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Ecological site R010XB080OR

JD Claypan 12-16 PZ

Last updated: 2/05/2025
Accessed: 04/04/2025

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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.

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.

Classification relationships

International Vegetation Classification System:
Macrogroup: M170. Great Basin-Intermountain Dwarf Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland
Group: G308. Intermountain Low & Black Sagebrush Steppe & Shrubland

Landfire Biophysical Setting:
11240 - Columbia Plateau Low Sagebrush Steppe

Bunchgrass Plant Communities of the Blue and Ochoco Mountains:
SD1911 - Low sagebrush/Idaho fescue-bluebunch wheatgrass plant association

Ecological site concept

This site typically occurs on stable landforms such as plateaus and is characterized by gentle slopes (less than 12 percent), and "claypan" soils marked by a strong clay increase within 4 to 8 inches of the surface, facilitating the presence of little sagebrush. In reference condition, this ecological site supports a plant community dominated by little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), and bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata). The site receives 12 to16 inches of annual precipitation, the soil climate is frigid/xeric; resistance/resilience to disturbance is moderate to moderately high.

Associated sites

R010XB031OR	JD Shallow 12-16 PZ Adjacent landscape positions with deeper surfaces, lacking little sagebrush
R010XB032OR	JD Very Shallow 12-16 PZ Shallower soils, sometimes in complex with this site in geologically eroded areas, stiff sagebrush present
R010XB028OR	JD Shrubby Mountain 12-16 PZ Adjacent positions with deeper soils, clay subsoil deeper than 8 inches, bitterbrush common
R010XC037OR	SR Mountain Shallow 12-16 PZ Often in complex with this site in areas with deeper surfaces supporting big sagebrush and lacking little sagebrush
R010XC039OR	SR Very Shallow 12-16 PZ Very shallow soils, sometimes in complex with this site in geologically eroded areas, stiff sagebrush present
R010XC032OR	SR Mountain 12-16 PZ Exists on adjacent deeper soils with the clay subsoil deeper than 8 inches, supporting big sagebrush

Similar sites

R010XB081OR	JD Claypan North 12-16 PZ Northerly slopes > 20%
R010XB096OR	JD Claypan South 12-16 PZ Southerly slopes > 12%
R010XB029OR	JD Claypan 9-12 PZ Lower elevation, mean annual precipitation and production
R010XB082OR	JD Shrubby Claypan 12-16 PZ Overlying fractured bedrock, facilitating greater composition of bitterbrush

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	(1) Artemisia arbuscula
Herbaceous	(1) Festuca idahoensis (2) Pseudoroegneria spicata

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Physiographic features

This site occurs predominantly on hills, mountain plateaus and broad summits of ridges. Extensive acreage occurs on broad volcanic plateaus and other stable landforms where soils have weathered in place. Slopes typically range from 0 to 12 percent, but may extend to 20 percent on northerly slopes. Elevations typically range from 3800 to 5200 feet. On some sites, brief ponding may occur in late winter and spring due to water perching on restrictive layers.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Upland > Hill (2) Mountains > Plateau (3) Upland > Ridge
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding duration	Very brief (4 to 48 hours)
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	3,800 – 5,200 ft
Slope	12%
Ponding depth	Not specified
Water table depth	60 in
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)

Flooding frequency	None
Ponding duration	Very brief (4 to 48 hours)
Ponding frequency	None to rare
Elevation	3,400 – 5,700 ft
Slope	20%
Ponding depth	1 in
Water table depth	60 in

Climatic features

The annual precipitation ranges from 12 to 16 inches, most of which occurs in the form of snow during the months of November through March. Localized, occasionally severe, convectional storms occur during the summer. Mean annual air temperature is 45 degrees F and temperature extremes range from over 100 to -30 degrees F. The frost-free period ranges from 30 to 90 days. The optimum period for plant growth is from April through June.

Table 4. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	30-90 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	90-120 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	12-16 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	30-110 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	80-150 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	12-18 in
Frost-free period (average)	60 days
Freeze-free period (average)	100 days
Precipitation total (average)	14 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 7. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) BARNES STN [USC00350501], Prineville, OR
(2) MITCHELL 2 E [USC00355638], Mitchell, OR

Soil features

The soils of this site are typified by a shallow depth to claypan marked by a strong increase in clay within 4 to 8 inches of the surface. Soils may be deep overall but these heavy clay layers restrict some root penetration and cause soils to function as effectively shallow. Occasionally, a heavy clay layer is absent and the site occurs with a shallow to very shallow depth to bedrock. Soils are formed from colluvium, residuum and volcanic ash over igneous volcanic rock. The surface layer is a loam, ashy loam, ashy silt loam to a sometimes abrupt subsurface marked by a heavy clay loam or clay. The soils are often skeletal with gravels and cobbles. Permeability is moderate to moderately slow in the surface and slow to very slow in the subsoil. The available water capacity (AWC) is typically 0.8 to 2.5 inches. The erosion potential is moderate to severe. The soil temperature regime is frigid and the moisture regime is xeric. See Longbarn, Fopiano or Merlin for soil series that typify this site.

Figure 8.

Figure 9.

Table 5. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Colluvium – volcanic rock (2) Residuum – volcanic rock (3) Volcanic ash
Surface texture	(1) Very stony loam (2) Ashy loam (3) Ashy silt loam (4) Very cobbly loam
Family particle size	(1) Clayey (2) Clayey-skeletal (3) Fine
Drainage class	Well drained
Permeability class	Slow to moderate
Depth to restrictive layer	15 in
Soil depth	15 – 25 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	10 – 30%
Surface fragment cover >3"	2 – 10%
Available water capacity (0-40in)	1.5 – 3 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)	Not specified
Clay content (0-6in)	10 – 25%
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)	Not specified
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in)	Not specified
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	6.6 – 7.3
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (4-40in)	10 – 20%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (4-40in)	10 – 35%

Table 6. Representative soil features (actual values)

Drainage class	Well drained
Permeability class	Very slow to moderate
Depth to restrictive layer	10 – 60 in
Soil depth	10 – 60 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	45%
Surface fragment cover >3"	30%
Available water capacity (0-40in)	1 – 5 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)	3%
Clay content (0-6in)	6 – 30%
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)	2 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in)	Not specified
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	6.1 – 7.8
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (4-40in)	35%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (4-40in)	50%

Ecological dynamics

Indicators and Range in Characteristics:

Within MLRA 10, this is by far the most common claypan ecological site and represents the modal concept for similar claypan ecological sites. Little sagebrush is a strong indicator of this ecological site; given its adaptation to the unique soil conditions that define the site. This site often exists within a matrix of stiff sagebrush (Artemisia rigida) ecological sites on very shallow soil and big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata spp.) ecological sites on soils with deeper surface horizons. Old growth juniper may occur sporadically on this site in low density (0 to 3 trees per acre, BLM ESI data). Onespike danthonia (Danthonia unispicata) is sometimes present in areas that are intermittently ponded and can be considered a weak indicator of this site, especially toward the upper elevations of this site. Sandberg bluegrass increases on shallower soils or soils with thinner surface horizons. Total site production is proportional to surface soil depth, increasing with deeper surface soil layers.

Ecological Dynamics and Disturbance Response:

Ecological dynamics of this site are primarily driven by interactions between climatic patterns and disturbance regimes. Infrequent fires were the primary historical disturbance that maintained the reference state and drove plant community shifts within the state. Mean fire return intervals for little sagebrush communities are estimated at 100 to 200 years across their range and 97 to 183 for communities within Oregon (Landfire 2009, Bukowski and Baker 2013). Intensity and frequency of these fires is driven by relatively low fuel loads and strongly influence by drought cycles and insect or disease attacks on the plant community.

Livestock grazing is a common land use of this ecological site. Under improper grazing management, especially repeated over utilization during the growing season, cover of deep-rooted perennial grasses, such as Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass, will decrease. If improper management continues, cover of shallow-rooted perennial grasses, such as Sandberg bluegrass, and shrubs such as little sagebrush, may increase. Ongoing deterioration due to improper management will increase bare ground and release soil resources, facilitating invasion by annual grasses and forbs.

