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Atriplex spp. Desert Pavement Sparse Vegetation | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Atriplex spp. Desert Pavement Sparse Vegetation
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This association is known from Arches National Park but likely is widespread in the canyonlands of the Colorado Plateau in eastern Utah. Stands are restricted to flats and low hills of the Morrison Formation (Brushy Basin Member) armored by a nearly solid veneer of pebbles and small rocks polished and stained to form a desert pavement. Elevations range from 1396 to 1451 m, and slopes do not exceed 5°. The silty or sandy clay soils are exposed only where drainages cross the pavement or fossorial rodents have churned it. Some sites have a hardpan only a few inches below the surface, preventing the penetration of roots and dwarfing the vegetation. The vegetation is sparse and does not exceed 5% total cover and often is as low as 1 or 2%. Stands consist of scattered shrubs of <i>Atriplex gardneri</i> or <i>Atriplex confertifolia</i> separated by broad expanses of dark, wind-polished desert pavement. Herbaceous species are variable but never exceed 1% cover. Common species include <i>Encelia nutans (= Enceliopsis nutans), Sphaeralcea</i> spp., <i>Calochortus nuttallii</i>, and <i>Platyschkuhria integrifolia</i>. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.31892.CEGL003767
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.2.792225 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Saltbush species Desert Pavement Sparse Vegetation
  Code: CEGL003767
  Scientific: Atriplex spp. Desert Pavement Sparse Vegetation