Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site BX013X01B026
Loamy Calcareous Bear River Valley 10-14" P.Z.
Last updated: 5/01/2024
Accessed: 11/13/2024
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): 013X–Eastern Idaho Plateaus
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 13, Eastern Idaho Plateaus, consists of approximately 5 million acres in Idaho with a small part in Utah and Wyoming. It consists of 6 Land Resource Units (LRU). These units are divisions of the MLRA based on geology, landscape, common soils, water resources and plant community potentials. The elevation ranges from approximately 4500 to 6600 feet (1370 to 2010 m) on the plateaus and foothills to as much as 9500 feet (2895 m) on the mountains. Annual precipitation ranges from 10 to 48 inches (254 to 1220 mm), with the driest areas in the Bear River Valley on the far eastern portion and the wettest areas on the mountain summits. The Fort Hall Indian Reservation and several national forests are in this MLRA, including the Caribou, Cache, and Targhee National Forests. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks occur just outside the northeast boundary.
LRU notes
The Bear River Valley LRU is located on the far eastern side of MLRA 13 between the Bear River Divide and the Monte Cristo Range, from Woodruff, Utah at the southern end to Cokeville, Wyoming at the northern end. The total area of the LRU is approximately 340,000 acres. It shares a boundary with MLRA 47 - Wasatch and Uinta Mountains, 43B - Central Rocky Mountains and 46 - Northern Rocky Mountain Foothills (proposed in Wyoming).
This LRU differs from the others in its geology, which is comprised mostly of alluvium and colluvium from the Stump Formation. Its weather patterns are such that the soil moisture regime is xeric, meaning there is a slight peak in winter precipitation in this LRU, with typical yearly precipitation between 10 to 15 inches (254-380 mm). The soil temperature regime of this LRU is frigid with mean annual soil temperatures ranging from 44 to 48 degrees Fahrenheit (6.7 to 8.8 C). The elevation range is from 5700 to 7000 feet (1730 to 2130 m). The soils in the Bear River Valley are dominated by young aged very deep soils developed from sandstone and shale parent material re-worked with recent alluvium. Soils are dominated by Alfisols with young argillic horizons and by Fluvents in more recent alluvium.
The Bear River runs through this LRU, allowing for ample amounts of irrigation water used in the lowland areas to produce hay with smaller tributaries originating from the neighboring mountains.
Classification relationships
Relationship to Other Established Classification Systems
National Vegetation Classification System (NVC):
3 Semi-Desert
3.B.1 Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland
3.B.1.Ne Western North American Cool Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Division
M169 Great Basin & Intermountain Tall Sagebrush Shrubland & Steppe Macrogroup
G303 Intermountain Dry Tall Sage Steppe and Shrubland Group
A3182 Wyoming big sagebrush Mesic Steppe and Shrubland Alliance
CEGL001009 Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis/Pseudoroegnaria spicata Shrubland Association
Ecoregions (EPA):
Level I: 10 North American Deserts
Level II: 10.1 Cold Deserts
Level III: 10.1.4 Wyoming Basin
Ecological site concept
Loamy Calcareous Bear River Valley 10-14" P.Z. (LyC-BRV) is an upland ecological site with loamy soil surface textures (<32% clay) within the top 6 inches that is limited by high (>15%) Calcium Carbonate Equivalent within 6-20 inches (15-50 cm) of soil surface and somewhat limited water holding capacity (moderately deep to very deep with <6" AWC).
• This site does not receive additional water.
• These soils are:
o not saline , saline-sodic, or sodic
o moderately deep, deep, or very deep
o with less than 15% cobble and gravel surface cover
o not skeletal within 20 inches (50 cm) of soil surface
o none to strong effervescence in top 6 inches (15 cm) surface mineral
o violently effervescent with Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (CCE) >15% begins within 6-
20 inches (15-50cm)
o with surface textures including fine sandy loam, loam, silt loam, sandy clay loam, and
light clay loam (<32% clay content) within top 6 inches (15 cm) surface mineral
• have slopes less than 30%
• does not exceed 35% clay in the argillic horizon
Climate:
xeric moisture regime
frigid temperature regime
Associated sites
BX013X01B022 |
Loamy Bear River Valley 10-14" P.Z. This site has similar soil surface textures, but does not have violent effervescence (>15% CCE) within the top 20 inches. It has higher production potential. |
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Similar sites
BX013X01B022 |
Loamy Bear River Valley 10-14" P.Z. This site has similar soil surface textures, but does not have violent effervescence (>15% CCE) within the top 20 inches. It has higher production potential. |
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Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
Not specified |
---|---|
Shrub |
(1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis |
Herbaceous |
(1) Pseudoroegneria spicata |
Legacy ID
R013XA126WY
Physiographic features
This site occurs on hillslope and fan remnant landforms at elevations between 5,700 and 7,000 feet. This site occurs on all aspects. The slopes range from level to 30 percent. Runoff is low and flooding and ponding do not occur on this site.
Landscape Definition:
hills -- A landscape dominated by hills and associated valleys.
valley -- An elongate, relatively large, externally drained depression of the Earth's surface that is primarily developed by stream erosion or glacial activity.
Landform Definition:
hillslope -- A generic term for the steeper part of a hill between its summit and the drainage line, valley flat, or depression floor at the base of the hill.
fan remnant -- A general term for landforms that are the remaining parts of older, non-active fan- landforms, such as alluvial fans, fan aprons, inset fans, and fan skirts, that either have been dissected (erosional fan-remnants) or partially buried (non-buried fan-remnants). An erosional fan remnant must retain a relatively flat summit that is a relict fan-surface (greater than 50 percent intact). A non-buried fan-remnant is a relict surface in its entirety. Similar terms = eroded fan remnant, eroded fan remnant sideslope, ballena.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms |
(1)
Hills
> Hillslope
(2) Valley > Fan remnant |
---|---|
Runoff class | Negligible to low |
Flooding frequency | None |
Ponding frequency | None |
Elevation | 5,700 – 7,000 ft |
Slope | 30% |
Water table depth | 60 – 200 in |
Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
Annual precipitation in the Bear River Valley ranges from 10 to 14 inches per year. Wide fluctuations may occur in yearly precipitation and result in more below average years than those with above average precipitation. Temperatures show a wide range between summer and winter and between daily maximums and minimums. This is predominantly due to the high elevation and dry air, which permits rapid incoming and outgoing radiation. Cold air outbreaks in winter move rapidly from northwest to southeast and account for extreme minimum temperatures. Roughly 25 to 30 percent of the precipitation occurs during the critical growth period, but the majority of precipitation accumulates outside the growing season, creating xeric-like conditions. The wettest rainfall month is May. The dominant plants (sagebrush and cool season grasses) are well adapted to these conditions. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 mph. The growing season is short (60 to 90 days) and cool (critical growth period): primary growth typically occurs between May and June. Growth of native cool-season plants begins about mid-April and continues to approximately early July. Some green-up of cool-season plants usually occurs in September with adequate fall moisture.
All data is based on the 30 year average from 1981 through 2010.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) | 40-90 days |
---|---|
Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 50-110 days |
Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 10-14 in |
Frost-free period (actual range) | 35-90 days |
Freeze-free period (actual range) | 30-110 days |
Precipitation total (actual range) | 8-16 in |
Frost-free period (average) | 60 days |
Freeze-free period (average) | 80 days |
Precipitation total (average) | 12 in |
Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range
Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range
Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) WOODRUFF [USC00429595], Woodruff, UT
-
(2) RANDOLPH [USC00427165], Randolph, UT
-
(3) SAGE 4 NNW [USC00487955], Cokeville, WY
Influencing water features
There are no influencing water features associated with this ecological site.
Wetland description
N/A
Soil features
The soils of this site are moderately deep to very deep (20 to 200 inches) with loamy (less than 32 percent clay) surface textures within the top 6 inches (15 cm). Rock fragments may be found on the soil surface, but make up less than 15 percent cover. There is high Calcium Carbonate Equivalent (greater than 15 percent CCE) within a depth ranging from 6 to 20 inches (15 to 50 cm), resulting in violent effervescence at that depth and deeper throughout the soil profile. These soils are well-drained and typically have moderate permeability and somewhat limited water holding capacity (moderately deep to very deep with less than 6 inches AWC).
The soil moisture regime is xeric and the soil temperature regime is frigid.
Major Soil Series correlated to this site include: Cokeville and Mantlemine
Taxonomy: Fine-loamy, mixed, superactive, frigid Calcic Haploxeralfs
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material |
(1)
Slope alluvium
–
igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock
(2) Alluvium – igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock |
---|---|
Surface texture |
(1) Gravelly loam (2) Sandy clay loam (3) Silt loam |
Drainage class | Well drained |
Permeability class | Moderate to moderately slow |
Depth to restrictive layer | 20 – 200 in |
Soil depth | 20 – 200 in |
Surface fragment cover <=3" | 5 – 20% |
Surface fragment cover >3" | 10% |
Available water capacity (0-40in) |
4.5 – 6 in |
Calcium carbonate equivalent (6-20in) |
15 – 40% |
Clay content (0-6in) |
18 – 32% |
Electrical conductivity (0-20in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-20in) |
3 |
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-20in) |
7.5 – 8 |
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (6-40in) |
35% |
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (6-40in) |
10% |
Ecological dynamics
A State-and-Transition Model (STM) diagram is depicted in this section. Thorough descriptions of each state, transition, plant community phase, and pathway are found after the model in this document. This diagram is based on available experimental research, field observations, professional consensus, and interpretations. While based on the best available information, the STM will change over time as knowledge of ecological processes increases.
