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Ecological site R006XA302OR

Steep South Slopes 20-40 PZ

Last updated: 9/11/2023
Accessed: 11/14/2024

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General information

Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 006X–Cascade Mountains, Eastern Slope

Stretching from northern Washington to southern Oregon, MLRA6 encompasses the mountain slopes, foothills, elevated plateaus and valleys on the eastern slopes of the Cascade mountains. This MLRA is a transitional area between the Cascade Mountains to the west and the lower lying Columbia Basalt Plateau to the east. Situated in the rain shadow of the Cascade Crest, this MLRA receives less precipitation than portions of the cascades further west and greater precipitation than the basalt plateaus to the east. Geologically, the majority of the MLRA is dominated by Miocene volcanic rocks, while the northern portion is dominated by Pre-Cretaceous metamorphic rocks and the southern portion is blanketed with a thick mantle of ash and pumice from Mount Mazama. The soils in the MLRA dominantly have a mesic, frigid, or cryic soil temperature regime, a xeric soil moisture regime, and mixed or glassy mineralogy. They generally are moderately deep to very deep, well drained, and loamy or ashy. Biologically, the MLRA is dominated by coniferous forest, large expanses of which are dominated by ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir or lodgepole pine. Areas experiencing cooler and moister conditions include grand fir, white fir, and western larch while the highest elevations include pacific silver fir, subalpine fir and whitebark pine. Economically, timber harvest and recreation are important land uses in these forests. Historically, many of these forests would have experienced relatively frequent, low and mixed severity fire favoring the development of mature forests dominated by ponderosa pine or Douglas-fir. In the southern pumice plateau forests, less frequent, higher severity fire was common and promoted the growth of large expanses of lodgepole pine forests.

LRU notes

Located at the eastern edge of the Columbia river gorge, this unit is restricted to areas influenced by the modified maritime climate of this unique passageway through the Cascades. This setting allows for the persistence of Oregon White Oak woodlands east of the Cascade crest. These woodlands often include ponderosa pine, and on sites with greater soil moisture, Douglas-fir. Botanical diversity is high, with a mixture of West Cascade and East Cascade plant species commonly co-occurring. Physiographically, this unit is characterized by dissected foothills, valleys and ridges draining Mount Hood in Oregon and Mount Adams in Washington. Geologically, the unit is characterized by late tertiary pyroclastic and volcanoclastic deposits and basalt flows. The climate of this unit is generally warm and dry with a predominately xeric soil moisture regime and mesic soil temperature regime. Historically, the drier extent of these forests have been influenced by a fire regime whereby frequent low and mixed severity fires would have favored the development of open canopied forests. Higher elevations and more westerly locations receiving more moisture within this unit would have been influenced by moderately frequent, low and mixed severity fires favoring a mosaic of forest stages with closed canopy conditions common.

Ecological site concept

This site represents a woodland community at the transition zone between the eastside foothills of the Oregon Cascades and the Columbia plateau. The Reference Plant Community is an open stand of Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). The understory is characterized by a minor shrub component of antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) and deerbrush (Ceanothus integerrimus) with an herbaceous layer dominated by Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) and bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata). East cascade foothill plant communities are moisture limited and therefore highly influenced by aspect. This site occupies south slope aspects at the higher end of the precipitation range (20 to 40 in) for Oregon white oak on the east side of the Oregon cascades. South aspects increase evapotranspiration rates and steep slopes increase subsurface drainage of soil moisture within this precipitation zone, thereby allowing white oak to effectively compete with ponderosa pine. Sites with lower slope within this precipitation zone, are less influenced by aspect and therefore support higher canopy cover of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). South aspect sites with shallower soils are dominated by perennial grasses with only occasional incidences of white oak.

This is a provisional ecological site and is subject to extensive review and revision before final approval. All data herein should be considered provisional and contingent upon field validation prior to use in conservation planning.

