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Artemisia tridentata - Ephedra spp. Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Artemisia tridentata - Ephedra spp. Shrubland Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This big sagebrush shrubland association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in Arizona. It is also reported from Death Valley in California and in Nevada and Oregon. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It predominantly occurs on sideslopes, although it also rarely occurs in drainage channels and on cinder cones. It mostly occurs from approximately 1350 to 1725 m (4400-5650 feet) elevation but can occur at up to 1850 m (6050 feet) on some sites. It is typically found on moderately steep (20°), limestone, basalt, or shale slopes. Soils are mostly rapidly-drained silty loams that occasionally contain clay or sand. Ground cover tends to be dominated by gravel and rocks. This vegetation type often forms large expanses across appropriate habitats. Stands sometimes contain occasional trees or tall shrubs, but these individuals are rarely common enough to constitute a defined vegetation layer. A short-shrub stratum dominated by <i>Artemisia tridentata</i> and <i>Ephedra</i> spp. characterizes this association. Three species of <i>Ephedra</i> are common, with <i>Ephedra fasciculata</i> and <i>Ephedra viridis</i> occurring most frequently. <i>Ephedra nevadensis</i> also occurs; however, its presence is rare. <i>Yucca baccata</i> also commonly occurs as a short shrub. The dwarf-shrub layer is typically dominated by <i>Gutierrezia sarothrae</i>, while <i>Thamnosma montana</i> also occasionally occurs. <i>Elymus elymoides, Bromus rubens, Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum speciosum, Pleuraphis jamesii</i>, and <i>Bromus tectorum</i> are all common in the fairly well-developed graminoid layer. A variety of different forbs occur in the understory; however, forb composition varies considerably among stands.  Accession Code: VB.CC.31713.CEGL001003 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.2.688880 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Big Sagebrush - Joint-fir species Shrubland   Code: CEGL001003   Scientific: Artemisia tridentata - Ephedra spp. Shrubland