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CEGL005591 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus / Bromus tectorum Ruderal Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Yellow Rabbitbrush / Cheatgrass Ruderal Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: Total vegetation cover of this plant community is generally low to moderate and the association is characterized by an open shrub canopy dominated by Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus. Other shrubs may occur sporadically in the overstory. However, Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis is the only species other than Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus that occurs with relatively high constancy, albeit at low cover values. Cover of the herbaceous layer is low to moderate and occasionally approaches levels equal to those of the shrub stratum. The introduced annual grass Bromus tectorum generally dominates the understory and Poa secunda is nearly always present but at low cover values. Additional graminoids in this community are often diverse in terms of species composition but sparse in terms of cover. Forbs may also be diverse but contribute very little total cover. This association generally occurs in areas that have experienced disturbance. Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus-dominated communities often result from wildland fires in sagebrush steppe ecosystems. Other types of disturbances may also ameliorate conditions and influence the spatial distribution of non-native species, resulting in this semi-natural plant community. Slopes range from gentle to moderately steep. Soils are variable.
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, this species tends to codominate on sites that have been disturbed.
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: Vegetation in ~Artemisia spp. - Mixed Shrub Ruderal Understory Shrubland Alliance (A4213)$$ has been documented throughout the western U.S. in disturbed areas that normally support sagebrush shrublands. This shrubland association likely occurs sporadically through the range of the alliance where Bromus tectorum has had the opportunity to invade the understory, particularly on or around disturbed sites.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.947968
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 | CEGL005591 Yellow Rabbitbrush / Cheatgrass Ruderal Shrubland | CEGL005591 | 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: = Yellow Rabbitbrush / Cheatgrass Shrubland (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus / 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.