Name:
Ephedra (torreyana, viridis) - Psorothamnus fremontii Shrubland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This 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 canopy dominated by one or more of the following <i>Ephedra</i> species: <i>Ephedra cutleri, Ephedra viridis</i>, and/or <i>Ephedra torreyana</i>, and codominated by <i>Psorothamnus fremontii</i>. A variety of associated shrubs may be present with sparse to low cover. The herbaceous layer is highly variable, ranging from sparse to codominant with the shrub layer. This could be a result of overgrazing and/or related to the underlying substrate and environmental setting. The sparse to moderately dense herbaceous understory is generally dominated by <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Sporobolus contractus</i>, and <i>Sporobolus flexuosus</i>. Weedy, annual grasses may have low to moderate cover as well, including <i>Bouteloua barbata, Vulpia octoflora</i>, and exotic <i>Bromus rubens, Bromus tectorum</i>, and <i>Schismus barbatus</i>. Forbs have sparse to low cover of native perennials, as well as the weedy annuals. Total vegetation cover is highly variable, ranging from 42% down to 3% in areas that lack herbaceous cover. Stands occur on dunefields, sand dunes, plateaus, mesas, benches, hills, canyon or valley sides, sideslopes, slumps, alluvial fans, and valley bottoms between 1106 and 1433 m elevation. Sites are gently to steeply sloping and occur on all aspects. Sites may be sandy or gravelly with high cover of bare soil. Soils are variable in texture ranging from sand to clay loam and are derived from eolian or alluvial deposits, sandstone, or shale parent material.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:37396-{5CD26853-29F8-431D-860A-F3F73C209FE8}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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