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CEGL005614 Sisymbrium altissimum - Bromus tectorum Ruderal Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Tall Tumblemustard - Cheatgrass Ruderal Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This herbaceous plant community is characterized by an abundance of introduced species. The vegetation in this association is dominated by Sisymbrium altissimum, an annual forb, Bromus tectorum, an annual grass, or a combination of both species. This association often occurs on or near sites that have been disturbed. Total vegetation cover ranges from 10 to 70%, generally with less than half from native species. Native species persist in some stands; however, cover and diversity are typically low, and component native species can be quite variable depending on the plant community that was present prior to the conversion to introduced species. Native shrubs may occur sporadically with low densities. Poa secunda is the most frequently occurring and abundant native grass. Several native forb species may also be sparse and variable across stands of this vegetation type. This association can occur across a wide range of environmental conditions in semi-arid ecosystems but is likely to be found in low-lying areas that have fine soil-textures and experience occasional seasonal flooding.
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. Sisymbrium altissimum is also characteristic of disturbed areas. Consequently, these species tend to codominate on or around sites that have been severely impacted.
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: The global distribution of this association coincides with the range of ~Bromus tectorum - Taeniatherum caput-medusae Ruderal Annual Grassland Alliance (A1814)$$, which occurs throughout much of western North America from the western Great Plains to the intermountain and southwestern U.S.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ID
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.948035
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 | A1814 Cheatgrass - Medusa-head Ruderal Annual Grassland Alliance | A1814 | 3.B.1.Ne.90.a |
| Association | CEGL005614 Tall Tumblemustard - Cheatgrass Ruderal Grassland | CEGL005614 | 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: = Tall Tumblemustard / Cheatgrass Semi-natural Herbaceous Vegetation (Sisymbrium altissimum / Bromus tectorum Semi-natural Herbaceous Vegetation) (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.
- Erixson, J., and D. Cogan. 2012a. Vegetation inventory project: Whitman Mission National Historic Site. Natural Resource Report NPS/UCBN/NRR--2012/520. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 176 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.