Associated sites

F006XA804OR	Mesic Xeric Maritime Foothills 30-50 PZ forested components within shared map units
R006XA204OR	South Slopes 20-40 PZ shallower soils on south slopes

F006XA804OR

Mesic Xeric Maritime Foothills 30-50 PZ

forested components within shared map units

R006XA204OR

South Slopes 20-40 PZ

shallower soils on south slopes

Similar sites

R006XA204OR	South Slopes 20-40 PZ shallower soils, white oak less common
R006XA304OR	Loamy 20-40 PZ Non -aspect site, ponderosa pine and douglas-fir common
R006XA200OR	South Slopes 14-20 PZ lower effective precipitation

R006XA204OR

South Slopes 20-40 PZ

shallower soils, white oak less common

R006XA304OR

Loamy 20-40 PZ

Non -aspect site, ponderosa pine and douglas-fir common

R006XA200OR

South Slopes 14-20 PZ

lower effective precipitation

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Quercus garryana (2) Pinus ponderosa
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Festuca idahoensis

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Physiographic features

This site occurs on terraces, uplands and in mountainous areas with steep south exposures. Slopes range from 20 to 75 percent. Elevations typically range from 750 to 2,500 feet (250 to 750 meters) but may occur as low as 200 feet (50 meters). This site is not subject to ponding or flooding and no water table is present within the upper 100 inches of soil.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Foothills > Terrace (2) Mountains > Mountain slope
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	750 – 2,500 ft
Slope	20 – 75%
Ponding depth	Not specified
Water table depth	100 in
Aspect	SE, S, SW

Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)

Flooding frequency	Not specified
Ponding frequency	Not specified
Elevation	200 – 2,500 ft
Slope	Not specified
Ponding depth	Not specified
Water table depth	Not specified

Climatic features

This site has a xeric soil moisture regime with mean annual precipitation ranging from 20 to 40 inches (500 to 1000 mm), most of which occurs during the months of October through April. Most of the precipitation occurs in the form of rain, however, there is substantial snowfall in most winters. This climate is modified by the influence of the Columbia River Gorge which acts as a conduit for maritime air masses to move past the Cascade mountains. The soil temperature regime is mesic with a mean annual air temperature of approximately 49 degrees Fahrenheit (9.5 degrees C). The frost-free period ranges from 100 to 180 days. The optimum period for plant growth is from the first of March through mid-June. The graphs below are populated from the closest available weather station to representative site locations and are provided to indicate general climate patterns.

Table 4. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	100-180 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	20-40 in
Frost-free period (average)	140 days
Freeze-free period (average)
Precipitation total (average)	30 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

Bar

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Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

Bar

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Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) HOOD RIVER EXP STN [USC00354003], Hood River, OR

Soil features

The soils that typify this site concept are moderately deep to deep and well drained. Surface horizon textures often range from loam, silt loam, fine sandy loam or cobbly loam. Subsoil textures often range from loams, extremely cobbly loams, sandy clay loams or fine sandy loams. Depth to bedrock or an indurated pan may range from 36 inches to over 60 inches. Permeability is moderate. The available water holding capacity is about 2 to 5 inches for the profile. The potential for erosion is severe.

Table 5. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Loess (2) Volcanic ash (3) Colluvium – basalt
Surface texture	(1) Loam (2) Silt loam (3) Fine sandy loam (4) Cobbly loam
Family particle size	(1) Loamy-skeletal
Drainage class	Well drained
Permeability class	Moderate
Depth to restrictive layer	36 – 60 in
Soil depth	36 – 60 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	45%
Surface fragment cover >3"	45%
Available water capacity (0-60in)	2 – 5 in
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	6.1 – 7.3
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (4-60in)	10 – 30%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (4-60in)	30 – 50%

Ecological dynamics

Reference Plant Community:

The reference plant community of this site is characterized by an open woodland of Oregon white oak and ponderosa pine, maintained by relatively frequent, low-intensity fires. The herbaceous component of the understory is primarily composed of Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass. Bitterbrush and deerbrush along with many, minor forbs and shrubs are common in the stand. Vegetative composition of the community is approximately 75 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs and 20 percent shrubs/trees. Variability in plant composition and yield is dependent on soil depth and coarse fragments, rather than precipitation and elevation ranges within the site. Idaho fescue is the predominant grass as a result of available moisture. Bluebunch wheatgrass will be in higher proportion on more coarse surface textures.

