Name:
Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus - Ephedra spp. Shrubland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This warm desert shrubland association is known from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and likely occurs more widely in the Colorado Plateau. It is characterized by a sparse to open shrub dominated by <i>Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus</i> and codominated by one or more species of <i>Ephedra</i>, namely <i>Ephedra cutleri</i> (with 1-12% cover), <i>Ephedra torreyana</i> (with 1-5% cover), or <i>Ephedra viridis</i> (with 2-3% cover). Associated shrubs with sparse to low cover may be diverse and include <i>Atriplex canescens, Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Coleogyne ramosissima, Glossopetalon spinescens, Gutierrezia</i> spp., <i>Opuntia</i> spp., <i>Psorothamnus fremontii</i>, and <i>Yucca angustissima</i>. The herbaceous layer has low to moderate cover and is dominated by native perennial grasses, including <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum speciosum, Aristida purpurea, Pleuraphis jamesii, Sporobolus contractus, Sporobolus cryptandrus</i>, and <i>Sporobolus flexuosus</i>. Exotic, annual grasses such as <i>Bromus rubens, Bromus tectorum</i>, and <i>Schismus barbatus</i> may be present with moderate cover. Forbs have sparse cover and are dominated by annuals, such as <i>Plantago patagonica, Eriogonum inflatum</i> and <i>Stephanomeria pauciflora</i> and exotic <i>Salsola tragus</i>. Total vegetation cover ranges between 5 and 32%. Sites range from flat to steeply sloping and occur on all aspects. Bare soil, gravel, and biological soil crusts cover most of the unvegetated surface. Soils are variable, ranging from silt loams and sandy clays derived from shales to sandy loams, sands, and loamy sands derived from alluvial or eolian deposits, or sandstones.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:37390-{26865D1B-B4D8-4E13-ABEC-95F22CF3C06A}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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