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Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS

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<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

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