Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Ecological site R010XA039ID

Wet Meadow Carex/Juncus

Last updated: 12/13/2023
Accessed: 11/21/2024

Home / Esd catalog / MLRA 010X / Ecological site R010XA039ID

USC

Metric

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): 010X–Central Rocky and Blue Mountain Foothills

This MLRA is characterized by gently rolling to steep hills, plateaus, and low mountains at the foothills of the Blue Mountains in Oregon and the Central Rocky Mountains in Idaho. The geology of this area is highly varied and ranges from Holocene volcanics to Cretaceous sedimentary rocks. Mollisols are the dominant soil order and the soil climate is typified by mesic or frigid soil temperature regimes, and xeric or aridic soil moisture regimes. Elevation ranges from 1,300 to 6,600 feet (395 to 2,010 meters), increasing from west to east. The climate is characterized by dry summers and snow dominated winters with precipitation averaging 8 to 16 inches (205 to 405 millimeters) and increasing from west to east. These factors support plant communities with shrub-grass associations with considerable acreage of sagebrush grassland. Big sagebrush, bluebunch wheatgrass, and Idaho fescue are the dominant species. Stiff sagebrush, low sagebrush, and Sandberg bluegrass are often dominant on sites with shallow restrictive layers. Western juniper is one of the few common tree species and since European settlement has greatly expanded its extent in Oregon. Nearly half of the MLRA is federally owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Most of the area is used for livestock grazing with areas accessible by irrigation often used for irrigated agriculture.

For further information, see "Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin (U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296, 2006)" available online at: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/survey/?cid=nrcs142p2_053624

Ecological site concept

• Site occurs on bottomlands
• Slopes less than 8%
• Water table present for most of the growing season
• Water at or near the surface at beginning of growing season and down to 10-20 inches at the end of the growing season

Associated sites

R010XA027ID	Meadow DECA18-CANE2 Adjacent meadows at higher landscape positions relative to water sources
R010XA028ID	Dry Meadow 8-15 PZ PONE3-PHAL2 Adjacent meadows at higher landscape positions relative to water sources
R010XA040ID	Marsh TYLA-SCAC3 Adjacent marshes at lower landscape positions relative to water sources

R010XA027ID

Meadow DECA18-CANE2

Adjacent meadows at higher landscape positions relative to water sources

R010XA028ID

Dry Meadow 8-15 PZ PONE3-PHAL2

Adjacent meadows at higher landscape positions relative to water sources

R010XA040ID

Marsh TYLA-SCAC3

Adjacent marshes at lower landscape positions relative to water sources

Similar sites

R010XA040ID	Marsh TYLA-SCAC3 Water standing at or above the surface into late summer
R010XA027ID	Meadow DECA18-CANE2 Water at or near the surface at beginning of growing season and down to 20-40 inches at the end of the growing season
R010XA028ID	Dry Meadow 8-15 PZ PONE3-PHAL2 Water at or near the surface at beginning of the growing season and greater than 40 inches at the end of the growing season

R010XA040ID

Marsh TYLA-SCAC3

Water standing at or above the surface into late summer

R010XA027ID

Meadow DECA18-CANE2

Water at or near the surface at beginning of growing season and down to 20-40 inches at the end of the growing season

R010XA028ID

Dry Meadow 8-15 PZ PONE3-PHAL2

Water at or near the surface at beginning of the growing season and greater than 40 inches at the end of the growing season

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Carex (2) Juncus

Download full description

Physiographic features

This site generally occurs on gently sloping to nearly level stream valleys, high mountain valleys on flood plains with slopes of 0 to 4 percent. It also occurs around localized seeps and springs. This site is frequently dissected by old stream courses, oxbows, and potholes. The surface is not flat but slightly undulating with small depressions and high spots. Elevations range between 3500 to 7500 feet (1050 to 2300 meters).

