Home/Ecosystems/ Chihuahuan Desert Sand Dune Scrub

Chihuahuan Desert Sand Dune Scrub

EVT 7076Chihuahuan Stabilized Coppice Dune and Sand Flat Scrub

CES302.737GNRShrubShrubland

Summary

This ecological system includes the open desert scrub of vegetated coppice dunes and sandsheets associated with eolian sands found in the Chihuahuan Desert. Stands are usually dominated by Prosopis glandulosa or Artemisia filifolia but also include Atriplex canescens, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra trifurca, Poliomintha incana, and Rhus microphylla coppice and sand flat scrub usually with 10-30% total vegetation cover. Yucca elata, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Bouteloua eriopoda, Cylindropuntia imbricata, and Sporobolus flexuosus are commonly present. Herbaceous species of the adjacent grasslands may be common. In northern stands, Artemisia filifolia dominates and Prosopis glandulosa becomes less common or absent. This system includes degraded sandy desert plains grasslands now dominated by Artemisia filifolia.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Vegetation

Vegetation is typically sparse and dominated by Prosopis glandulosa or Artemisia filifolia. Other species may include Atriplex canescens, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra trifurca, Poliomintha incana, Rhus microphylla, Yucca elata, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Bouteloua eriopoda, Cylindropuntia imbricata, and Sporobolus flexuosus. Herbaceous species of the adjacent grasslands may be common. In northern stands, Artemisia filifolia dominates and Prosopis glandulosa becomes less common or absent.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Environment

This system occurs on eolian sandsheets and coppice dunes in the Chihuahuan Desert of North America.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Dynamics

Prosopis glandulosa is more common on warmer, drier sites on sands with clays or carbonate substrates, whereas Artemisia filifolia is more common on relatively cooler/moisture sites with coarse, deep sand (S. Yanoff pers. comm. 2007). The composition of this system is similar to the composition of degraded sandy desert plains grasslands now dominated by Artemisia filifolia.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Distribution

This system occurs on dunes and sandsheets found in the Chihuahuan Desert.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Ecologically Associated Plant Species

Plant species that characterize this ecosystem type, organized by vegetation stratum. These are species ecologically associated with the ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific area.

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Prosopis glandulosa, Rhus microphylla, Yucca elata

Short shrub/sapling

Artemisia filifolia, Atriplex canescens, Ephedra torreyana, Ephedra trifurca, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Poliomintha incana, Psorothamnus scoparius

Herb (field)

Bouteloua eriopoda, Dasyochloa pulchella, Muhlenbergia porteri, Sporobolus flexuosus

Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment

Ecologically Associated Animals (2)

Animal species ecologically associated with this ecosystem type based on NatureServe assessment. These are species whose habitat requirements overlap with this ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific roadless area.

Mammals (1)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Merriam's Kangaroo Rat	Dipodomys merriami	G5

Other (1)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Chihuahuan Desert Pocket Mouse	Chaetodipus eremicus	G5

Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment

Component Associations (8)

Plant community associations that occur within this ecological system. Associations are the finest level of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and describe specific, repeating assemblages of plant species. Each association represents a distinct community type that may be found where this ecosystem occurs.

Name	G-Rank
Atriplex canescens / Sporobolus wrightii Shrubland	GNR	NatureServe
Ephedra torreyana - Achnatherum hymenoides Hummock Shrubland	GNR	NatureServe
Prosopis glandulosa / Atriplex canescens Ruderal Shrubland	GNA	NatureServe
Prosopis glandulosa / Bouteloua gracilis Ruderal Shrubland	GNA	NatureServe
Prosopis glandulosa / Muhlenbergia porteri Ruderal Shrubland	GNA	NatureServe
Prosopis glandulosa / Sporobolus flexuosus Ruderal Shrubland	GNA	NatureServe
Psorothamnus scoparius / Sporobolus flexuosus Shrubland	G5	NatureServe
Rhus microphylla / Bouteloua curtipendula Shrubland	GNR	NatureServe

State Conservation Ranks (2)

Subnational conservation status ranks (S-ranks) assigned by Natural Heritage Programs in each state where this ecosystem occurs. S1 indicates critically imperiled at the state level, S2 imperiled, S3 vulnerable, S4 apparently secure, and S5 secure. An ecosystem may be globally secure but imperiled in specific states at the edge of its range.

State	S-Rank
NM	SNR
TX	SNR

Methodology and Data Sources

Ecosystem classification: Ecosystems are classified using the LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) layer, mapped to NatureServe Terrestrial Ecological Systems via a curated crosswalk. Each EVT is linked to the USNVC (U.S. National Vegetation Classification) hierarchy through pixel-level co-occurrence analysis of LANDFIRE EVT and NatureServe IVC Group rasters across all roadless areas.

Vegetation coverage: Coverage percentages and hectares are derived from zonal statistics of the LANDFIRE 2024 EVT raster intersected with roadless area boundaries.

Ecosystem narratives and community species: Sourced from the NatureServe Explorer API, representing professional ecological assessments of vegetation composition, environmental setting, dynamics, threats, and characteristic species assemblages.

IVC hierarchy: The International Vegetation Classification hierarchy is sourced from the USNVC v3.0 Catalog, providing the full classification from Biome through Association levels.

Component associations: Plant community associations listed as components of each NatureServe Ecological System. Association data from the NatureServe Explorer API.

State ranks: Conservation status ranks assigned by NatureServe member programs in each state where the ecosystem occurs.