Name:
Artemisia nova Steppe & Shrubland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
Structurally, this alliance may occur as shrub-herbaceous or shrub-dominated vegetation. The shrub layer is characterized by the dominance of the dwarf-shrub <i>Artemisia nova</i>, which may have sparse to moderate cover of 10-60%. Associated shrub species that occur in stands of this alliance include <i>Artemisia arbuscula, Artemisia cana, Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex confertifolia, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, Grayia spinosa, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Purshia tridentata</i>, and <i>Symphoricarpos oreophilus</i>. The ground layer is dominated by perennial bunchgrasses which may exceed the height and cover of shrubs, ranging from sparse to dense cover. Recurrent species include <i>Achnatherum hymenoides, Achnatherum speciosum, Achnatherum thurberianum, Elymus elymoides, Hesperostipa comata, Koeleria macrantha, Poa secunda</i>, and <i>Pseudoroegneria spicata</i>. In southern stands, <i>Bouteloua gracilis</i> and <i>Pleuraphis jamesii</i> may also be important. Common forbs include <i>Balsamorhiza sagittata, Castilleja angustifolia, Heterotheca villosa, Packera multilobata, Phlox hoodii, Senecio integerrimus, Sphaeralcea coccinea</i>, and <i>Stenotus armerioides</i>. Associations within this alliance occur at intermediate elevations (1400-2500 m) in the Intermountain West and Rocky Mountains, a region of semi-arid, continental climate regime. Soils are typically young, shallow, coarse-textured, and often derived from calcareous parent materials. <i>Artemisia nova</i> associations occur on well-drained slopes and ridges and often grow with other <i>Artemisia</i> associations on deeper soils. In the Columbia River Basin, the vegetation in this alliance occupies the driest habitats of all the <i>Artemisia</i>-dominated alliances.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38509-{B250BC3A-16F1-4FC5-BB67-8A193A2399D7}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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