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Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa var. coloradensis Shrubland | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa var. coloradensis Shrubland
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This cactus-dominated association is found scattered across the Mojave Desert in Arizona and California where it forms an open to intermittent shrub canopy (11-35% cover) dominated by <i>Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa</i> with <i>Echinocereus engelmannii, Ephedra nevadensis, Ferocactus cylindraceus</i>, and <i>Krameria erecta</i> which are often present. Additional cacti species may include <i>Opuntia basilaris, Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea</i>, and <i>Mammillaria tetrancistra</i>. Other shrubs present may include <i>Ambrosia dumosa, Encelia farinosa, Larrea tridentata, Viguiera parishii</i>, and <i>Yucca schidigera</i>. Herbaceous cover is variable, ranging from 3 to 24% with <i>Eriogonum inflatum, Pleuraphis rigida, Porophyllum gracile, Sphaeralcea ambigua</i>, and invasive exotics <i>Bromus rubens</i> and <i>Erodium cicutarium</i> commonly present. Occasional emergent <i>Yucca brevifolia</i> trees are sometimes present with up to 0.5% cover. Stands primarily occur on thin-soiled, exposed bedrocky areas and gravelly and cobbly bajadas on mid to high slopes at mid to upper elevations (650-1450 m). Slopes range from gentle to somewhat steep (2-26°) on warm southerly aspects. Soils are typically clay loam or a mix of sand and loam and are derived usually from alluvium or schist. This cactus-dominated community appears to be impacted by historical and/or current livestock grazing. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:37496-{6EA32193-3BC5-44BD-817A-20AA481C78F8}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 24-Apr-2018 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.972010
  Code: CEPP006729
  Translated: Colorado Buckhorn Cholla Shrubland
  Scientific: Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa var. coloradensis Shrubland