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Mountain valleys or canyons > Valley (2) Mountain valleys or canyons > Flood plain
Flooding duration	Brief (2 to 7 days) to long (7 to 30 days)
Flooding frequency	Occasional to frequent
Ponding frequency	Occasional to frequent
Elevation	1,067 – 2,286 m
Slope	0 – 4%
Ponding depth	5 – 25 cm
Water table depth	0 – 51 cm
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The Big and Little Wood River Footslopes and Plains, proposed as MLRA 10A, has a mean elevation of 5310 feet above sea level, and varies from 3600 to 9235 feet. In general, average annual precipitation is greatest on the western side, with the southeast area being the driest. The average annual precipitation, based on 7 long term climate stations located throughout the MLRA, is 15.39 inches, with a range of 12.5 to 18 inches. Monthly precipitation is generally greatest at the end of the year, diminishes steadily until a low in July and August, then increases rapidly in the autumn.
Monthly temperatures can vary considerably. Highs of up to 102° and lows down to -52° Fahrenheit have been recorded. The average annual temperature is 42.9°. The frost-free period ranges from 75 to 98 days. The freeze-free period is a bit longer: 106 to 133 days.
Both morning and afternoon average relative humidity values peak in the winter, and reach their low in July and August. The average number of sunny, cloud-free days is above average for the summer months, but below average for the period from November through February.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	75-98 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	106-133 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	305-457 mm
Frost-free period (average)	86 days
Freeze-free period (average)	120 days
Precipitation total (average)	406 mm

Bar

Line

Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range

Bar

Line

Figure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Influencing water features

Wet Meadow site is influenced by additional water from either adjacent streams through seasonal flooding, water table, seeps or springs, or from run-on from adjacent sites.

The site may include the following stream types. TBD

Wetland description

The site may include the following wetland types. TBD

Soil features

The soils on this site are characterized by peaty and high organic soils that tend to hummock severely from trampling. These soils are susceptible to gully formation which intercepts normal overflow patterns and results in site degradation. They are poorly to moderately well drained, with impermeable or moderate permeability and very low to moderate available water holding capacity dependent largely on rock fragment content. Available water capacity is supplemented by upward capillary movement from the shallow water table. The effective rooting depth is limited by the high water table. Runoff is very low to very high. Erosion hazard is slight. The soils have a water table at or near the surface at the beginning of the growing season and down to 10 to 20 inches at the end of the growing season. Flooding is occasional to frequent during snowmelt and just after snowmelt. Ponding can occur in small depressional areas during this time period. Soils on this site are mainly clays, clay loams, or silty clay loams over 40 inches deep, alluvial in origin and may be somewhat stony or gravelly. The soils range from slightly alkaline to slightly acid in pH. The plant community is dependent on near saturated or saturated soils during a major portion of the growing season. The water table is influenced by seasonal flooding, stream flows, seeps or springs or from run-on from adjacent sites. Soil characteristics, flooding and water table can vary within a delineation.
These soils are characterized by a xeric or aquic moisture regime. Soil temperature regime is frigid.

Soil Series Correlated to this Ecological Site -
Brinegar
Bruneel
Houk
Hutton
Picabo
Strom

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Alluvium
Surface texture	(1) Gravelly loam (2) Silty clay loam (3) Clay loam
Drainage class	Poorly drained to moderately well drained
Permeability class	Very slow to moderate
Depth to restrictive layer	152 – 203 cm
Soil depth	152 – 203 cm
Surface fragment cover <=3"	4 – 22%
Surface fragment cover >3"	0 – 2%
Available water capacity (0-101.6cm)	1.52 – 16.76 cm
Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm)	0 – 8 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm)	0 – 40
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm)	6.1 – 9
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-152.4cm)	0 – 45%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-152.4cm)	0 – 5%

Ecological dynamics

The dominant visual aspect of this site is sedges and rushes with scattered forbs. If shrubs are present, they occur in small amounts. The site usually occurs within a complex of wetland sites. Typically, the soil surface of the area where the site is found is slightly undulating causing small depressions and high spots with variable soil moisture regimes. The complex of wetland sites that is commonly found in association with this site and the dominant species that occur in those sites are as follows:

1. Marsh site. Deeper depressions with the water table at or near the surface or slightly above the surface for the entire growing season. This site is dominated by broadleaf cattail, hardstem bulrush, and common threesquare.

