave Desert, California. Master''s thesis, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA.
- 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.
- Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
- Johnson, H. B. 1976. Vegetation and plant communities of southern California deserts. Pages 125-162 in: J. Latting, editor. Plant communities of southern California. Symposium proceedings. Special Publication No. 2. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- 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.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., S. San, and D. Hickson. 2005. Vegetation classification of Joshua Tree National Park, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, California. Unpublished report to the National Park Service. California Fish and Game and California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- 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.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Thomas, K. A., T. Keeler-Wolf, J. Franklin, and P. Stine. 2004. Mojave Desert Ecosystem Program: Central Mojave vegetation mapping database. U.S. Geological Survey, Western Regional Science Center. 251 pp.
- Vasek, F. C., and M. G. Barbour. 1988. Mojave Desert scrub vegetation. Pages 835-867 in: M. G. Barbour and J. Major, editors. Terrestrial vegetation of California: New expanded edition. Special Publication 9, California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 1030 pp.