Print Report
CEGL005751 Ephedra nevadensis - (Salazaria mexicana, Hymenoclea salsola) Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Nevada Joint-fir - (Mexican Bladdersage, Burrobrush) Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This scrub association is found at mid to upper elevations in the Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin in California and Nevada. Vegetation is characterized by an open to patchy shrub canopy (2-17% cover) dominated by Ephedra nevadensis with Salazaria mexicana and Hymenoclea salsola typically present to codominant. Other shrubs that are often present include Ericameria laricifolia and Lycium andersonii. Occasional emergent Yucca brevifolia trees are sometimes present. If present, the herbaceous layer is sparse to open and composed of scattered grasses and forbs such as Eriogonum inflatum, Sphaeralcea ambigua, and exotic annual grass Bromus rubens. Stands are found on variable slope positions ranging from 1125-1840 m elevation. Sites occur on gentle to moderately steep slopes on variable aspects. Soils are primarily sandy loams that are derived from a variety of substrates such as alluvium, limestone, rhyolite, and sandstone.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation is characterized by an open to patchy shrub canopy (2-17% cover) dominated by Ephedra nevadensis with Salazaria mexicana and Hymenoclea salsola typically present to codominant (Evens et al. 2014). Other shrubs that are often present include Ericameria laricifolia and Lycium andersonii (Evens et al. 2014). Occasional emergent Yucca brevifolia trees are sometimes present. If present, the herbaceous layer is sparse to open (to 12% cover) and composed of scattered grasses and forbs such as Eriogonum inflatum, Sphaeralcea ambigua, and exotic annual grass Bromus rubens (Evens et al. 2014).
Dynamics: Stands appear to have experienced fire in the recent past, in which Ephedra nevadensis and Salazaria mexicana can resprout after fire, and Hymenoclea salsola quickly responds to disturbances such as fire.
Environmental Description: This scrub association is found at mid to upper elevations in the Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin in California and Nevada. It is found on variable slope positions ranging from 1125-1840 m elevation (Evens et al. 2014). Sites occur on gentle to moderately steep slopes (to 27°) on variable aspects (Evens et al. 2014). Soils are primarily sandy loams that are derived from a variety of substrates such as alluvium, limestone, rhyolite, and sandstone (Evens et al. 2014).
Geographic Range: This scrub association is found at mid to upper elevations in the Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin in Mojave National Preserve and Death Valley National Park in California and Nevada.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.971676
Confidence Level: Low
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.1 Yellow Rabbitbrush - Blackbrush / Indian Ricegrass Dry Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M171 | 3.B.1.Ne.1 |
| Group | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a Joshua Tree - Eastern Mojave Buckwheat - Rough Joint-fir Mixed Desert Scrub Group | G296 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a |
| Alliance | A4245 Nevada Joint-fir - Water Jacket - Spiny Hopsage Scrub Alliance | A4245 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a |
| Association | CEGL005751 Nevada Joint-fir - (Mexican Bladdersage, Burrobrush) Shrubland | CEGL005751 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Ephedra nevadensis - Salazaria mexicana (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.280.03]
= Ephedra nevadensis-(Salazaria mexicana-Hymenoclea salsola) Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Ephedra nevadensis-Salazaria mexicana (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
< Ephedra nevadensis Shrubland Alliance (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
= Ephedra nevadensis-(Salazaria mexicana-Hymenoclea salsola) Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Ephedra nevadensis-Salazaria mexicana (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
< Ephedra nevadensis Shrubland Alliance (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
- Evens, J. M., K. Sikes, D. Hastings, and J. Ratchford. 2014. Vegetation alliance descriptions for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. Unpublished report submitted to USDI National Park Service, Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., and K. Thomas. 2000. Draft descriptions of vegetation alliances for the Mojave Ecosystem Mapping project. California Natural Diversity Database, California Department of Fish and Game, Sacramento.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.