Disturbance:

As one of the driest woodland types in Oregon, white oak - ponderosa pine communities on the eastside of the Cascades were historically subject to frequent, low severity firefires that maintained the open, savannah-like appearance and higher cover of herbs in the understory, both due to natural and cultural ignitions (Landfire 2007). Mixed and stand replacement fires also occurred occasionally in these stands but were rare due to limited fuels and fire tolerant canopies (Landfire 2007). Oregon white oak is adapted to these conditions by resprouting from bases following topkill as well as developing thick, fire-resistant bark with maturity (Devine et al 2013). Ponderosa pine is also well adapted to these conditions, developing increasing fire resistance with age by growing thick bark and self-thinning lower limbs (Fryer 2008). Both tree species are susceptible to mortality by low intensity fires when young, yet gain resistance with age.

If fires are frequent enough, they can remove many of the pines and infill seedlings, leaving only those trees that managed to survive and continue growing (Landfire 2007). With a disruption of this fire regime, the canopy becomes more closed and the understory declines in cover and production (Devine et al. 2013). While bitterbrush may resprout following fire, repeated fire may reduce its cover over time (Busse and Riegel 2009). As a shade tolerant species when young, white oak can be a pioneer species following fire, and will attain dominance on sites not suitable for ponderosa pine or Douglas-fir. These sites may include those with rocky, shallow soils and droughty aspects, where white oak may be particularly competitive (Devine et al 2013). With age, white oak loses much of its shade tolerance and will often be outcompeted on favorable sites by conifers, especially if fire is suppressed (Gucker 2007).

This site represents conditions where ponderosa and white oak may attain codominance, yet information about long term stand dynamics is lacking. As warm, dry, open, woodland communities, these white oak sites may be highly susceptible to invasive plant species introductions (Lillybridge et al 1995). Common invasive plant species include cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), and bulbous bluegrass (Poa bulbosa). This site may be used for livestock grazing, with Idaho fescue as the preferred species during spring and early summer. If the condition of the site deteriorates as a result of overgrazing, Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass decrease while Canby bluegrass (Poa secunda formerly P. canbyi) and deerbrush increase. Idaho fescue is the preferred species during spring and summer. With further deterioration, bluebunch wheatgrass decreases and minor forbs increase and annual grasses invade. Under deteriorated conditions cheatgrass and a variety of forbs will nearly replace the stand of perennial bunchgrasses, possibly altering the fire regime (Gucker 2007). Restoration activities for East Cascades White Oak sites should be informed by the document “Oregon White Oak Restoration Strategy for National Forest System Lands East of the Cascade Range” by Devine et al 2013.

The state and transition model below represents a generalized and simplified version of plant community change in response to major disturbance types in this ecological site. It does not attempt to model all of the complex interacting effects of grazing, fire and invasive species on ecosystem change and the potential restoration pathways emerging from these dynamics. Emerging evidence is suggesting that climate change is leading to hotter and drier conditions in western forests that will increase fire frequency and extent and lengthen fire seasons (Halofsky et al. 2020). When combined with the interacting impacts of fire suppression, drought, and insect outbreaks, it is possible that this ecological system will experience unpredictable ecosystem shifts and additional alternative states. For warm and dry sites, these impacts may include the possibility of regeneration failure following wildfire disturbance (Halofsky et al. 2020). As this site is updated in future iterations, and further research informs our understanding of East Cascades oak woodlands, descriptions will include more thorough treatments of disturbance and ecological change. The Reference State is largely based on Landfire biophysical settings model 710600: East Cascades Oak-Ponderosa Pine Forest and Woodland (Landfire 2007).