2. Meadow site. Slightly higher areas that are drier during the growing season. The water table is down to a depth of 20 to 40 inches by the end of the growing season. The site is dominated by tufted hairgrass and Nebraska sedge.

3. Dry Meadow site. Slightly higher areas that are drier during the growing season and the water table is greater than 40 inches deep by the end of the growing season. The plant community is dominated by Nevada bluegrass and alpine timothy.

Composition by weight is 80 to 90 sedges and rushes, 5 to 15 percent forbs, and less than 0 to 5 percent shrubs. The depression area plant communities are inclusions and may have sedges and rushes making up nearly 100 percent of the plant community in those areas.

During the last few thousand years, this Wet Meadow site has evolved in a semi-arid climate characterized by dry summers and cold, wet winters. The site has evolved on deep alluvial soils that are saturated to the surface at the beginning of the growing season and move down to a depth of 10 to 20 inches by the end of the growing season. Herbivory has historically occurred on this site at low levels of utilization. Herbivores include pronghorn antelope, mule deer, moose, and Rocky Mountain elk.

Fire has had little influence on the development of the site. Rare wildfires can occur following consecutive drought years.

The conditions for the plant community of this site are highly variable due to a wide variation of soils, frequency and duration of flooding, water table fluctuations, air and soil temperatures, and competition between mostly rhizomatous plants. These conditions can vary within the site at any given location. At any one point within the site, one species can occupy nearly 100 percent of a small area. Another point nearby, may have another species fully occupying that area. Due to these situations, the plant community in this ESD is written broadly.

The soils within any complex of meadow sites are highly variable. Factors that affect the determination of the site include depth to water table at end of growing season, micro-topography and drainage class. Depth to water table and micro-topography are measurable features. Determination of drainage class requires the use of soil interpretation tables. Other interpretive factors that may be used for site determination are depth and duration of ponding frequency and the timing and duration of flooding frequency.

Micro-topography is a feature that has a dramatic effect on depth to water table and the resulting plant communities. A few inches of change in surface elevation changes species composition and/or production. Slightly undulating topography is common in meadow complexes, therefore, more than one site should be expected.

An infinite number of combinations of factors that influence the ecology of potential plant communities exist. For practical purposes, four (4) plant communities where the depth to the water table drives the vegetative composition have been described. They are:

• Dry meadow Water table at >40” at end of growing season
• Meadow Water table at 20-40” at end of growing season
• Wet meadow Water table at 10-20” at end of growing season
• Marsh Water at surface to <10” at end of growing season

Most wetland species have a wide range of tolerance for variations in soil moisture. Most species occur in more than one site, although most are dominant on just one site.
The Reference State (State 1), previously referred to as the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC), moves through many phases depending on the natural and man-made forces that impact the community over time. State 1, described later, indicates some of these phases.

FUNCTION:

This site is suitable for big game animals in the late spring, summer, and fall. The site is suitable to livestock grazing in the summer and fall. Wet soils can limit grazing opportunities, particularly early in the year. Soil damage can result from heavy, continuous, season-long grazing by livestock.

This site can be used for hiking, access to fishing, hunting, viewing wildlife and plants, and horseback riding. The wet soils can limit access. Motorized vehicles can be very detrimental to the site due to wet soils.

Due to the deep soils, fertility, inherent high productivity, high percentage of plants with rhizomes, and relatively flat slopes, the site is fairly resistant to disturbances that can potentially degrade it. Site degradation is usually the result of a lowering of the water table. This can occur with down cutting of adjacent stream channels or significant run-off following prolonged drought. This can result from on-site improper grazing or off-site conditions in the upper watershed. Once adjacent streams are down-cut, concentrated flows lower the water table.

Impacts on the Plant Community:

Influence of fire:

This site usually does not burn from wildfire. If a fire occurs, it usually does not adversely affect the plant community. Most plants including shrubs sprout back with sufficient soil moisture and during the next growing season.

