Print Report
CEGL006755 Scleropogon brevifolius - Pleuraphis jamesii - Bouteloua eriopoda Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Burrograss - James'' Galleta - Black Grama Grassland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This uncommon grassland association occurs at mid elevations in the Mojave Desert. Vegetation is characterized by an open to intermittent or patchy herbaceous layer with 20-25% cover that is codominated by patches of Scleropogon brevifolius with Pleuraphis jamesii and Bouteloua eriopoda present to codominant. Other associated perennial grasses include Achnatherum hymenoides, Dasyochloa pulchella, Muhlenbergia porteri, Sporobolus cryptandrus, and various annuals forbs. Scattered shrubs may be present with sparse (<3%) cover such as Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa, Ephedra nevadensis, Ericameria cooperi, Gutierrezia spp., Krascheninnikovia lanata, Lycium andersonii, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea, and Yucca baccata. Occasional emergent Yucca brevifolia trees may be present with <2% cover. Stands are found in high intermountain plains and alluvial flats at 1300-1400 m elevation. Sites are on gentle slopes at low-level positions with westerly aspects. Soils are silty or sandy loam and are derived from gravelly alluvium. Past livestock grazing may be a factor in the abundance of Scleropogon brevifolius in this grassland because Scleropogon brevifolius tends to increase with heavy grazing and other disturbances as other more palatable species decrease.
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 intermittent or patchy herbaceous layer with 20-25% cover that is codominated by patches of Scleropogon brevifolius with Pleuraphis jamesii and Bouteloua eriopoda present to codominant (Evens et al. 2014). Other associated perennial grasses include Achnatherum hymenoides, Dasyochloa pulchella, Muhlenbergia porteri, Sporobolus cryptandrus, and annuals forbs such as Amsinckia tessellata, Eriogonum deflexum, Lepidium lasiocarpum, and exotic Erodium cicutarium (Evens et al. 2014). Scattered shrubs may be present but are sparse (<3% cover) and do not form a layer. Associated shrubs include Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa, Ephedra nevadensis, Ericameria cooperi, Gutierrezia microcephala, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Lycium andersonii, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea, and Yucca baccata (Evens et al. 2014). Occasional emergent Yucca brevifolia trees may be present with <2% cover.
Dynamics: Scleropogon brevifolius is a disturbance increaser that quickly colonizes bare soil patches (Stubbendieck et al. 1992, Allred 1993, Dick-Peddie 1993). Past livestock grazing may be a factor in the abundance of Scleropogon brevifolius in this grassland because Scleropogon brevifolius tends to increase with heavy grazing and other disturbance as other more palatable species decrease (USFS 1937).
Environmental Description: This uncommon grassland association occurs at mid elevations in the Mojave Desert. Stands are found in high intermountain plains and alluvial flats at 1300-1400 m elevation (Evens et al. 2014). Sites are on gentle slopes at low-level positions with westerly aspects. Soils are silty or sandy loam and are derived from gravelly alluvium (Evens et al. 2014).
Geographic Range: This association is found in mid-elevation areas in the Mojave Desert in California and was sampled in Mojave National Preserve and Castle Mountains National Monument.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.972283
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.c James'' Galleta - Indian Ricegrass - Needle-and-Thread Semi-Desert Grassland Group | G311 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
| Alliance | A1287 James'' Galleta Grassland Alliance | A1287 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
| Association | CEGL006755 Burrograss - James'' Galleta - Black Grama Grassland | CEGL006755 | 3.B.1.Ne.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Scleropogon brevifolius-Pleuraphis jamesii-Bouteloua eriopoda Association (Evens et al. 2014)
- Allred, K. W. 1993. A field guide to the grasses of New Mexico. Department of Agricultural Communications, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces.
- Dick-Peddie, W. A. 1993. New Mexico vegetation: Past, present, and future. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. 244 pp.
- 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.
- Stubbendieck, J., S. L. Hatch, and C. H. Butterfield. 1992. North American range plants, 4th edition. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln. 493 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.