Plant community composition within the same ecological site has a natural range of variability across the LRU due to the naturally occurring variability in weather, soils, and aspect. Not all managers will choose the Reference Plant Community as the management goal. Other plant communities may be desired to meet land management objectives. This is valid as long as the rangeland health attributes assessment departures are none to slight or slight to moderate from the Reference State. The biological processes on this site are complex; therefore, representative values are presented in a land management context. The species lists are representative and are not botanical descriptions of all species occurring, or potentially occurring, on this site. They are not intended to cover every situation or the full range of conditions, species, and responses for the site.
Both percent species composition by weight and percent cover are used in this ESD. Most observers find it easier to visualize or estimate percent cover for woody species (trees and shrubs). Foliar cover is used to define plant community phases and states in the State-and-Transition Model. Cover drives the transitions between communities and states because of the influence of shade and interception of rainfall.
Species composition by dry weight remains an important descriptor of the herbaceous community and of site productivity as a whole and includes both herbaceous and woody species. Calculating similarity index requires data on species composition by dry weight.
Although there is considerable qualitative experience supporting the pathways and transitions within the State-and-Transition Model, no quantitative information exists that specifically identifies threshold parameters between reference states and degraded states in this ecological site. For information on STMs, see the following citations: Bestelmeyer et.al. 2003, Bestelmeyer et.al. 2004, Bestelmeyer et.al. 2010, Bestelmeyer and Brown 2005, Briske et.al. 2008, and Stringham et,al. 2003.
A resource concern risk assessment and dominant resource concerns are provided for each Land Use, State, and/or Plant Community Phase based on NRCS resource concern and planning criteria used to determine resource treatment levels during the conservation planning process. A resource concern is the resource condition that does not meet the minimum accepted levels established by planning criteria as shown in Section III of the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/#/).
• Low risk means a low probability for the category of resource concerns and additional assessment is typically not necessary.
• Medium risk means that the category of resource concerns could occur, and additional assessment is recommended if the identified resource is a client concern and/or objective.
• High risk means that a resource concern in that category is likely to occur.
The resource categories are: S (soil), W (water), A (air), P (plant), A (animal), E (energy), and H (human). The dominant resource concerns further refine the resource category to a specific resource concern within that category.
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
C1-2 | - | Flood irrigation, tillage, and seeding |
---|---|---|
C1-3 | - | Irrigation (improved flood or sprinkler), tillage, and seeding |
C2-3 | - | Sprinkler irrigation, tillage, and seeding |
Land use 1 submodel, ecosystem states
T1-2 | - | Herbivory (continuous spring or season long at low to moderate intensity) |
---|---|---|
T1-3 | - | Soil disturbance (e.g. hoof action, rodents, water erosion) and/or high intensity fire or chemical/mechanical treatment |
T2-3 | - | Soil disturbance (e.g. hoof action, rodents, water erosion) and/or severe fire or chemical/mechanical treatment |
T2-4 | - | Extreme herbivory (continuous, high intensity) |
T3-4 | - | Extreme disturbance (e.g. catastrophic fire, drought, soil removal) |
State 1 submodel, plant communities
P1-2 | - | Sage-thinning event (drought, prolonged soil saturation, freeze-kill, snow mold, low intensity fire, herbivory, chemical/mechanical treatment) |
---|---|---|
P1-3 | - | Sage-killing event (severe drought, prolonged soil saturation, freeze-kill, snow mold, moderate intensity fire, herbivory, or mechanical/chemical treatment) |
P2-1 | - | Natural Succession |
P2-3 | - | Sage-killing event (severe drought, prolonged soil saturation, freeze-kill, snow mold, moderate intensity fire, herbivory, mechanical/chemical treatment) |
P3-2 | - | Natural Succession |
State 2 submodel, plant communities
P1-2 | - | Sage-killing event (mechanical or chemical treatment, herbivory, drought, prolonged soil saturation, freeze-kill, snow mold) |
---|---|---|
P2-1 | - | Natural Succession |
State 3 submodel, plant communities
P1-2 | - | Sage-killing event (high intensity fire, consecutive mechanical or chemical treatments) |
---|---|---|
P2-1 | - | Natural Succession |
State 4 submodel, plant communities
P1-2 | - | Sage-killing event (catastrophic fire, mechanical treatment) |
---|---|---|
P2-1 | - | Natural Succession |
Land use 2 submodel, ecosystem states
T1-2 | - | Irrigation abandonment |
---|
Land use 3 submodel, ecosystem states
Land use 1
Rangeland
Rangeland is the dominant land use for this site and provides the most diverse ecosystem services. Range is land on which the historic and introduced vegetation is predominantly grasses, grass-like plants, forbs or shrubs managed as a natural ecosystem. Range may include natural grasslands, savannas, shrublands, tundra, alpine communities, marshes and meadows.
Characteristics and indicators. This land use consists of diverse native plant communities dominated by big sagebrush and perennial cool season grasses that provide for site stability, hydrologic function, and biotic integrity of the site.
State 1.1
Reference State
The Reference State consists of three Plant Communities: the Big Sagebrush/Bunchgrass Community (1.1.1), the Bunchgrass/Big sagebrush Plant Community (1.1.2), and the Bunchgrass Community (1.1.3). Each community differs in percent composition of bunchgrasses and percent shrub canopy cover. The dominant shrub is Wyoming big sagebrush. Forbs are a minor component on this site. The Loamy Calcareous site potential is slightly less than the Loamy site in this LRU due to the restrictive nature of the shallow calcic horizon that occurs in it. The diversity in plant species allows for drought tolerance, and natural plant mortality is very low. These plants have strong, healthy root systems that allow production to increase significantly with favorable moisture conditions. Two important processes occur in the reference state and result in plant community changes: 1) sagebrush-killing disturbances such as fire, herbivory, and drought; and 2) time without those disturbances, generally referred to as "natural succession."
Characteristics and indicators. The shift between plant community phases is dependent upon sagebrush-killing disturbances, and without them it will increase even with proper grazing management. Improper grazing management may accelerate the rate of increase for the shrub component. Management actions can and are often used to mimic the natural disturbance regime through mechanical and chemical treatments. Prescribed fire is not often used due to land use and ownership patterns, lack of fine fuels, and adequate burn windows (Clause and Randall 2014).
Resilience management. This site has moderate resilience due to its xeric soil moisture regime and frigid temperature regime (Chambers et.al. 2014). Precipitation is typically adequate and more effective with cooler temperatures, but timing of precipitation lowers resilience. Moisture is often not present when needed to support recovery efforts. The site can usually recovery after disturbance but is susceptible to delays in recovery during extreme climatic events such as drought. On the LRU scale, this site is less resilient than the Loamy site. The site has moderately low resistance to invasion by annual grasses because of climate suitability. Winter precipitation patterns favor annual invasion while cooler temperatures provide some resistance. The site is susceptible to invasion during hotter climatic periods. On the LRU scale, this site is more resistant to invasion than the Loamy site.
Dominant plant species
-
Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), shrub
-
bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), grass
Dominant resource concerns
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
-
Inadequate livestock water quantity, quality, and distribution
Community 1.1.1
Big Sagebrush/Bunchgrass Plant Community
This community is well adapted to Eastern Idaho Plateaus climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species allows for drought tolerance, and natural plant mortality is very low. These plants have strong, healthy root systems that allow production to increase significantly with favorable moisture conditions. Abundant plant litter is available for soil building and moisture retention. Plant litter is properly distributed with very little movement off-site. This plant community provides for soil stability and a properly functioning hydrologic cycle. The soils associated with this site are fertile and hold moderately large amounts of soil moisture, providing a very favorable soil-water-plant relationship. The Big Sagebrush/Bunchgrass Community (1.1.1) can occur across the entire ecological site or can occur in a mosaic. This community can occur over time without these disturbances and accelerated with added herbaceous grazing pressure. Wyoming big sagebrush is dominant with sagebrush foliar cover ranging from 20 to 30 percent. At this sagebrush canopy level in this precipitation zone, there is some competition between the shrub over-story and the herbaceous under-story. (Winward 2007). A Big Sagebrush/Bunchgrass Community with a degraded under-story is an “at-risk” community, particularly when occurring homogeneously across the landscape. In the Big Sagebrush/Bunchgrass Community (1.1.1), there are generally few canopy gaps, and most basal gaps are small (one to two feet). Rock cover on the soil surface is less than 30 percent. Many plant inter-spaces have canopy or litter cover. Production of grasses is much lower than in the Bunchgrass Community (1.1.3) and slightly lower than in the Bunchgrass/Big Sagebrush Community (1.1.2).
Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
---|---|---|---|
Shrub/Vine | 275 | 385 | 495 |
Grass/Grasslike | 175 | 245 | 315 |
Forb | 50 | 70 | 90 |
Total | 500 | 700 | 900 |
Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover | 0% |
---|---|
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 15-25% |
Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 25-30% |
Forb foliar cover | 1-5% |
Non-vascular plants | 0% |
Biological crusts | 0% |
Litter | 20-40% |
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 1-10% |
Surface fragments >3" | 0-5% |
Bedrock | 0% |
Water | 0% |
Bare ground | 15-25% |
Table 7. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover | 0% |
---|---|
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 1-5% |
Grass/grasslike basal cover | 1-5% |
Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
Non-vascular plants | 0% |
Biological crusts | 0% |
Litter | 40-60% |
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 5-20% |
Surface fragments >3" | 0-10% |
Bedrock | 0% |
Water | 0% |
Bare ground | 15-25% |
Community 1.1.2
Bunchgrass/Big Sagebrush Plant Community
The Bunchgrass/Big Sagebrush Community (1.1.2) is well adapted to Eastern Idaho Plateaus climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species allows for drought tolerance, and plant mortality is low. These plants have strong, healthy root systems that allow production to increase significantly with favorable moisture conditions. The Bunchgrass/Big Sagebrush Community (1.2) can occur across the entire ecological site on a given landscape but more likely occurs in a mosaic pattern associated with the disturbance cycle at any given location. Mid-stature bunchgrasses dominate in the Bunchgrass/Big Sagebrush Community (1.1.2) with sagebrush sub-dominant with cover ranging from 5 to 20 percent. At this sagebrush canopy level in this precipitation zone, there is little if any competition between the shrub over-story and the herbaceous under-story. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that the under-story receives more benefit from the sage over-story than negative effects. (Winward 2007). This community can occur after a sagebrush thinning event, such as drought, insects, or disease, or it can take longer to occur after a stand replacing event. Brush Management is a conservation practice used to achieve this plant community. Chemical treatment of shrubs has typically replaced natural sagebrush killing events. However, chemical treatments impact non-target species, particularly broad-leafed species (forbs and shrubs) differently than natural events such as drought. Chemical treatment of sagebrush with tebuthiuron can have impacts to the under-story, depending on application rate. (WWC 2009). There is a danger of transition to the Disturbed State if multiple consecutive treatments occur. Chemical, mechanical, and biological control can be effective tools to achieve this plant community when used in conjunction with a grazing system that mimics the historic herbivory regime, including varying the timing and intensity of grazing and provides periodic rest/deferment during the critical growth period. There are generally few canopy gaps, and most basal gaps are generally small (one to two feet). Rock cover on the soil surface is less than 30 percent. Most shrub inter-spaces have canopy or litter cover. Production of grasses is slightly lower than in the Bunchgrass Community (1.1.3), but higher than in the Big sagebrush/Bunchgrass (1.1.1).
Figure 8. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike | 275 | 385 | 495 |
Shrub/Vine | 175 | 245 | 315 |
Forb | 50 | 70 | 90 |
Total | 500 | 700 | 900 |
Table 9. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover | 0% |
---|---|
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 5-15% |
Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 35-40% |
Forb foliar cover | 1-5% |
Non-vascular plants | 0% |
Biological crusts | 0% |
Litter | 20-40% |
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 1-10% |
Surface fragments >3" | 0-5% |
Bedrock | 0% |
Water | 0% |
Bare ground | 15-25% |
Table 10. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover | 0% |
---|---|
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 1-5% |
Grass/grasslike basal cover | 1-5% |
Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
Non-vascular plants | 0% |
Biological crusts | 0% |
Litter | 40-60% |
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 5-20% |
Surface fragments >3" | 0-10% |
Bedrock | 0% |
Water | 0% |
Bare ground | 15-25% |
Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). WY13X01Bu, MLRA 13-Bear River Valley-upland. Forage Production (herbaceous only) Developed by using the Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP).
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
1 | 5 | 14 | 24 | 27 | 18 | 8 | 3 |
Community 1.1.3
Bunchgrass Plant Community
The Bunchgrass Community (1.1.3) is dominated by mid-stature cool-season bunchgrasses mixed with a minor component of forbs and shrubs. Big sagebrush is present as a part of the community, but is minor with up to 5 percent foliar cover. Sprouting shrubs such as green rabbitbrush (aka yellow rabbitbrush in USDA PLANTS) may appear more visible and dominant with reduced sagebrush cover, but they are not dominant compared to the herbaceous component. The Bunchgrass Community (1.1.3) generally occurs immediately following a sagebrush stand replacing event such as severe drought, insects, or winter browse. Fire is not a common disturbance on this site. Chemical treatment of shrubs has replaced natural sagebrush killing events on many sites in the area. However, chemical treatments impact non-target species, particularly broad-leafed species (forbs and shrubs) differently than natural events such as drought. Chemical treatment of sagebrush with tebuthiuron can have impacts to the under-story, depending on application rate. (WWC 2009). There is a danger of transition to the Disturbed State if multiple consecutive treatments occur. Chemical, mechanical, and biological control can be effective tools to achieve this plant community when used in conjunction with a grazing system that mimics the historic herbivory regime, including varying the timing and intensity of grazing and provides periodic rest/deferment during the critical growth period. There are more canopy gaps in this plant community, but most basal gaps are generally small (one to two feet). Rock cover on the soil surface is less than 30%. Production of grasses is higher than the other plant communities in the Reference State.
Figure 10. 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 | 375 | 525 | 675 |
Shrub/Vine | 75 | 105 | 135 |
Forb | 50 | 70 | 90 |
Total | 500 | 700 | 900 |
Table 12. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover | 0% |
---|---|
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 1-5% |
Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 40-50% |
Forb foliar cover | 1-5% |
Non-vascular plants | 0% |
Biological crusts | 0% |
Litter | 20-40% |
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 1-10% |
Surface fragments >3" | 0-5% |
Bedrock | 0% |
Water | 0% |
Bare ground | 15-25% |
Table 13. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover | 0% |
---|---|
Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 0-1% |
Grass/grasslike basal cover | 1-5% |
Forb basal cover | 1-5% |
Non-vascular plants | 0% |
Biological crusts | 0% |
Litter | 40-60% |
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 5-20% |
Surface fragments >3" | 0-10% |
Bedrock | 0% |
Water | 0% |
Bare ground | 15-25% |
Pathway P1-2
Community 1.1.1 to 1.1.2
Sagebrush thinning event via climatic events such as drought, prolonged soil saturation, freeze-kill, snow mold, and herbivory. Low intensity fire is rare. Anthropogenic sagebrush thinning events such as chemical (tebuthiruon) or mosaic mechanical (mowing, aerator, etc.) can result in a similar pathway in the absence of of annual invasives.
Context dependence. Thinning events are often episodic with climatic events and can occur suddenly with a particular event (precipitation, temperature, insect irruption, etc.) or can be gradual over a period of years such as during prolonged drought/warm or wet/cool periods. A successful pathway is contingent upon a grazing regime that allows for periodic critical growth period rest (May through June). An integrated pest management plan is needed to prevent, avoid, manage, and suppress invasive species.
Conservation practices
Brush Management | |
---|---|
Prescribed Grazing |
Pathway P1-3
Community 1.1.1 to 1.1.3
Sagebrush killing event such as moderate intensity fire or climatic events such as severe drought, prolonged soil saturation, freeze-kill, snow mold, and herbivory. Anthropogenic sagebrush thinning events such as chemical (tebuthiruon) or mosaic mechanical (mowing, aerator, etc.) can result in a similar pathway in the absence of of annual invasives.
Context dependence. Killing events are often episodic with climatic events and can occur suddenly with a particular event (fire, precipitation, temperature, insect irruption, etc.). A successful pathway is contingent upon a grazing regime that allows for periodic critical growth period rest (May-June). An integrated pest management plan is needed to prevent, avoid, manage, and suppress invasive species.
Conservation practices
Brush Management | |
---|---|
Prescribed Grazing |
Pathway P2-1
Community 1.1.2 to 1.1.1
Natural succession (time without sagebrush killing event).
Context dependence. Time period for pathway is dependent upon weather events such as drought and above normal precipitation years. Drought results in a slower pathway while favorable precipitation can result in a faster pathway. A grazing regime that mimics the historic regime (light intensity, episodic grazing events) will not alter the pathway, but a continuous grazing regime at moderate to heavy intensity can accelerate the pathway.
Pathway P2-3
Community 1.1.2 to 1.1.3
Sagebrush killing event such as moderate intensity fire or climatic events such as severe drought, prolonged soil saturation, freeze-kill, snow mold, and herbivory. Anthropogenic sagebrush thinning events such as chemical (tebuthiruon) or mosaic mechanical (mowing, aerator, etc.) can result in a similar pathway in the absence of of annual invasives.
Context dependence. Killing events are often episodic with climatic events and can occur suddenly with a particular event (fire, precipitation, temperature, insect irruption, etc.). A successful pathway is contingent upon a grazing regime that allows for periodic critical growth period rest (May through June). An integrated pest management plan is needed to prevent, avoid, manage, and suppress invasive species.
Conservation practices
Brush Management | |
---|---|
Prescribed Grazing |
Pathway P3-2
Community 1.1.3 to 1.1.2
Natural succession (time without sagebrush killing event).