State and transition model

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Standard diagram

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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

Ecosystem states

1. Historical Reference State

2. Pasture/Cropland State

3. Invaded State

T1A	-	Conversion of the site to agricultural use.
T2A	-	Invasion of annual grasses
R2A	-	Extensive restoration activities
R3A	-	Extensive restoration activities

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Stand initiation, bunchgrass/shrub community

1.2. Young woodland

1.3. Reference Plant Community: Mature woodland

1.1A	-	Time without fire
1.2B	-	High severity, stand replacing fire occurs
1.2A	-	Time without fire
1.3A	-	High severity, stand replacing fire occurs

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Invaded woodland

3.2. Bunchgrass/shrub, invaded

3.1A	-	High severity, stand replacing fire occurs
3.1B	-	Time without fire

State 1
Historical Reference State

The Reference Plant Community is an open, mature, ponderosa pine - white oak stand represented by Community Phase 1.3 . This is the most advanced community within the historical disturbance regime for this site, yet this site occurs across the landscape as a mosaic of plant community phases characterized by variation in forest community structural stage (tree age, density and cover) and species composition. Historically, Oregon white oak - ponderosa pine woodlands would have cycled from a shrub bunchgrass young tree stand initiation phase (1.1) to a young woodland phase (1.2) to a mature woodland phase (1.3) with a disturbance regime characterized by frequent, low intensity surface fires with occasional mixed or replacement severity fires (Landfire fire regime group 1). Fire suppression has likely diminished the presence of mature savannah across the landscape, instead favoring closed canopy conditions and higher densities of younger trees (Devine et al. 2013). Given the likelihood that this state, even in the best condition and highest potential, will almost always include at least some component of exotic species regardless of management inputs, this may also be referred to as the “current potential state”. In this document, the term “reference state” is used synonymously with “current potential state” for the sake of simplicity.

Dominant plant species

Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana), tree
ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), tree
Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass

Community 1.1
Stand initiation, bunchgrass/shrub community

Site characterized by bunchgrasses, shrubs, seedling ponderosa pine initiating and white oak sprouting as coppice from bases. Heavy herbivory or frequent fire will maintain the community in this phase.

Community 1.2
Young woodland

Young stand characterized by an open overstory of mixed intermediate aged oak and ponderosa pine with and understory of bunchgrasses and shrubs. Regular surface fire will maintain the community in this phase. Frequent low severity fires in this stage will maintain the overstory of older pole sized oak trees, kill young trees and saplings and facilitate an understory dominated by herbaceous species and sprouting shrubs.

Community 1.3
Reference Plant Community: Mature woodland

This is the Reference Community. Mature stand characterized by an open overstory of mature, mostly multi-stemmed oaks, large ponderosa pine and an understory composed of bunchgrasses, shrubs and perennial grasses. Regular surface fire will maintain the community in this phase. Frequent low severity fires in this stage will maintain the overstory of older pole sized oak trees, kill young trees and saplings and facilitate an understory dominated by herbaceous species and sprouting shrubs.

Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 6. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	495	565	635
Tree	90	105	120
Shrub/Vine	60	65	75
Forb	55	65	70
Total	700	800	900

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Time without fire

Pathway 1.2B
Community 1.2 to 1.1

High severity, stand replacing fire occurs

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.3

Time without fire

Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.1

High severity, stand replacing fire occurs

State 2
Pasture/Cropland State

In this state, the site is used for agricultural production. This may include perennial pasture or annual crops.

Dominant plant species

orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata), grass

State 3
Invaded State

In this state much of the native herbaceous vegetation has been replaced by exotic annual grasses which at high levels may create positive feedbacks that alter fire regimes and promote prolonged invasion.

Dominant plant species

cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), grass
bulbous bluegrass (Poa bulbosa), grass

Community 3.1
Invaded woodland

Site characterized by an oak woodland that includes a significant portion of invasive annual grasses that have sufficient cover to alter the fire regime and reduce understory biodiversity. Fires become more frequent and may be shifted earlier into the season.

Community 3.2
Bunchgrass/shrub, invaded

Site characterized by invasive annual grasses within the understory composition, bunchgrasses are reduced, shrubs and young pine reestablishing and white oak sprouting as coppice from bases. Frequent fire will maintain the community in this phase.

Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2

High severity, stand replacing fire occurs

Pathway 3.1B
Community 3.2 to 3.1

Time without fire

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Conversion of the site to agricultural use.

Transition T2A
State 1 to 3

Invasion of annual grasses, such as cheatgrass and bulbous bluegrass, occupying a significant amount of ground cover. Research has not identified a threshold for cover that will shift this community into an alternative state.

