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CEGL005768 Larrea tridentata / Pleuraphis rigida Desert Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Creosotebush / Big Galleta Desert Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This scrub association is found at low to upper elevations in the Colorado and Mojave deserts in California. Vegetation is characterized by an open to patchy shrub canopy (4-15% cover) dominated by Larrea tridentata with an herbaceous layer dominated by perennial native grass Pleuraphis rigida. Many other shrubs are often present, including Ambrosia dumosa, Cylindropuntia spp., Krameria spp., Lycium spp., and Senna armata. Occasional emergent Olneya tesota or Yucca brevifolia trees are sometimes present. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse to open and is characterized by Pleuraphis rigida with associated grasses and forbs such as Dasyochloa pulchella and Lupinus spp., and exotic annuals Bromus madritensis and Erodium cicutarium. A biological soil crust is often present. Stands occur in valleys, floodplains, alluvial fans/bajadas, mid and lower slopes of hills, ranging from 133-1350 m elevation. Sites occur on gentle to moderately steep slopes, frequently with easterly aspects. Soils are variable, ranging from loamy sand and sandy loam to finer-textured silty loams and clay loams that tend to be noncalcareous and derived from alluvium, metamorphic rocks, basalt, and granitic parent materials.
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 (4-15% cover) dominated by Larrea tridentata with an herbaceous layer dominated by perennial native grass Pleuraphis rigida. Other shrubs are often present, including Ambrosia dumosa, Cylindropuntia echinocarpa, Cylindropuntia ramosissima, Hymenoclea salsola, Krameria grayi, Lycium spp., and Senna armata (Evens and Hartman 2007, Evens et al. 2012, 2014). Occasional emergent Olneya tesota or Yucca brevifolia trees are sometimes present (Evens and Hartman 2007). The herbaceous layer is typically sparse to open (4-11% cover) and is characterized by Pleuraphis rigida. Associated grasses and forbs include Dasyochloa pulchella, Lupinus spp., and exotic annuals Bromus madritensis and Erodium cicutarium. A biological soil crust is often present.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This scrub association is found at low to upper elevations in the Colorado and Mojave deserts in California. It is found in valleys, floodplains, alluvial fans/bajadas, mid and lower slopes of hills, ranging from 133-1350 m elevation (Evens and Hartman 2007, Evens et al. 2012, 2014). Sites occur on gentle to moderately steep slopes (to 36°), frequently with easterly aspects. Soils are variable, ranging from loamy sand and sandy loam often with low to high gravel cover that are derived from alluvium, and sand dune deposits, to finer-textured silty loams and clay loams that tend to be noncalcareous and derived from alluvium, metamorphic rocks, basalt, and granitic parent materials (Evens and Hartman 2007, Evens et al. 2012, 2014). These sites generally experience low to high levels of disturbance from competition from exotic species (0-19%) and low levels of disturbance from off-road vehicle activity (Evens and Hartman 2007, Evens et al. 2012, 2014).
Geographic Range: This scrub association is found at mid to upper elevations in the Colorado and Mojave deserts and was sampled in Death Valley and Joshua Tree national parks in California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.971743
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.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.4 Saguaro - Organ Pipe Cactus - Burrobush Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M088 | 3.A.2.Na.4 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.4.b Creosotebush - Burrobush - Brittlebush Desert Scrub Group | G295 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Alliance | A3278 Creosotebush - Ocotillo Upper Bajada & Rock Outcrop Desert Scrub Alliance | A3278 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
| Association | CEGL005768 Creosotebush / Big Galleta Desert Shrubland | CEGL005768 | 3.A.2.Na.4.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Larrea tridentata - Pleuraphis rigida (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.010.13]
= Larrea tridentata / Pleuraphis rigida Association (Evens et al. 2012)
= Larrea tridentata / Pleuraphis rigida Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Larrea tridentata/Pleuraphis rigida Shrubland Association (Evens and Hartman 2007)
< Larrea tridentata Alliance (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
= Larrea-Pleuraphis rigida (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000) [(Johnson n=10, Long n=3)]
= Larrea tridentata / Pleuraphis rigida Association (Evens et al. 2012)
= Larrea tridentata / Pleuraphis rigida Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Larrea tridentata/Pleuraphis rigida Shrubland Association (Evens and Hartman 2007)
< Larrea tridentata Alliance (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
= Larrea-Pleuraphis rigida (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000) [(Johnson n=10, Long n=3)]
- Evens, J. M., D. Roach-McIntosh, and D. Stout. 2012. Vegetation descriptions for Joshua Tree National Park. Unpublished report submitted to USDI, National Park Service, Mojave Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA.
- 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.
- Evens, J. M., and S. Hartman. 2007. Vegetation survey and classification for the Northern and Eastern Colorado Desert Coordinated Management Plan (NECO). CNPS Vegetation Program, 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.