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Muhlenbergia pungens Herbaceous Vegetation | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Muhlenbergia pungens Herbaceous Vegetation Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This somewhat rare association occurs locally on sandy flats and dunes in southern Utah and northwestern Colorado. It is dependent on a certain degree of disturbance to maintain the mid-seral species <i>Muhlenbergia pungens</i>. Elevations range from 1646 to 2256 m (5400-7400 feet), and slopes are flat to gentle. Soils are sands derived from local sandstone, eolian sands or alluvium. In areas protected from grazing, the unvegetated ground surface supports cryptobiotic crusts; in disturbed areas, bare ground cover is high. Total vegetation cover is somewhat sparse, rarely exceeding 50% and usually closer to 25%. <i>Muhlenbergia pungens</i> is the dominant or codominant grass, although other grasses may be important in terms of cover, including <i>Bouteloua gracilis, Achnatherum hymenoides, Sporobolus cryptandrus</i>, and <i>Aristida purpurea</i>. At Zion National Park, the community is codominated by montane grasses such as <i>Muhlenbergia montana</i> and <i>Poa fendleriana</i>. Forbs are diverse but contribute little total cover and vary widely among sites. <i>Machaeranthera canescens, Senecio spartioides</i>, and <i>Heterotheca villosa</i> are among the more common species. Scattered shrubs, such as <i>Atriplex confertifolia, Gutierrezia sarothrae</i>, and <i>Opuntia</i> spp., are often present but do not total more than 10% cover.  Accession Code: VB.CC.31987.CEGL002363 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.2.769173 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Sandhill Muhly Herbaceous Vegetation   Scientific: Muhlenbergia pungens Herbaceous Vegetation   Code: CEGL002363