Print Report
CEGL005475 Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Bromus tectorum Ruderal Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Big Sagebrush / Cheatgrass Ruderal Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana dominates the canopy of this shrubland association. Other shrubs such as Purshia tridentata, Ericameria nauseosa, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, and Artemisia arbuscula are also common in the shrub stratum. Total plant cover of this community is generally less than 25%. The herbaceous understory ranges from sparse to moderate in terms of cover and is strongly dominated by the introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum. Native grasses are sparse and variable; only Poa secunda occurs with regularity, albeit at low cover values. Species richness of the forb component of this plant community is generally low. Forbs have highly variable species composition that may include both native and non-native species and those that are present usually have very sparse cover. Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana-dominated shrublands occupy the most cool and moist climate zones of the Artemisia tridentata shrubland and shrub herbaceous alliances. The climate regime is cool, and semi-arid to subhumid. Much of the yearly precipitation falls as snow, which may cover the ground for long periods in winter. Landscape positions are variable as well, but primarily are deep-soiled to stony flats, ridges, nearly flat ridgetops, and mountain slopes. Soils generally are moderately deep to deep, well-drained, and comprised of loam, sandy loam, clay loam, or gravelly loam textural classes; they often have a substantial volume of coarse fragments.
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.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: No Data Available
Dynamics: The unique life history characteristics of Bromus tectorum and the altered ecological process associated with this species have promoted the spread of it and other exotic annual bromes at the expense of sagebrush shrublands in large parts of the western U.S. Consequently, it may often be a characteristic species on or around sites that have been impacted by disturbance.
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: This shrubland association has the potential to occur in mountainous regions from eastern California, Oregon, and Washington, across the Great Basin in Nevada, the northern Rocky Mountain foothills of Idaho, and in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana or in any montane location where conditions allow Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana to dominate the plant community.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.947918
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.90 Crested Wheatgrass - Cheatgrass - Tall Tumblemustard Western North American Ruderal Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M499 | 3.B.1.Ne.90 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a Great Basin-Intermountain Ruderal Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group | G600 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Alliance | A4213 Sagebrush species - Mixed Shrub Ruderal Understory Shrubland Alliance | A4213 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Association | CEGL005475 Mountain Big Sagebrush / Cheatgrass Ruderal Shrubland | CEGL005475 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Mountain Big Sagebrush / Cheatgrass Semi-natural Shrubland (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana / Bromus tectorum 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.