Influence of improper grazing management:

Season-long grazing and/or excessive utilization can be very detrimental to this site. The Reference Plant Community Phase sedges and rushes in the plant community will decline in the stand and unpalatable sedges, rushes, and forbs will increase. Continued improper grazing management will result in a stand of forbs and Kentucky bluegrass with unpalatable sedges and rushes. The reduced ability of the community to withstand seasonal flooding is reduced and down cutting of adjacent streams can result or the initiation of headcuts can occur. This down cutting will lower the water table and thus reduce the potential of the site.

Proper grazing management that addresses frequency, duration, and intensity of grazing can maintain the integrity of the plant community and the water table on which it is dependent.

Weather influences:

Because of the deep soils, the influence of the water table, seasonal flooding, and run-on, the production of this site changes little during wet or dry precipitation years. The overall plant production can be adversely influenced with prolonged drought. Overall plant composition is normally not affected when perennials have good vigor.

Below normal temperatures in the spring can have an adverse impact on total production regardless of the precipitation. An early, hard freeze can occasionally kill some plants.

Influence of Insects and disease:

Periodic disease and insect outbreaks can affect vegetation health. Mormon cricket and grasshopper outbreaks occur periodically. Outbreaks seldom cause plant mortality since defoliation of the plant occurs only once during the year of the outbreak. An outbreak of a particular insect is usually influenced by weather but no specific data for this site is available.

Influence of noxious and invasive plants:

Annual and perennial invasive species can compete with desirable plants for moisture and nutrients. The result is reduced production and change in composition of the understory. The plants on this site are very competitive against most potential invasive species.

Influence of wildlife:

This site is important for many species of mammals for food and life cycles. The site is primarily used in the late spring, summer, and fall by big game. Many birds use the site for food, nesting, or brood raising in the late spring, summer, and fall. Sage grouse use the site for brood rearing and forage.
Total numbers are seldom high enough to adversely affect the plant community.

Watershed:

The largest threat to degradation of this site is the lowering of the water table. Off-site conditions can affect the gradient of adjacent stream channels that can have an effect on the water table. If the perennial sedge and rush cover is depleted, down cutting can be accelerated within the site. High runoff events from the adjacent uplands can severely damage or change the normal stream channel on the site. As the water table is lowered, productive potential is lost. Eventually the water table is below the root zone of the adapted sedges and rushes. These are ultimately replaced by perennial forbs and shallow rooted grasses. Extreme down cutting and lowering of the water table can move the site across the threshold to a new, less productive site. Severe down-cutting can result in a plant community that resembles an upland site.

Practice Limitations:

There are severe seeding limitations on this site due to wet soils. Hand planting of container plants is an option on degraded sites. Grade stabilization structures may be needed to prevent further down-cutting of the channel. Other options for rehabilitation may include prescribed grazing and off-site livestock water development. Fencing of the site for better livestock control might also be a consideration.

State and transition model

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

Ecosystem states

1. Reference State

2. Disturbed State

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Phase 1.1 - Reference Plant Community Northwest Sedge - Beaked Sedge - Sedges - Rushes

1.2. Phase 1.2 - Nebraska Sedge - Baltic Rush - Forbs Other sedges reduced. No lowering of water table.

1.1A	-	Improper grazing mangement
1.2A	-	Prescribed grazing

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Phase 2.1

State 1
Reference State

Dominant plant species

sedge (Carex), grass
rush (Juncus), grass

Community 1.1
Phase 1.1 - Reference Plant Community Northwest Sedge - Beaked Sedge - Sedges - Rushes

Northwest Sedge - Beaked Sedge - Sedges - Rushes The Reference Plant Community Phase is Phase 1.1. This plant community is dominated by Northwest sedge and beaked sedge with a variety of other sedges and rushes occurring in minor amounts. These will occur in variable amounts at any one location due to variations in soil and water conditions as stated above. A variety of forbs also occur in the plant community in minor amounts. Willows and shrubby cinquefoil may occur in small amounts. The plant species composition of Phase 1.1 is listed later under “Reference Plant Community Phase Plant Species Composition”. The Reference Plant Community Phase is intentionally written broadly, but these species should occur in the plant community in variable amounts.

