Name:
Fallugia paradoxa Colorado Plateau Desert Wash Shrubland
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This association occurs within Capitol Reef National Park in southeastern Utah and within Bandelier National Monument in north-central New Mexico. It may occur elsewhere in the central and southern Colorado Plateau and Great Basin. This is a low-elevation shrubland occurring in canyon bottoms with low solar exposure (i.e., protected canyon drainages), or in interrupted patches on banks and point bars in larger intermittent drainages, wash bottoms, and on alluvial terraces and bars adjacent to or within drainage channels. Slopes are low to moderate (3-20%). Elevation ranges between 1524 and 1829 m (5000-6000 feet). Aspect is not important in determining the distribution of this association. Drainages are subject to ephemeral flood events following large summer thunderstorms that may scour the channels. Soils include rapidly drained sands and loamy sands derived from mixed alluvium of stream terraces, or are part of rock outcrop or rubble lands map units. The unvegetated surface is variable depending on site location. In Utah, the ground surface is typical of alluvial terraces and point bars, and is composed of sand, gravel, rocks and very little litter or live vegetation. In New Mexico, the ground surface is characterized by shrubs rooted in exposed gravels, cobble and soil intermixed with grass and litter patches. Within Capitol Reef National Park, total vegetation cover ranges from 22 to 95%. The shrub canopy is characterized by <i>Fallugia paradoxa</i> with 6 to 50% cover. Associated shrubs include <i>Amelanchier utahensis, Purshia stansburiana, Mahonia fremontii, Rhus trilobata, Fraxinus anomala, Atriplex canescens, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Shepherdia rotundifolia, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia microcephala</i>, and <i>Gutierrezia sarothrae</i>. The herbaceous layer is low in species diversity and provides sparse to low cover; a combination of severe occasional flooding and otherwise dry conditions makes it difficult for herbaceous species to become established. Commonly associated graminoids include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides</i>, the exotic annual <i>Bromus tectorum</i>, and <i>Pleuraphis jamesii</i>. Forbs are typically rare in this community; however, <i>Stanleya pinnata</i> frequently occurs. Scattered <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> and <i>Pinus edulis</i> may be present but do not form a tree layer. Within Bandelier National Monument, <i>Fallugia paradoxa</i> dominates with <i>Ericameria nauseosa</i> a frequent and well-represented associate. <i>Forestiera pubescens</i> is uncommon or absent. The herbaceous layer is variable. In general, annuals predominate and include the exotic <i>Bromus tectorum</i> and native <i>Vulpia octoflora</i> among grasses, and <i>Ipomopsis longiflora</i> and <i>Lappula occidentalis</i> among forbs. Trees are generally absent; however, scattered individual <i>Juniperus monosperma</i> or <i>Pinus edulis</i> may occur.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.31751.CEGL002357
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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