Name:
Gutierrezia sarothrae - Gutierrezia microcephala Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
The vegetation is characterized by an open (10-30% cover) woody layer dominated by <i>Gutierrezia sarothrae</i> with a sparse to luxuriant perennial graminoid layer. <i>Atriplex canescens</i> and <i>Krascheninnikovia lanata</i> may codominate the shrub layer in some stands. Other shrub associates may include <i>Artemisia tridentata, Ephedra viridis, Eriogonum corymbosum, Ericameria nauseosa, Fallugia paradoxa, Isocoma drummondii</i>, and <i>Opuntia</i> spp. Trees are absent or represented by scattered individuals of <i>Juniperus monosperma</i> or <i>Pinus edulis</i>, mostly as seedlings or saplings. The most common dominant graminoids include <i>Bouteloua gracilis, Bouteloua eriopoda, Elymus elymoides, Pleuraphis jamesii</i>, and <i>Sporobolus airoides</i>. Other herbaceous associates include <i>Aristida purpurea, Hesperostipa comata, Muhlenbergia porteri, Pleuraphis rigida, Sphaeralcea coccinea</i>, and <i>Sporobolus cryptandrus</i>. Introduced species such as <i>Bromus tectorum</i> or <i>Salsola kali</i> may dominate the herbaceous layer of some disturbed stands. This alliance represents shrub and shrub herbaceous vegetation of the Colorado Plateau and southern Rocky Mountains. It most commonly occurs on level to gently sloping sites, including gently rolling mesatops, terraces, hillslopes, plateaus, sand deposits, bluffs and occasionally along canyon footslopes on sites with moderate solar exposure. Elevation ranges from 1300 to 2230 m.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38490-{C114F129-C6FD-4CFA-8DE5-4A23AFE4C18D}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
3
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