Intermountain Arroyo Riparian Scrub [M095] occurs at 1,600-2,475 m (5,250-8,120 ft) elevation in the Colorado Plateaus ecoregion and is primarily an open shrubland habitat with patches of vegetation occurring within and along the edges of ephemeral cold-desert washes. Dominant species may be common in the surrounding uplands including sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia), big sagebrush, fourwing saltbush, shadscale saltbush, skunkbush sumac (Rhus trilobata), longleaf brickellbush (Brickellia longifolia), and rubber rabbitbrush. Herbaceous cover is sparse, although non-native annuals such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and prickly Russian thistle (Salsola tragus) are sometimes abundant. This habitat is associated with flash flooding and rapid sheet and gully flows that scour channel bottoms. The vegetation is sparse from both the high impact of flooding and the lack of moisture for the rest of the year.