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Ecological site R010XA040ID

Marsh TYLA-SCAC3

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

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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): 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

Classification relationships

No data.

Ecological site concept

• Site occurs on bottomlands
• Slopes less than 8%
• Water table present for most of the growing season
• Water standing at or above the surface into late summer

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
R010XA039ID	Wet Meadow Carex/Juncus Adjacent meadows at higher 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

R010XA039ID

Wet Meadow Carex/Juncus

Adjacent meadows at higher landscape positions relative to water sources

Similar sites

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
R010XA039ID	Wet Meadow Carex/Juncus Water at or near the surface at beginning of growing season and down to 10-20 inches at the end of the growing season

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

R010XA039ID

Wet Meadow Carex/Juncus

Water at or near the surface at beginning of growing season and down to 10-20 inches at the end of the growing season

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Typha latifolia (2) Schoenoplectus acutus

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Physiographic features

This site generally occurs on nearly level slopes that are less than 2 percent. Elevations range between 3000 to 6800 feet (900 to 2100 meters).

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Mountain valleys or canyons > Stream terrace (2) Lakeshore (3) Oxbow
Flooding duration	Long (7 to 30 days)
Flooding frequency	Frequent
Ponding duration	Long (7 to 30 days)
Ponding frequency	Frequent
Elevation	914 – 2,073 m
Slope	0 – 2%
Ponding depth	5 – 30 cm
Water table depth	0 – 3 cm
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)

Flooding duration	Not specified
Flooding frequency	Not specified
Ponding duration	Not specified
Ponding frequency	Not specified
Elevation	Not specified
Slope	0 – 8%
Ponding depth	Not specified
Water table depth	Not specified

Climatic features

The Big and Little Wood River Foot slopes and Plains, proposed as MLRA 10X, 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 4. 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

The Marsh 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

Typically these soils are erratically stratified with a surface mat of roots 4 or more inches deep over 3 to 6 inches of organic material that are over clays, clay loams, or silty clay loams over 60 inches deep. These soils are poorly drained and alluvial in origin. The soils are usually slightly acid to slightly alkaline in pH. Soils are saturated throughout the growing season and usually have standing water at or above the surface into the late summer.

Flooding can be frequent during snowmelt and just after snowmelt. Ponding is normal. The plant community is dependent on saturated soils and standing water during the growing season.

Table 5. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Alluvium – volcanic and sedimentary rock
Drainage class	Poorly drained
Depth to restrictive layer	152 – 203 cm
Soil depth	152 – 203 cm
Surface fragment cover <=3"	0 – 5%
Surface fragment cover >3"	0 – 5%

Ecological dynamics

The dominant visual aspect of this site is broadleaf cattail and/or hardstem bulrush. Hardstem bulrush is more dominant where water is 6 to 8 inches deep or deeper throughout the growing season. Broadleaf cattail is often more dominant where the water is at the soil surface through most of the growing season and may dry out at the surface later in the summer. When the two species occur together, broadleaf cattail is in shallower water than the from hardstem bulrush. This is common on margins of ponds, lakes, and reservoirs.

The site often occurs within a complex of wetland sites when adjacent to streams or rivers. In these situations, the soil surface of the area where the site is found is typically slightly undulating causing small depressions and high spots with variable soil moisture regimes. The plant communities found on these areas are sites within the complex. Characteristics of these 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. Wet Meadow site. Shallow to depression areas with the water table at or near the surface for the entire growing season. This site is dominated by Carex spp. and Juncus spp.

3. 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. This site is dominated by tufted hairgrass and Nebraska sedge.

4. Dry Meadow site. Even higher areas that are even 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.

Either hardstem bulrush or broadleaf cattail can form impenetrable monotypic stands. Composition by weight is 95 percent grass or grass-like and 5 percent forbs.

During the last few thousand years, this site has evolved in semi-arid and montane climates characterized by dry summers and cold, moist, or wet winters. The site has evolved on deep alluvial soils that are saturated at the soil surface or standing water throughout most of the growing season. Herbivory has historically occurred on this site at very low levels of utilization. Herbivory by some small mammals such as muskrats does occur.

Fire has had little influence on the development of the site. Rare wildfires can occur following consecutive drought years, particularly broadleaf cattail stands that go dry late in the summer.

The conditions for the plant community of this site are variable due to differences in the duration and depth of standing water. Dominant species are mostly rhizomatous and can form monotypic stands.

An infinite number of combinations of factors that influence the ecology of potential plant communities exist. For practical purposes, four 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 following table shows the amplitude of wetland species that occur on the four sites.

• Ecological Amplitude of Meadow/Marsh Plants.

