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Schizachyrium scoparium Bunch Herbaceous Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Schizachyrium scoparium Bunch Herbaceous Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... 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.18629.SCHIZACHYRIUMSC Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 01-May-2019
	status: accepted This Community's Level: Alliance This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Scientific: Schizachyrium scoparium Bunch Herbaceous Alliance   Translated: Little Bluestem Bunch Herbaceous Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.125308 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.1266