Resilience management. The total annual production is 4000 pounds per acre (4480 kilograms per hectare) in a normal year. Production in a favorable year is 5000 pounds per acre (5600 kilograms per hectare). Production in an unfavorable year is 3000 pounds per acre (3360 kilograms per hectare). Structurally, rhizomatous grass and grass-like species are very dominant, followed by perennial forbs being more dominant than shrubs.

Table 5. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	0%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	0%
Forb foliar cover	0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0%
Litter	90-95%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0%
Surface fragments >3"	0%
Bedrock	0%
Water	0%
Bare ground	0%

Figure 3. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ID0314, Wet Meadow. State 1, Reference Plant Community Phase.

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
0	0	0	5	15	20	30	20	10	0	0	0

Community 1.2
Phase 1.2 - Nebraska Sedge - Baltic Rush - Forbs Other sedges reduced. No lowering of water table.

Other sedges reduced. No lowering of water table. This plant community is dominated by Nebraska sedge and Baltic rush. There are several other sedges in the community but in reduced amounts. Forbs have increased in the community and Kentucky bluegrass may have invaded. This phase has developed due to improper grazing management. The water table has not been lowered from that of Phase A.

Table 6. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	0%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	0%
Forb foliar cover	0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0%
Litter	90-95%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0%
Surface fragments >3"	0%
Bedrock	0%
Water	0%
Bare ground	0%

Figure 4. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ID0314, Wet Meadow. State 1, Reference Plant Community Phase.

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
0	0	0	5	15	20	30	20	10	0	0	0

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Phase 1.1 to 1.2. Develops with improper grazing management.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Phase 1.2 to 1.1. Results from prescribed grazing.

State 2
Disturbed State

Community 2.1
Phase 2.1

This plant community is dominated by Nebraska sedge and Baltic rush, but the overall production potential of the site is much lower than State 1. There is an increase in forbs and grasses that require less soil moisture. Kentucky bluegrass, redtop bentgrass, and meadow foxtail may have invaded the community. This state developed due to continued improper grazing management and a permanent lowering of the water table from 10 to 20 inches to 20 to 40 inches below the surface. This state can be similar to the Meadow site in early seral status. The site has crossed the threshold. This state cannot be returned to State 1 without raising the water table. This might be done over time using structures or bio-engineering practices, but the plant community may take many years to approach the plant community in State 1.

Resilience management. State 2 to unknown site. Results from continued lowering of the water table to greater than 40 inches through down cutting of the stream channel. The site retrogresses to a new site with reduced potential due to significant loss of available soil moisture from the lowered water table. It occurs with continued improper grazing management or repeated significant runoff events. The site has crossed the threshold. This state cannot be returned to State 1 without raising the water table. This might be done over time using structures or bio-engineering practices, but the plant community may take many years to approach the plant community in State 1.

Table 7. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	0%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	0%
Forb foliar cover	0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0%
Litter	90-95%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0%
Surface fragments >3"	0%
Bedrock	0%
Water	0%
Bare ground	0%

Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ID0315, DRY MEADOW. State 1.

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
0	0	0	10	20	25	25	10	10	0	0	0

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

State 1 to State 2. Develops through permanently lowering the late growing season water table to 20 to 40 inches. This can occur with continued improper grazing management. It may also occur with proper grazing on the site, but channel erosion may continue if poor off-site conditions cause more frequent and/or severe flooding.

Constraints to recovery. The site has crossed the threshold. This state cannot be returned to State 1 without raising the water table. This might be done over time using structures or bio-engineering practices, but the plant community may take many years to approach the plant community in State 1.

Additional community tables

Interpretations

Animal community

Wildlife Interpretations.
Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations

This wet meadow ecological site provides diverse habitat value for wetland and upland wildlife species. The long duration wet conditions results in abundant forage and seasonal water, attracting invertebrate and vertebrate animals to these ecological sites. Important seasonal habitat is provided for over 80 percent of adjacent rangeland resident and migratory animals including western toad, western rattlesnake, shrews, bats, jackrabbits, ground squirrels, mice, coyote, red fox, badger, sage-grouse, Ferruginous hawk, prairie falcon, horned lark and western meadowlark. Large herbivore use of this ecological site includes mule deer, pronghorn antelope and elk. Native reptiles and amphibians are reliant on these meadow sites throughout the year. Loss of site hydrology significantly reduces habitat value of the adjacent ecological sites. Open water is seasonal being provided by seasonal runoff, ponding, flooding, seasonal high water table and natural springs.

