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Andropogon hallii - Calamovilfa longifolia - Artemisia filifolia Great Plains Sand Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Andropogon hallii - Calamovilfa longifolia - Artemisia filifolia Great Plains Sand Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019 Description: This Great Plains macrogroup is found from Texas to southern Alberta and Saskatchewan on somewhat excessively to excessively well-drained, deep sandy to loamy sand soils and contains species well-adapted to these soil conditions. Grass and shrub species composition in sand prairies is determined not only by soil texture and drainage, but by morphological (root architecture) and physiological (photosynthetic, water use efficiency) adaptations. Dominant grasses in this macrogroup exhibit many of these adaptations. <i>Andropogon hallii</i> and <i>Calamovilfa longifolia</i> are the most common species, but other grass and forb species, such as <i>Bouteloua</i> spp., <i>Calamovilfa gigantea, Carex inops ssp. heliophila, Hesperostipa comata, Panicum virgatum, Schizachyrium scoparium</i>, and <i>Sporobolus cryptandrus</i>, can be common. A sparse to moderately dense shrub layer is common. The most common shrub species is <i>Artemisia filifolia</i>. Other possible shrub species include <i>Artemisia cana ssp. cana, Betula occidentalis, Juniperus horizontalis, Prunus angustifolia, Rhus trilobata</i>, and <i>Yucca glauca</i>. <i>Quercus havardii</i> and <i>Prosopis glandulosa</i> may also be present and dominant in some stands in the southern range of this macrogroup. Northward in Alberta, <i>Hesperostipa comata</i> and <i>Calamovilfa longifolia</i> are common, often with <i>Sporobolus cryptandrus</i> and <i>Achnatherum hymenoides</i>. <i>Symphoricarpos occidentalis, Artemisia cana</i>, and <i>Rosa arkansana</i> are common shrubs. The largest expanse of relatively intact examples of this macrogroup (approximately 5 million ha) can be found in the Sandhills of north-central Nebraska and southwestern South Dakota. The climate is semi-arid to arid for much of the region where this macrogroup occurs. Soils are somewhat excessively to excessively well-drained, deep sands that are often associated with dune systems and ancient floodplains. These soils can be relatively undeveloped (Entisols) and are highly permeable. This macrogroup is particularly susceptible to wind erosion. Blowouts and sand draws are some of the unique wind-driven disturbances in the sand prairies. Grazing and fire constitute other important dynamics for this macrogroup. Overgrazing and fire suppression can impact the species distribution and dominance.  Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:40472-{33DF63E9-A0EF-49B5-BAB8-740E7C65ED35} Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 15-Oct-2014 to: ongoing
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Andropogon gerardii - Pascopyrum smithii - Bouteloua gracilis Grassland & Shrubland Division This Community's Level: Macrogroup This Community's Children: Show/Hide   Andropogon hallii - Calamovilfa longifolia - Hesperostipa comata Sand Grassland Group   Artemisia filifolia / Calamovilfa longifolia - Yucca glauca Sand Shrubland Group		Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860480 NatureServe Explorer   Code: M052   Scientific: Andropogon hallii - Calamovilfa longifolia - Artemisia filifolia Great Plains Sand Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup