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CEGL006861 Prosopis glandulosa / (Atriplex spp., Suaeda moquinii) Mojave Desert Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Honey Mesquite / (Saltbush species, Mojave Seablite) Mojave Desert Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This lowland scrub association occurs at low to mid elevations in the Colorado Desert, Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin in California, southern Nevada and Arizona. Prosopis glandulosa is the characteristic and dominant tall shrub/small tree species in the sparse to dense scrub canopy with 4-70% cover. A sparse to moderately dense shrub layer ranges from 2 to 67% cover and is characterized by the codominance of Atriplex hymenelytra, Atriplex polycarpa, and/or Suaeda moquinii. Other commonly associated shrubs include Larrea tridentata and Phoradendron californicum. The herb understory is variable and ranges from 0 to 70% cover. Stands occur on the edges of sand dunes and sand flats, edges of dry lakes, alkali sinks, and major wetland areas adjacent to low-elevation washes on gentle to moderately steep slopes. Sites are found at low to mid elevations ranging from -88 to 1274 m on all slope positions and aspects. Locations have a high water table where the Prosopis can tap into underground water resources. Soils are often coarse-textured and composed of eolian sand or sandy alluvium; however, soil texture is variable and includes sand to clay loams and silty clays.
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: This lowland association is characterized by the tall shrub/small tree species Prosopis glandulosa in the sparse to dense scrub canopy with 4-70% cover (Evens et al. 2012, 2014). A sparse to moderately dense short-shrub layer ranges from 2-67% cover and is characterized by the codominance of Atriplex hymenelytra, Atriplex polycarpa, and/or Suaeda moquinii (Keeler-Wolf et al. 1998a, Evens and Hartman 2007, Evens et al. 2012, 2014). Other commonly associated shrubs include Larrea tridentata and Phoradendron californicum. The herb understory is variable and ranges from 0 to 70% cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This upland scrub association occurs in the Colorado Desert, Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin in California, southern Nevada and Arizona on the edges of sand dunes and sand flats, edges of dry lakes (playas), alkali sinks, at springs adjacent to mud hills and badlands, and major wetland areas adjacent to low-elevation washes on gentle to moderately steep slopes (to 21°) (Keeler-Wolf et al. 1998a, Evens and Hartman 2007, Evens et al. 2012, 2014). Sites are found at low to mid elevations ranging from -88 to 1274 m on all slope positions and aspects. Locations have a high water table where the Prosopis can tap into underground water resources. Soils are often gravelly and coarse-textured, composed of eolian sand or sandy alluvium often derived from basaltic parent material; however, soil texture is variable and includes sand to clay loams and silty clays (Keeler-Wolf et al. 1998a, Evens and Hartman 2007, Evens et al. 2012, 2014).
Geographic Range: This lowland scrub association occurs in the Colorado Desert, Mojave Desert and southern Great Basin and was sampled in Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, Death Valley National Park, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Arizona, California and southern Nevada.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AZ, CA, NV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.972878
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass | S44 | 2.C |
| Formation | 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Nc Southwestern North American Warm Desert Freshwater Marsh & Bosque Division | D032 | 2.C.4.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nc.1 Warm Desert Lowland Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup | M076 | 2.C.4.Nc.1 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nc.1.b Honey Mesquite - Velvet Mesquite - False Willow species North American Warm Desert Riparian Low Bosque & Shrubland Group | G533 | 2.C.4.Nc.1.b |
| Alliance | A3877 Honey Mesquite - Velvet Mesquite - Screwbean Mesquite Wet Scrub Alliance | A3877 | 2.C.4.Nc.1.b |
| Association | CEGL006861 Honey Mesquite / (Saltbush species, Mojave Seablite) Mojave Desert Shrubland | CEGL006861 | 2.C.4.Nc.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Prosopis glandulosa - Atriplex spp. Shrubland Association (Evens and Hartman 2007)
= Prosopis glandulosa / Atriplex spp. - Suaeda moquinii Association (Evens et al. 2012)
= Prosopis glandulosa / (Atriplex spp.-Suaeda moquinii) Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Mesquite-alkaline Association (Keeler-Wolf et al. 1998a)
= Prosopis glandulosa / Atriplex spp. - Suaeda moquinii Association (Evens et al. 2012)
= Prosopis glandulosa / (Atriplex spp.-Suaeda moquinii) Association (Evens et al. 2014)
= Mesquite-alkaline Association (Keeler-Wolf et al. 1998a)
- 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., 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.