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A.1109 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.1109
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: Shrublands in this alliance are found on lower hillslopes and alkaline flats on Colorado Plateau portions of northwestern New Mexico, western Colorado and Utah. Climate is semi-arid with most of the highly variable precipitation falling in July and August as high-intensity thunderstorms. Mean annual precipitation is approximately 23 cm. Elevation ranges from 1300-1820 m. Sites are nearly flat to moderately steep, and have soils typically derived from Mancos Shale. Soils are moderately deep, strongly saline, moderately alkaline, fine-textured (clayey), poorly developed and typically have high erosion rates. Stands have very sparse to moderate cover (5-30%) of woody vegetation that is dominated by the halophytic, evergreen dwarf-shrub ~Atriplex corrugata$. Sparse stands are often completely dominated by this plant. Stands typically have very low species diversity. Depending on soil salinity and moisture, other plants may be present, including the shrubs ~Tetradymia spinosa, Picrothamnus desertorum (= Artemisia spinescens)$, and ~Krascheninnikovia lanata$. The herbaceous layer is very sparse. Scattered perennial forbs, such as ~Xylorhiza glabriuscula$ and ~Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia$, and the perennial grass ~Achnatherum hymenoides (= Oryzopsis hymenoides)$ have been reported. Annuals are seasonally present and may include ~Eriogonum inflatum, Plantago tweedyi$, and the exotics ~Bromus tectorum, Malcolmia africana$, and ~Salsola kali$. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.882.A1109
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: IV.A.2.N.b
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: ATRIPLEX CORRUGATA DWARF-SHRUBLAND ALLIANCE
  Code: A.1109
  Common: Mat Saltbush Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Atriplex corrugata Dwarf-shrubland Alliance