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Gutierrezia sarothrae - (Opuntia spp.) / Pleuraphis jamesii Dwarf-shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Gutierrezia sarothrae - (Opuntia spp.) / Pleuraphis jamesii Dwarf-shrubland
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This dwarf-shrubland is described from Utah and northern Arizona where it occurs on level to moderately sloping hillslopes, plateaus and bluffs. Aspects are reported from the southeast, south and southwest. Soils are variable and range from sandy to clayey texture and may occur over gravel and cobbles or talus. Disturbance may be important in maintaining this vegetation community as some stands have been created by chaining of trees and improper grazing by livestock. This broadly defined association is characterized by an open dwarf-shrub canopy (10-30% cover) that is dominated by <i>Gutierrezia sarothrae</i>, frequently with <i>Opuntia</i> spp. and an herbaceous layer with <i>Pleuraphis jamesii</i> present to abundant (1-30% cover). Some stands have a diverse woody layer that includes low cover of several shrub species and occasional <i>Pinus edulis</i> or <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> trees. The herbaceous layer is typically dominated by graminoids with several species present including <i>Pleuraphis jamesii, Achnatherum hymenoides, Aristida purpurea, Bouteloua gracilis, Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata</i>, or <i>Pascopyrum smithii</i>. There is usually only sparse cover of native forbs like <i>Chamaesyce</i> spp. or <i>Sphaeralcea coccinea</i>. Introduced species such as <i>Bromus tectorum</i> or <i>Salsola kali</i> may dominate the herbaceous layer of some disturbed stands. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.33857.CEGL002690
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.2.688408 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Broom Snakeweed - (Prickly-pear species) / James' Galleta Dwarf-shrubland
  Scientific: Gutierrezia sarothrae - (Opuntia spp.) / Pleuraphis jamesii Dwarf-shrubland
  Code: CEGL002690