Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS

Appendix C: Global and local plant community descriptions
NatureServe conservation status:
Distribution:
Global rank. GNRQ (23-Feb-1994).
Globally. This grassland association occurs in the northern Jornada del Muerto and Tulerosa
basins in south-central New Mexico and in the southern Colorado Plateau in the upper
Rio Puerco watershed in northwestern New Mexico and at Petrified Forest National Park in
northern Arizona.
Petrified Forest National Park. Sporobolus airoides - Bouteloua gracilis Herbaceous Vegetation
was identified from seven relevés within Petrified Forest National Park. This association
occurred on lower slopes, sand dunes/sandsheets, and terraces. It was located both north
and west of the Blue Mesa road towards the main park road and was also identified south of
Newspaper Rock approximately 2 m west of the main park road, west of the southern wilderness
area, and south of the Crystal Forest and east of the main park road
Environmental summary:
Globally. This grassland association occurs in basins in the northern Chihuahuan Desert in
south-central New Mexico and in the southern Colorado Plateau in northwestern New Mexico
and northern Arizona at 1570 to 2240 m (5160-7370 ft) elevation. Stands occur on gently
sloping (