Print Report

CEGL005472 Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula / Bromus tectorum Ruderal Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Sagebrush / Cheatgrass Ruderal Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula dominates this association and the low-statured stands tend to occur with relatively open canopies. Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis or Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana often occur and may codominate some stands. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse to moderate in terms of cover and is generally dominated by the introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum. In some stands, Bromus arvensis may replace Bromus tectorum as the most abundant graminoid species, and both annual grass species may occasionally codominate the sparse herbaceous layer. Various native, perennial graminoids may be present, but with very low cover. Forb cover is often variable and sparse. Stands typically occur on poorly drained soils on a variety of landforms; from flats and depressions to slopes and ridges. Soils are usually shallow, rocky clays, often with an impenetrable layer at less than 60 cm depth. Climate is typified by a large proportion of precipitation falling as winter snow. Poor drainage often leads to elevated water tables in the spring, which may control the distribution of the vegetation in this association.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This plant community description is based on data from Craters of the Moon (Bell et al. 2009) and on related plant communities that have been previously described. The description provided herein may vary slightly from similar plant communities found elsewhere due to the local scale at which data were collected. Additional global information will be added as it becomes available.

This association is uncommon at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Due to the limited spatial extent of occurrence and associated low sample size, the classification of this plant community is considered provisional. Consequently, the characteristic species list for this plant community at Craters of the Moon is also limited.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: No Data Available

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  No Data Available

Geographic Range: Vegetation in ~Artemisia spp. - Mixed Shrub Ruderal Understory Shrubland Alliance (A4213)$$ is described from southern Idaho and California but likely occurs elsewhere in the western U.S. within the distributional range of Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula. This shrubland association occurs sporadically within the range of the alliance where Bromus tectorum has had the opportunity to invade the understory.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  ID




Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: GNA

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Low Sagebrush / Cheatgrass Semi-natural Shrubland (Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula / Bromus tectorum Semi-natural Shrubland) (Bell et al. 2009)

Concept Author(s): Bell et al. (2009)

Author of Description: Bell et al. (2009)

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 04-04-17

  • Bell, J., D. Cogan, J. Erixson, and J. Von Loh. 2009. Vegetation inventory project report, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/UCBN/NRTR-2009/277. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 358 pp.
  • Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.