Name:
Poliomintha incana - Artemisia filifolia - Vanclevea stylosa Shrubland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This Colorado Plateau shrubland association occurs where there is loose, blowing sand on dunes, benches, sandsheets, stabilized climbing dunes on steep canyonsides and in intermittent channels on valley floors in southeastern Utah. It usually occurs in small patches within a matrix of shrublands on more stable sands and dominated by <i>Coleogyne ramosissima</i> or <i>Artemisia filifolia</i>. Stands are located on flat to moderate slopes (up to 30%) between 1271 and 1663 m (4170-5455 feet) elevation and tend to be oriented to southern or eastern aspects. The unvegetated surface has low cover of litter and moderate to high exposure of sand and bare soil. Biological soil crusts may absent or provide sparse to moderate cover, up to 25% cover. Soils are poorly developed, rapidly drained sands and sandy loams derived from eolian sands and sandy alluvium. Total vegetation cover ranges from 5 to 55% and is characterized by a mixed open canopy consisting of a combination of <i>Poliomintha incana, Artemisia filifolia</i>, and <i>Vanclevea </i><i>stylosa</i>. One of these shrubs may be absent, but at a minimum either <i>Poliomintha incana</i> or <i>Vanclevea stylosa</i> is always present. Associated shrubs commonly include <i>Atriplex canescens, Ephedra viridis, Eriogonum leptocladon, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia polyacantha</i>, and <i>Yucca harrimaniae</i>. If <i>Coleogyne ramosissima</i> is present, it is with very low cover relative to the diagnostic species. The herbaceous layer is moderate to high in terms of species diversity and typically provides sparse to low cover, except in cases where the exotic annual forb <i>Salsola tragus</i> may have up to 15% cover. <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea</i>, and <i>Muhlenbergia pungens</i> are the most consistent grasses other than the exotic annual <i>Bromus tectorum</i>. Forb composition varies greatly among stands, but species tend to be sand specialists such as <i>Abronia fragrans, Ambrosia acanthicarpa, Cryptantha crassisepala, Chamaesyce parryi (= Euphorbia parryi), Hymenopappus filifolius, Iva acerosa, Oenothera</i><i> pallida, Stephanomeria exigua</i>, and <i>Streptanthella longirostris</i>. Isolated <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> occur in some stands where the sand is shallow over bedrock.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.31119.CEGL002418
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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