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A.1266 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.1266
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: Vegetation in this alliance is found in the northwestern Great Plains and gypsum dunes in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. Stands have a sparse to moderate graminoid layer that is dominated by ~Schizachyrium scoparium$. Perennial forb richness is high, but canopy cover is low. Shrubs and dwarf-shrubs are rare. Annual forbs and grasses are present seasonally. In Montana, other common species include grasses such as ~Pascopyrum smithii, Koeleria macrantha, Elymus lanceolatus, Poa secunda, Aristida purpurea, Nassella viridula (= Stipa viridula)$, and ~Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata)$. Forb species include ~Phlox hoodii, Linum perenne, Tetraneuris acaulis (= Hymenoxys acaulis), Thelesperma subnudum, Dalea candida, Cerastium beeringianum$, and ~Solidago missouriensis$. ^In New Mexico, ~Muhlenbergia pungens$ often codominates these sparse interdune grasslands. Other species information is not available for the dune stands. ^Grasslands included in this alliance are known only from the northwestern Great Plains in east-central Montana and the White Sands Missile Range in south-central New Mexico. Elevations range from 900-1250 m in Montana and 1200-1500 m in New Mexico. Climate is semi-arid to arid. In Montana stands occur on moderately steep slopes in the uplands. Soils are easily eroded, poorly developed, well-drained loams and stony loams that are non-saline and non-alkaline. Parent material is red shale from the Kootenai Formation. Ground cover average 15% bare ground and 50% litter. The New Mexican stands are restricted to swales within wind-deposited gypsum sand dunes at White Sands National Monument and While Sands Missile Range. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.1034.A1266
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Mar-2005
     
  • status: accepted
  • Community's Parent: V.A.5.N.d
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: SCHIZACHYRIUM SCOPARIUM BUNCH HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
  Code: A.1266
  Common: Little Bluestem Bunch Herbaceous Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Schizachyrium scoparium Bunch Herbaceous Alliance