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Ecological site R009XY060OR

Shrubby North 15+ PZ

Accessed: 12/22/2024

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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.

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Figure 1. Mapped extent

Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.

Associated sites

R009XY030OR	South 17-22 PZ South 17-22" PZ
R009XY031OR	Shallow South 14+ PZ Shallow South 14"+ PZ
R009XY041OR	Deep North 14-17 PZ Deep North 14-17" PZ
R009XY045OR	North 17-24 PZ North 17-24" PZ
R009XY046OR	Shrubby Moist North 15+ PZ Shrubby Moist North 14"+ PZ
R009XY048OR	Shallow North 14+ PZ Shallow North 14"+ PZ

Similar sites

R009XY041OR	Deep North 14-17 PZ Deep North 14-17" PZ (lower production, lower elevation)
R009XY046OR	Shrubby Moist North 15+ PZ Shrubby Moist North 14"+ PZ (higher production, greater subsurface flow)

R009XY041OR

Deep North 14-17 PZ

Deep North 14-17" PZ (lower production, lower elevation)

R009XY046OR

Shrubby Moist North 15+ PZ

Shrubby Moist North 14"+ PZ (higher production, greater subsurface flow)

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	Not specified

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Physiographic features

This site occurs on the upper slopes of canyons and mountian plateaus adjacent to forestland. It is typically on steep slopes having north and northeast aspects. Slopes range from 15 to 90%, with gradients of 40 to 70% being the most typical. Elevation varies from 2800 to 5600 feet.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Canyon
Elevation	2,800 – 5,600 ft
Slope	15 – 90%
Aspect	N, NE

Climatic features

The annual precipitation ranges from 15 to 30 inches with 15 to 22 inches being the most typical. The precipitation occurs as snow during the months of November through March followed by ample spring rainfall. Localized, occasionally severe, convection storms occur during the summer. The mean annual air temperaute is approximately 43 degrees F. Extreme temperature ranges from 90 degrees F. to -30 degrees F. Soil temperature regimes are frigid. The frost-free period ranges from 30 to 100 days. The period of optimum plant grwth is from mid April through July.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (average)	100 days
Freeze-free period (average)	0 days
Precipitation total (average)	30 in

Soil features

The soils of this site are formed in loess and colluvium over basalt bedrock. They are moderately deep to deep. Stoniness is variable. Tyipically the surface layer is a stony silt loam about 10 inches thick over a very cobbly silt loam or clay loam subsoil. Soil permeability is moderate. The available water holding capacity (AWC) is 6 to 10 inches. Erosion potential is high.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Surface texture	(1) Stony silt loam
Family particle size	(1) Loamy
Drainage class	Well drained
Permeability class	Moderate

Ecological dynamics

Range in Characterisitics:
The production and density of shrubs is dependent on aspect, soil depth and the extent and duration of lateral subsurface waterflows. Mallow ninebark increases on north slopes having deep soils with greater water holding capacities and on shallower soils recieving seasonal subsurface flows. Snowberry increases in drier areas and on shallower soils. Shrubs occur in dense patches and present strong competition to the less stable grass/forb component if the site. Scattered ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir bearing fire scars are often present. As a site highly susceptable to fire, fire frequency will influence vegetaive production and cover. Mallow ninebark and snowberry respond vigorously following a fire and increase in production, particularly during the second and thrid post-fire growing season.
Response to Disturbance:
If the condition of the site deteriorates as a result of overgrazing, Idaho fescue decreases along with other palatable understory grasses and forbs. Kentucky bluegrass, annuals and unpalatable forbs invade. Rhizomatous shrubs increase through shading and root competition of the weakened undrstory component. With further deterioration areas of bare ground under and adjacent to shrubs increase, forage production decreases and erosion and slumping accelerates.

State and transition model

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Ecosystem states

1. Historic Climax Plant Community

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Historic Climax Plant Community

State 1
Historic Climax Plant Community

Community 1.1
Historic Climax Plant Community

The potential native plant community is dominated by mallow ninebark. Snowberry, rose and serviceberry are common. Currant, spirea, oceanspray, Idaho fescue and a variety of forbs are present. The potential vegtative composition is approximatley 80 percent shrubs, 10 percent grass and 5 percent forbs.

