Login | Datasets | Logout
 

View Community Concepts - Detail

Cercocarpus ledifolius / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Woodland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
  click to update datacart
Name: Cercocarpus ledifolius / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Woodland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This type has been mapped only from a small region in east-central Idaho, in a region known as the Challis Endemic region, located 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 is a heterogeneous formation of volcanic and sedimentary rock, with only minor amounts of granitics, known as Challis Volcanics. 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. Much of the Challis Endemic region roughly coincides with an area receiving less than 20.3 cm (8 inches) of precipitation annually, combined with occurrences of andesites and tuffs of the Challis Volcanics at lower elevations. This plant association occurs on predominately southerly, steep slopes composed of volcanic tuffs. Elevations are roughly 1830 to 2135 m (6000-7000 feet). This substrate is typically unstable, with constant downslope movement of soil surface layers, and a high shrink-swell ratio. Chronic soil disturbance is therefore a major factor in the species composition of this association, which includes several of the Challis Endemics. Little information is available regarding the structure and composition of this association. The broad-leaved, sclerophyllous evergreen shrub <i>Cercocarpus ledifolius</i> dominates in the shrub canopy, but no cover or abundance information is available. <i>Cercocarpus</i> can be up to 5 m tall. The herbaceous layer is dominated by <i>Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis</i>, a perennial grass species commonly considered a bunchgrass due to its cespitose form, but which typically has rhizomes. This variety is one of the Challis Endemics. Several other Challis Endemics apparently occur in this association, but a more specific list is not available, and no other information is available on species composition. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:29873-{DAC481D7-B7F3-4C48-B105-8353CA5D1DD0}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 03-Nov-1993 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686360 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL000964
  Translated: Curl-leaf Mountain-mahogany / Salmon Wildrye Woodland
  Scientific: Cercocarpus ledifolius / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Woodland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) CEGL000964
(similar) Cercocarpus ledifolius / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Woodland
(similar) Cercocarpus ledifolius / Leymus salinus ssp. salmonis Woodland