Context dependence. Time period for pathway is dependent upon weather events such as drought and above normal precipitation years. Drought results in a slower pathway while favorable precipitation can result in a faster pathway. A grazing regime that mimics the historic regime (light intensity, episodic grazing events) will not alter the pathway, but a continuous grazing regime at moderate to heavy intensity can accelerate the pathway.
State 1.2
Grazing Resistant State
The Grazing Resistant State has seen a shift in under-story functional/structural group dominance. Due to herbivory pressure, there is a shift from mid-stature cool-season bunchgrasses to short-stature cool-season bunchgrasses such as Sandberg bluegrass and rhizomatous wheatgrasses like thickspike wheatgrass and western wheatgrass.
Characteristics and indicators. There are fewer mid-stature bunchgrasses and they are typically found under the shrub canopy where they are protected from herbivory. The shrub canopy inter-spaces are occupied by grazing tolerant grasses as well as patches of bare ground that are sometimes connected. Canopy gaps and bare ground increase, while herbaceous foliar cover decreases. Drier site conditions result in lower productivity and less herbaceous production potential. Decreased infiltration is caused by increased bare ground patch size and lack of litter that acts as mulch in retaining soil moisture and retarding runoff. In many cases, the transition to the Grazing Resistant State may have occurred many decades ago during an era of higher stocking rates and continuous grazing during the growing season. However, continual grazing during the critical growth period (roughly May through June) at proper stocking rates will facilitate the transition to this state and maintain it as a stable state.
Resilience management. Site resilience is lower than the Reference State. Site hydrology has been modified due to moisture being utilized by shallower rooting species. Therefore, the site is drier earlier in the season and unable to recover as quickly after a disturbance. This state is more drought-prone, and therefore more vulnerable to invasion by annual invasive species. However, existing sagebrush canopy and remnant perennial vegetation provide some amount of resiliency. Rhizomatous grasses form mats that provide soil protection by protecting the soil from raindrop impact, decreasing the risk of soil erosion. However, overall soil stability is lower than the reference state, primarily due to a reduction in soil organic matter due to a reduction in litter. Site resistance to invasion by annual grasses is slightly lower due to niches in the under-story for establishment as well as site water availability during the time suited for winter annuals such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Episodic and limited moisture is more suited to annual life forms.
Dominant plant species
-
Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), shrub
-
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass
-
thickspike wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus), grass
-
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
Dominant resource concerns
-
Sheet and rill erosion
-
Classic gully erosion
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
-
Feed and forage imbalance
-
Inadequate livestock water quantity, quality, and distribution
Community 1.2.1
Big Sagebrush/Short-stature Grass Plant Community
This plant community is characterized by a dense stand of big sagebrush with a diminished under-story. It is dominated by Wyoming big sagebrush. The under-story has lost much of the mid-stature cool-season bunchgrasses, and they have been replaced with short-stature bunchgrasses such as Sandberg bluegrass, rhizomatous wheatgrasses, and mat-forming forbs. Shrub foliar cover is often greater than 25 percent, higher than in the reference state and typically making up over half of total annual production. Areas that catch and retain snow are more likely to have higher shrub cover. Herbaceous production and foliar cover has decreased. There are often small amounts of annual invasive grasses, mostly less than 5 percent foliar cover. There is often a slight increase in sprouting shrubs (less than 10 percent composition by weight). This plant community is at-risk of transitioning to the Invaded State with additional disturbance such as heavy grazing, sagebrush treatment, or ground-disturbing activity. Productivity is highly variable and fluctuates drastically in response to drought and wet cycles. Total annual production is lower than in Reference State (1.1), leading to lower soil organic matter content and therefore lower soil stability than in the Reference State. Total annual production ranges from 300 to 700 pounds per acre (lbs/ac) with a RV of 500 lbs/ac. Ground cover is still high, but infiltration is lower than in the Reference State and the hydrologic function is impaired due to decreased soil organic matter. Biotic integrity is affected by the change in functional/structural group dominance.
Community 1.2.2
Short-stature Grass/Big Sagebrush Plant Community
This plant community is characterized by a dominance of short-stature grasses such as Sandberg bluegrass, rhizomatous grasses and grass-likes, and mat-forming forbs. A sagebrush killing event has happened recently, and big sagebrush foliar cover is typically less than 20 percent. It has a mix of Wyoming big sagebrush and basin big sagebrush, with Wyoming big sagebrush being dominate on moderately deep to deep sites while basin big sage dominates on very deep sites. There can be an initial flush of invasive annuals, mainly cheatgrass, within the first few years of a sagebrush treatment, but they are expected reduce to less than 5 percent foliar cover. There is often a slight increase in sprouting shrubs (less than 10 percent composition by weight). This plant community is at-risk of transitioning to the Invaded State with additional disturbance such as heavy grazing, sagebrush treatment, or ground-disturbing activity. Productivity is highly variable and fluctuates drastically in response to drought and wet cycles. Total annual production is lower than in Reference State, leading to lower soil organic matter content and therefore lower soil stability than in the Reference State. Total annual production ranges from 300 to 700 pounds per acre (lbs/ac) with a RV of 500 lbs/ac. Ground cover is still high, but infiltration is lower than in the Reference State and the hydrologic function is impaired due to decreased soil organic matter. Biotic integrity is affected by the change in functional/structural group dominance.
Pathway P1-2
Community 1.2.1 to 1.2.2
Sagebrush killing event, typically anthropogenic sagebrush treatments such as chemical (tebuthiruon) or mechanical (mowing, aerator, etc.) or herbivory. Natural climatic events such as drought, prolonged soil saturation, freeze-kill, or snow mold, can also occur. Fire is not typically a driver in this state due to the lack of fine fuels in the under-story.
Context dependence. Killing events are often episodic with climatic events and can occur suddenly with a particular event (fire, precipitation, temperature, insect irruption, etc.). This pathway relies upon close to normal precipitation and temperature as well as a grazing regime that is low to moderate intensity. If extreme conditions/disturbances such as hot temperatures, drought, or high intensity grazing occur, there is risk of a transition to either the Disturbed State or Invaded State depending upon severity and cumulative disturbance.
Conservation practices
Brush Management |
---|
Pathway P2-1
Community 1.2.2 to 1.2.1
Natural succession (time without sagebrush killing event).
Context dependence. Time period for pathway is dependent upon weather events such as drought and above normal precipitation years. Drought results in a slower pathway while favorable precipitation can result in a faster pathway. A grazing regime that mimics the historic regime (light intensity, episodic grazing events) will not alter the pathway, but a continuous grazing regime at moderate to heavy intensity can accelerate the pathway.
State 1.3
Disturbed State
The disturbed state is a result of soil-disturbing activities outside of the normal disturbance regime expected for this site. Examples are high intensity hoof action, anthropogenic activity, rodent activity, or frequent flooding, which includes occasional irrigation. It may also occur after brush management preceded or followed by improper grazing techniques that include high-intensity grazing use without appropriate recovery periods. Brush management treatment methods include mechanical (including heavy equipment/construction or a mowing/chaining/harrow type sage treatment), chemical (including 2,4-D or tebuthiron), or biological (including browse and insects). Fire could be a factor in maintaining this plant community by stimulating sprouting shrubs (rabbitbrush) and killing sagebrush. Removal of shrubs without proper grazing management can lead to an increase in bare ground and erosion of the upper soil horizon. Consequences of this are decreased soil organic matter and soil erosion, soil crusting, and a decrease in soil surface aggregate stability.
Characteristics and indicators. There is a shift toward sprouting shrub dominance or co-dominance with big sagebrush depending on how long it has been since the disturbance(s). Both green and rubber rabbitbrush may be present. Along with a shift in shrub species, the herbaceous under-story also shifts toward more disturbance tolerant species such as western wheatgrass. Annual weeds such as bur buttercup, flixweed, lambsquarter, and invasive annual grasses such as cheatgrass are are often present in small amounts (less than 5 percent composition by dry weight).
Resilience management. Site resilience is lower than the Reference State or Grazing Resistant State, but higher than the Invaded State. Site hydrology has been modified due to moisture being utilized by shallower rooting species. Therefore, the site is drier earlier in the season and unable to recover as quickly after a disturbance. However, existing sagebrush canopy and remnant perennial vegetation provide some amount of resiliency. Site resistance to invasion by annual grasses is lower due to niches in the under-story for establishment as well as site water availability during the time suited for winter annuals such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Episodic and limited moisture is more suited to annual life forms during drought.
Dominant plant species
-
yellow rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus), shrub
-
Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), shrub
-
thickspike wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus), grass
-
western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), grass
-
Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass
Dominant resource concerns
-
Sheet and rill erosion
-
Classic gully erosion
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
-
Feed and forage imbalance
-
Inadequate livestock water quantity, quality, and distribution
Community 1.3.1
Big Sagebrush/Rabbitbrush Plant Community
This plant community is a result of recovery after a past soil-disturbing activity. It is co-dominated by sprouting shrubs, mainly green rabbitbrush (aka yellow rabbitbrush in USDA PLANTS), and Wyoming big sagebrush. The understory typically consists of a combination of perennial rhizomatous grasses, mainly western wheatgrass, and annual grasses and forbs. Total annual production ranges from 300 to 700 pounds per acre (lbs/ac) with a RV of 500 lbs/ac. The soil is is typically adequately protected, but erosion can occur during high runoff events. The biotic integrity is reduced due to low vegetative production, relative dominance and unexpected structural/functional groups, and potentially invasive species if present. The watershed is functioning-at-risk.
