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CEGL005473 Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Sagebrush / Needle-and-Thread Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula dominates this association. Stands are low in stature and tend to occur with relatively open shrub canopies. Purshia tridentata may also occur as a very minor component of the shrub layer. Additional shrub species are variable in composition and contribute very little cover to the community. The herbaceous layer is sparse to moderate in terms of cover and Hesperostipa comata is typically the most abundant graminoid. Additional native and non-native grass species are present at low cover values and may include Bromus arvensis, Elymus elymoides, and Poa pratensis. The forb functional group of the plant community is often diverse, but cover is usually sparse and component species are variable. 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.
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 arbuscula ssp. arbuscula Steppe & Shrubland Alliance (A3219)$$ 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 likely occurs sporadically within the range of the alliance.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.947912
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.2 Little Sagebrush - Black Sagebrush - Scabland Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Macrogroup | M170 | 3.B.1.Ne.2 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b Little Sagebrush - Bigelow''s Sagebrush - Black Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Group | G308 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
| Alliance | A3219 Little Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland Alliance | A3219 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
| Association | CEGL005473 Little Sagebrush / Needle-and-Thread Shrubland | CEGL005473 | 3.B.1.Ne.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Low Sagebrush / Needle and Thread Shrubland (Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland) (Bell et al. 2009)
- 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.