Grass and Grass-like Species
Scientific name Dry Meadow Meadow Wet Meadow Marsh
Leymus cinereus
Danthonia californica
Carex filifolia
Pascopyrum smithii
Poa nevadensis
Juncus dudleyi
Muhlenbergia richardsonis
Hordeum brachyantherum
Phleum alpinum

Scientific name Dry Meadow Meadow Wet Meadow Marsh
Juncus balticus
Juncus torreyi
Alopecurus aequalis
Carex athrostachya
Calamagrostis canadensis
Deschampsia caespitosa
Carex nebrascensis
Glyceria striata
Carex lasiocarpa
Carex utriculata
Carex aquatilis
Eleocharis palustris
Carex rostrata
Carex hoodii
Carex exsiccata
Scirpus microcarpus
Juncus effusus
Beckmannia syzigachne
Typha latifolia
Schoenoplectus acutus
Schoenoplectus pungens
Sparganium erectum
Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani

Forb Species
Scientific name Dry Meadow Meadow Wet Meadow Marsh
Arnica fulgens
Pyrrocoma lanceolata
Arenaria congesta
Artemisia ludoviciana
Achillea millefolium
Wyethia amplexicaulis
Pyrrocoma uniflora
Ranunculus spp.
Trifolium spp.
Potentilla gracilis
Senecio integerrimus
Aster spp.
Cirsium scariosum
Symphyotrichum ascendens
Iris missouriensis
Senecio serra
Helianthus nuttallii
Camassia quamash
Epilobium ciliatum
Montia chamissoi
Plantago major
Alisma triviale
Cicuta douglasii
Argentina anserina

Scientific name Dry Meadow Meadow Wet Meadow Marsh
Veronica anagallis-aquatica
Symphyotrichum frondosum
Polygonum bistortoides
Triglochin maritimum
Polygonum amphibium
Symphyotrichum foliaceum
Potamogeton natans
Lemna minor

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 waterfowl, some shore birds, and small mammals. Moose graze the site occasionally. The site is not suitable for livestock grazing or big game, although some deer may use the edges for cover. Standing water limits grazing opportunities. In some drought years, some grazing can occur with livestock although wet soils should be avoided.

This site can be used for waterfowl hunting and may be adjacent to open water that offers fishing opportunities.

The site is very resistant to degradation due to standing water, low value forage, and limited grazing opportunities. Site degradation is usually the result of permanently lowering of standing water. This can occur with down cutting of adjacent stream channels. This can result from off-site conditions adjacent to the site or in the upper watershed. Once adjacent streams down-cut, concentrated flows can lower the water table and standing water on the site.

Impacts on the Plant Community:

Influence of fire:

This site usually does not burn from wildfire. A rare fire may occur following prolonged drought. If a fire occurs, it usually does not adversely affect the plant community due to rhizomatous species. Most plants sprout back.

Influence of improper grazing management:

Due to standing water and low value and unpalatable forage, grazing during the growing season is rare. Grazing may occur during the dormant period. If dry soil conditions occur into the spring and livestock remove the tops of either broadleaf cattail or hardstem bulrush, both can die if water then covers the plants. Care must be exercised in grazing adjacent sites to avoid downcutting of stream channels that can influence standing water on this site. If this occurs, the potential of the site can be lost.

Weather influences:

Annual precipitation has little direct influence on this site. Prolonged drought can affect amounts and duration of standing water and can change the composition of this site.

Carex and Juncus species can increase and broadleaf cattails and hardstem bulrush can decrease. Lower production can occur with below normal spring temperatures that affect both air and water. An early, hard freeze can occasionally kill some plants.

Influence of Insects and disease:

Periodic disease and insect outbreaks can affect vegetation health. 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:

Purple loosestrife can become invasive, but most plants on this site are very competitive against most potentially invasive species due to the monotypic stands of plants with strong rhizomes.

Influence of wildlife:

This site is important for many species of waterfowl. Some small mammals and shore birds also use the site. Moose graze the site periodically. Big game animals use the edges for cover. 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 permanent standing water during the growing season. Off-site conditions can affect the gradient of adjacent stream channels that can affect the water table. If down-cutting of adjacent stream occurs, this can reduce the depth and duration of the standing water. High run-off events from the adjacent uplands can severely damage or change the normal stream channel on the site. As the standing water is permanently reduced, either in depth or duration, productive potential is lost. Eventually the standing water is no longer the driving factor for the plant community. The site may regress to a meadow or even a low seral upland site.

Practice Limitations:

There are severe limitations to facilitating or accelerated practices due to standing water.

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. State 1 Phase A

2. State 2

T1A	-	Permanent reduction of standing water

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Phase 1.1 - Broadleaf Cattail - Hardstem Bulrush

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Phase 2.1

State 1
State 1 Phase A

Community 1.1
Phase 1.1 - Broadleaf Cattail - Hardstem Bulrush

State 1, Phase 1.1. Reference Plant Community Phase. This plant community is dominated by broadleaf cattail and/or hardstem bulrush. There are a few forbs that may occur in minor amounts including water knotweed, leafybract aster, floating pondweed, and common duckweed. There may also be other grass-like species occurring in minor amounts.