Little sagebrush has extensive fibrous roots with a greater capacity to tolerate poor aeration and extract water from lower depths than big sagebrush (Steinberg 2002); an important adaptation allowing it to thrive on seasonally saturated, claypan soils. Little sagebrush is killed by fire and will not resprout (Young 1983). Establishment after fire is from seed, which typically does not persist in the seedbank and must be dispersed from offsite (Bradley et al. 1992). After fire, if regeneration conditions are favorable, little sagebrush may recover in as little as five years, however during drought periods or on sites with low potential, recovery may require more than ten years (Young 1983). One study in Oregon found no recruitment of little sagebrush eight years post-fire (Bates and Davies 2022).

The primary perennial bunchgrass species found on this ecological site differ somewhat in their response to fire. While both Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass can survive low severity fires, Idaho fescue is characterized by somewhat higher growing points than bluebunch wheatgrass, rendering it more susceptible to damage and mortality following high severity fire (Conrad and Poulton 1966). Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) is generally unharmed by fire given its low litter production and early dormancy. While increases in Sandberg bluegrass have been documented in some sagebrush systems following fire (Howard 1997), one study in a little sagebrush community found no change after eight years post-fire (Bates and Davies 2022).

Perennial forbs are an important component of the species composition of this site. Mat forming forbs such as phlox (p. hoodii and longiloba), low pussytoes (Antenaria dimorpha) and desert yellow fleabane (Erigeron linearis), are common as are geophytes such as desert parsley (Lomatium spp.) and bitter root (Lewisia rediviva); and other forbs such as lupine (Lupinus spp.) and hawksbeard (Crepis spp.). Mat forming forbs may be particularly vulnerable to decreases in cover and density following fire (Bates and Davies 2022). Interannual variation is often a significant driver of forb expression in little sagebrush communities (Bates and Davies 2022).

Western juniper is intolerant of fire and historically was restricted to sites with lower fuel loads and infrequent fire regimes, such as characterizes this ecological site. Given these conditions, this site may act as refugia that allow some scattered old growth juniper to persist (Miller et al. 1999). With the increased suppression of wildfire and livestock grazing which reduces ground fuels and understory competition, western juniper has increased in range and density and expanded into suitable sites previously dominated by sagebrush (Miller and Tausch 2008, Burns and Honkala 1990). However, post settlement western juniper expansion is also likely due at least in part to changing climate and may be accelerated by increasing atmospheric CO2 levels (Miller 2019). On this site, high clay content in the soil subsurface slows the rate at which juniper infill and encroachment occur.

The introduced annual grass species most likely to invade these sites are cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) and North Africa grass (Ventenata dubia). All of these species compete with native herbaceous species for finite site resources and may increase fine fuel loads. Annual grass invasion, particularly cheatgrass, has been linked to increases in fire frequency in the intermountain west (Bradley et al. 2018). Medusahead invasion may promote thick, decomposition resistant thatch layers that suppress establishment of other species. Invasions by North Africa grass are increasing in recent years and research as to cause and effect of these invasions is ongoing.

Within the natural range of variability, this site is considered to have moderate to moderately high resistance and resilience to disturbance. These attributes are driven by the cool annual temperatures and semi-arid Mediterranean precipitation patterns (Frigid/Xeric soil climate) (Chambers, et al. 2014). Resistance is further bolstered by the claypan soils which slow establishment of western juniper. However, in an altered state where erosion of the surface horizon occurs, this site may lose resilience more rapidly than sites supporting deeper surface horizons.

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

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

States 2 and 5 (additional transitions)

2. Current Potential

SWAPAEH

5. Annual

SWAPAEH

T1A	-	Introduction of non-native species; long-term overutilization by livestock.
T2A	-	Inappropriate grazing management
T2B	-	Time
T2C	-	Fire, soil disruption, inappropriate grazing management
T3B	-	Time
T3A	-	Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, and/or soil disturbing treatments, Inappropriate grazing management
R4A	-	Tree thinning; seeding
R4B	-	Mechanical tree thinning; seeding (failed)
T4A	-	Failed mechanical treatment, catastrophic fire
R5A	-	Annual grass treatment; reseeding

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

1.2. Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

1.1A	-	Time and lack of disturbance
1.2A	-	Fire

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

2.2. Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

2.3. Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

2.1A	-	Time, growing season grazing
2.1B	-	Inappropriate grazing management
2.2A	-	Fire, dormant season grazing, brush treatments, aroga moth outbreak
2.2B	-	Inappropriate grazing management, brush management
2.3B	-	Time, rest from grazing, reseeding
2.3A	-	Time and rest from grazing, reseeding

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Annuals

3.2. Little Sagebrush, Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Annuals

3.1A	-	Time
3.2A	-	Fire

State 4 submodel, plant communities

4.1. Western Juniper and Little Sagebrush

4.2. Western Juniper

4.1A	-	Time

State 5 submodel, plant communities

5.1. Annual Grass and Shrubs

5.2. Annual Grass

5.1A	-	Fire, mechanical shrub removal

State 1
Reference

The Reference state is representative of the natural range of variability under pristine condition. While occurrence is rare, this is not considered a "Historical" reference since for this ecological site, examples of these conditions may still occur on the landscape. No introduced species occur and repeated disturbance has not fundamentally altered soil quality or plant community composition. The reference state has two general plant communities; a grass-shrub dominant community, a shrub-grass dominant community and a shallow-rooted grass dominant community (considered the at-risk community). State dynamics are maintained by interactions between climatic patterns and disturbance regimes. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Plant community changes are primarily driven by fire, time and periodic drought.

Characteristics and indicators. • Lack of introduced plant species • Presence of all functional and structural groups • High plant vigor and reproductive capacity in most years • Lack of widespread soil erosion

Resilience management. Reference sites should be prioritized in landscape health strategies wherever possible. Management should focus on land conservation and protection of these rare conditions above other uses. Surrounding landscapes should be carefully managed to prevent species introductions and other impacts on reference sites. See the "Defend the Core" strategy for additional information (Maestas et al. 2021).

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass
Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass

Community 1.1
Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

This plant community is dominated by Idaho Fescue with little sagebrush sub-dominant. Bluebunch wheatgrass and a variety of forbs are present. Sandberg bluegrass is the dominant shallow-rooted perennial grass. Following fire, little sagebrush cover will be very patchy or absent. Vegetative composition of the community is approximately 70 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs and 20 percent shrubs. In an analysis of 170 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, three plots (2 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass

Figure 10. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 7. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	350	500	650
Shrub/Vine	20	65	125
Forb	30	70	105
Tree	0	15	20
Total	400	650	900

Table 8. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-2%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	5-15%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	15-45%
Forb foliar cover	2-15%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-5%
Litter	20-45%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	2-20%
Surface fragments >3"	1-10%
Bedrock	0-1%
Water	0%
Bare ground	2-20%

Table 9. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	5-15%
Forb basal cover	0.1-2.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	5-15%
Litter	0.0-0.5%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-20%
Surface fragments >3"	2-20%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	30-60%

Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4300, Claypan 12-16 PZ.

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	5	15	30	35	5	0	5	5	0	0

Community 1.2
Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Little sagebrush is dominant and deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass, particularly Idaho fescue, are sub-dominant. Bluebunch wheatgrass and a diverse forb component is typically present. Young juniper may be increasing. Annual non-native species are present but not dominant. In an analysis of 170 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, two plots (1 percent) were classified to this community, for this reason production values have largely been extrapolated from expert knowledge and high functioning current potential plots.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass

Figure 12. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 10. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	190	320	405
Shrub/Vine	150	220	310
Forb	35	70	80
Tree	0	15	30
Total	375	625	825

Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4300, Claypan 12-16 PZ.

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	5	15	30	35	5	0	5	5	0	0

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Time and lack of disturbance allows for shrub regeneration and growth.

Context dependence. Ungulate grazing of perennial grasses may favor increases in shrub cover

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Low severity fire creates a grass and sagebrush mosaic; higher severity fire significantly reduces sagebrush cover and leads to a community dominated by grasses and forbs.

