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A.1058 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.1058
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: A shrubland in this alliance was described from the east-facing slope of Bishop's Cap Peak (elevation 1465 m) in southwestern New Mexico. It occurred on ledges below limestone cliffs in a habitat common in other limestone areas in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, and may occur elsewhere. Climate is arid to semi-arid with hot summers. Freezing temperatures may occur during the winter. Mean annual precipitation is approximately 28 cm. Precipitation can vary greatly from year to year with drought not uncommon. Annual precipitation has bimodal distribution with about a third of the annual precipitation occurring in late winter and two-thirds in July through October. The summer rain often occurs as high-intensity convective storms. The most arid season is late spring and early summer. The rocky, calcareous, alkaline soils are derived from limestone. The vegetation is moderately dense (50% cover), and is dominated by xeromorphic deciduous and microphyllous evergreen shrubs to 2 m tall. Stands are codominated by ~Lycium berlandieri$ and ~Larrea tridentata$ with 15% and 11% canopy cover, respectively. Other common shrubs include ~Atriplex canescens, Aloysia wrightii, Ephedra aspera, Flourensia cernua$, and ~Menodora scabra$ with 5.7%, 5.4%, 2%, 2% and 0.6% canopy cover, respectively. The herbaceous layer is usually sparse. The grass ~Muhlenbergia porteri$ and the forb ~Bahia absinthifolia$ are common perennials. Annuals are seasonally present. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.827.A1058
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.C.3.N.b
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: LYCIUM BERLANDIERI - LARREA TRIDENTATA SHRUBLAND ALLIANCE
  Code: A.1058
  Common: Silver Desert-thorn - Creosotebush Shrubland Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Lycium berlandieri - Larrea tridentata Shrubland Alliance