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Ephedra torreyana / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Ephedra torreyana / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This short-shrub association occurs on typically deep alkaline soils on plateaus, mesas, benches, lower slopes and stream terraces in the canyonlands of the Colorado Plateau. Sites are flat to moderately steep (up to 32% slopes) and occur between 1226 and 1506 m elevation. The unvegetated surface has high cover of bare soil and/or gravel with sparse cover of litter. Soils are rapidly drained loamy sands and clay loams. The vegetation ranges from 5 to 25% total cover and is characterized by an open canopy of <i>Ephedra torreyana</i> shrubs with up to 15% cover and the short bunchgrass <i>Pleuraphis jamesii</i> that ranges in cover from 1 to 5%. Associated shrubs <i>Atriplex gardneri</i> and <i>Coleogyne ramosissima</i> may be present to codominant. Other shrubs may include <i>Atriplex confertifolia, Ericameria nauseosa, Eriogonum microthecum, Opuntia</i> spp., and <i>Sclerocactus whipplei</i> The remaining herbaceous component includes grasses such as <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Sporobolus cryptandrus</i>, and <i>Vulpia octoflora</i>, and the forbs <i>Amsonia tomentosa, Chenopodium album, Lepidium lasiocarpum, Plantago patagonica</i>, and <i>Streptanthella longirostris</i>. Biological soil crusts provide sparse cover in some stands. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.31894.CEGL003772
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.2.792298 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Torrey's Joint-fir / James' Galleta Shrubland
  Code: CEGL003772
  Scientific: Ephedra torreyana / Pleuraphis jamesii Shrubland