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Atriplex canescens / Muhlenbergia porteri Shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Atriplex canescens / Muhlenbergia porteri Shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This saltbush shrubland association is currently known from Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument and White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. The information below is based on data collected there and will be updated when additional inventory data are available. At Salinas Pueblo Missions, this association is reported from 1980 m (6490 feet) in elevation on a gentle, southwest-facing slope of a low hill. The substrate is derived from limestone of the Permian San Andres Formation. The ground surface is characterized by exposed soil and litter. The reported site is in close proximity to pueblo ruins, and soils appear to have been disturbed. At Grand Canyon, it occurs on fairly steep, mid and upper sideslopes at 1575 to 1625 m (5200-5300 feet) elevation, but likely also occurs outside of this elevational range. It is typically found on southeast- to southwest-facing, moderate to steep gradients (22-35°). Soils are well- to rapidly-drained silty loams. This desert shrubland is dominated by <i>Atriplex canescens</i> with a luxuriant grass understory dominated by <i>Muhlenbergia porteri</i>, which can reach 40% total cover underneath shrubs and in the intershrub spaces. At Grand Canyon, <i>Juniperus osteosperma</i> trees occasionally occur, but tall shrubs are absent. The short-shrub layer also includes <i>Ephedra aspera, Aloysia wrightii, Coleogyne ramosissima, Cylindropuntia bigelovii</i>, and <i>Yucca baccata</i>. The dwarf-shrub layer is poorly-developed and is typically represented only by <i>Gutierrezia sarothrae</i> or <i>Gutierrezia microcephala</i>. <i>Bromus rubens</i> often accompanies <i>Muhlenbergia porteri</i> in the graminoid understory, while other native bunchgrasses such as <i>Achnatherum speciosum, Bouteloua curtipendula, Hesperostipa comata</i>, and <i>Tridens muticus</i> occasionally occur. At Salinas Pueblo Missions, <i>Bouteloua gracilis</i> and <i>Sporobolus contractus</i> are also common associates. A ruderal vegetation phase is indicated by the presence of <i>Erysimum capitatum, Marrubium vulgare, Phacelia integrifolia, Portulaca oleracea</i>, and <i>Solanum jamesii</i>. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34145-{B7D9B7AB-F382-4DE8-A6E6-EEF73B0BC5CE}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 29-Jul-2010 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.827827 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005385
  Translated: Fourwing Saltbush / Bush Muhly Shrubland
  Scientific: Atriplex canescens / Muhlenbergia porteri Shrubland
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Atriplex canescens / Muhlenbergia porteri Shrubland