Community 1.3.2
Rabbitbrush/Rhizomatous Wheatgrass Plant Community
This plant community is the result of a recent soil-disturbing activity. Rhizomatous wheatgrasses are the dominant perennial grass, and annual grasses and forbs are often present. With sagebrush removed, green rabbitbrush (aka yellow rabbitbrush in USDA PLANTS) is the dominant shrub, often exceeding 30 percent of total annual production. Subdominant under-story species include bottlebrush squirreltail, Sandberg bluegrass, and unpalatable annual and perennial forbs. In the absence of annuals, there can be a substantial amount of bare ground. Total annual production ranges from 300 to 700 pounds per acre (lbs/ac) with a RV of 500 lbs/ac. The soil is not adequately protected, and erosion is expected without management to allow for adequate litter and residual. The biotic integrity is reduced due to low vegetative production, relative dominance and unexpected structural/functional groups, and potentially invasive species if present. The watershed is functioning-at-risk.
Pathway P1-2
Community 1.3.1 to 1.3.2
Sagebrush killing event, typically high intensity fire or consecutive anthropogenic sagebrush treatments such as chemical (tebuthiruon) or mechanical (mowing, aerator, etc.).
Context dependence. Killing events are often episodic with climatic events and can occur suddenly with a particular event (fire, precipitation, temperature, insect irruption, etc.). If extreme conditions/disturbances such as hot temperatures, drought, or high intensity grazing occur, there is risk of a transition to the Invaded State depending upon severity and cumulative disturbance.
Conservation practices
Brush Management |
---|
Pathway P2-1
Community 1.3.2 to 1.3.1
Natural succession (time without sagebrush killing event).
Context dependence. Time period for pathway is dependent upon weather events such as drought and above normal precipitation years. Drought results in a slower pathway while favorable precipitation can result in a faster pathway. A grazing regime that mimics the historic regime (light intensity, episodic grazing events) will not alter the pathway, but a continuous grazing regime at moderate to heavy intensity can accelerate the pathway.
State 1.4
Invaded State
The Invaded State has seen a shift in dominance toward annual invasive grasses. It often occurs after a disturbance that takes place in conjunction with drought conditions.
Characteristics and indicators. In this state, sagebrush canopy varies, but the under-story is dominated by annual invasive and weedy species. There will be indicators of reduced soil and site stability as well as reduced hydrologic function, mainly water flow patterns and pedestals, but potentially rills and gullies. Soil surface loss and degradation is likely. Biotic integrity is affected by functional/structural groups not expected for the site, invasive plants, and the loss of perennial species and functional/structural groups. The site is more prone to drought with large fluctuations in annual production in response to weather events. The site is less diverse with lower quality habitat for wildlife and pollinators, and the risk of wildfire is increased from fine fuel production.
Resilience management. Site resilience is lower than all other states because the site hydrology has been modified resulting in greater runoff during spring melt and rainfall events. Therefore, the site is drier and unable to recover as quickly after a disturbance. Site resistance to invasion by annual grasses is lost due to niches in the under-story for establishment as well as site water availability during the time suited for winter annuals such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Episodic and limited moisture is more suited to annual life forms.
Dominant plant species
-
Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis), shrub
-
yellow rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus), shrub
-
cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
-
herb sophia (Descurainia sophia), other herbaceous
Dominant resource concerns
-
Sheet and rill erosion
-
Classic gully erosion
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Plant pest pressure
-
Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
-
Feed and forage imbalance
-
Inadequate livestock water quantity, quality, and distribution
Community 1.4.1
Big Sagebrush/Annual Plant Community
This plant community is often the result of improper grazing and historic disturbances. Improper grazing is defined as either high- or low-intensity grazing without the appropriate recovery period. Wyoming big sagebrush and rabbitbrush dominates with their annual production often exceeding 50 percent. The under-story is dominated by annual grasses and forbs while perennial grass and forbs are sparse and bunchgrasses are limited to the protected areas under shrubs. The predominant perennial grasses include Sandberg bluegrass and rhizomatous wheatgrass (western wheatgrass). Total annual production ranges from 200 to 600 pounds per acre (lbs/ac) with a RV of 400 lbs/ac. Soil erosion is accelerated because of the lack of deep-rooted perennials. The biotic community has been compromised. The watershed is degraded. Water flow patterns and pedestals are obvious. Infiltration is reduced, and runoff is increased.
Community 1.4.2
Annual Plant Community
This plant community results from a severe sagebrush killing disturbance once a site has been invaded by annuals. Repeated disturbances, such as fire, can maintain this plant community, but that is a rare occurrence for this site. Otherwise, sagebrush will typically re-establish on this site fairly quickly, within 5 to 10 years. However, to achieve pre-disturbance sagebrush canopy levels will take much longer. This site has low potential for recovery once dominated by annuals. Seeding is recommended to restore herbaceous perennial functional structural groups. Productivity in this plant community phase is highly variable based on current year's weather. Total annual production ranges from 200 to 600 pounds per acre (lbs/ac) with a RV of 400 lbs/ac.
Pathway P1-2
Community 1.4.1 to 1.4.2
Sagebrush killing event, typically catastrophic fire or mechanical sagebrush treatments (mowing, aerator, disking, etc.)
Context dependence. Killing events are often episodic with climatic events and can occur suddenly with a particular event (fire, precipitation, temperature, insect irruption, etc.). Consecutive disturbances and extreme conditions such as hot temperatures, drought, or high intensity grazing will exacerbate this pathway to an annual dominated system.
Conservation practices
Brush Management |
---|
Pathway P2-1
Community 1.4.2 to 1.4.1
Natural succession (time without sagebrush killing event).
Context dependence. Time period for pathway is dependent upon weather events such as drought and above normal precipitation years. Drought results in a slower pathway while favorable precipitation can result in a faster pathway. A grazing regime that mimics the historic regime (light intensity, episodic grazing events) will not alter the pathway, but a continuous grazing regime at moderate to heavy intensity can accelerate the pathway.
Transition T1-2
State 1.1 to 1.2
Herbivory pressure in excess of normal Reference State conditions. A typical scenario is continuous spring or season-long grazing with low stocking intensity.
Constraints to recovery. Recovery is inhibited by continued herbivory pressure, reduced seedbank, and drought conditions. Annual grasses are likely in small amounts.
Context dependence. Drought and annual invasion are most likely variables to prevent restoration.
Transition T1-3
State 1.1 to 1.3
Soil-disturbance outside of the normal disturbance regime expected for this site. Examples include high intensity fire, high intensity hoof action, anthropogenic activity (e.g. mechanical and/or chemical treatments), rodent activity, or frequent flooding, which includes occasional irrigation.
Constraints to recovery. Recovery is inhibited by consecutive disturbances over a relatively short time period and drought conditions. Annual grasses are likely in small amounts, increasing with each additional disturbance.
Context dependence. Drought and annual invasion are most likely variables to prevent restoration.
Transition T2-3
State 1.2 to 1.3
Soil-disturbance outside of the normal disturbance regime expected for this site. Examples include fire, high intensity hoof action, anthropogenic activity (e.g. mechanical and/or chemical treatments), rodent activity, or frequent flooding, which includes occasional irrigation.
Constraints to recovery. Recovery is inhibited by consecutive disturbances over a relatively short time period and drought conditions. Annual grasses are likely in small amounts, increasing with each additional disturbance.
Context dependence. Drought and annual invasion are most likely variables to prevent restoration.
Transition T2-4
State 1.2 to 1.4
Extreme herbivory resulting in removal of perennial herbaceous vegetation followed by annual invasion, typically associated with post-drought conditions. It is common for this to occur without a sagebrush killing event, resulting in the shrub/annual plant community.
Constraints to recovery. Recovery is inhibited by fire risk and annual invasion.
Context dependence. Drought and annual invasion are variables that prevent restoration.
Transition T3-4
State 1.3 to 1.4
Extreme disturbance, including catastrophic fire, drought, or other soil removal disturbance, resulting in removal of perennial vegetation followed by annual invasion, typically associated with post-drought conditions.
Constraints to recovery. Recovery is inhibited by fire risk and annual invasion.
Context dependence. Drought and annual invasion are variables that prevent restoration.
Land use 2
Pastureland
This is a moderately deep to deep site with very few limitations for agriculture production, and therefore is often converted to irrigated pasture due to high water holding capacity, low slopes, and landscape position that lends itself to tillage and irrigation practices. The site is also converted to dryland pasture to a lesser extent. Pastureland is land composed of introduced or domesticated native forage species that is used primarily for the production of livestock. Pastures receive periodic renovation and cultural treatments, such as tillage, fertilization, mowing, weed control, and may be irrigated. Pastures are not in rotation with crops.
