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Atriplex confertifolia / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Atriplex confertifolia / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This shrubland association typically occurs at elevations between 1800 and 2195 m (5900-7200 feet) on nearly level to gently sloping low terraces, narrow valley floodplains, mesatops, flat ridgetops and plateaus. It is documented from northwestern Colorado, but it is predicted that this community also occurs in adjacent southwestern Wyoming and northeastern Utah. One site is on a sheltered badland slope of Mancos shale. It can occur on steeper surfaces, but slopes generally do not exceed 10%. Precipitation is usually less than 25.4 cm (10 inches) per year. <i>Atriplex confertifolia</i> is a xeric shrub associated with subdesert ecosystems. The soils that are commonly associated with this community are moderately coarse to fine, calcareous, and saline-alkaline with an average pH of 7.9. Bare soil covers much of the ground surface. The vegetation cover in this community is sparse, and the surface of the soil is often described as a gravel pavement due to the scouring action of the wind. This association has relatively low species diversity, with <i>Atriplex confertifolia</i> dominating the shrub layer with 4-20% cover. Other desert shrubs are usually present in low percentages. <i>Hesperostipa comata (= Stipa comata)</i> dominates the herbaceous layer with 10-30% cover. <i>Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides), Poa fendleriana</i>, and <i>Poa secunda (= Poa sandbergii</i>) are generally present with much lower cover. At lower elevations or warmer sites where <i>Atriplex confertifolia</i> is more abundant, there is more <i>Pleuraphis jamesii (= Hilaria jamesii)</i>, and <i>Hesperostipa comata</i> does not become abundant until further uphill where the <i>Atriplex confertifolia</i> decreases in cover.  Accession Code: VB.CC.34382.CEGL001314 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.2.686118 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Shadscale Saltbush / Needle-and-Thread Shrubland   Scientific: Atriplex confertifolia / Hesperostipa comata Shrubland   Code: CEGL001314