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A.2528 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.2528
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: This dwarf-shrubland alliance was described from Utah and Arizona where it occurs on stream terraces, plains, gently sloping hillslopes, ridges, plateaus and bluffs on all aspects. Elevations range from 1350-2000 m. Soils are variable, ranging from sandy loam to clay derived from alluvium or colluvium. Disturbance may be important in maintaining this vegetation community as some stands have been created by chaining of trees and improper grazing by livestock. This broadly defined alliance is characterized by an open to moderately dense dwarf-shrub canopy (10-50% cover) that is dominated by ~Gutierrezia sarothrae$ frequently with ~Opuntia$ spp. and a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer (1-45% cover). Some stands have a diverse woody layer that includes low cover of several shrub species and occasional ~Pinus edulis$ or ~Juniperus osteosperma$ trees. The herbaceous layer is typically dominated by graminoids with several species present including ~Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata, Pascopyrum smithii, Pleuraphis jamesii$, or ~Sporobolus airoides$. There is usually only sparse cover of native forbs like ~Chamaesyce$ spp. or ~Sphaeralcea coccinea$; however, introduced species such as ~Bromus tectorum$ or ~Salsola kali$ may dominate the herbaceous layer of some disturbed stands. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.1791.A2528
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Jul-2001 to: 17-Mar-2005
     
  • status: accepted
  • Community's Parent: IV.B.2.N.a
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: GUTIERREZIA SAROTHRAE DWARF-SHRUBLAND ALLIANCE
  Code: A.2528
  Common: Snakeweed Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Gutierrezia sarothrae Dwarf-shrubland Alliance