Context dependence. Fire may be more likely following wet years that increase herbaceous production

State 2
Current Potential

This state is similar to the reference state yet some amount of introduced species occur and species composition or soil quality has been altered by long-term overutilization by livestock. Ecological function is largely intact, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced. This state has two general communities; a grass-shrub dominant community, a shrub-grass dominant community and a shallow-rooted grass dominant community (considered an at risk-community). Introduced species may increase in abundance but will not become dominant within this State. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These feedbacks include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients.

Characteristics and indicators. • Low cover of introduced plant species (less than twice as much as deep rooted perennial bunchgrass cover) • Deep rooted perennial grasses typically greater than 10% cover • Presence of most or all functional and structural groups • High plant vigor and reproductive capacity in most years • Lack of widespread soil erosion

Resilience management. Current potential sites in high condition should be prioritized in landscape health strategies wherever possible. Management should focus on protection, minimization of disturbance, and early detection and treatment of plant invasions. Plant community management should focus on preserving deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses in particular. Surrounding landscapes should be carefully managed to prevent impacts to these sites. See the "Defend the Core" strategy for additional information (Maestas et al. 2021).

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass
Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass

Community 2.1
Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses, particularly Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass, are dominant and little sagebrush is sub-dominant. Following fire, little sagebrush may be very patchily distributed or nearly absent. A diverse forb component is typically present and may be increasing. Annual non-native species are present but not dominant. Western juniper may be present in low density. In an analysis of 170 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, 37 plots (22 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass

Figure 14. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 11. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	330	350	665
Shrub/Vine	20	100	120
Forb	45	90	100
Tree	5	10	40
Total	400	550	925

Table 12. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-5%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	2-15%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	20-45%
Forb foliar cover	5-15%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-5%
Litter	10-30%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0-10%
Surface fragments >3"	0-15%
Bedrock	0-1%
Water	0%
Bare ground	2-20%

Table 13. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	5-15%
Forb basal cover	0.1-2.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-10%
Litter	0.0-0.5%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	10-25%
Surface fragments >3"	0-20%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	30-60%

Figure 15. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4300, Claypan 12-16 PZ.

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	5	15	30	35	5	0	5	5	0	0

Community 2.2
Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Little sagebrush is dominant and deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses, particularly Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass, are sub-dominant. A diverse forb component is typically present. Young juniper may be increasing. Annual non-native species are present but not dominant. In an analysis of 170 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, 41 plots (24 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass

Figure 16. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 14. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	170	185	390
Shrub/Vine	140	200	345
Forb	35	50	90
Tree	5	15	50
Total	350	450	875

Table 15. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-5%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	10-30%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	15-30%
Forb foliar cover	5-10%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-5%
Litter	10-30%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0-10%
Surface fragments >3"	0-20%
Bedrock	0-1%
Water	0%
Bare ground	5-20%

Table 16. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.1-1.0%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	2-10%
Forb basal cover	0.1-2.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-10%
Litter	0.0-0.5%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	10-25%
Surface fragments >3"	0-25%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	35-60%

Figure 17. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4300, Claypan 12-16 PZ.

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	5	15	30	35	5	0	5	5	0	0

Community 2.3
Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Shallow-rooted perennial bunchgrass, particularly Sandberg bluegrass, is dominant and deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass are sub-dominant but still typically occupy at least 10 percent cover. Some of the soil surface may have been degraded due to compaction or minor erosion. Young juniper may be increasing. Introduced annual species present to increasing. This is considered an at-risk phase due to the loss of some of the deep-rooted bunchgrass component and typically an increase in introduced annual species, bare ground, and gap cover. In an analysis of 170 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, 22 plots (13 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass
Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass

Figure 18. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 17. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	190	205	385
Shrub/Vine	30	100	235
Forb	50	80	115
Tree	5	15	40
Total	275	400	775

Table 18. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-10%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	5-20%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	15-30%
Forb foliar cover	5-10%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-5%
Litter	10-25%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	2-20%
Surface fragments >3"	0-25%
Bedrock	0-1%
Water	0%
Bare ground	5-25%

Table 19. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	5-10%
Forb basal cover	0.1-1.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	1-10%
Litter	0.0-0.5%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	10-40%
Surface fragments >3"	0-35%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	30-60%

Figure 19. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4301, Claypan 12-16 PZ, poor condition.

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	5	20	30	25	5	0	5	10	0	0

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Time and lack of disturbance allows for shrub growth and regeneration.

Context dependence. Ungulate grazing during the growing season may also reduce deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass composition relative to little sagebrush.

Pathway 2.1B
Community 2.1 to 2.3

Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Inappropriate grazing management, or excessive wildlife grazing, especially during the growing season may reduce deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses. Soil compaction as a result of inappropriate grazing management may also favor shallow-rooted bunchgrass dominance.

Context dependence. Drought may accelerate or exacerbate change; soils are particularly susceptible to compaction when moist.

Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1

Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Low severity fire creates a grass and shrub mosaic; high severity fire significantly reduces sagebrush cover and leads to an early- to mid-seral community, dominated by grasses and forbs. Aroga moth outbreaks may decrease little sagebrush. Brush treatments with minimal soil disturbance may reduce the shrub overstory. Dormant season grazing by ungulates, particularly sheep, may also decrease little sagebrush composition.

Context dependence. Soil disturbance will be influenced by season of treatment or grazing

Pathway 2.2B
Community 2.2 to 2.3

Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Inappropriate year-round grazing may reduce deep-rooted bunchgrasses and little sagebrush relative to Sandberg bluegrass. Brush treatments that lead to soil compaction may reduce shrubs and deep-rooted bunchgrasses. Soil compaction as a result of inappropriate grazing management may also favor shallow-rooted bunchgrass dominance.

Context dependence. Drought may accelerate or exacerbate change; soils are particularly susceptible to compaction when moist.

Pathway 2.3B
Community 2.3 to 2.1

Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Time and rest from growing season grazing may promote an increase in deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses.

Context dependence. Above average growing season precipitation may increase establishment success; if deep-rooted bunchgrass establishment is limited by reproductive vigor, reseeding may be required

Pathway 2.3A
Community 2.3 to 2.2

Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

Time and rest from excessive grazing allows the shrub overstory to mature. Deep-rooted bunchgrasses may increase in the absence of disturbance if conditions are favorable.

Context dependence. If deep-rooted bunchgrass establishment is limited by reproductive vigor, reseeding may be required

State 3
Degraded

This state is a product of many years of heavy grazing during growth periods of cool season, perennial bunchgrasses. Much of the deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass component has been lost and cover rarely exceeds 5 to 7 percent. Erosion and compaction of the surface soil horizon may have occurred and may be ongoing. Sandberg bluegrass will increase with a reduction in deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass competition and become the dominant grass. This state consists of two plant communities, a shallow-rooted bunchgrass dominant community and a little sagebrush, shallow-rooted bunchgrass community. Introduced species cover is typically higher than in the current potential state. The shrub overstory and bluegrass understory dominate site resources such that soil water, nutrient capture, nutrient cycling and soil organic matter are temporally and spatially redistributed.

Characteristics and indicators. • Low cover and production of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses (typically less than 7 percent cover) • Moderate to high cover of shallow-rooted perennial bunchgrasses • Variable cover of little sagebrush • Evidence of soil erosion and/or compaction

Resilience management. Management should focus on preserving and reintroducing deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses and treating introduced annual species to prevent a transition to an annual state.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass

Community 3.1
Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Annuals

Sandberg bluegrass is dominant and little sagebrush decreased. Deep-rooted perennial grasses are a minor component or missing. Non-native annual species present to increasing. Western juniper present to increasing. In an analysis of 170 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, 13 plots (8 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass

Figure 20. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 20. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	115	200	300
Shrub/Vine	20	40	95
Forb	30	40	55
Tree	10	10	50
Total	175	290	500

Table 21. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-5%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	0-15%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	10-40%
Forb foliar cover	2-10%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-5%
Litter	10-30%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	2-20%
Surface fragments >3"	0-10%
Bedrock	0-1%
Water	0%
Bare ground	10-35%

Table 22. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	1-10%
Forb basal cover	0.1-1.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-20%
Litter	0.0-0.5%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-40%
Surface fragments >3"	0-15%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	20-70%

Figure 21. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4301, Claypan 12-16 PZ, poor condition.

