State Wildlife Action Plan for New Mexico

Intermountain Saltbush Shrubland

Back to Habitats

Intermountain Saltbush Shrubland

SWAP Habitat

Intermountain Saltbush Shrubland

NVC Name

Intermountain Saltbrush Scrub (M093)

SWAP General Vegetation Type

DESERT GRASSLAND and SCRUB

Habitat Size

3540 square miles

View Map More Information

Intermountain Saltbush Shrubland

The Intermountain Saltbrush Shrubland [M093] occurs at 1,520–2,200 m (4,985–7,220 ft) elevation in the Colorado Plateaus ecoregion but extends southward into the Arizona/New Mexico Mountains and High Plains and Tablelands ecoregions. It is common in lowland valleys and on rolling hills and mesas.

This shrubland is characterized by an open-to-moderately dense shrub cover dominated by saltbushes that may include fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), shadscale saltbush (A. confertifolia), valley saltbush (A. cuneata), mat saltbush (A. corrugata), and mound saltbush (A. obovata).
The herbaceous layer, including forb cover, is most often sparse, but occasionally grasses can be well represented, forming a shrub steppe. The common perennial grasses include Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), needle and thread grass (Hesperostipa comata), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), and alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides). Introduced annual cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) can be prevalent in some years.
This widespread habitat can be found in a variety of environments including on valley bottoms, alluvial and alkaline flats, mesas and plateaus, and drainage terraces, and in washes, playas, and interdune basins. Substrates are typically saline, alkaline, fine-textured soils developed from shale or alluvium. Infiltration rates are typically low. Soils are shallow to moderately deep but poorly developed in New Mexico’s semi-arid climate. The soil surface is often barren, although, in less disturbed areas, interspaces between the shrubs and grass clusters are commonly covered by a microphytic crust.

The herbaceous layer, including forb cover, is most often sparse, but occasionally grasses can be well represented, forming a shrub steppe. The common perennial grasses include Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), needle and thread grass (Hesperostipa comata), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), and alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides). Introduced annual cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) can be prevalent in some years.

This widespread habitat can be found in a variety of environments including on valley bottoms, alluvial and alkaline flats, mesas and plateaus, and drainage terraces, and in washes, playas, and interdune basins. Substrates are typically saline, alkaline, fine-textured soils developed from shale or alluvium. Infiltration rates are typically low. Soils are shallow to moderately deep but poorly developed in New Mexico’s semi-arid climate. The soil surface is often barren, although, in less disturbed areas, interspaces between the shrubs and grass clusters are commonly covered by a microphytic crust.

Threats and Conservation Actions

ECOREGION

THREAT

Result for: All

Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases

As needed, gather additional information regarding the distribution of tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) and other exotic plants in riparian habitats (e.g., NHNM 2023). Determine the impact of exotic plants, and their removal and reduction, on SGCN and their habitats. Create and implement site-specific plans, with measurable goals and objectives, to restore the historic structure and composition of riparian habitats while minimizing negative impacts on SGCN and soil health (Wagner 2023). Prioritize removal of monoculture stands of non-native plants (e.g., Johnson et al. 2018) and ensure that sufficient native riparian vegetation is locally available to SGCN and that local hydrological conditions support native vegetation regrowth. Since pollinating insects may use exotic riparian plants (e.g., Pendleton et al. 2011), minimize impacts of removing these plants on pollinating insect SGCN, including by avoiding herbicide application when plants are in bloom and treating the focal area in stages. Include post-implementation monitoring and maintenance for all riparian restoration projects. Document and report restoration approaches used, including successes and failures (Shafroth et al. 2008, Sogge et al. 2013). Potential collaborators: BLM, BOR, NPS, NRCS, USACE, USFS, USFWS, NMDA, SFD, SLO, SWCDs, universities, non-profit organizations, private landowners.

