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CEGL005468 Swallenia alexandrae Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Eureka Dunegrass Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: Swallenia alexandrae forms a sparse to open herbaceous layer. Shrub and tree layers are absent. Dicoria canescens is often present, as well as scattered seasonal presence of Astragalus lentiginosus var. micans and Oenothera californica ssp. eurekensis. This association in currently only known from dunes in the Eureka Valley in Death Valley, California. Elevations range from approximately 900 to 1200 m. Soils are derived from eolian sand, and textures are sand.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Stands are small, consisting of several grass clumps separated by open and shifting expanses of sand. These stands can ascend to at least half-way up the tallest dunes, and may include the only perennial species found on the upper parts of the dunes.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Swallenia alexandrae is characteristically present, and Dicoria canescens is often present, as well as scattered seasonal presence of Astragalus lentiginosus var. micans and Oenothera californica ssp. eurekensis.
Dynamics: Swallenia alexandrae is a perennial grass that forms hummocks with ascending branches and rhizomes that spread across relatively steep dune slopes. Stands are small and consist of several grass clumps separated by open sand.
Environmental Description: This vegetation is found on dunes at mid elevations primarily on mid and high slopes of the dunes at all aspects. Soils are derived from eolian sand, and textures are sand.
Geographic Range: This association is only known to exist upon dunes in the Eureka Valley in Death Valley, California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.943998
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
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.4 Saguaro - Organ Pipe Cactus - Burrobush Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M088 | 3.A.2.Na.4 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.4.e North American Warm Semi-Desert Dune & Sand Flats Group | G675 | 3.A.2.Na.4.e |
| Alliance | A4026 Desert Twinbugs - Desert Sand-verbena - Desert Panicgrass Dune Alliance | A4026 | 3.A.2.Na.4.e |
| Association | CEGL005468 Eureka Dunegrass Sparse Vegetation | CEGL005468 | 3.A.2.Na.4.e |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Swallenia alexandrae (Patches of Eureka Valley dune grass) Special Stands (Sawyer et al. 2009) [41.600.00]
= Swallenia alexandrae Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Swallenia alexandrae Sparsely Vegetated Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
= Swallenia alexandrae Sparsely Vegetated Special Stands (CNPS 2017) [41.600.00]
< Desert sand-verbena series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
= Swallenia alexandrae Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Swallenia alexandrae Sparsely Vegetated Alliance (Evens et al. 2014)
= Swallenia alexandrae Sparsely Vegetated Special Stands (CNPS 2017) [41.600.00]
< Desert sand-verbena series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
- 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., 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.
- Henry, M. A. 1979. A rare grass on the Eureka Dunes. Fremontia 7:3-6.
- 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.
- Pavlik, B. M., and M. G. Barbour. 1988. Demographic monitoring of endemic sand dune plants, Eureka Valley, California. Biology Conservation 46:217-242.
- 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.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 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.
- USFWS [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]. 2007. Eureka Valley dune grass (Swallenia alexandrae) 5-year review: Summary and evaluation. USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura Office, Ventura, CA. 20 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.