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	5	20	30	25	5	0	5	10	0	0

Community 3.2
Little Sagebrush, Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Annuals

Little sagebrush is dominant. Sandberg bluegrass increases. Deep-rooted perennial grasses are a minor component or missing. Non-native annual species present to increasing. Western juniper present to increasing. In an analysis of 170 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, 16 plots (9 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass

Figure 22. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 23. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Shrub/Vine	80	175	295
Grass/Grasslike	120	130	275
Forb	15	20	65
Tree	10	25	40
Total	225	350	675

Table 24. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-5%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	15-30%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	10-30%
Forb foliar cover	0-10%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-5%
Litter	10-25%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	2-20%
Surface fragments >3"	0-10%
Bedrock	0-1%
Water	0%
Bare ground	10-30%

Table 25. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0-1%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	1-5%
Forb basal cover	0.1-1.0%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-20%
Litter	0.0-0.5%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-35%
Surface fragments >3"	0-15%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	25-70%

Figure 23. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4301, Claypan 12-16 PZ, poor condition.

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	5	20	30	25	5	0	5	10	0	0

Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2

Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Annuals

Little Sagebrush, Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Annuals

Time without disturbance

Context dependence. Shrub regeneration and growth may depend on nearby availability of seed source and/or shrub reproductive vigor

Pathway 3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1

Little Sagebrush, Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Annuals

Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Annuals

Fire reduces shrub component

Context dependence. Years of above average precipitation may increase herbaceous fuels and increase the probability of fire

State 4
Encroached

In this state the site has crossed a threshold and is dominated by western juniper. Low sagebrush and perennial bunchgrasses may still be present, but they are no longer controlling site resources. As juniper cover increases, shrub cover typically decreases, therefore this site is characterized by two communities, a western juniper/shrub community and a western juniper dominated community. Soil moisture, soil nutrients and soil organic matter distribution and cycling have been spatially and temporally altered. Soil erosion may accelerate as perennial herbaceous cover decreases.

Characteristics and indicators. • Western juniper canopy cover 10 to 25 percent (or greater) (see Miller et al. 2007 for additional context) • Deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses and little sagebrush decreased • Evidence of soil erosion common

Resilience management. Management should focus on preserving and reintroducing deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses and treating western juniper to prevent further loss of other plant functional groups. Communities at earlier stages of invasion will have the highest likelihood of restoration success (See Miller et al. 2007). Special care should be taken to avoid removal of old growth western juniper.

Dominant plant species

western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), tree
little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass

Community 4.1
Western Juniper and Little Sagebrush

Western juniper is co-dominant relative to little sagebrush and deep-rooted perennial grasses. Sandberg bluegrass may be increasing in the understory. Introduced annual species are often common. The site will be expressing stage 1 or early stage 2 juniper invasion (see Miller et al. USGS, 2007). In an analysis of 170 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, 17 plots (10 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), tree
little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass

Figure 24. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 26. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Tree	100	175	305
Grass/Grasslike	55	100	200
Shrub/Vine	80	100	180
Forb	15	25	40
Total	250	400	725

Table 27. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	10-15%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	5-20%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	5-30%
Forb foliar cover	2-10%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-2%
Litter	10-35%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0-15%
Surface fragments >3"	0-10%
Bedrock	0-1%
Water	0%
Bare ground	5-20%

Table 28. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.1-0.5%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	1-5%
Forb basal cover	0-1%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-15%
Litter	0.0-0.5%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-30%
Surface fragments >3"	0-15%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	25-70%

Figure 25. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4300, Claypan 12-16 PZ.

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	5	15	30	35	5	0	5	5	0	0

Community 4.2
Western Juniper

Western juniper dominates and shrub cover is diminished. For this site this transition typically occurs at a 20 percent or greater canopy cover of juniper where the site will be expressing late stage 2 or stage 3 juniper invasion (see Miller et al. USGS, 2007). Sandberg bluegrass may be dominant in the understory and introduced annual species may be abundant. As juniper cover increases, shrubs are eliminated, infiltration decreases, soil moisture is reduced and erosion accelerates. Idaho fescue typically persists longer than other deep-rooted bunchgrasses due to its shade tolerance. In an analysis of 170 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, six plots (4 percent) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), tree
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass

Figure 26. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 29. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Tree	180	285	360
Grass/Grasslike	95	145	195
Shrub/Vine	20	30	70
Forb	5	15	25
Total	300	475	650

Table 30. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	15-40%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	0-10%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	10-30%
Forb foliar cover	2-10%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-2%
Litter	10-25%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0-10%
Surface fragments >3"	0-10%
Bedrock	0-1%
Water	0%
Bare ground	5-25%

Table 31. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.1-2.0%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	0.5-5.0%
Forb basal cover	0-1%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-15%
Litter	0.1-0.5%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-25%
Surface fragments >3"	0-15%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	30-75%

Figure 27. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4301, Claypan 12-16 PZ, poor condition.

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	5	20	30	25	5	0	5	10	0	0

Pathway 4.1A
Community 4.1 to 4.2

Western Juniper and Little Sagebrush

Western Juniper

Time without fire allows cover to increase.

Context dependence. Above average precipitation may facilitate wester juniper regeneration and growth (Miller 2019).

State 5
Annual

In this state, the site has crossed a threshold into a state dominated by introduced annual species, especially invasive annual grasses. Invasive annual grasses become increasingly dominant though time by altering nutrient cycling, litter creation, and soil moisture capture thereby promoting positive feedbacks. An increase in fire frequency may also occur due to higher fine fuel loads that become flammable earlier in the season. Shrub and tree cover is variable. Shallow-rooted perennial grasses are common but are no longer controlling site resources.

Characteristics and indicators. • Annual grass cover typically greater than 25% • Deep-rooted perennial grass cover typically less than 5% • Annual grass cover greater than twice as much as deep-rooted perennial grass cover • Little sagebrush cover may be very low • Herbaceous litter cover may be abnormally high, especially in summer

Resilience management. Focus management actions on reducing invasive annual grass cover and spread to adjacent sites.

Dominant plant species

little sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula), shrub
cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), grass
North Africa grass (Ventenata dubia), grass

Community 5.1
Annual Grass and Shrubs

Introduced annual grasses are dominant and shrubs are sub-dominant. Annual native and introduced forbs may also be common. The little sagebrush component of the site is typically still intact but may be replaced by resprouting rabbitbrush species if fire occurs. In an analysis of 170 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, ten plots (6%) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), grass
North Africa grass (Ventenata dubia), grass

Figure 28. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 32. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	150	175	295
Shrub/Vine	110	130	230
Tree	10	25	50
Forb	5	20	50
Total	275	350	625

Table 33. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-10%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	5-15%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	20-50%
Forb foliar cover	0-5%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-5%
Litter	20-50%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0-10%
Surface fragments >3"	0-10%
Bedrock	0-1%
Water	0%
Bare ground	5-15%

Table 34. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.5-1.0%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	1-5%
Forb basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-20%
Litter	0.1-1.0%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-25%
Surface fragments >3"	1-20%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	25-70%

Figure 29. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4302, Claypan 12-16 PZ, annual invaded.

Community 5.2
Annual Grass

Introduced annual grasses are dominant. Annual native and introduced forbs may also be common. Dominant annual grasses include medusahead, cheatgrass and North Africa grass. Cover of little sagebrush and western juniper is variable but will decrease, and likely remain suppressed, if fire occurs. In an analysis of 170 plots collected on this ecological site between 2005 and 2020, three plots (2%) were classified to this community.