State 1 Phase 1.1 –Northwest Sedge/ Beaked Sedge/ Sedges/ Rushes Reference Plant Community (RPC): The RPC provides a diversity of grasses and forbs used by native insect communities who assist in pollination of the plant community. The insects provide feed for the many predator species utilizing the site. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by leopard lizard, western skink, rubber boa, western rattlesnake, western toad, boreal chorus frog and northern leopard frog. A diverse amphibian population is a key indicator of good ecological health on this site. Loss of hydrologic function will limit or exclude amphibians from this ecological site. Sage-grouse utilize the meadows as summer and fall brood-rearing habitat. Isolated patches of woody vegetation add horizontal and vertical structure for nesting and roosting sites for resident and migratory avian species. Bird species can include warbling vireo, black-capped chickadee, MacGillivray’s warbler, fox sparrow, song sparrow, common snipe and long-billed curlew. The plant community supports limited summer and fall forage needs of large mammals (antelope, mule deer and elk.). The dominant plant community is not preferred forage for the ungulates utilizing the site. Limited thermal cover for ungulates is provided with isolated patches of woody vegetation within the plant community. A diverse small mammal population including deer mouse, montane vole and western jumping mouse would utilize the habitat throughout the year.

State 1 Phase 1.2- Nebraska Sedge/ Baltic Rush/ Forbs/ Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community: The plant community is the result of improper grazing management. Under proper grazing management insect diversity and populations would be similar to Phase 1.1. With the hydrologic conditions similar to Phase 1.1, amphibian use would still occur and prey species would be abundant. Improper grazing management would reduce the habitat cover value for reptiles and amphibians. The plant community provides summer and fall brood-rearing habitat for sage-grouse when sagebrush cover is nearby. Bird species can include warbling vireo, black-capped chickadee, MacGillivray’s warbler, fox sparrow, song sparrow, common snipe and long-billed curlew. Limited thermal cover for ungulates is provided by isolated patches of woody vegetation within the plant community. The dominant plant community is preferred forage for ungulates but the improper grazing management would reduce available forage in the summer and fall. Small mammal populations and diversity would be reduced under an improper grazing management scenario that reduces vertical structure and increases vulnerability to predators.

State 2 – Sedges/ Baltic Rush/Forbs/Grasses Plant Community: The plant community is the result of improper grazing management. Loss of historic hydrologic function can reduce the habitat value for many animals present in State 1. The vigor and diversity of forbs would support a very limited diversity and population of pollinators. The loss of historic hydrologic function will limit or exclude use of the site by amphibians and many reptiles. Suitable habitat cover for the northern leopard frog, a species of concern, would not be provided. With improper grazing management the loss of vertical and horizontal structure would reduce diversity and populations of all species of birds. The site would be more suitable for killdeers, western meadowlark and horned larks. Birds of prey (northern harrier and Cooper’s hawk) may range throughout these areas looking for prey species. With improper grazing management forage for ungulates would be available for a shorter duration in the summer and fall. Bat populations and diversity may be reduced by the change in plant community and reduced population and diversity of insects. Small mammal diversity would shift toward seed eating species (deer mouse) due to increased grass species in the plant community.

Grazing Interpretations.

This site is best suited for livestock grazing in the summer and fall. Wet soils can limit grazing opportunities, particularly in the late spring. Avoid heavy, continuous, season-long grazing as this can cause soil damage.

Estimated initial stocking rate will be determined with the landowner or decision-maker. They will be based on the inventory, past use history and type, condition of vegetation, production, season of use, and seasonal preference. Calculations used to determine estimated initial stocking rate will be based on forage preference ratings.

Hydrological functions

Soils in this site are generally grouped in hydrologic group D. When hydrologic condition of the vegetative cover is good, natural erosion hazard is slight.

