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Atriplex confertifolia / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Atriplex confertifolia / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Shrubland
Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description: This association has been mapped only from two small regions in east-central Idaho, in Custer County, in the vicinity of Germer Peak and Lone Pine Peak, and in Butte County, in the southwestern portion of the Lemhi Range. The region in Custer County is known as the Challis Endemic region. It is likely that this association occurs in other scattered localities in east-central Idaho. The region where the association occurs is to the east of a major mountain mass which strongly affects the climate of the region. The high mountains to the west create a rainshadow, allowing only occasional incursions of moisture-laden winter storms from the Pacific. The region is mountainous with high, massive ranges dissected by deep valleys. The bedrock in the Custer County location is a heterogeneous formation of volcanic and sedimentary rock, with only minor amounts of granitics, known as Challis Volcanics. At lower elevations along the Salmon River the most common rock types of this formation are tuffs and andesites. A flora endemic to this region, known collectively as Challis Endemics, occurs on these substrates and is joined by a flora of species disjunct from drier regions of the Great Basin. This plant association occurs on southerly slopes composed of volcanic tuffs and on canyon bottoms where soils are derived from limestone alluvium and colluvium. Elevations are low, from roughly 1586 to 1891 m (5200-6200 feet). The tuff substrate is typically unstable, with constant downslope movement of soil surface layers, and a high shrink-swell ratio. Little information is available regarding the structure and composition of this association. It is a shrubland association, dominated by the low-growing, broad-leaved deciduous shrub <i>Atriplex confertifolia</i>. The herbaceous layer is dominated by <i>Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis</i>, one of the Challis Endemics. Several other Challis Endemics may occur in this association but have not been reported. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.34379.CEGL001306
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.2.685948 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Translated: Shadscale Saltbush / Salmon Wildrye Shrubland
  Scientific: Atriplex confertifolia / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Shrubland
  Code: CEGL001306