Name:
Prosopis glandulosa Shrub Herbaceous Alliance
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This alliance occurs in Trans-Pecos Texas, southern New Mexico, and southeastern Arizona. Sites include sandy plains, bajadas, mesas and terraces along intermittent drainages. They are generally flat or gently sloping, occurring on all aspects. Substrate is usually sandy or gravelly alluvium. Soils are generally coarse-textured. Vegetation included in this alliance is characterized by a sparse shrub cover (less than 25%) dominated by the xeromorphic deciduous shrub Prosopis glandulosa. Graminoid cover is greater than shrub cover and usually over 25%. The diversity of other species can vary greatly. Shrub associates may include Atriplex canescens, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Lycium spp., and Parthenium incanum. Succulents, such as Opuntia leptocaulis, Opuntia imbricata, Opuntia phaeacantha, Nolina microcarpa, Yucca baccata, and Yucca elata, are often present. Characteristic perennial grasses may include Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua curtipendula, Bouteloua eriopoda, Bouteloua gracilis, Pleuraphis mutica (= Hilaria mutica), Muhlenbergia porteri, Muhlenbergia richardsonis, Panicum obtusum, Sporobolus flexuosus, and Sporobolus wrightii. Annual grass cover is usually sparse and may include Aristida adscensionis, Bouteloua barbata, and Dasyochloa pulchella (= Erioneuron pulchellum). Forb cover is also sparse, but it can be relatively diverse. Common forbs may include species of Chenopodium, Croton, Eriogonum, Euphorbia, Solanum, and Zinnia. Diagnostic of this alliance is the sparse shrub canopy (10-25% cover) that is dominated by Prosopis glandulosa with a sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer that is dominated by perennial bunch grasses.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.18625.PROSOPISGLANDUL
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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