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Sporobolus airoides Monotype Herbaceous Vegetation | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Sporobolus airoides Monotype Herbaceous Vegetation Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This herbaceous association is currently only known from El Malpais National Monument in New Mexico and Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado, and the following description is based on occurrences there. Additional information will be added as it becomes available. At El Malpais, this association occurs between 1950 and 1960 m (6410-6430 feet) in elevation in swales and broad, shallow drainages in gently rolling, old lava plateaus. A prairie dog colony is present at one location, with the attendant soil disturbance and vegetation cropping. At Great Sand Dunes, it generally occurs on valley floors but can be found on sandsheets and bolsons. Elevations range from 2300 to 2335 m. Terrain is flat and stands can be intermittently flooded. Soils are somewhat to moderately drained silt, sandy loam, or loamy sand and derived from alluvial deposits. Bare soil is the dominant ground surface cover ranging from 0-88%. Many of the surveyed stands have experienced heavy grazing by bison, cattle and elk. Total herbaceous vegetation ranges from 35-85% and is dominated by graminoid species. <i>Sporobolus airoides</i> is abundant to luxuriant (up to 40% relative cover) and typically the dominant species in these monotypic grasslands. Species richness is moderately high, but few species have significant cover or are found consistently across all surveyed stands. <i>Juncus balticus</i> and <i>Cleome serrulata</i> are the only two other species that occur in the majority of the stands at Great Sand Dunes, but have low cover. At El Malpais, other species are present, but not abundant; they include <i>Tamarix ramosissima</i> and <i>Opuntia imbricata (= Cylindropuntia imbricata)</i>, among others.  Accession Code: VB.CC.32623.CEGL001688 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.2.687385 NatureServe Explorer   Common: Alkali Sacaton (Mixed Prairie)   Translated: Alkali Sacaton Monotype Herbaceous Vegetation   Scientific: Sporobolus airoides Monotype Herbaceous Vegetation   Code: CEGL001688