Login | Datasets | Logout
 

View Community Concepts - Detail

A.1549 | EcoArt 2002
  click to update datacart
Name: A.1549
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: This shrub herbaceous alliance of the Mojave Desert grows in very xeric conditions with hot summers and occasional freezes in the winter. This alliance requires well-drained rocky or sandy soils. The alliance was formerly widespread, but overgrazing has decimated stands. Remaining stands occur from 600-1000 m elevation, on flat ridges, lower slopes, valleys, and washes. Stands of this shrub herbaceous alliance of the Mojave Desert are dominated by ~Achnatherum speciosum (= Stipa speciosa)$, which is the sole, dominant or important plant in the herbaceous layer. Species composition varies between stands, but ~Achnatherum speciosum$ is the unifying species. Other graminoids which may be present include ~Nassella lepida, Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides), Nassella cernua, Poa secunda$, and ~Elymus elymoides$. Emergent shrubs, such as ~Hymenoclea salsola$ or ~Larrea tridentata$, compose 10-25% cover in the shrub layer. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.1308.A1549
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.7.N.m
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: ACHNATHERUM SPECIOSUM SHRUB HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
  Code: A.1549
  Common: Desert Needlegrass Shrub Herbaceous Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Achnatherum speciosum Shrub Herbaceous Alliance