Name:
Hesperostipa comata - Bouteloua gracilis Dry Mixedgrass Prairie Group
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This dry mixedgrass prairie grassland is common in southeastern Alberta, southwestern Saskatchewan, south into the northern and central Great Plains of the United States. The vegetation is dominated by moderate to moderately dense medium-tall and short grasses and scattered shrubs. Dominant midgrass species include <i>Hesperostipa comata, Pascopyrum smithii, Pseudoroegneria spicata</i>, and <i>Elymus lanceolatus</i>. Short grasses, including <i>Bouteloua gracilis</i> and <i>Koeleria macrantha</i>, are common and become dominant in dry locations such as upper slopes. Upland sedges, such as <i>Carex inops ssp. heliophila</i> and <i>Carex filifolia</i>, may also be important components. <i>Calamovilfa longifolia</i> is often found with high cover values on sandier soils. <i>Pascopyrum smithii</i> and <i>Elymus lanceolatus</i> will decline in abundance with grazing pressure, while <i>Bouteloua gracilis</i> and <i>Koeleria macrantha</i> cover increases on degraded sites. Other common species include <i>Hesperostipa curtiseta</i>. Common woody species include <i>Artemisia cana, Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Rhus trilobata</i>, and <i>Sarcobatus vermiculatus</i>. Some examples may range into more of a shrub-steppe. Common forbs include <i>Opuntia polyacantha, Sphaeralcea coccinea</i>, and <i>Artemisia frigida</i>. Fire, drought, and grazing constitute the primary dynamics affecting this group. Its presence is generally correlated with arid areas that have mean precipitation of 350 mm per year or less. Stands occur on a wide variety of landforms, with flat to rolling topography and some low-relief hummocky areas. Surficial materials are predominantly glacial till in the Canadian areas, with some glacio-lacustrine areas. Glacio-fluvial sediments are common along major river valleys, and eolian materials are prevalent in some areas. Predominant soils are deep and well-drained to imperfectly drained, have a thick, dark A horizon and are classed as Brown Chernozems in the Canadian system. Textures are sandy loam to loam, medium- to coarser-textured soils. There are significant areas of Solonetzic soils, characterized by a subsoil hardpan layer with a high proportion of sodium.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:40081-{01087106-DC6A-488B-ADF2-2A3AC69E0C04}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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