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

Restoration of this site will likely be time and labor intensive and require significant inputs. Possible restoration activities will be site specific and may be informed by Devine et al. 2013.

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1

Reduction of invasive species may be possible yet will be time and labor intensive and require significant inputs. Possible restoration activities will be site specific and may be informed by Devine et al. 2013.

Additional community tables

Table 7. Community 1.3 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Grass and Grasslike Plants			545–650
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	480–520	–
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSPS	Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata	40–80	–
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	10–15	–
	western fescue	FEOC	Festuca occidentalis	10–15	–
	blue wildrye	ELGL	Elymus glaucus	10–15	–
2	Big Bluegrass			0–10
3	Canby Bluegrass			15–40
4	Other perennial grasses			10–25
	Geyer's sedge	CAGE2	Carex geyeri	0	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	0	–
Forb
5	Forbs			30–65
	arrowleaf balsamroot	BASA3	Balsamorhiza sagittata	10–15	–
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	10–15	–
	fleabane	ERIGE2	Erigeron	10–15	–
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	10–15	–
6	Other perennial forbs			10–40
	Scouler's woollyweed	HISC2	Hieracium scouleri	0	–
	waterleaf	HYDRO4	Hydrophyllum	0	–
	pea	LATHY	Lathyrus	0	–
	ragwort	SENEC	Senecio	0	–
	strawberry	FRAGA	Fragaria	0	–
Shrub/Vine
7	Shrubs			25–80
	deerbrush	CEIN3	Ceanothus integerrimus	15–65	–
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	10–15	–
8	Other shrubs			10–40
	common snowberry	SYAL	Symphoricarpos albus	0	–
	bitter cherry	PREM	Prunus emarginata	0	–
	oceanspray	HODI	Holodiscus discolor	0	–
	hollyleaved barberry	MAAQ2	Mahonia aquifolium	0	–
	serviceberry	AMELA	Amelanchier	0	–
	Himalayan blackberry	RUAR9	Rubus armeniacus	0	–
Tree
9	Trees			80–160
	ponderosa pine	PIPO	Pinus ponderosa	40–80	–
	Oregon white oak	QUGA4	Quercus garryana	40–80	–
	Douglas-fir	PSME	Pseudotsuga menziesii	0	–
	bigleaf maple	ACMA3	Acer macrophyllum	0	–

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Information presented here has been derived from NRCS data. Field observations from range trained personnel were also used. Other sources used as references include USDA NRCS Water and Climate Center, USDA NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook, and USDA NRCS Soil Surveys from various counties.

References

. Fire Effects Information System. http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/.
. 2021 (Date accessed). USDA PLANTS Database. http://plants.usda.gov.

Other references

Devine, W.; Bower, A.; Miller, J.; Aubry, C. 2013. Oregon white oak restoration strategy for National Forest System lands east of the Cascade Range. Olympia, WA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 97 p.

Gucker, Corey L. 2007. Quercus garryana. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/quegar/all.html [2020, June 2].

Halofsky, J.E., Peterson, D.L. & Harvey, B.J. Changing wildfire, changing forests: the effects of climate change on fire regimes and vegetation in the Pacific Northwest, USA. fire ecol 16, 4 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42408-019-0062-8

LANDFIRE, 2007, Biophysical Settings Model Descriptions, LANDFIRE 1.1.0, U.S. Department of the Interior, USDA Forest service, Accessed 20 April 2020 at https://www.landfire.gov/bps-models.php

Lillybridge, T.R.; Kovalchik, B.L.; Williams, C.K.; Smith, B.G. 1995. Field guide for forested plant associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-359. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 335 p.

Simpson, M. 2007. Forested plant associations of the Oregon East Cascades. Portland, Or. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region.

Contributors

Andrew Neary - 2020/2021 update of original draft concept

Approval

Kirt Walstad, 9/11/2023

Acknowledgments

Development of this site as a range site was based on field data collection completed in 1989. It was revised and updated with information regarding ecological dynamics in 2020.

Rangeland health reference sheet

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Author(s)/participant(s)
Contact for lead author
Date	09/11/2023
Approved by	Kirt Walstad
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):

Dominant:

Sub-dominant:

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Perennial plant reproductive capability: