Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS

Vegetation Classification and Distribution Mapping Report: Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Park. Sarcobatus vermiculatus / Suaeda moquinii Shrubland was
identified from only one relevé in Petrified Forest National Park. The one relevé of this community
type occurred in a valley bottom and drainage channel located in the central neck area
of the park, between the railroad tracks and the Puerco River.
Environmental summary:
Globally. This shrubland association is reported from the Colorado Plateau and Columbia
Basin. Sites are generally flat to gently sloping saline valley bottoms and toeslopes, along intermittent
washes, floodplains, and playas at elevations ranging from 1620 to 1680 m (5315-5500
ft). Soils are deep, saline, alkaline clay loams.
Petrified Forest National Park. The elevation and slope of this association are not available
or recorded. This association occurred in a wetland environment with seasonal or intermittent
flooding.
USFWS wetland system: Palustrine.
Vegetation description:
Globally. The vegetation has a generally sparse shrub layer (