Login | Datasets | Logout
 

View Community Concepts - Detail

Artemisia tridentata - Atriplex canescens - Sarcobatus vermiculatus / (Achnatherum hymenoides) Shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
  click to update datacart
Name: Artemisia tridentata - Atriplex canescens - Sarcobatus vermiculatus / (Achnatherum hymenoides) Shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This desert community is associated with sand dunes, which are found along the windward (eastern in the northern Great Basin) edge of large playa basins. The location used for this description is the Alvord Basin in Oregon. Similar dunes are found on the eastern edge of the Catlow Valley, and on the eastern edges of large playa valleys in northern Nevada. Aspects and slopes of the dunes vary, but most are north-south, along the eastern playa edges of a completely flat landscape. In addition to the shrubs <i>Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex canescens</i>, and <i>Sarcobatus vermiculatus</i>, other occasional codominants include <i>Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ericameria nauseosa</i>, and <i>Grayia spinosa</i>. The most abundant but sparse grass is <i>Achnatherum hymenoides</i> although <i>Hesperostipa comata, Elymus lanceolatus</i>, and <i>Leymus cinereus</i> are occasionally found. Bare, alkaline sand provides significant cover. This community rapidly vanishes on the adjacent <i>Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis</i>-dominated slopes. This dune association represents a rich floral assemblage as compared to surrounding salt desert scrub and playa communities. This is attributable to higher soil temperatures in spring promoting early growth, lower salt concentrations, and greater accumulation of wind-blown seeds. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:30264-{51359D95-8F38-4F3A-9F61-D4E3D6281DD7}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689130 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL001355
  Translated: Big Sagebrush - Fourwing Saltbush - Greasewood / (Indian Ricegrass) Shrubland
  Scientific: Artemisia tridentata - Atriplex canescens - Sarcobatus vermiculatus / (Achnatherum hymenoides) Shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) CEGL001355
(similar) Artemisia tridentata - Atriplex canescens - Sarcobatus vermiculatus / (Achnatherum hymenoides) Shrubland
(similar) Artemisia tridentata - Atriplex canescens - Sarcobatus vermiculatus / (Achnatherum hymenoides) Shrubland