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Ephedra torreyana Sparse Vegetation | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Ephedra torreyana Sparse Vegetation Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This very sparse shrub association is locally common in eastern Utah, occurring on alluvial fans, pediments, terraces, benches, mesas, rocky canyon slopes and stabilized dunes. This community occupies sites that are often actively eroding steep slopes, with pedestalled shrubs and gullies. A few stands are on level to gently sloping sandsheets that are subject to blowouts. Sampled stands are located between 1220 and 1780 m (4000-5840 feet) elevation. Bare ground, rocks and gravel cover most of the unvegetated surface, although biological soil crusts may cover up to 50% of the surface in sandier sites. Soils tend to be rapidly drained, shallow, alkaline sandy loams, clay loams and loamy sands derived from shaly sandstones (or sandy shales) such as the Morrison, Moenkopi, Cutler and Summerville formations. Total vegetation cover ranges from 1 to 15% but is generally less than 10%. The vegetation is dominated or codominated by a sparse canopy of <i>Ephedra torreyana</i> with between 1 and 10% cover. Associated shrubs may include <i>Atriplex confertifolia, Eriogonum leptocladon, Eriogonum corymbosum, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Xylorhiza</i> spp., <i>Opuntia</i> spp., and <i>Coleogyne ramosissima</i>. The herbaceous layer may have as much cover as the shrubs but will rarely exceed a few percent and may often be nearly absent. Common herbaceous species include <i>Pleuraphis jamesii, Eriogonum inflatum</i>, and <i>Sphaeralcea</i> spp. <i>Achnatherum hymenoides</i> is absent or has only trace cover. <i>Bromus tectorum</i> may be abundant in disturbed sites.  Accession Code: VB.CC.32012.CEGL002353 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.2.769077 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Torrey's Joint-fir Sparse Vegetation   Scientific: Ephedra torreyana Sparse Vegetation   Code: CEGL002353