Figure 2. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 5. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Shrub/Vine	1850	2588	3325
Grass/Grasslike	225	425	625
Forb	75	150	225
Total	2150	3163	4175

Additional community tables

Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial Deep-rooted Dominant			175–375
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	125–250	–
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	50–125	–
5	PPGG			50–250
	sedge	CAREX	Carex	10–50	–
	pinegrass	CARU	Calamagrostis rubescens	10–50	–
	blue wildrye	ELGL	Elymus glaucus	10–50	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	10–50	–
	bluegrass	POA	Poa	10–50	–
Forb
7	Perennial All Dominant			50–100
	cinquefoil	POTEN	Potentilla	25–50	–
	ragwort	SENEC	Senecio	25–50	–
9	PPFF			25–125
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	3–14	–
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	3–14	–
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	3–14	–
	aster	EUCEP2	Eucephalus	3–14	–
	bedstraw	GALIU	Galium	3–14	–
	Scouler's woollyweed	HISC2	Hieracium scouleri	3–14	–
	waterleaf	HYDRO4	Hydrophyllum	3–14	–
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	3–14	–
	beardtongue	PENST	Penstemon	3–14	–
Shrub/Vine
13	Perennial Deciduous Dominant			1500–2250
	mallow ninebark	PHMA5	Physocarpus malvaceus	1250–1750	–
	common snowberry	SYAL	Symphoricarpos albus	250–500	–
14	Perennial Deciduous Sub-dominant			300–875
	Saskatoon serviceberry	AMAL2	Amelanchier alnifolia	125–375	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	125–375	–
	spirea	SPIRA	Spiraea	50–125	–
15	SSSS			50–200
	hawthorn	CRATA	Crataegus	10–40	–
	oceanspray	HODI	Holodiscus discolor	10–40	–
	chokecherry	PRVI	Prunus virginiana	10–40	–
	wax currant	RICE	Ribes cereum	10–40	–
	elderberry	SAMBU	Sambucus	10–40	–
Tree
16	Perennial Evergreen Dominant			50–100
	ponderosa pine	PIPO	Pinus ponderosa	25–50	–
	Douglas-fir	PSME	Pseudotsuga menziesii	25–50	–

Interpretations

Animal community

Livestock Grazing:
This ite is suited to late spring summer and fall use by cattle, sheep and horses under a planned grazing system. The key species is Idaho fescue is not present. Idaho fescue can be damaged if heavily tab grazed during periods of flowering and seed formation when root reserves are low. If Kentucky bluegrass is the key species, adequate ground cover and stubble should be left to prevent erosion and to maintain and improve plant vigor. Periodic prescribed burns or other brush control measures will temporarily improve the forage production capabillity of the site. As this site occurs on steep slopes, care should be taken to avoid trampling damage and soil compaction when soils are wet.
Wildlife:
When the ecological condition is high this site provides excellent food and cover for deer, elk, other mammals and upland birds. It is an important fall use area for deer and elk. wildlife cover values, thermal, hiding and escape, should be considiered in designing treatment measures that alter the kind and amount of shrub species present.
Native Wildlife Associated With The Potential Climax Community:
Mule deer, white-tail deer, elk, rodents and a variety of upland birds use this site fro food and cover. Cover is excellent when the ecological condition is high.

Hydrological functions

The soils of this site have excellent water holding capacities, providing late season water for plant growth and slow water release to streams. The hydrologic cover condition is excellent when the ecological condition is high.

Recreational uses

In the Blue Mountains this site occurs on upper plateau slopes interfingering witht he forest. It appears as a mosaic providing diversity with th adjoining forest.

Wood products

A few scattered ponderosa pine and/or Douglas-fir may be present. These provide limited economic benefits in terms of wood products, but are of value for diversity and wildlife.

Other information

Periodic prescribed burns or toher brush control measures will temporarily improve froage production and reduce wildlife cover values. These two opposite interacting effects should be considered in designing treatment measures that alter the kind and amount of shrub species present. When in poor condition the site has a high potential for mechanical range seeding on moderate slopes and low potential on steep slopes. Aerial seeding is practical on intensely burned areas, realizing forage production will reduce as shrubs resprout and improve in vigor.

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)	Jeff Repp
Contact for lead author	Oregon NRCS State Rangeland Management Specialist
Date	07/30/2012
Approved by	Bob Gillaspy
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
None to some, severe sheet & rill erosion hazard
Presence of water flow patterns:
None to some
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None to some
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
0-5%
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None, slight wind erosion hazard
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Fine - limited movement
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Moderately resistant to erosion; aggregate stability = 3-5
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Moderately deep to deep, well drained, with a stony silt loam surface (up to 10" thick); moderate OM (2-4%)
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Significant ground cover (90-110%) and moderate to very steep slopes (15-90%) moderately limit rainfall impact and overland flow
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None
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:
Mallow ninebark > Snowberry > Rose = Serviceberry > Idaho fescue > other grasses > Bluebunch wheatgrass > forbs > other shrubs > trees

Sub-dominant:

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Normal decadence and mortality expected
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Favorable: 3000, Normal: 2500, Unfavorable: 2000 lbs/acre/year at high RSI (HCPC)
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 forb and brush species will increase with deterioration of plant community. Bluegrasses and annual bromes invade sites that have lost deep rooted perennial grass functional groups. Excessive erosion may occur, deteriorating site potential.
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species should be capable of reproducing annually

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