Characteristics and indicators. Pasture on this site can be either dryland or irrigated. Irrigated pasture was often historically tilled and irrigation infrastructure installed. Perennial forage species such as Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, and white or alsike clover were often seeded historically. In more recent times, creeping meadow foxtail was introduced to the Bear River Valley, and has taken over many flood irrigated pastures. Irrigated pasture is maintained through irrigation, dragging, grazing and occasional haying practices. Hay production with aftermath grazing is common, but pastures on this site can also be managed for grazing throughout the growing season with some dormant season grazing as well. Dryland pasture was often historically tilled and planted to crested wheatgrass and has maintained itself over time with minimal inputs such as mowing, disking, dragging, or harrowing. Occasional haying on dryland pasture typically occurs only in the wettest years.
State 2.1
Irrigated Pasture State
See Loamy, Limy Forage Suitability Group (FSG) for MLRA 34A LRU F (10-14" ppt, 70-90 day growing season) for more information at Wyoming's electronic Field Office Technical Guide, Section II, Forage Suitability Groups https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/WY/mlra34A_fsg_loamy_limy_lru_F_.pdf This FSG covers moderately deep to deep soils with medium soil textures and greater than 6 inches available water-holding capacity (AWC) in the top 60 inches of the soil profile. Total annual production is expected to range from 2,000 to 4,000 pounds per acre (lbs./ac.) with representative value (RV) of 3,000 lbs./ac. Adapted species for use as irrigated pasture include native species such as Idaho fescue, prairie junegrass, Canby's bluegrass, blue wildrye, slender wheatgrass, western wheatgrass, and tufted hairgrass; introduced species including meadow brome, smooth brome, timothy, orchardgrass, beardless wildrye, Altai wildrye, red fescue, sheep fescue, and tall fescue, creeping meadow foxtail, Canada bluegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass; forb and shrub species such as cicer milkvetch, birdsfoot trefoil, small burnett, white clover, alsike clover, red clover, and strawberry clover. Selection of species should be based on production goals and intended use (goals and objectives). More information regarding preferred varieties for irrigated pasture can be found at http://animalrange.montana.edu/documents/extension/mteb99.pdf AND https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/mtpmctn10704.pdf
Characteristics and indicators. Irrigated pasture on this site varies from a very diverse mix of native wetland plants to a monoculture of creeping meadow foxtail. Flood irrigation water management often results in hydric soil and hydrophytic vegetation.
Resilience management. Resilience on this site when in irrigated pasture is much higher than reference state. Resistance to annual invasion is typically much higher than the reference state. However, improper grazing or irrigation water management techniques could result in noxious weed invasion by perennials such as perennial pepperweed, musk thistle, Canada thistle, or scentless chamomile.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Inefficient irrigation water use
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
State 2.2
Dryland Pasture State
See Loamy Forage Suitability Group (FSG) for MLRA 34A LRU F (10-14" ppt, 70-90 day growing season) for more information at Wyoming's electronic Field Office Technical Guide, Section II, Forage Suitability Groups https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/WY/mlra34A_fsg_loamy_limy_lru_F_.pdf This FSG covers moderately deep to deep soils with medium soil textures and greater than 6 inches available water-holding capacity (AWC) in the top 60 inches of the soil profile. Total annual production is expected to range from 500 to 1,000 pounds per acre (lbs./ac.) with representative value (RV) of 700 lbs./ac. Adapted species for use as dryland pasture include native species such as Indian ricegrass, big bluegrass, basin wildrye, slender wheatgrass, and western wheatgrass; introduced species including crested wheatgrass, Russian wildrye, sheep fescue, and pubescent wheatgrass; and forb and shrub species such as sweetclover, forage kochia, winterfat, and four-wing saltbush. Selection of species should be based on production goals and intended use (goals and objectives). More information regarding adapted species for dryland can be found at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/mtpmspu1138.pdf
Characteristics and indicators. Dryland pasture on this site is typically dominated by a mono-culture of crested wheatgrass. It is common for sagebrush to re-colonize the site over time without periodic renovation or cultural practices such as mowing or tillage.
Resilience management. Resilience on this site when in dryland pasture is similar to the reference state. However, it may be lower if dominated by a monoculture that lacks diversity, resulting in a plant community that is vulnerable to drastic changes following disturbance. Resistance to annual invasion is similar to reference but could be slightly higher if planted to highly competitive species such as crested wheatgrass or Russian wildrye. However, new research from the Great Basin indicates that native seedings can be as competitive as introduced species (Ott et.al. 2019).
Dominant resource concerns
-
Sheet and rill erosion
-
Classic gully erosion
-
Organic matter depletion
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Transition T1-2
State 2.1 to 2.2
Irrigation abandonment results in transition from irrigated pasture to dryland pasture.
Land use 3
Cropland
This is a moderately deep to deep site with very few limitations for agriculture production, and therefore is often converted to irrigated crop due to high water holding capacity, low slopes, and landscape position that lends itself to tillage and irrigation practices. Cropland is land used primarily for the production and harvest of an annual or perennial field, forage, food, fiber, horticultural, orchard, vineyard, or energy crops.
Characteristics and indicators. Crop on this site is typically irrigated. Irrigated crop on this site is typically perennial and consists of a mixture of legume (alfalfa or clover) and a variety of cool-season perennial forage grasses in rotation with short-season annual cereal grains such as barley. The annual portion of the crop rotation is often grown as a forage (not cash) crop.
State 3.1
Irrigated Crop State
See Loamy, Limy Forage Suitability Group (FSG) for MLRA 34A LRU F (10-14" ppt, 70-90 day growing season) for more information at Wyoming's electronic Field Office Technical Guide, Section II, Forage Suitability Groups https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/WY/mlra34A_fsg_loamy_limy_lru_F_.pdf This FSG covers moderately deep to deep soils with medium soil textures and greater than 6 inches available water-holding capacity (AWC) in the top 60 inches of the soil profile. Production expected to range from 2,000 to 4,000 pounds per acre (lbs./ac) with representative value (RV) of 3,000 lbs./ac. The most common crop rotation on this site is 1 to 3 years of annual grains with 7 to 9 years of perennial forage/hay crop. Adapted species for use as annual irrigated crop includes short-season cereal grains such as barley typically grown as a forage crop. Adapted species for use as perennial irrigated crop (hayland) includes legumes such as alfalfa, clovers, sainfoin, cicer milkvetch, and birds foot trefoil; and introduced cool-season forage grasses including meadow brome, smooth brome, timothy, and orchardgrass.
Characteristics and indicators. Irrigated crop on this site varies from annual to perennial forage. Center pivot or side roll sprinklers are the most common form of irrigation, however improved flood irrigation such as graded borders also occurs.
Resilience management. Resilience on this site when in irrigated crop is typically high due to added irrigation water. Resistance to annual invasion is typically high as well. However, severe ground disturbance, improper aftermath grazing or irrigation water management techniques could result in noxious weed invasion by perennials such as perennial pepperweed, musk thistle, or Canada thistle.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Sheet and rill erosion
-
Ephemeral gully erosion
-
Organic matter depletion
-
Inefficient irrigation water use
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Conversion C1-2
Land use 1 to 2
Most range conversion to pasture occurred at the end of the 19th century and was done using horse-pulled implements and hand tools. Flood irrigation infrastructure was installed and introduced species seeded such as Kentucky bluegrass and clover. Wild flood irrigation is the most common with little control and sometimes water is checked at the bottom of fields to backup water and promote extended flooded condtions that result in more hydrophytic vegetation and hydric soil development.
Conversion C1-3
Land use 1 to 3
Most range conversion to crop occurred at the end of the 19th century and was done using horse-pulled implements and hand tools. Flood irrigation infrastructure such as graded borders were installed and introduced species seeded such as smooth brome and alfalfa in rotation with annual cereal grains such as oats and barley. The water source is surface water from the Bear River. In recent times there have been some range conversion to crop using sprinkler irrigation to improve water efficiency and control plus reduce labor. Higher value forage grasses such as meadow brome and non-bloat legumes such as sainfoin and cicer milkvetch have also been introduced into the crop rotation.
Conversion C2-3
Land use 2 to 3
In more recent times, wild flood irrigation is being converted to crop under sprinkler irrigation, resulting in the ability to grow higher value forages and legumes in rotation with annual cereal grains such as oats and barley.
