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A.1046 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.1046
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: This widespread shrubland alliance occurs on lowland sites in plains, mountain valleys and intermountain basins throughout the arid and semi-arid western United States. Sites are generally flat, poorly drained and intermittently flooded with a shallow or perched water table often within 1 m depth such as alkali flats around playas and floodplains along stream channels. Substrates are generally shallow, calcareous, fine-textured soils derived from alluvium. Soils are alkaline and typically moderately saline. Shrublands included in this alliance are dominated or codominated by ~Sarcobatus vermiculatus$. Other shrubby codominants include ~Picrothamnus desertorum (= Artemisia spinescens), Artemisia tridentata, Atriplex confertifolia, Atriplex gardneri, Chrysothamnus$ spp., or ~Grayia spinosa$. In more saline environments, ~Nitrophila occidentalis$ and ~Suaeda moquinii$ may be present. If present, the sparse to moderate herbaceous layer is dominated by perennial grasses, such as ~Distichlis spicata$ and ~Pascopyrum smithii$, or the perennial bunch grasses ~Elymus elymoides, Hordeum jubatum, Leymus cinereus$, and ~Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides)$ will dominate. Perennial forbs are typically sparse and often include ~Grindelia squarrosa, Iva axillaris$, and ~Sphaeralcea coccinea$. Annual grasses, especially the exotic ~Bromus$ spp., may be present to abundant. Forbs are common on disturbed sites. Weedy annual forbs may include the exotics ~Descurainia$ spp., ~Helianthus annuus, Halogeton glomeratus, Lactuca serriola$, and ~Lepidium perfoliatum$. Diagnostic of this alliance is the ~Sarcobatus vermiculatus$-dominated shrub layer in a shrubland that has a relatively shallow water table and may be flooded intermittently during the growing season. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.817.A1046
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Mar-2005
     
  • status: accepted
  • Community's Parent: III.B.3.N.b
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: SARCOBATUS VERMICULATUS INTERMITTENTLY FLOODED SHRUBLAND ALLIANCE
  Code: A.1046
  Common: Black Greasewood Intermittently Flooded Shrubland Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Sarcobatus vermiculatus Intermittently Flooded Shrubland Alliance