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Ericameria nauseosa Sparse Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Ericameria nauseosa Sparse Shrubland
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This sparse shrubland is only known from Canyonlands National Park in eastern Utah. Stands occur on colluvial deposits in canyons on steep slopes (22-34°) between 1471 and 1549 m elevation. Rocks and gravel cover most of the unvegetated surface, with low cover by bare soil. Soils are rapidly drained sandy clay loams derived from colluvium of the Moenkopi and Organ Rock formations. Total vegetation cover ranges from 2 to 14%. The vegetation is characterized by a sparse shrub canopy dominated by <i>Ericameria nauseosa var. juncea</i> with up to 8% cover. Associated shrubs, dwarf-shrubs and succulents include scattered <i>Ephedra viridis, Ephedra torreyana, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus var. stenophyllus, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Yucca angustissima</i>, and <i>Opuntia erinacea</i>. Occasional <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> trees and seedlings may be present with less than 1% cover. The sparse herbaceous layer has variable composition, depending on the substrate. Species such as <i>Pleuraphis jamesii, Achnatherum hymenoides, Tiquilia latior, Cryptantha</i> sp., <i>Stanleya pinnata, Lepidium montanum var. jonesii</i>, and <i>Eriogonum inflatum</i> are commonly present. The introduced annual grass <i>Bromus tectorum</i> is common in some stands. Although biological soil crusts provide little cover (because most of the surface is rock-covered), they are well-developed and include <i>Collema</i> sp., <i>Fulgensia</i> sp., <i>Toninia</i> sp., mosses, and dark cyanobacteria. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.31916.CEGL003961
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.2.793511 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Rubber Rabbitbrush Sparse Shrubland
  Code: CEGL003961
  Scientific: Ericameria nauseosa Sparse Shrubland