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Ephedra torreyana - Opuntia basilaris Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Ephedra torreyana - Opuntia basilaris Shrubland
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This shrubland association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It typically occurs on sideslopes at 900 to 1000 m (2900-3275 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 1125 m (3675 feet). It primarily occurs on moderately steep gradients (20-30°) of south- to east-facing slopes, but is also occasionally found on gentler slopes (10-18°). Soils are well- to rapidly-drained silty or sandy loams that rarely contain clay. The underlying geology is usually limestone or less frequently sandstone. Vegetation is characterized by the codominance of the short shrub <i>Ephedra torreyana</i> (5-7%) and the dwarf-shrub <i>Opuntia basilaris</i> (3-5%). Tall shrubs are absent. The short-shrub layer sporadically includes <i>Yucca elata</i>, and the dwarf-shrub layer regularly includes <i>Echinocactus polycephalus</i>. <i>Bromus rubens</i> and <i>Dasyochloa pulchella</i> are the most frequent components of the graminoid understory, and in some stands, the cover of <i>Bromus rubens</i> can be significantly higher. <i>Tiquilia latior, Thymophylla pentachaeta</i>, and <i>Machaeranthera pinnatifida</i> all commonly occur in the sparse forb layer. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.31653.CEGL005107
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 17-Nov-2014 to: 01-May-2019
     
  • status: accepted
  • This Community's Level: association
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.840568 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Torrey's Joint-fir - Beavertail Prickly-pear Shrubland
  Scientific: Ephedra torreyana - Opuntia basilaris Shrubland
  Code: CEGL005107