Name:
Ericameria nauseosa Steppe & Shrubland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
The vegetation is characterized by a sparse to moderately dense, short-shrub layer (5-60% cover) that is dominated by <i>Ericameria nauseosa</i>. Depending on geography, associated shrubs may include scattered <i>Artemisia filifolia, Artemisia tridentata, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Opuntia</i> spp., <i>Prunus virginiana, Rhus trilobata, Symphoricarpos occidentalis</i>, and <i>Yucca</i> spp. The herbaceous layer can vary from sparse moderately dense, being more prominent in some stands than shrubs, and dominated by graminoids. Common native grasses include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Bouteloua</i> spp., <i>Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus, Leymus flavescens, Pascopyrum smithii, Pleuraphis jamesii, Pseudoroegneria spicata</i>, and <i>Sporobolus cryptandrus</i>. Native forbs generally have low cover. Disturbed stands typically have high cover of introduced annual <i>Bromus</i> species. This alliance includes both natural and semi-natural stands from localized areas across the northern Great Plains and throughout the western U.S. Elevations range from 1100 to 2200 m. Soils are variable but generally well-drained and coarse-textured. Sites are flat to gently sloping, occurring on all aspects. The semi-natural stands included in this alliance are seral shrubland communities resulting from overgrazing by livestock, road building, or other cultural disturbance of typically grass-dominated communities.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38483-{64C40739-ADC5-45C4-AEC0-258D9F65FB28}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
1
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