Dominant plant species

cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
North Africa grass (Ventenata dubia), grass
medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), grass

Figure 30. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 35. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	195	275	450
Forb	5	15	60
Shrub/Vine	0	5	20
Tree	0	5	20
Total	200	300	550

Table 36. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	0-10%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	0-5%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	25-55%
Forb foliar cover	2-15%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0-5%
Litter	10-50%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0-10%
Surface fragments >3"	0-10%
Bedrock	0-1%
Water	0%
Bare ground	2-10%

Table 37. Soil surface cover

Tree basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover	0.0-0.1%
Grass/grasslike basal cover	1-5%
Forb basal cover	0.0-0.5%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	2-15%
Litter	0.1-1.0%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	5-25%
Surface fragments >3"	0-20%
Bedrock	0-2%
Water	0%
Bare ground	25-70%

Figure 31. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR4302, Claypan 12-16 PZ, annual invaded.

Pathway 5.1A
Community 5.1 to 5.2

Annual Grass and Shrubs

Annual Grass

Fire occurs and eliminates shrubs. May also be caused by a mechanical shrub removal treatment.

Context dependence. Probability of fire may increase following successive years with increased spring precipitation and high annual grass production

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Reference

Current Potential

Introduction of non-native species; long-term overutilization by livestock.

Context dependence. Ecological drought may increase the likelihood of this transition

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

Current Potential

Degraded

Inappropriate grazing management, especially repeated growing season over utilization, will reduce deep-rooted perennial grasses and lead to soil compaction and eventually erosion

Context dependence. Soil is particularly vulnerable to compaction during late winter and spring when it is moist or saturated but unfrozen; this transition is most likely to occur from the 2.3 at-risk phase.

Transition T2B
State 2 to 4

Current Potential

Encroached

Time and lack of fire allows for maturation of the tree community

Context dependence. Years with above average precipitation may accelerate establishment and growth of western juniper (Miller et al. 2019); adjacent seed sources will also increase juniper establishment rates.

Transition T2C
State 2 to 5

Current Potential

Annual

Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, soil disturbing treatments, inappropriate grazing management

Context dependence. Transition rate and probability will depend on existing cover, reproductive vigor and seedbank density of invasive annual species; higher than normal spring precipitation may interact with these disturbances to further favor increases in annual plant composition; this transition may be more likely to occur from the 2.3 at-risk phase.

Transition T3B
State 3 to 4

Degraded

Encroached

Time and lack of fire allows for maturation of the tree community

Transition T3A
State 3 to 5

Degraded

Annual

Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, soil disturbing treatments, inappropriate grazing management

Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 2

Encroached

Current Potential

Thinning of trees, potentially coupled with seeding of desired species if required. Use of fire should be restricted to sites without little sagebrush and very low cover of annual species.

Context dependence. If most functional groups are still present, community 4.1 may be potentially restored to State 2; if most functional groups have been diminished or soil loss has occurred, 4.2 is likely to restore to State 3. Hand thinning may help decrease soil disruption while mechanical thinning may increase compaction; seeding success is low on this site and will depend in part on existing exotic grass pressure.

Restoration pathway R4B
State 4 to 3

Encroached

Degraded

Ground disturbing mechanical tree thinning treatment; potentially coupled with a failed seeding. Use of fire should be restricted to sites without little sagebrush and very low cover of annual species.

Context dependence. If most functional groups are still present, community 4.1 may be potentially restored to State 2; if most functional groups have been diminished or soil loss has occurred, 4.2 is likely to restore to State 3. Hand thinning may help decrease soil disruption while mechanical thinning may compact soils and increase the likelihood of a transition to State 3; seeding success is low on this site and will depend in part on existing exotic grass pressure.

Transition T4A
State 4 to 5

Encroached

Annual

Ground disturbing mechanical treatment, catastrophic fire

Context dependence. Transition rate and probability will depend on existing cover, reproductive vigor and seedbank density of invasive annual species

Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 3

Annual

Degraded

Treatment of annual grasses, likely requiring herbicide application; coupled with seeding of desired native species

Context dependence. Above average growing season precipitation may increase establishment success; restoration success will be much more likely from community 5.1 than 5.2 given a greater composition of functional groups

Additional community tables

Table 38. 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			305–545
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	210–400	–
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	75–150	–
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			10–25
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	5–15	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	5–15	–
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted, sub-dominant			35–80
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	35–80	–
	onespike danthonia	DAUN	Danthonia unispicata	0–15	–
Forb
4	Perennial, dominant			20–50
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	5–20	–
	phlox	PHLOX	Phlox	5–12	–
	serrate balsamroot	BASE2	Balsamorhiza serrata	5–12	–
	largehead clover	TRMA3	Trifolium macrocephalum	5–12	–
5	Perennial, other			15–40
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–5	–
	lambstongue ragwort	SEIN2	Senecio integerrimus	0–5	–
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–5	–
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	0–5	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–5	–
	Indian paintbrush	CASTI2	Castilleja	0–5	–
	fleabane	ERIGE2	Erigeron	0–5	–
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	0–5	–
	ragwort	SENEC	Senecio	0–5	–
6	Annual forbs, native			0–15
	bushy bird's beak	CORA5	Cordylanthus ramosus	0–10	–
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–5	–
	tall annual willowherb	EPBR3	Epilobium brachycarpum	0–5	–
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–5	–
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			20–100
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	20–100	–
11	Other shrubs			0–25
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–10	–
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–10	–
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–10	–
Tree
12	Evergreen			0–20
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	0–20	–

Table 39. Community 1.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial, deep-rooted, dominant			150–275
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	100–225	–
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	40–100	–
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			20–40
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	10–20	–
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	5–10	–
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	5–10	–
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted, sub-dominant			20–90
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	20–80	–
	onespike danthonia	DAUN	Danthonia unispicata	0–15	–
Forb
4	Perennial forbs			20–40
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	2–20	–
	tapertip hawksbeard	CRAC2	Crepis acuminata	2–12	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	2–12	–
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	2–12	–
	fleabane	ERIGE2	Erigeron	2–12	–
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	2–12	–
5	Perrenial forbs, other			5–20
	Lava aster	IOAL	Ionactis alpina	0–5	–
	agoseris	AGOSE	Agoseris	0–5	–
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	0–5	–
	ragwort	SENEC	Senecio	0–5	–
	largehead clover	TRMA3	Trifolium macrocephalum	0–5	–
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	0–5	–
	serrate balsamroot	BASE2	Balsamorhiza serrata	0–5	–
6	Annual forbs, native			10–20
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–10	–
	bushy bird's beak	CORA5	Cordylanthus ramosus	0–5	–
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–5	–
	tall annual willowherb	EPBR3	Epilobium brachycarpum	0–5	–
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			150–270
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	150–270	–
11	Other shrubs			0–40
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–10	–
	Truckee rabbitbrush	CHHU2	Chrysothamnus humilis	0–10	–
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–10	–
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–10	–
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			0–30
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	0–30	–

Table 40. Community 2.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial, deep-rooted, dominant			270–475
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	165–380	10–25
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	100–180	5–20
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			15–40
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	7–25	1–3
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	7–25	1–3
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted, sub-dominant			35–80
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	35–80	10–20
	onespike danthonia	DAUN	Danthonia unispicata	0–10	0–3
9	Annual grass, introduced			10–70
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	2–40	1–10
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	6–20	1–5
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	2–15	1–5
Forb
4	Perennial forbs, dominant			25–50
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	5–20	1–2
	largehead clover	TRMA3	Trifolium macrocephalum	0–15	0–6
	longleaf phlox	PHLO2	Phlox longifolia	5–15	1–4
	low pussytoes	ANDI2	Antennaria dimorpha	5–10	1–3
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	5–10	1–3
	tapertip onion	ALAC4	Allium acuminatum	0–10	0–3
5	Perrenial forbs, other			10–20
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–5	0–2
	desert yellow fleabane	ERLI	Erigeron linearis	0–5	0–1
	tapertip hawksbeard	CRAC2	Crepis acuminata	0–5	0–1
	nineleaf biscuitroot	LOTR2	Lomatium triternatum	0–5	0–1
	Hooker's balsamroot	BAHO	Balsamorhiza hookeri	0–5	0–1
	sagebrush false dandelion	NOTR2	Nothocalais troximoides	0–5	0–1
	lambstongue ragwort	SEIN2	Senecio integerrimus	0–5	0–1
	parrothead Indian paintbrush	CAPI3	Castilleja pilosa	0–5	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			0–10
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	0–3	0–4
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–3	0–3
	chaparral willowherb	EPMI	Epilobium minutum	0–2	0–2
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–2	0–2
7	Annual forbs, introduced			10–20
	prickly lettuce	LASE	Lactuca serriola	0–5	0–5
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			20–100
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	20–100	2–15
11	Other shrubs			0–20
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–10	0–2
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–10	0–2
	rubber rabbitbrush	ERNA10	Ericameria nauseosa	0–5	0–1
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–5	0–1
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			5–40
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	5–40	0–4

