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Artemisia filifolia / Sporobolus flexuosus Shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Artemisia filifolia / Sporobolus flexuosus Shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This shrubland occurs on smooth to hummocky sandsheets found within the Jornada del Muerto and Tularosa basins of New Mexico at low elevations (1160-1520 m [3800-5000 feet]). One stand was reported from sandy deposits located on the leeward footslopes of the southern San Andres Mountains at about 1710 m (5600 feet) elevation. However, because slopes are mostly gentle, aspect is probably not as important a determinant of community distribution as are the sandy soils. Soils are deep and sandy Torripsamments, and probably of relatively recent origin with little structure development. Moderately open, plains shrubland (25-30% average cover) of waist-high <i>Artemisia filifolia</i>, with an understory characterized by scattered, tall bunchgrasses, typically <i>Sporobolus flexuosus</i>. The shrub layer may include up to 17 species, the most common being <i>Yucca elata, Atriplex canescens</i>, and <i>Gutierrezia sarothrae</i>. Other shrubs associated with sandy soils, and occasionally present, include <i>Psorothamnus scoparius</i>. Grass cover is abundant and diverse with up to 23 mostly sandy-soil-adapted, warm-season species. Of these, <i>Sporobolus flexuosus</i> is generally the dominant grass; however, with increased sand depth, <i>Sporobolus giganteus</i> (a suggested phase) becomes more prevalent and occasionally may even dominate. An additional common associate is <i>Achnatherum hymenoides</i>. A rich forb layer of late summer bloomers is possible within inter-shrub spaces. The most common are <i>Dimorphocarpa wislizeni, Baileya multiradiata, Sphaeralcea</i> spp., and <i>Helianthus annuus</i>. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:30456-{194FDFA6-9287-4CB1-8AD5-EF73BFC28512}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 30-Aug-2012 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685696 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL001547
  Translated: Sand Sagebrush / Mesa Dropseed Shrubland
  Scientific: Artemisia filifolia / Sporobolus flexuosus Shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Artemisia filifolia / Sporobolus flexuosus Shrubland
(similar) CEGL001547
(similar) Artemisia filifolia / Sporobolus flexuosus Shrubland