Additional community tables
Table 14. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
1 | PERENNIAL MID-SIZE COOL SEASON GRASSES | 120–245 | ||||
bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 35–245 | 5–40 | ||
squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 7–35 | 1–10 | ||
Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 0–35 | 0–10 | ||
muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 0–35 | 0–10 | ||
slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 0–35 | 0–5 | ||
needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 0–35 | 0–5 | ||
prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 7–35 | 1–5 | ||
Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 7–35 | 1–5 | ||
2 | RHIZOMATOUS GRASSES | 35–70 | ||||
thickspike wheatgrass | ELLAL | Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus | 35–70 | 5–10 | ||
western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 35–70 | 5–10 | ||
3 | MISC. GRASSES/GRASSLIKES | 35–70 | ||||
plains reedgrass | CAMO | Calamagrostis montanensis | 0–35 | 0–5 | ||
needleleaf sedge | CADU6 | Carex duriuscula | 0–35 | 0–5 | ||
Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 7–35 | 1–5 | ||
Forb
|
||||||
4 | PERENNIAL FORBS | 35–63 | ||||
buckwheat | ERIOG | Eriogonum | 7–35 | 1–5 | ||
lupine | LUPIN | Lupinus | 0–35 | 0–5 | ||
spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 7–35 | 1–5 | ||
aster | SYMPH4 | Symphyotrichum | 0–35 | 0–5 | ||
ragwort | SENEC | Senecio | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
stemless mock goldenweed | STAC | Stenotus acaulis | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
flaxleaf plainsmustard | SCLI | Schoenocrambe linifolia | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
bluebells | MERTE | Mertensia | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
locoweed | OXYTR | Oxytropis | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
fleabane | ERIGE2 | Erigeron | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
western yarrow | ACMIO | Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
agoseris | AGOSE | Agoseris | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
pussytoes | ANTEN | Antennaria | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
rockcress | ARABI2 | Arabis | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
sandwort | ARENA | Arenaria | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
onion | ALLIU | Allium | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
larkspur | DELPH | Delphinium | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
Indian paintbrush | CASTI2 | Castilleja | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
pale bastard toadflax | COUMP | Comandra umbellata ssp. pallida | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
western wallflower | ERAS2 | Erysimum asperum | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
desertparsley | LOMAT | Lomatium | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
stonecrop | SEDUM | Sedum | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
sagebrush buttercup | RAGL | Ranunculus glaberrimus | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
hollyleaf clover | TRGY | Trifolium gymnocarpon | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
clover | TRIFO | Trifolium | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
violet | VIOLA | Viola | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
deathcamas | ZIGAD | Zigadenus | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
5 | ANNUAL FORBS | 0–7 | ||||
rockjasmine | ANDRO3 | Androsace | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
bushy bird's beak | CORA5 | Cordylanthus ramosus | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
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6 | SAGEBRUSH | 98–210 | ||||
Wyoming big sagebrush | ARTRW8 | Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis | 105–210 | 5–15 | ||
little sagebrush | ARARL | Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longiloba | 0–35 | 0–5 | ||
7 | MISC. SHRUBS | 15–35 | ||||
winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 7–35 | 1–5 | ||
Gardner's saltbush | ATGA | Atriplex gardneri | 0–35 | 0–5 | ||
yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 7–35 | 1–5 | ||
rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
slender buckwheat | ERMIL2 | Eriogonum microthecum var. laxiflorum | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
granite prickly phlox | LIPU11 | Linanthus pungens | 0–21 | 0–3 | ||
plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
bud sagebrush | PIDE4 | Picrothamnus desertorum | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 0–7 | 0–1 | ||
shortspine horsebrush | TESP2 | Tetradymia spinosa | 0–7 | 0–1 |
Interpretations
Animal community
The following table lists suggested stocking rates for cattle under continuous season-long grazing at normal growing conditions with a harvest efficiency (HE) of 25 percent. These are conservative estimates that should be used only as guidelines in the initial stages of the conservation planning process. Often, the current plant composition does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in this ecological site description). A field visit is required to document actual plant composition and production. More precise carrying capacity estimates, considering forage preference and accessibility (slope, distance to water, etc.), should be calculated using field data, particularly when grazers other than cattle are involved. Under more intensive grazing management, improved harvest efficiencies (up to 35 percent) can result in an increased carrying capacity, but recovery time for upland sites is much longer. If distribution problems occur, stocking rates should be reduced or facilitating conservation practices (i.e., cross-fencing, water development) implemented to maintain plant health and vigor.
Stocking rates are expressed in Animal Unit Months (AUMs) which is defined as the amount of forage consumed by a 1,000 pound cow with a less than 4 month old calf at her side.
Plant Community Production (lbs./ac.) Initial Suggested Stocking Rate (AUMs/ac.)* Ac./AUM
1.1 Big Sagebrush/Bunchgrass 500-700-900 0.06 17
1.2 Bunchgrass/Big Sagebrush 500-700-900 0.1 10
1.3 Bunchgrass 500-700-900 0.14 7
2.1 Big Sagebrush/Short-stature Grass 300-500-700 0.05 20
2.2 Short-stature Grass/Big Sagebrush 300-500-700 0.08 13
3.1 Big Sagebrush/Rabbitbrush 300-500-700 0.04 25
3.2 Rabbitbrush/Rhizomatous Wheatgrass 300-500-700 0.08 13
4.1 Big Sagebrush/Annual 200-400-600 0.05 20
4.2 Annual 200-400-600 0.05 20
Irrigated Pasture 2000-3000-4000 0.82 1.2
Dryland Pasture 500-700-1000 0.2 5
* Continuous, season-long grazing by cattle under average growing conditions.
Calculation for stocking rates are as follows: Using RV values for production, take forage palatable to grazing cattle and multiply by 0.25 HE and divide by 912.5 lbs./AUM air-dry weight (ADW) to arrive at the initial suggested stocking rate in AUMs/acre.
Not all kinds of livestock or wildlife have the same forage demand as a 1000-pound lactating cow. In addition, forage demand varies within a species depending on its class, i.e., its growth rate (e.g. heifers and steers vs. mature cow), lactating and maintenance (e.g., dry cow vs cow with calf). For this reason, animal unit equivalents (AUE) are provided in the National Range & Pasture Handbook to assist with this approximate determination of forage demand based on the kind, class and size of animal (NRPH, 2003). For cattle with a different average weight than a 1000 pound average, AUE can be adjusted (i.e., every 100 pounds of animal weight equates to about 0.10 Animals Units thus a 1200-pound cow with a calf would be 1.2 AUE .
Grazing by domestic livestock is one of the major income-producing industries in the area. Rangeland in this area may provide year-long forage for cattle, sheep, or horses. During the dormant period, the forage for livestock must be supplemented with protein because the quality does not meet minimum livestock requirements.
Distance to water, shrub density, and slope can affect grazing capacity within a management unit. Accessibility adjustments should be made for the planning area as necessary. For example, 30 percent of a management unit may have 25 percent slopes and distances of greater than one mile from water, resulting in a 50 percent reduction in grazing access; therefore, the adjustment is calculated for 30 percent of the unit (i.e. 50 percent reduction on 30 percent of the management unit). Fencing, slope length, management, access, terrain, kind and class of livestock, and breeds are all factors that can increase or decrease the percent of grazing access within a management unit. Adjustments should be made that incorporate these factors when calculating the carrying capacity of a management unit.
Wildlife Interpretations:
Sagebrush grassland habitats are critically important for wildlife. The LRU provides crucial winter range for mule deer, elk, pronghorn and moose. Portions of the LRU fall within overlapping crucial winter range delineated for three species of big game. Nearly all of the LRU in Wyoming supports a designated migration corridor and numerous associated stopover habitats, where thousands of mule deer from the Wyoming Range Herd Unit move north and south between summer and winter ranges. Healthy vegetative communities within migration stopover areas are extremely important as forage and cover where mule deer may spend several days resting and feeding to refuel before moving again. The middle segment of the LRU (east and west of the Bear River) is within sage grouse core habitat, providing breeding leks, nesting, early brood rearing, late brood rearing, and winter habitats. Maintaining intact high quality sagebrush grassland habitats with a diversity of successional stages is vitally important for meeting the needs of wildlife using this landscape.
Wildlife Habitat Threats:
Winter moisture characteristics of the BRV LRU promote environmental conditions ideal for cheatgrass establishment and persistence. Cheatgrass presence is increasing and competing with native perennial grasses and forbs to deteriorate habitat function for big game, sage grouse and other sagebrush obligate wildlife. Advanced cheatgrass invasion is expected to alter fire regimes to a short Fire Return Interval outside the natural range of variability, where sagebrush stands burn frequently resulting in a reduction of browse and cover availability for wildlife. Eventually, shrub cover dominance could revert to green (aka yellow rabbitbrush in USDA PLANTS) or rubber rabbitbrush, significantly impacting wildlife dependent on sagebrush in this landscape for survival.
Current and future anthropogenic impacts to sagebrush grasslands include agriculture expansion, energy development, water storage projects, and subdivision/residential development. Increasing demand for expanding private lands hay production has seen conversion of sagebrush stands in and near sage grouse core habitat to center pivot sprinkler irrigation. Sage grouse may use these new fields during the late brood rearing period, but there is a loss of important sagebrush cover for escape, lekking, nesting, and winter cover/forage as critical life stage habitat needs for sage grouse. Energy transmission projects have recently created interest and opportunities for solar farm development in the LRU. These solar energy projects could permanently convert site specific sagebrush-grassland habitat to industrial development locations with negative cumulative impacts for sage grouse, wintering big game, and other sagebrush dependent wildlife. Aesthetic values of the Cokeville area may attract future demand for small acreage home developments, especially in the Smith’s Fork River Valley and Raymond Mountain foothills. Increased fencing and sagebrush removal usually associated with residential development could be extremely detrimental to big game migration and migration stopover habitats.
