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A.1334 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.1334
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: This grassland alliance occurs in intermittently flooded areas in the plains, mountain parks and meadows, valleys, canyons, and plateaus in Colorado and Utah. The flooding is usually the result of highly localized thunderstorms. Sites are found in lowland habitats such as playas, swales, terraces along intermittently flooded washes, and alkali flats. Soils are variable, ranging from deep, fine-textured soil to shallow sand deposits. They are alkaline, and may be moderately saline and poorly drained due to an impermeable layer. Vegetation included in this alliance is characterized by a sparse to dense graminoid layer that is dominated by ~Muhlenbergia asperifolia$ often forming nearly pure stands. Other characteristic grasses may include ~Distichlis spicata, Pascopyrum smithii, Spartina gracilis$, or ~Sporobolus airoides$ depending on geography. The exotic annual grasses ~Bromus tectorum$ and ~Polypogon monspeliensis$ are often abundant on disturbed sites. Forb cover is generally sparse, but may include species of ~Atriplex, Polygonum$, and ~Rumex$. Shrubs are rare, but because of the patchy distribution of these stands, scattered ~Atriplex canescens$ and ~Sarcobatus vermiculatus$ may be present from nearby shrublands. Diagnostic of this grassland alliance is a ~Muhlenbergia asperifolia$-dominated herbaceous layer that occurs on lowland sites that are intermittently flooded. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.1107.A1334
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.i
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: MUHLENBERGIA ASPERIFOLIA INTERMITTENTLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
  Code: A.1334
  Common: Alkali Muhly Intermittently Flooded Herbaceous Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Muhlenbergia asperifolia Intermittently Flooded Herbaceous Alliance