Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Classification</strong> <strong>and</strong> Distribution <strong>Mapping</strong> <strong>Report</strong>: Petrified Forest National Park<br />
C.4 Herbaceous<br />
C.4.1. Atriplex obovata / Sporobolus airoides - Pleuraphis jamesii Shrub Herbaceous<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong><br />
Base map class<br />
NatureServe common name<br />
NatureServe code<br />
New.Mexico.Saltbush./.Alkali.Sacaton.-.Galleta.Shrub.<br />
Herbaceous.<strong>Vegetation</strong><br />
New.Mexico.Saltbush./.Alkali.Sacaton.-.James’.Galleta.Shrub.<br />
Herbaceous.<strong>Vegetation</strong><br />
CEGL001775<br />
Summary:<br />
This association occurs on alluvial flats in the southern Colorado Plateau in northwestern New<br />
Mexico <strong>and</strong> adjacent Arizona at 1680-1811 m (5570-5940 ft) elevation. Slopes are minimal <strong>and</strong> range<br />
from 0 to 6%. Soils are typically shallow, alkaline, <strong>and</strong> calcareous <strong>and</strong> are derived from alluvium. Soil<br />
texture ranges from fine s<strong>and</strong>y loam to silty clay loam. Ground cover is largely bare soil, sometimes<br />
with high cover of surface rock, including basalt, gravel, <strong>and</strong> petrified wood. The vegetation is characterized<br />
by an open dwarf-shrub canopy of Atriplex obovata with a grassy understory dominated by<br />
Pleuraphis jamesii <strong>and</strong> Sporobolus airoides. Other shrubs may be present with very low cover, including<br />
Atriplex confertifolia, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Opuntia imbricata, Opuntia<br />
polyacantha, <strong>and</strong> Sarcobatus vermiculatus. Associated graminoids may include Elymus elymoides,<br />
Muhlenbergia torreyi, Schedonnardus paniculatus, <strong>and</strong> Sporobolus crypt<strong>and</strong>rus. Forb cover is typically<br />
low but may be diverse.<br />
<strong>Classification</strong> confidence: 3 - Weak.<br />
<strong>Classification</strong> comments:<br />
Globally. Data are not available.<br />
Petrified Forest National Park. Data are not available.<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> hierarchy:<br />
Physiognomic class V Herbaceous.<strong>Vegetation</strong><br />
Physiognomic subclass V.A. Perennial.graminoid.vegetation<br />
Physiognomic group V.A.7. Temperate.or.subpolar.grassl<strong>and</strong>.with.a.sparse.shrub.<br />
layer<br />
Physiognomic subgroup V.A.7.N. Natural/Semi-natural.temperate.or.subpolar.grassl<strong>and</strong>.<br />
with.a.sparse.shrub.layer<br />
Formation name V.A.7.N.e Medium-tall.temperate.or.subpolar.grassl<strong>and</strong>.with.a.<br />
sparse.needle-leaved.or.microphyllous.evergreen.shrub.<br />
layer<br />
Alliance name<br />
Sporobolus airoides.-.(Pleuraphis jamesii).Shrub.<br />
Herbaceous.Alliance.(A.1532),.Alkali.Sacaton.-.(James’.<br />
Galleta).Shrub.Herbaceous.Alliance<br />
Ecological systems placement:<br />
Ecological system unique ID<br />
CES304.788<br />
CES304.784<br />
Ecological system name<br />
Inter-Mountain.Basins.Semi-Desert.Shrub-Steppe<br />
Inter-Mountain.Basins.Mixed.Salt.Desert.Scrub<br />
NatureServe conservation status:<br />
Global rank. GU (23-Feb-1994).<br />
C64