Print Report
CEGL005477 Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Bromus tectorum Ruderal Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Cheatgrass Ruderal Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis forms an open, medium-tall shrub canopy that generally does not exceed 1 m in height and 25% cover. Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa, and other Artemisia spp. are also often present in the shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is dominated by graminoids with the cover of Bromus tectorum often equaling or exceeding that of the shrub layer. Agropyron cristatum and Poa secunda may also be common graminoids in this plant community. Forb cover and species composition can be quite variable from one site to another. Forbs are likely more characteristic of the association that was present prior to the invasion of cheatgrass than the current vegetation type. This shrubland association often occupies the most disturbed sites within the shrub-steppe mosaic in which it occurs. Slopes range from level to moderate, and many stands are on derived substrates such as loess deposits or alluvial fans and terraces, often modified by a veneer of alluvial cobble or gravel. Soils are generally calcareous, excessively well-drained, fine-textured silts, clays or fine sands; often deep to bedrock but sometimes with a shallow duripan that limits water infiltration.
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 association may occur from northeastern California, eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington, across the northern Great Basin and dry habitats of the Rocky Mountains to the northern Great Plains of Montana, Wyoming and North and South Dakota. Stands are also reported from the intermountain parks of Colorado, and from Alberta, Canada.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.947923
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 | CEGL005477 Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Cheatgrass Ruderal Shrubland | CEGL005477 | 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: = Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Cheatgrass Semi-natural Shrubland (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Bromus tectorum Semi-natural Shrubland) (Bell et al. 2009)
> Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Thurber’s Needlegrass - Cheatgrass Semi-natural Shrubland (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Achnatherum thurberianum - Bromus tectorum Semi-natural Shrubland) (Bell et al. 2009)
> Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Thurber’s Needlegrass - Cheatgrass Semi-natural Shrubland (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Achnatherum thurberianum - Bromus tectorum Semi-natural 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.