Name:
Atriplex obovata Talus Dwarf-shrubland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This saltbush dwarf-shrubland association is currently described from the Colorado Plateau in Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in northern Arizona and southern Utah. Vegetation is characterized by the dominance of <i>Atriplex obovata</i> in the open short-shrub stratum. <i>Ephedra torreyana</i> also regularly occurs in the short-shrub layer. Tall shrubs are absent, but other dwarf-shrubs such as <i>Atriplex confertifolia, Brickellia atractyloides, Coleogyne ramosissima, Encelia frutescens, Ericameria nauseosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia basilaris, Opuntia polyacantha</i>, and <i>Picrothamnus desertorum</i> may sporadically occur. The herbaceous layer is typically sparse, with scattered grasses including <i>Dasyochloa pulchella, Muhlenbergia porteri, Pleuraphis jamesii</i>, and <i>Sporobolus</i> sp. <i>Cryptantha</i> sp., <i>Thymophylla pentachaeta, Machaeranthera pinnatifida, Lepidium</i> sp., <i>Phacelia crenulata, Plantago patagonica, Sphaeralcea</i> sp., and <i>Stanleya pinnata</i> are common components of the sparse forb understory. Stands occur on talus slopes, toeslopes, hills, and buttes and are typically found on moderate to very steep (15-40°), southwest- to southeast-facing slopes. Elevation ranges from 975 to 1329 m (3225-4360 feet). The unvegetated surface is composed of nearly equal parts large and small rocks and bare soil, with trace to low cover of litter, sand, and bedrock. Soils are moderately well-drained to rapidly drained sands, sandy or silty loams, or clay loams derived from limestone or sandstone bedrock or from talus/colluvial deposits from the Morrison or Chinle formations.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:30698-{0681E0CE-0091-402F-A3D4-20CB49C5A553}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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