Name:
Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis / Hesperostipa comata Colorado Plateau Shrubland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This shrubland association occurs throughout the Colorado Plateau in northern Arizona, eastern Utah, and western Colorado. The type likely occurs in southwestern Wyoming as well. Total vegetation cover ranges from 25 to 75% and is dominated by <i>Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis</i>. Other shrubs provide little additional cover but may include <i>Atriplex canescens, Chrysothamnus greenei, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Ephedra cutleri, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Linanthus pungens, Opuntia polyacantha</i>, and <i>Yucca harrimaniae</i>. <i>Hesperostipa comata</i> dominates or codominates the sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer. Other grass species present depend on the soil texture, with <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Elymus elymoides</i>, and <i>Koeleria macrantha</i> more common on sandy soils, whereas <i>Bouteloua gracilis, Pleuraphis jamesii</i>, and <i>Poa fendleriana</i> are more common on silty soils. Forbs provide little total cover but may include <i>Arenaria fendleri, Calochortus gunnisonii, Lepidium montanum, Linum lewisii, Packera</i> sp., <i>Phlox hoodii, Penstemon teucrioides</i>, and <i>Sphaeralcea coccinea</i>. <i>Bromus tectorum</i> may be codominant in heavily disturbed sites. Scattered young <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> and <i>Pinus edulis</i> trees are often present. Cryptobiotic soil crusts are common in this type, but development is uneven and tends to be sparse. Stands occur on deep soils on the slopes and summits of plateaus, ridges, hills and mesas. Elevations range from 1450 to 2419 m (4750-7940 feet). Slopes are level to moderately steep (0-50%). Substrates include eolian sands, loess and landslide deposits; most often soils are not residual but develop from these secondary sources. Soils are deep and fine, derived from sandstone, alluvial or eolian deposits. Most of the unvegetated surface is bare soil with low to moderate cover of litter and biological soil crusts. Biological soil crusts are generally in an early stage of development especially in sites that have had long-term grazing by livestock.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:31666-{F8D3C149-683C-4199-A46D-02A8B0F3E6FE}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
