Habitat of Sclerocactus glaucus by Peggy Lyon
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Habitat of Sclerocactus glaucus by Peggy Lyon
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Populations occur primarily on alluvial benches along the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers and their tributaries. Sclerocactus glaucus generally occurs on gravelly, or rocky surfaces on river terrace deposits and lower mesa slopes. Exposures vary, but S. glaucus is more abundant on south-facing slopes. Soils are usually coarse, gravelly river alluvium above the river flood plains usually consisting of Mancos shale with volcanic cobbles and pebbles on the surface. Elevations range from 1200-2000 m. Associated vegetation is typically desert scrub dominated by shadscale (Atriplex confertifolia), galleta (Hilaria jamesii), black-sage (Artemisia nova), and Indian rice grass (Stipa hymenoides). Other important species include two similar spherical or cylindrical cactus species, strawberry hedgehog cactus ( Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. melanacanthus) and Simpson's pincushion cactus (Pediocactus simpsonii). Other important species in the plant community include the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia polyacantha), winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), yucca (Yucca harrimaniae), snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), low rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus), sand dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus), and Salina wildrye (Elymus salinus) (USFWS 1990, Scheck 1994). Fire is not typically characteristic of S. glaucus habitat, but areas with large infestations of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) may build up sufficient fuel to carry fire into S. glaucus populations.
Exposed, gravel-covered, clay hills, saltbush or sagebrush flats, or pinyon-juniper woodlands; 1400-2000 m (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 2003).
Elevation Range:
4,646 - 7,126
feet (1,416 - 2,172 meters)