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CEGL005782 Yucca schidigera - Larrea tridentata - Ephedra nevadensis Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mojave Yucca - Creosotebush - Nevada Joint-fir Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This desert scrub association is found at mid to upper elevations in Mojave Desert in California. It is characterized by an open to moderately dense shrub canopy (9-32% cover) codominated by Yucca schidigera, Larrea tridentata, and Ephedra nevadensis with Krameria erecta and Lycium andersonii being characteristically present. Other desert shrubs are often present. Occasional emergent Yucca brevifolia trees are sometimes present. If present, the herbaceous layer is typically open, ranging up to 10% cover. Commonly associated native grasses and forbs include Achnatherum speciosum, Amsinckia spp., Dasyochloa pulchella, Eriogonum inflatum, Sphaeralcea ambigua, and Xylorhiza tortifolia, and exotic annuals include Bromus rubens, Erodium cicutarium, and Schismus spp. Stands occur primarily on rocky, mid to high slopes at 1050-1400 m elevation. Sites have gentle to steep slopes (to 27°) with southwesterly aspects, though sometimes northerly aspects. Soils are usually a mixture of loam and sand with occasionally a clay component, and are typically derived from igneous substrates such as granodiorite, basalt, rhyolite, or tephrite (basanite).
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 moderately dense shrub canopy (9-32% cover) codominated by Yucca schidigera, Larrea tridentata, and Ephedra nevadensis with Krameria erecta and Lycium andersonii being characteristically present (Evens et al. 2014). Other shrubs often present include Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, Ambrosia dumosa, Cylindropuntia ramosissima, Echinocereus engelmannii, Ferocactus cylindraceus, Opuntia basilaris, and Thamnosma montana (Evens et al. 2014). Occasional emergent Yucca brevifolia trees are sometimes present. If present, the herbaceous layer is typically open, ranging up to 10% cover (Evens et al. 2014). Commonly associated native grasses and forbs include Achnatherum speciosum, Amsinckia spp., Dasyochloa pulchella, Eriogonum inflatum, Sphaeralcea ambigua, and Xylorhiza tortifolia, and exotic annuals include Bromus rubens, Erodium cicutarium, and Schismus spp. (Evens et al. 2014).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This desert scrub association is found at mid to upper elevations in Mojave Desert in California. It occurs primarily on rocky, mid to high slopes at 1050-1400 m elevation (Evens et al. 2014). Sites have gentle to steep slopes (to 27°) with southwesterly aspects, though sometimes northerly aspects. Soils are usually a mixture of loam and sand with occasionally a clay component, and are typically derived from igneous substrates such as granodiorite, basalt, rhyolite, or tephrite (basanite) (Evens et al. 2014).
Geographic Range: This association is found at mid to upper elevations in the Mojave Desert in California and was sampled in the Mojave National Preserve.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.971789
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 | A3147 Mojave Yucca Scrub Alliance | A3147 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.a |
| Association | CEGL005782 Mojave Yucca - Creosotebush - Nevada Joint-fir Shrubland | CEGL005782 | 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: = Yucca schidigera - Larrea tridentata - Ephedra nevadensis (Sawyer et al. 2009) [33.070.06]
= Yucca schidigera - Larrea tridentata - Ephedra nevadensis Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Yucca schidigera-Larrea tridentata-Ephedra nevadensis (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
< Yucca schidigera Shrubland Alliance (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
= Yucca schidigera - Larrea tridentata - Ephedra nevadensis Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Yucca schidigera-Larrea tridentata-Ephedra nevadensis (Keeler-Wolf and Thomas 2000)
< Yucca schidigera 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., C. Roye, and K. Lewis. 1998a. Vegetation mapping and classification of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California. Unpublished report on file at California Natural Diversity Database, California Department Fish and Game, Sacramento.
- 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.