Name:
Artemisia filifolia Colorado Plateau Shrubland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This sand sagebrush shrubland association is widespread in the Colorado Plateau of Utah, Arizona and probably New Mexico. Total vegetation cover ranges from sparsely vegetated (<5%) on often disturbed sites to stable, well-developed communities with more than 50% cover. Regardless, the vegetation is characterized by an open shrub canopy dominated by <i>Artemisia filifolia</i> that is usually mixed with other shrubs, especially <i>Atriplex canescens, Coleogyne ramosissima, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra viridis, Ericameria nauseosa, Psorothamnus fremontii, Rhus aromatica, Sarcobatus vermiculatus</i>, and <i>Vanclevea stylosa</i>. The herbaceous layer is moderate in terms of species composition and provides sparse to moderate cover. Graminoids include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Elymus repens, Hesperostipa comata, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Sporobolus giganteus</i>, and <i>Vulpia octoflora</i>. Forbs vary among sites but are typical of sandy habitats, including <i>Abronia fragrans, Lepidium montanum, Oenothera pallida</i>, and <i>Sphaeralcea parvifolia</i>. Cryptogams may be absent or may provide up to 40% cover. This shrubland occurs on sandy soils of valley floors, stream terraces, stabilized dunes and sandsheets, benches, floodplains and alluvial fans. Most sites are level to gently sloping. Elevations range from 1122 to 1769 m (3645-5803 feet). Soils are sandy and derived from sandstones, alluvium, or eolian deposits.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:31605-{A0F10779-E418-4449-986C-2F5A02768A3A}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
5
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