Resilience management. The plant species composition of Phase 1.1 is listed later under “Reference Plant Community Phase Plant Species Composition”. The Reference Plant Community is intentionally written broadly, but these species should occur in the plant community in variable amounts. The total annual production is 4500 pounds per acre (5040 kilograms per hectare) in a normal year. Production in a favorable year is 5500 pounds per acre (6160 kilograms per hectare). Production in an unfavorable year is 3500 pounds per acre (3920 kilograms per hectare). Most of this variation occurs from temperature differences, not moisture. Structurally, rhizomatous grass and grass-like species are very dominant followed by perennial forbs.

Figure 3. 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

State 2
State 2

Community 2.1
Phase 2.1

This plant community may be similar to Wet Meadow, Meadow, Dry Meadow, or upland sites in low to mid-seral status. Initially, Carex and Juncus species may increase or become dominant. These species can be lost as degradation continues. Forbs may increase as degradation becomes severe. This state developed due to permanent reduction of standing water. The site has crossed the threshold. This state cannot be returned to State 1 without returning the standing water regime.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Permanently reducing the standing water during the growing season.

Additional community tables

Interpretations

Animal community

Wildlife Interpretations.

Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations

This ecological site provides habitat value for unique wetland wildlife species. The duration of wet conditions results in abundant herbaceous cover and invertebrate production, which provides food and cover for waterfowl. Wetland dependant species utilizing the site include marsh wren, great blue heron, Ibis, teal, mallard, yellow-head blackbird, red-winged blackbird, northern leopard frog, western toad, muskrat and beaver. Large herbivore use is limited to moose due to the extreme hydrologic conditions and poor forage value. Loss of site hydrologic function 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 – Broadleaf Cattail/ Hardstem Bulrush Reference Plant Community (RPC): The RPC and associated hydrology exhibit deep ponded water, providing a diverse population of invertebrates (benthic and terrestrial) unique to wetlands and beneficial to water loving birds. The insects provide feed for the many predator species utilizing the site. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by western skink, rubber boa, western rattlesnake, western toad, boreal chorus frog, long-toed salamander 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. The RPC provides nesting, rearing, roosting, and feeding habitat for bird species such as Canada goose, American wigeon, mallard, and pied billed grebe, great blue heron, sora, whimbrel, Wilson’s snipe, marsh wren and long-billed curlew. Moose can utilize the site, foraging through the submerged vegetation and emergent vegetation. Small mammal population is extremely limited due to wet conditions. Deer mouse, montane vole and western jumping mouse would utilize the site for water throughout the year or in winter when water is frozen.

State 2 – Nebraska Sedge/ Sedges/ Baltic Rush/Forbs/Grasses Plant Community: The plant community is the result of the loss of standing water throughout the growing season. Loss of historic hydrology can reduce the habitat value for many animals present in State 1. An increase in diversity of forbs would support a larger 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 proper grazing management the site would offer more forage value than State 1 for deer and elk. Bat populations and diversity may be reduced by the change in plant community and reduced population and diversity of prey. Small mammal diversity would increase favoring seed eating species (deer mouse) due to increased grass species and loss of hydrology.

Grazing Interpretations:

Due to standing water and low value forage of the species present, grazing during the growing season is rare. Grazing may occur during the dormant period. If dry soil conditions occur into the spring and livestock remove the tops of either broadleaf cattail or hardstem bulrush, the plants can die if water then covers them. Care must be exercised in grazing adjacent sites to avoid downcutting of stream channels that can influence standing water on this site. The potential of the site can then be lost.

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

No data.

Recreational uses

This site presents an aesthetically pleasing view of lush vegetation consisting primarily of grass-like plants and standing water. Hikers and fisherman often traverse the edges of this site. Fishing opportunities often exist on open waters adjacent to this site. Waterfowl hunting can occur on or adjacent to the site.

Wood products

None.

Other products

None.

Other information

Field Offices

Mountain Home, ID
Gooding, 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
Dan Ogle, Plant Materials Specialist, NRCS, Idaho
Chris Hoag, Wetland Plant Ecologist, NRCS, Idaho
Brendan Brazee, State Rangeland Management Specialist, 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, BLM and Idaho Conservation Data Center. 2001. Riparian and Wetland Plant Associations of Southwestern Idaho.

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	04/21/2009
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:
water-flow patterns do not occur.
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
neither occurs on this site.
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
none.
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
none.
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
blowouts and depositional.
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
litter may move in the standing water variable distances.
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):
structure ranges __________. Soil organic matter (SOM) needs to be determined. (no data) The A or A1 horizon is typically ________inches thick.
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
the site has standing water.
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
is not present.
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 species

Sub-dominant:
perennial forbs

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
very little mortality occurs on the site.
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
not applicable.
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
is 4500 pounds per acre (5040 Kg/ha) in a year with normal amounts of standing water and temperatures. Rhizomatous species produce 90-95 percent of the total production and forbs less than 10 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 purple loosestrife and common reed.
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
all functional groups have the potential to reproduce in most years. Most of the plants can reproduce vegetatively.