Name:
Krascheninnikovia lanata Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This minor alliance includes dwarf-shrublands scattered across the interior western U.S. Stands occur on plateaus, plains, mesas, hillslopes, alkaline flats around playas and along drainages. Some habitats are intermittently flooded wetlands. Sites are typically flat to gently sloping occurring on any aspect, but stands have also been reported from moderately steep slopes. Soils are calcareous, moderately alkaline and sometimes saline. Soil texture is typically stony, sandy loam, but may be coarser textured. The ground cover is mostly bare soil. Vegetation included in this alliance is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense dwarf-shrub layer dominated by Krascheninnikovia lanata. Other woody species may include scattered Artemisia frigida, Artemisia nova, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus spp., Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha, Rhus trilobata, and Yucca glauca. In the Mojave Desert Larrea tridentata, Lycium andersonii, Ambrosia dumosa, and Atriplex polycarpa may also be present. The herbaceous layer has sparse to moderately dense cover dominated by graminoids with scattered perennial forbs. Graminoids, such as Poa secunda, Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata), Pleuraphis jamesii (= Hilaria jamesii), Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides), and Pseudoroegneria spicata, are most abundant. Perennial forbs may include Phlox hoodii, Sphaeralcea coccinea, Sphaeralcea munroana, Achillea millefolium, Astragalus purshii, Calochortus macrocarpus, and Erigeron spp. Annuals may be seasonally present to abundant depending on precipitation and disturbance. Exotic annuals can be abundant. Diagnostic of this alliance is the Krascheninnikovia lanata-dominated dwarf-shrub canopy with over 25% cover.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.20193.KRASCHENINNIKOV
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