Table 41. Community 2.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial, deep-rooted, dominant			115–250
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	60–170	5–15
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	50–90	5–10
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			20–40
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	10–20	1–3
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	5–10	1–2
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	5–10	1–2
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted, sub-dominant			25–60
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	20–50	7–16
	onespike danthonia	DAUN	Danthonia unispicata	0–10	1–2
9	Annual grass, introduced			10–40
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	0–15	0–8
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	5–15	1–4
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	0–10	0–1
Forb
4	Perennial forbs, dominant			20–45
	largehead clover	TRMA3	Trifolium macrocephalum	10–15	0–5
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	4–10	1–4
	low pussytoes	ANDI2	Antennaria dimorpha	4–10	0–3
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	4–10	0–2
5	Perrenial forbs, other			10–20
	tapertip hawksbeard	CRAC2	Crepis acuminata	0–6	0–2
	rock buckwheat	ERSP7	Eriogonum sphaerocephalum	0–4	0–3
	longleaf phlox	PHLO2	Phlox longifolia	0–4	0–2
	nineleaf biscuitroot	LOTR2	Lomatium triternatum	0–4	0–2
	parrothead Indian paintbrush	CAPI3	Castilleja pilosa	0–4	0–1
	sagebrush false dandelion	NOTR2	Nothocalais troximoides	0–4	0–1
	Blue Mountain buckwheat	ERST4	Eriogonum strictum	0–4	0–1
	cushion buckwheat	EROV	Eriogonum ovalifolium	0–4	0–1
	serrate balsamroot	BASE2	Balsamorhiza serrata	0–3	0–2
	tapertip onion	ALAC4	Allium acuminatum	0–2	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			15–30
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–10	1–4
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	0–5	0–2
	largeflower hawksbeard	CROC	Crepis occidentalis	0–5	0–2
	tall annual willowherb	EPBR3	Epilobium brachycarpum	0–5	0–2
	annual agoseris	AGHE2	Agoseris heterophylla	0–5	0–1
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–5	0–1
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			140–270
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	140–270	12–30
11	Other shrubs			0–75
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–35	0–5
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–15	0–2
	rubber rabbitbrush	ERNA10	Ericameria nauseosa	0–15	0–1
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–15	0–1
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			5–50
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	5–50	0–5

Table 42. Community 2.3 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial, deep-rooted, dominant			85–170
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	40–120	3–10
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	20–80	2–5
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			10–25
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	10–20	1–4
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	0–5	0–1
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted, sub-dominant			70–110
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	70–100	10–22
	onespike danthonia	DAUN	Danthonia unispicata	0–10	0–2
9	Annual grass, introduced			25–80
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	10–40	1–5
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	0–30	0–10
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	0–30	0–10
Forb
4	Perennial forbs, dominant			30–50
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	10–20	2–5
	longleaf phlox	PHLO2	Phlox longifolia	5–10	1–2
	low pussytoes	ANDI2	Antennaria dimorpha	5–10	1–2
5	Perennial forbs, other			10–30
	desert yellow fleabane	ERLI	Erigeron linearis	0–5	0–3
	sagebrush false dandelion	NOTR2	Nothocalais troximoides	0–5	0–2
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–4	0–2
	nineleaf biscuitroot	LOTR2	Lomatium triternatum	0–3	0–1
	tapertip onion	ALAC4	Allium acuminatum	0–3	0–1
	parrothead Indian paintbrush	CAPI3	Castilleja pilosa	0–3	0–1
	Blue Mountain buckwheat	ERST4	Eriogonum strictum	0–3	0–1
	tapertip hawksbeard	CRAC2	Crepis acuminata	0–3	0–1
	bigflower agoseris	AGGR	Agoseris grandiflora	0–3	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			10–25
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	2–5	1–3
	annual agoseris	AGHE2	Agoseris heterophylla	0–5	0–3
	chaparral willowherb	EPMI	Epilobium minutum	0–5	0–3
	largeflower hawksbeard	CROC	Crepis occidentalis	0–5	0–2
	tall annual willowherb	EPBR3	Epilobium brachycarpum	0–5	0–2
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	0–5	0–2
7	Annual forbs, introduced			0–10
	prickly lettuce	LASE	Lactuca serriola	0–4	0–3
	spring draba	DRVE2	Draba verna	0–3	0–2
	jagged chickweed	HOUM	Holosteum umbellatum	0–3	0–2
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			30–130
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	30–130	2–15
11	Other shrubs			0–55
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–20	0–2
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–15	0–2
	rubber rabbitbrush	ERNA10	Ericameria nauseosa	0–10	0–1
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–10	0–1
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			5–40
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	5–40	0–5

Table 43. Community 3.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			20–45
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	10–20	1–3
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	5–15	0–2
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	5–10	1–2
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted, sub-dominant			70–145
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	70–120	12–35
	bulbous bluegrass	POBU	Poa bulbosa	0–40	0–5
	onespike danthonia	DAUN	Danthonia unispicata	0–5	0–1
9	Annual grass, introduced			25–115
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	15–60	2–20
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	10–30	2–7
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	0–20	0–5
	brome	BROMU	Bromus	0–5	1–2
Forb
5	Perennial forbs			20–35
	largehead clover	TRMA3	Trifolium macrocephalum	2–5	1–3
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	2–5	1–3
	longleaf phlox	PHLO2	Phlox longifolia	2–5	1–3
	desert yellow fleabane	ERLI	Erigeron linearis	0–5	0–2
	Blue Mountain buckwheat	ERST4	Eriogonum strictum	2–5	0–1
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–3	0–1
	cushion buckwheat	EROV	Eriogonum ovalifolium	0–3	0–1
	cous biscuitroot	LOCO4	Lomatium cous	0–3	0–1
	tapertip onion	ALAC4	Allium acuminatum	0–3	0–1
	sagebrush false dandelion	NOTR2	Nothocalais troximoides	0–3	0–1
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–2	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			5–10
	tall annual willowherb	EPBR3	Epilobium brachycarpum	0–2	0–5
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–2	2–3
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–2	1–3
	chaparral willowherb	EPMI	Epilobium minutum	0–2	0–3
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	0–2	1–2
7	Annual forbs, introduced			5–10
	curveseed butterwort	CETE5	Ceratocephala testiculata	0–3	0–5
	spring draba	DRVE2	Draba verna	0–3	2–5
	desert madwort	ALDE	Alyssum desertorum	0–3	0–1
	prickly lettuce	LASE	Lactuca serriola	0–3	0–1
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			20–80
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	20–80	3–10
11	Other shrubs			0–15
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–10	0–2
	rubber rabbitbrush	ERNA10	Ericameria nauseosa	0–10	0–1
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			10–50
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	10–50	0–4

