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Atriplex corrugata Dwarf-shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Atriplex corrugata Dwarf-shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This dwarf-shrubland association occurs on saline sites in the Colorado Plateau from northwestern New Mexico, western Colorado and eastern Utah. The vegetation is characterized by very sparse to moderate cover (5-25%) of woody vegetation that is dominated by the halophytic evergreen dwarf-shrub <i>Atriplex corrugata</i>. There is typically very low species diversity, but depending on soil salinity and moisture, other plants may be present, including the shrubs <i>Atriplex gardneri, Atriplex confertifolia, Tetradymia spinosa, Picrothamnus desertorum, Suaeda calceoliformis</i>, and <i>Krascheninnikovia lanata</i>. The herbaceous layer is typically very sparse, but may in some stands have as much grass cover as the shrub layer. Only scattered perennial forbs such as <i>Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, Xylorhiza glabriuscula</i>, and <i>Xylorhiza venusta</i>, and the perennial grasses <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Elymus elymoides</i>, and <i>Pleuraphis jamesii</i> have been reported. Annuals are seasonally present and may include <i>Eriogonum inflatum, Phacelia splendens, Plantago tweedyi</i>, and <i>Atriplex argentea</i>. Introduced species such as <i>Bromus tectorum</i> and <i>Salsola kali</i> are often present. Stands are found on lower hillslopes, clay barrens and alkaline flats. Sites are gently sloping to moderately steep ridges and hills shaped into badlands by water and wind erosion. Soils are typically derived from Mancos shale or other marine shales. They are moderately deep, strongly saline, moderately alkaline, fine-textured (clayey), poorly developed and typically have high erosion rates. The soil surface is mostly barren. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:30346-{8399B62D-F582-4233-A95D-03231E84B203}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 05-Jul-2006 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687215 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL001437
  Translated: Mat Saltbush Dwarf-shrubland
  Scientific: Atriplex corrugata Dwarf-shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) CEGL001437
(similar) Atriplex corrugata Dwarf-shrubland
(similar) Atriplex corrugata Dwarf-shrubland