Wildlife Habitat Uses:
The Big Sagebrush/Bunchgrass Plant Community, with shrub canopies ranging from 15 to 25 percent, provides transitional and/or crucial winter seasonal habitat for mule deer, elk, pronghorn and sage grouse. The combination of healthy sagebrush and herbaceous vegetation provide adequate escape and thermal cover for mule deer and preferred nesting and early brood rearing habitat for sage grouse. Sagebrush obligate bird species of Brewer’s sparrow, sage thrasher, and sage sparrow depend on denser sagebrush canopies (20 percent) and sagebrush heights of 35 to 70 cm for foraging, escape cover, and nesting. Pygmy rabbits also prefer dense tall Wyoming and basin big sagebrush stands with deeper soils for burrows at the base of sagebrush plants. Wyoming big sagebrush serves as important browse for deer, elk, and pronghorn during the winter as it stands erect in deep snow, allowing ungulates relatively easy access without pawing and expenditure of energy reserves. Mountain big sagebrush and associated mixed mountain shrub species of true mountain mahogany, serviceberry, and antelope bitterbrush are found at the higher precipitation fringe areas of this zone also provide important winter browse for big game including moose. Associated under-story forbs and grasses are nutritionally important during the spring period for big game coming out of winter, and for fall migration stopover.
The Disturbed State reduces sagebrush as important wildlife cover and browse in exchange for dominance of sprouting green rabbitbrush of a lesser value for wildlife. Diversity and productivity of under-story species diminishes, with loss of bunchgrasses and increases in rhizomatous grasses and annual forbs. This transition negatively affects vertical and horizontal cover, and reduces forage values for several wildlife species, including designated sage grouse core habitat. The Invaded State exhibits sagebrush stand under-stories dominated by invasive annual grasses, particularly cheatgrass. Conversion of native perennial grasses and forbs to cheatgrass is detrimental for maintaining diverse structural cover and nutritional forage. Hiding cover and forage niches for sagebrush obligate songbirds disappears, forb and insect production for young sage grouse chicks is reduced, nutritional value of big game transitional season forage becomes inconsistent or is lost, and mid-size bunchgrass species able to stand up in deep snows as forage for wintering elk are reduced. Short Fire Return Intervals may preclude the re-establishment and persistence of sagebrush stands, negatively affecting all sagebrush dependent wildlife, especially sage grouse core habitat and thousands of migrating and wintering mule deer that use the area.
Hydrological functions
Water is the principal factor limiting forage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group B (infiltration rate of 0.15-0.3 in/hr), with localized areas in hydrologic groups A (infiltration rate of 0.3 in/hr) and C (infiltration rate of 0.05-0.15 in/hr). Infiltration ranges from rapid to moderate. Runoff potential for this site varies from low to moderate depending on soil hydrologic group and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75 percent ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. Areas where ground cover is less than 50 percent have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to Part 630, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for detailed hydrology information).
Rills and gullies are not typically present. Water flow patterns should be barely distinguishable if at all present. Pedestals are only slightly present in association with bunchgrasses and shrubs. Herbaceous litter expected to move only in short distances (to leeward side of shrubs) due to wind. Woody litter will show short movement (less than 1 foot) associated with large precipitation events on steeper slopes (greater than 8 percent).
Recreational uses
This site provides hunting opportunities for upland game species. The wide variety of plants which bloom in the spring have an aesthetic value that appeals to recreationists.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented here has been derived from historic and recent clipping data and other inventory data. Field observations from range trained personnel were also used.
Inventory Data Resources include:
3 Tier I NRCS Ecological Site Inventory (NRCS-ESI) points (2013)
References
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. 2021 (Date accessed). USDA PLANTS Database. http://plants.usda.gov.
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. 2021 (Date accessed). USNVC [United States National Vegetation Classification]. 2019. United States National Vegetation Classification Database, V2.03. Federal Geographic Data Committee, Vegetation Subcommittee, Washington DC.. USNVC: http://usnvc.org/.
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. 2003. National Range and Pasture Handbook (NRPH). United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, D.C..
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Bestelmeyer, B., J.R. Brown, K.M. Havstad, B. Alexander, G. Chavez, and J.E. Herrick. 2003. Development and Use of State and Transition Models for Rangelands. Jornal of Range Management 56:114–126.
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Bestelmeyer, B., J.R. Brown, J.E. Herrick, D.A. Trujillo, and K.M. Havstad. 2004. Land Management in the American Southwest: a state-and-transition approach to ecosystem complexity. Environmental Management 34:38–51.
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Bestelmeyer, B. and J. Brown. 2005. State-and-Transition Models 101: A Fresh look at vegetation change.
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Bestelmeyer, B.T., K. Moseley, P.L. Shaver, H. Sanchez, D.D. Briske, and M.E. Fernandez-Gimenez. 2010. Practical guidance for developing state-and-transition models. Rangelands 32:23–30.
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Bonnin, G.M., D. Martin, T. Lin, M. Parzybok, M. Yekta, and D. Riley. 2011 (Date accessed). “Precipitation-Frequency Atlas of the United States” NOAA Atlas 14, Volume 1 Version 5.0. https://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/.
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Briske, D.D., B.T. Bestelmeyer, T.K. Stringham, and P.L. Shaver. 2008. Recommendations for Development of Resilience-Based State-and-Transition Models. Rangeland Ecology & Management 61:359–367.
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Chambers, J.C., J.L. Beck, T.J. Christiansen, K.J. Clause, J.B. Dinkins, K.E. Doherty, K.A. Griffin, D.W. Havlina, K.F. Henke, L.L. Kurth, J.D. Maestas, M. Manning, K.E. Mayer, B.A. Mealor, C. McCarthy, M.A. Perea, and D.A. Pyke. 2016. Using resilience and resistance concepts to manage threats to sagebrush ecosystems, Gunnison sage-grouse, and Greater sage-grouse in their eastern range: A strategic multi-scale approach.. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-356.. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO. 1–143.
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Clause, K. and J. Randall. 2014. Wyoming Sagebrush Die-Off Report. Unpublished.
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LLC, . 2009. Greater Sage-Grouse Focused Herbaceous Monitoring of Moxa Arch Sagebrush Vegetation Treatments.
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Miller, J.F., R.H. Frederick, and R.J. Tracey. 1973. “Precipitation-Frequency Atlas of the United States” NOAA Atlas 2, Volume 5 (Idaho). National Weather Service, Silver Spring, Maryland.
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Miller, J.F., R.H. Frederick, and R.J. Tracey. 1973. “Precipitation-Frequency Atlas of the United States” NOAA Atlas 2, Volume 2 (Wyoming). National Weather Service, Silver Spring, Maryland.
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Ott, J., F.F. Kilkenny, and D.D. Summers. 2019. Long-term vegetation recovery and invasive annual suppression in native and introduced postfire seeding treatments.. Rangeland Ecology & Management 72:640–653.
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Schoeneberger, P.J. and D.A. Wysocki. 2017. Geomorphic Description System, Version 5.0..
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Stringham, T.K., W.C. Kreuger, and P.L. Shaver. 2003. State and Transition Modeling: an ecological process approach. Journal of Range Management 56:106–113.
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Winward, A. 2007. Boulder, Squaretop Area Field Notes. Field Notes. Unpublished.
Other references
This is a new site concept. Plant community data and interpretations are based on Tier I data collection. Further data collection and ecological site refinement are ongoing until the ESD has reached "Approved" status.
Contributors
Bryan Christensen
Karen Clause
Approval
Kirt Walstad, 5/01/2024
Acknowledgments
Utah State University
Wyoming Game and Fish
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) | |
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Contact for lead author | |
Date | 05/01/2024 |
Approved by | Kirt Walstad |
Approval date | |
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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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:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.
C1-2 | - | Flood irrigation, tillage, and seeding |
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C1-3 | - | Irrigation (improved flood or sprinkler), tillage, and seeding |
C2-3 | - | Sprinkler irrigation, tillage, and seeding |
Land use 1 submodel, ecosystem states
T1-2 | - | Herbivory (continuous spring or season long at low to moderate intensity) |
---|---|---|
T1-3 | - | Soil disturbance (e.g. hoof action, rodents, water erosion) and/or high intensity fire or chemical/mechanical treatment |
T2-3 | - | Soil disturbance (e.g. hoof action, rodents, water erosion) and/or severe fire or chemical/mechanical treatment |
T2-4 | - | Extreme herbivory (continuous, high intensity) |
T3-4 | - | Extreme disturbance (e.g. catastrophic fire, drought, soil removal) |
State 1 submodel, plant communities
P1-2 | - | Sage-thinning event (drought, prolonged soil saturation, freeze-kill, snow mold, low intensity fire, herbivory, chemical/mechanical treatment) |
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P1-3 | - | Sage-killing event (severe drought, prolonged soil saturation, freeze-kill, snow mold, moderate intensity fire, herbivory, or mechanical/chemical treatment) |
P2-1 | - | Natural Succession |
P2-3 | - | Sage-killing event (severe drought, prolonged soil saturation, freeze-kill, snow mold, moderate intensity fire, herbivory, mechanical/chemical treatment) |
P3-2 | - | Natural Succession |
State 2 submodel, plant communities
P1-2 | - | Sage-killing event (mechanical or chemical treatment, herbivory, drought, prolonged soil saturation, freeze-kill, snow mold) |
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P2-1 | - | Natural Succession |
State 3 submodel, plant communities
P1-2 | - | Sage-killing event (high intensity fire, consecutive mechanical or chemical treatments) |
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P2-1 | - | Natural Succession |
State 4 submodel, plant communities
P1-2 | - | Sage-killing event (catastrophic fire, mechanical treatment) |
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P2-1 | - | Natural Succession |
Land use 2 submodel, ecosystem states
T1-2 | - | Irrigation abandonment |
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