Table 44. Community 3.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			20–45
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	15–25	1–4
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	5–15	0–3
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	0–5	1–2
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted			60–120
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	60–100	5–20
	bulbous bluegrass	POBU	Poa bulbosa	0–15	0–1
	onespike danthonia	DAUN	Danthonia unispicata	0–5	0–1
9	Annual grass, introduced			40–110
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	10–50	1–10
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	0–40	0–7
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	0–20	0–5
Forb
5	Perennial forbs			10–40
	largehead clover	TRMA3	Trifolium macrocephalum	1–6	1–2
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	0–6	0–2
	longleaf phlox	PHLO2	Phlox longifolia	1–6	1–2
	Blue Mountain buckwheat	ERST4	Eriogonum strictum	1–6	1–2
	low pussytoes	ANDI2	Antennaria dimorpha	0–5	0–1
	tapertip onion	ALAC4	Allium acuminatum	0–5	0–1
	sagebrush false dandelion	NOTR2	Nothocalais troximoides	0–5	0–1
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–5	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			5–20
	tall annual willowherb	EPBR3	Epilobium brachycarpum	0–6	0–3
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–5	0–1
	annual agoseris	AGHE2	Agoseris heterophylla	0–3	0–1
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–3	0–1
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	0–3	0–1
7	Annual forbs, introduced			0–5
	curveseed butterwort	CETE5	Ceratocephala testiculata	0–5	0–1
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			80–260
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	80–260	12–30
11	Other shrubs			0–35
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	2–20	1–2
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	2–20	1–2
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–10	1–2
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			10–40
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	10–60	1–3

Table 45. Community 4.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			30–90
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	16–40	2–12
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	10–30	1–6
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	2–10	1–3
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	2–5	0–3
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	0–5	0–2
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted			15–65
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	15–60	5–15
	onespike danthonia	DAUN	Danthonia unispicata	0–5	0–3
9	Annual grass, introduced			10–45
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	5–25	1–10
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	0–20	0–8
Forb
5	Perennial forbs			10–25
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	2–10	1–3
	low pussytoes	ANDI2	Antennaria dimorpha	0–10	1–3
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	0–10	0–3
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	0–10	0–3
	largehead clover	TRMA3	Trifolium macrocephalum	0–5	0–2
	tapertip onion	ALAC4	Allium acuminatum	0–5	0–1
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	0–5	0–1
	Hooker's balsamroot	BAHO	Balsamorhiza hookeri	0–2	0–1
	sulphur-flower buckwheat	ERUM	Eriogonum umbellatum	0–2	0–1
	sagebrush false dandelion	NOTR2	Nothocalais troximoides	0–2	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			5–15
	bushy bird's beak	CORA5	Cordylanthus ramosus	0–6	0–3
	Great Basin woollystar	ERSP3	Eriastrum sparsiflorum	0–6	0–2
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–2	1–2
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–2	0–1
	slender phlox	MIGR	Microsteris gracilis	0–2	0–1
	largeflower hawksbeard	CROC	Crepis occidentalis	0–2	0–1
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			80–140
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	80–140	6–18
11	Other shrubs			0–40
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–30	0–4
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–10	0–3
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–10	0–1
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			100–305
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	100–305	10–20

Table 46. Community 4.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			35–70
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	15–40	6–10
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	10–20	1–5
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	10–20	2–3
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	0–5	0–1
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted			40–80
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	40–80	7–20
	onespike danthonia	DAUN	Danthonia unispicata	2–10	0–4
9	Annual grass, introduced			20–45
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	15–30	3–10
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	5–15	2–5
Forb
5	Perennial forbs			5–20
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	2–10	2–3
	low pussytoes	ANDI2	Antennaria dimorpha	2–10	1–3
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	0–10	0–3
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	0–5	0–4
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	0–5	0–3
	parsnipflower buckwheat	ERHE2	Eriogonum heracleoides	0–5	0–2
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–2	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			0–5
	maiden blue eyed Mary	COPA3	Collinsia parviflora	0–2	0–3
	Great Basin woollystar	ERSP3	Eriastrum sparsiflorum	0–2	0–2
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–2	0–2
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			20–40
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	20–40	4–10
11	Other shrubs			0–30
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–10	2–7
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–10	0–2
	big sagebrush	ARTR2	Artemisia tridentata	0–5	0–2
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			180–360
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	180–360	16–40

Table 47. Community 5.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			15–40
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	10–20	1–2
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	5–15	0–1
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	0–5	0–1
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted			5–25
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	5–25	1–6
9	Annual grass, introduced			130–230
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	50–120	10–40
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	40–80	5–12
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	20–60	4–10
Forb
5	Perennial forbs			5–15
	arrowleaf balsamroot	BASA3	Balsamorhiza sagittata	0–15	0–2
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–10	0–3
	rock buckwheat	ERSP7	Eriogonum sphaerocephalum	0–10	0–1
	sulphur-flower buckwheat	ERUM	Eriogonum umbellatum	0–5	0–1
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	0–2	0–1
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	0–1	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			0–5
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–5	0–1
	willowherb	EPILO	Epilobium	0–5	0–1
7	Annual forbs, introduced			0–30
	tall tumblemustard	SIAL2	Sisymbrium altissimum	0–20	0–3
	desert madwort	ALDE	Alyssum desertorum	0–20	0–3
	prickly lettuce	LASE	Lactuca serriola	0–20	0–3
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			100–165
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	100–165	12–30
11	Other shrubs			10–65
	rubber rabbitbrush	ERNA10	Ericameria nauseosa	10–40	1–4
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–30	1–3
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			10–50
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	10–50	3–10

Table 48. Community 5.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
2	Perennial, deep-rooted			15–50
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	10–30	2–5
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	5–20	1–4
3	Perennial, shallow-rooted			5–30
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	5–30	1–8
9	Annual grass, introduced			175–370
	North Africa grass	VEDU	Ventenata dubia	40–200	5–40
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	30–140	5–20
	medusahead	TACA8	Taeniatherum caput-medusae	20–80	4–10
	field brome	BRAR5	Bromus arvensis	0–10	0–10
	rattlesnake brome	BRBR5	Bromus briziformis	0–10	0–5
Forb
5	Perennial forbs, other			0–15
	tall annual willowherb	EPBR3	Epilobium brachycarpum	0–4	0–2
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–4	0–2
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	0–2	0–1
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–2	0–1
6	Annual forbs, native			0–5
	rough eyelashweed	BLSC	Blepharipappus scaber	0–4	0–3
	largeflower hawksbeard	CROC	Crepis occidentalis	0–2	0–1
7	Annual forbs, introduced			5–40
	prickly lettuce	LASE	Lactuca serriola	0–25	0–5
	tall tumblemustard	SIAL2	Sisymbrium altissimum	0–25	0–5
	desert madwort	ALDE	Alyssum desertorum	0–25	0–5
Shrub/Vine
10	Shrubs, dominant			0–20
	little sagebrush	ARAR8	Artemisia arbuscula	0–20	0–5
Tree
12	Tree, evergreen			0–20
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	0–20	0–3

Interpretations

Animal community

Livestock Grazing:

This site is suited to use by cattle, sheep, and horses in late spring, summer, and fall under a planned grazing system. Use should be postponed until the soils are firm enough to avoid trampling damage and soil compaction.

Native Wildlife Associated with the Potential Climax Plant Community:

Deer
Antelope
Elk
Hawks
Songbirds
Rodents

This site will offer food and cover for mule deer, antelope, elk, rodents, and a variety of birds and their associated predators. It is an important late fall, winter, and spring use area for big game.

Hydrological functions

The soils are in hydrologic group D. The soils of this site have high runoff potential.

Wood products

This site is susceptible to increase in western juniper. Where this has occurred, the site will yield fence posts, firewood, and specialty products.

Other information

The soils in this site have good water holding capacities providing late season water for plant growth and slow water releases to streams. Increase in western juniper and the subsequent competition for moisture will lead to a reduction of available forage. Overgrazing can easily reduce ground cover and accelerate soil loss. Improving infiltration and permeability, and reducing runoff should be the immmediate goal of juniper control. When incised channels are present, rehabilitation will markedly improve production, reduce downstream sedimentation and restore good hydrologic characteristics. On altered sites, the reintroduction of basin wildrye may be needed to fully restore the site potential.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

This site was verified using vegetation and soils data summarized across 170 plots collected on this ecological site across MLRA10 in Oregon from 2005 to 2022. Of these plots, 60 included vegetative production estimates, all included cover estimates. Data sources: NRCS ecological site plots, n = 10; BLM ecological site inventory (ESI), n = 89; BLM assessment inventory and monitoring (AIM), n = 63; NRCS natural resource inventory, n = 8.

