A plant succession gradient in a big sagebrush/grass ecosystem

Rangeland vegetation in the Great Basin of the United States is found in several seral stages depending upon gradients related to distance from water and grazing differences across fencelines. Detailed documentation of vegetation changes was attempted on a representative vegetation type in northern Nevada using a chronosequence approach. Frequency of occurrence appeared to be the vegetation attribute most clearly expressing an axis of change or differences across the site. Soil profile descriptions and soil analyses helped relate plant community changes to abiotic variation. Species, microtopography and soil surface characteristics varied with seral stage. Pattern analysis proved useful for relating vegetation changes to successional stages. Computer-based classification (TWINSPAN) and ordination (DECORANA) techniques defined a successional gradient that differed from a theoretical or assumed successional classification.