Recreational uses

This site presents an aesthetically pleasing view of lush vegetation consisting primarily of grass-like plants. When livestock or big game are grazing or browsing on the site it presents a pleasant pastoral panorama. Hikers and fisherman often traverse the edges of this site. Picnickers and campers frequent the site in late summer and early fall as sometime adjacent shaded wooded areas become less pleasant on cool days. Vehicular use can be very detrimental to this site with its’ high water table conditions.

Wood products

None

Other products

None

Other information

Field Offices

Mountain Home, ID
Gooding, ID
Fairfield, ID
Shoshone, ID
Rupert, ID
Arco, ID

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping and other inventory data. Also, field knowledge of range-trained personnel was used. Those involved in developing this site description include:
Dave Franzen, co-owner, Intermountain Rangeland Consultants, LLC
Jacy Gibbs, co-owner, Intermountain Rangeland Consultants, LLC
Jim Cornwell, Range Management Specialist, IASCD
Brendan Brazee, State Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS, Idaho
Dan Ogle, Plant Materials Specialist, NRCS, Idaho
Chris Hoag, Wetland Plant Ecologist, NRCS, Idaho
Leah Juarros, Resource Soil Scientist, NRCS, Idaho
Lee Brooks, Range Management Specialist, IASCD

References

. Fire Effects Information System. http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/.

Other references

USDA, NRCS.2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov.) National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

USDA NRCS. 1992. Major Land Resource Area, Owyhee High Plateau, Range Site Descriptions. Reno, Nevada.

USDA NRCS. Major Land Resource Area, Owyhee High Plateau, Range Site Descriptions. Portland, Oregon.

USDI Bureau of Land Management, US Geological Survey; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agricultural Research Service; Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health. Technical Reference 1734-6; Version 4-2005.

Contributors

Approval

Kirt Walstad, 12/13/2023

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)	Dave Franzen and Jacy Gibbs Intermountain Range Consultants 17700 Fargo Rd. Wilder, ID 83676
Contact for lead author	Brendan Brazee, State Rangeland Management Specialist USDA-NRCS 9173 W. Barnes Drive, Suite C, Boise, ID 83709
Date	03/31/2008
Approved by	Kirt Walstad
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
rills do not occur on this site.
Presence of water flow patterns:
none. Water flows over and through the plant community. Rarely are flows detrimental to the plants. The plants have adapted or evolved with this occurrence.
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
neither occurs on this site. Some plants may be hummocked due to trampling damage.
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
data is not available. On sites in mid-seral status bare ground may range from 2-10 percent.
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
none.
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
does not occur.
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
fine litter in the interspaces may move 6 feet or more due to seasonal flooding. Litter accumulates on the surface. There is little or no coarse litter developed on the site, and it will be removed from the site following seasonal flooding.
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
values should range from 4 to 6 but needs to be tested.
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
The A or A1 horizon is typically 5 to 20 inches thick. Structure ranges from weak thin platy to moderate fine granular. Soil organic matter (SOM) needs to be determined.
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
rhizomatous sedges and rushes slow run-off and increase infiltration. The total vegetative cover should be > 60 percent to optimize infiltration. The plant community does not depend on water infiltration alone, but on the water table. The water table controls rooting depth.
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
not present. Compaction layers can develop under stock trails made by livestock going to and from water or from long-term repetitive heavy grazing.
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:
rhizomatous sedges and rushes

Sub-dominant:
perennial forbs

Other:
shrubs

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
normal mortality of grass and grass-like is slow and occurs as aging plants. This will go unnoticed due to regeneration from roots, seeds, or other new plants filling the spaces.
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
additional litter cover data is needed but is expected to be 45-60 percent to a depth of 0.5-1.5 inches. Litter accumulates on the soil surface.
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
is 4000 pounds per acre (4480 Kg/ha) in a year with normal precipitation and temperatures. Rhizomatous sedges and rushes produce 80-90 percent of the total production, forbs 5-15 percent, and shrubs < 5 percent.
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:
includes whitetop, Leafy spurge, Dock, Canadian thistle, and reed canarygrass. Other invasive species may include redtop and Kentucky bluegrass. At low elevations, purple loosestrife may invade.
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
all functional groups have the potential to reproduce in most years. Many of the plants reproduce vegetatively.