Agriculture and Aquaculture Climate Change and Severe Weather Human Intrusions and Disturbance Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases Pollution

Assess the synergistic effects between climate change and other threats to SGCN and their habitats (e.g., Friggens et al. 2019, Parks et al. 2019). Incorporate appropriate climate adaptation strategies and frameworks into projects designed to address these synergistic effects. This may include enhancing connectivity (CEQ 2023), facilitating a species’ innate adaptive capacity (Thurman et al. 2022), enhancing genetic diversity (Powell 2023), considering local adaptation (Meek et al. 2023), or considering whether it is most appropriate to resist, accept, or direct ecosystem transformation (Lynch et al. 2021, Stevens et al. 2021). Projects should acknowledge ecosystem dynamism and incorporate indigenous knowledge (e.g., Roos et al. 2022, Eisenberg et al. 2024), nature-based solutions (Warnell et al. 2023), and experimentation (Guiterman et al. 2022) when appropriate. Potential collaborators: BLM, NPS, USFS, USFWS, USGS, universities, Tribal natural-resource managers.

Agriculture and Aquaculture

Balance irrigation and groundwater demands with the needs of aquatic communities, particularly those supporting native fish, amphibian, and springsnail populations. This may include promoting a transition from irrigated to dryland farming in areas where groundwater pumping and water scarcity threaten SGCN and their habitats. Potential collaborators: BOR, NRCS, USACE, NMOSE, non-profit organizations, private landowners, Tribal natural-resource managers, water-management districts.

Agriculture and Aquaculture Climate Change and Severe Weather Human Intrusions and Disturbance Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases Pollution

Collaborate with interested and willing land managers and private landowners to designate protected areas or implement conservation easements for lands that encompass important SGCN habitats. Potential collaborators: BLM, NPS, NRCS, USFS, USFWS, SLO, non-profit organizations, private landowners.

Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases

Consider the impact of honeybee (Apis spp.) apiaries on wildlands and restrict their placement in areas where native bee SGCN occur. Honeybees can pose a disease spillover risk for wild bees (Tehel et al. 2016). Potential collaborators: universities, non-profit organizations, private landowners.

Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases

Continue current efforts to prevent the infestation of aquatic habitats in New Mexico by zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussels (D. bugensis) and other aquatic invasive species. This includes informing anglers and boaters on the importance of not introducing invasive and other problematic species and providing them with information on how to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Potential collaborators: BLM, BOR, USACE, USFS, NMED, NMSP, universities, non-profit organizations.

Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases

Design and implement protocols for early detection of invasive and problematic species, including feral ungulates, and diseases. Quickly respond to detection. Potential collaborators: BLM, NPS, NRCS, USFS, USFWS, NMDA, NMED, SLO, universities, private landowners.

Pollution

Determine effects of, and implement actions to mitigate negative effects from, agro- (e.g., neonicotinoids, other pesticides) (Sanchez-Bayo 2021, EPA 2023) and petrochemicals, synthetic chemicals (e.g., per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS]), microplastics, urban runoff, and other pollutants (e.g., sewage, nutrients, toxic chemicals, sediment) on SGCN, especially fish and pollinating insects, and their habitats. This includes solid waste that may entangle wildlife. Potential collaborators: EPA, NMDA, NMED, universities, local governments, municipalities, private industry.

Climate Change and Severe Weather

Determine how regional and global climate change will affect SGCN, vegetation patterns (e.g., Davis et al. 2019, Coop et al. 2020, Guiterman et al. 2022, Davis et al. 2023), and community (e.g., Rosenblad et al. 2023) and ecosystem processes and dynamics, including disturbance regimes. This includes identifying SGCN (e.g., Glick et al. 2011) and associated habitats that are most likely to be negatively affected by climate change, including impacts on travel corridors, habitat connectivity, and species and habitat ranges. Identification of environmental conditions or thresholds that could limit SGCN is especially important. Potential collaborators: BLM, NPS, USFS, USFWS, USGS, EMNRD, SLO, universities.

Related Resources

Terrestrial Habitats section in SWAP document