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Gutierrezia (sarothrae, microcephala) - Ephedra spp. - Agave utahensis Dwarf-shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Gutierrezia (sarothrae, microcephala) - Ephedra spp. - Agave utahensis Dwarf-shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This dwarf-shrubland association is currently described from Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in Arizona. More survey and classification work are needed to fully characterize this type. It typically occurs on sideslopes, but also sometimes occurs in valley bottoms, plateaus, and on ridges, at 750 to 1450 m (2475-4700 feet) elevation, but can be found as high as 1850 m (6075 feet). It is primarily found on moderate to steep gradients (20-40°), but also occasionally occurs on gentler slopes (1-9°), across all aspects, other than north-facing. Soils are well- to rapidly-drained and range from silty or sandy loams to clays. The underlying geology is typically limestone. Trees are essentially lacking in this shrubland association; however, scattered <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> infrequently occurs in both the canopy and subcanopy layers, and <i>Acacia greggii</i> sporadically occurs in a sparse tall-shrub layer. Vegetation is characterized by the codominance of one of <i>Ephedra viridis, Ephedra aspera</i>, or <i>Ephedra torreyana</i>, along with <i>Gutierrezia sarothrae</i> and <i>Agave utahensis</i>. In rare stands in which <i>Gutierrezia sarothrae</i> is not present (typically at lower elevations), <i>Gutierrezia microcephala</i> occurs in its place. The short-shrub layer also sometimes supports <i>Yucca baccata, Encelia farinosa</i>, and <i>Ferocactus cylindraceus</i>. The native bunchgrasses <i>Muhlenbergia porteri</i> and <i>Achnatherum speciosum</i> occasionally occur in the graminoid understory. The exotic <i>Bromus rubens</i> frequently occurs as well. <i>Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, Artemisia ludoviciana</i>, and <i>Galium stellatum</i> are frequent components of the forb layer. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:33895-{45F33AB2-49C1-4586-8391-A7C990473FBB}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 29-Jul-2010 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.840584 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005130
  Translated: (Broom Snakeweed, Threadleaf Snakeweed) - Joint-fir species - Utah Agave Dwarf-shrubland
  Scientific: Gutierrezia (sarothrae, microcephala) - Ephedra spp. - Agave utahensis Dwarf-shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Gutierrezia (sarothrae, microcephala) - Ephedra spp. - Agave utahensis Dwarf-shrubland