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Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Pascopyrum smithii Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Pascopyrum smithii Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This Wyoming big sagebrush type is found throughout the northern Great Plains and adjacent basins, Black Hills, and Rocky Mountains of the United States. Stands occur on gently rolling uplands or upper parts of stream terraces and drainageways. Drier examples may be found on more exposed slope positions. Soils are moderately deep clay, clay loam, silt loam and loam. Soil moisture conditions are relatively mesic. Soil pH ranges from 5.8 to 7.8. The vegetation contains an open short-shrub layer, approximately 0.5 m tall, dominated by microphyllous-leaved shrubs, and a dense herbaceous layer dominated by medium-tall graminoids. Shrub cover averages between 15 and 30% but may range as high as 55%. <i>Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis</i> dominates the shrub layer. Other shrubs may be present, including <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus, Ericameria nauseosa, Amelanchier utahensis</i>, or <i>Purshia tridentata</i>. The dense herbaceous layer has a canopy cover of 10% in dry, heavily grazed stands to more than 75% in protected, mesic stands. <i>Pascopyrum smithii</i> is the leading dominant. Important associates include <i>Koeleria macrantha, Poa secunda</i>, and <i>Nassella viridula (= Stipa viridula)</i>. In drier or more heavily grazed phases, <i>Bouteloua gracilis, Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata)</i>, and <i>Carex filifolia</i> may be more common, along with the succulent <i>Opuntia polyacantha</i>. Forbs contribute low cover, often less than 10%, and are typically of low constancy. More constant species (>50%) include <i>Artemisia frigida, Sphaeralcea coccinea</i>, and <i>Vicia americana</i>. Grassy leaf litter covers over 75% of the ground; stones and bare soil comprise the remainder. Nonvascular plants are rare. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.34083.CEGL001047
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.2.687083 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Wyoming Big Sagebrush / Western Wheatgrass Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation
  Scientific: Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Pascopyrum smithii Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation
  Code: CEGL001047