References

Bukowski, B.E. and W.L. Baker. 2013. Historical fire regimes, reconstructed from land-survey data, led to complexity and fluctuation in sagebrush landscapes. Ecological Applications 23:546–564.
Chambers, J.C., D.A. Pyke, J.D. Maestas, M. Pellant, C.S. Boyd, S.B. Campbell, S. Esipinosa, D.W. Havlina, K.E. Mayer, and A. Wuenschel. 2014. Using resistance and resilience concepts to reduce impacts of invasive annual grasses and altered fire regimes on the sagebrush ecosystem and greater sage-grouse: A strategic multi-scale approach.. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-326.. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station., Fort Collins, CO. 73.
Burns, R.M., B.H. Honkala, and others. 1990. Silvics of North America. Volume 1: Conifers. Agriculture Handbook 654. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.
Conrad, C.E. and C.E. Poulton. 1966. Effect of a Wildfire on Idaho Fescue and Bluebunch Wheatgrass. Journal of Range Management 19:138–141.
Stringham, T.K., D. Snyder, P. Novak-Echenique, A. Wartgow, A. Badertscher, and K. O'Neill. 2019. Great Basin Ecological Site Development Project: State and Transition Models for Major Land Resource Area 23, Nevada and portions of California. Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report 2019-01. University of Nevada Reno, Reno, Nevada.
Stringham, T.k., D. Snyder, and A. Wartgow. 2016. State-and-Transition Models for USFS Crooked River National Grassland Major Land Resource Area B10 Oregon. DRAFT Report.. University of Nevada Reno, Reno, NV.

Other references

Bates, Jonathan D. and Davies, Kirk W. "Early Succession Following Prescribed Fire in Low Sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula var. Arbuscula) Steppe," Western North American Naturalist 82 (1), 50-66, (8 April 2022). https://doi.org/10.3398/064.082.0105

Bradley, B. A., Curtis, C. A., Fusco, E. J., Abatzoglou, J. T., Balch, J. K., Dadashi, S., & Tuanmu, M.-N. (2018). Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) distribution in the intermountain Western United States and its relationship to fire frequency, seasonality, and ignitions. Biological Invasions, 20, 1493–1506. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-017-1641-8

Bradley, A.F., N.V. Noste, and W.C. Fischer. 1992. Fire ecology of forests and woodlands in Utah. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-287. Ogden, UT. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station. 128 p.

Howard, Janet L. 1997. Poa secunda. 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.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/graminoid/poasec/all.html [2024, December 30].

LANDFIRE, 2020, BpS Model 11240 - Columbia Plateau Low Sagebrush Steppe, LANDFIRE 2.0.0, U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Accessed 11, November 2024 at https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/pdfs/BpS/LF2020/11240_1_7_8_9.pdf

Miller, H.C., D. Clausnitzer, and M.M Borman. 1999a. Medusahead. In: Sheley, R.L. and J.K. Petroff (eds.). Biology and Management of Noxious Rangeland Weeds. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR.

Miller, Richard F.; Bates, Jonathan D.; Svejcar, Tony J.; Pierson, Frederick B.; Eddleman, L.E. 2007. Western juniper field guide: asking the right questions to select appropriate management actions. U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1321. Reston, VA: U.S. Geological Survey. 61 p.

Miller, Richard F.; Chambers, Jeanne C.; Evers, Louisa; Williams, C. Jason; Snyder, Keirith A.; Roundy, Bruce A.; Pierson, Fred B. 2019. The ecology, history, ecohydrology, and management of pinyon and juniper woodlands in the Great Basin and Northern Colorado Plateau of the western United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-403. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 284 p.

Miller, R.F.; Tausch, R.J.; McArthur, E. D.; [et al.]. 2008. Age structure and expansion
of piñon-juniper woodlands: A regional perspective in the Intermountain West. Res.
Pap. RMRS-RP-69. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Rocky Mountain Research Station. 15 p.

Miller, Richard F.; Tausch, R.J.; Waichler, W.S. 1999. Old-growth juniper and pinyon
woodlands. In: Monsen, S.B.; Richards, S. Tausch, R.J. [et al.], comps. Proceedings of
the ecology and management of pinyon-juniper communities within the Interior West;
1997 September 15-18; Provo, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-9. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station: 375-384.

Steinberg, Peter D. 2002. Artemisia arbuscula. 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.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/shrub/artarb/all.html [accessed 2024, February 1].

Stringham, T.K., D. Snyder, and A. Wartgow. 2016. State-and-Transition Models for USFS Crooked River National Grassland Major Land Resource Area B10 Oregon. DRAFT Report. University of Nevada Reno.

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.

Young, Richard P. 1983. Fire as a vegetation management tool in rangelands of the Intermountain region. In: Monsen, Stephen B.; Shaw, Nancy, compilers. Managing Intermountain rangelands--improvement of range and wildlife habitats: Proceedings of symposia; 1981 September 15-17; Twin Falls, ID; 1982 June 22-24; Elko, NV. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-157. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station: 18-31.

Zamora, B.; Tueller, Paul T. 1973. Artemisia arbuscula, A. longiloba, and A. nova habitat types in northern Nevada. The Great Basin Naturalist. 33(4): 225-242.

Contributors

BLM/SCS Team - Burns, J. Thompson, A. Bahn
Cici Brooks
JPR
Andrew Neary - verification project 2024

Approval

Kirt Walstad, 2/05/2025

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)	James A. Cornwell, State Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS, Idaho (Retired) Lee Brooks, Assistant State Conservationist, NRCS, Idaho (Retired)
Contact for lead author	State Rangeland Management Specialist for NRCS – Oregon
Date	09/01/2009
Approved by	Kirt Walstad
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
None. Slight to moderate sheet and rill erosion hazard on slopes greater than 10 percent.
Presence of water flow patterns:
None.
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None.
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
5 to 15 percent.
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None.
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None.
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Fine Litter movement, typically would be less than 1 foot.
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Values are expected to range from 4 to 5, but need to be validated.
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
The A horizon in typically 3 to 6 inches thick. Structure ranges from weak to moderate very fine granular and thin platy. Soil organic matter (SOM) ranges from 1 to 4 percent.
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Moderate to significant plant cover (50 to 60 percent) and gentle slopes (2 to 12 percent) effectively limit rainfall impact and overland flow. The root mass of perennial bunchgrasses provides significant soil stability.
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
A compaction layer does not occur but a claypan or bedrock does occur on this site within 6 to 10 inches of the surface.
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:
Deep-rooted, perennial, cool season bunchgrasses>>

Sub-dominant:
Shallow-rooted shrubs=shallow rooted, perennial, cool season bunchgrasses=forbs>>

Other:
tall shrubs

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Expect some decadence and mortality in low sagebrush.
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Needs to be verified.
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Favorable 700, Normal 500, Unfavorable 300.
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:
Cheatgrass and medusahead.
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species should be capable of reproducing annually.

Download reference sheet

Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.

Ecosystem states

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

SWAPAEH

States 2 and 5 (additional transitions)

2. Current Potential

SWAPAEH

5. Annual

SWAPAEH

T1A	-	Introduction of non-native species; long-term overutilization by livestock.
T2A	-	Inappropriate grazing management
T2B	-	Time
T2C	-	Fire, soil disruption, inappropriate grazing management
T3B	-	Time
T3A	-	Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, and/or soil disturbing treatments, Inappropriate grazing management
R4A	-	Tree thinning; seeding
R4B	-	Mechanical tree thinning; seeding (failed)
T4A	-	Failed mechanical treatment, catastrophic fire
R5A	-	Annual grass treatment; reseeding

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

1.2. Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

1.1A	-	Time and lack of disturbance
1.2A	-	Fire

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Deep-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

2.2. Little Sagebrush and Deep-rooted Bunchgrass

2.3. Shallow-rooted Bunchgrass and Little Sagebrush

2.1A	-	Time, growing season grazing
2.1B	-	Inappropriate grazing management
2.2A	-	Fire, dormant season grazing, brush treatments, aroga moth outbreak
2.2B	-	Inappropriate grazing management, brush management
2.3B	-	Time, rest from grazing, reseeding
2.3A	-	Time and rest from grazing, reseeding