Physiographic features

This site occurs on sideslopes and summits of plateaus, hills, and lower mountains on all aspects. Slope gradients are 2 to 50 percent. Elevations are 4700 to 7800 feet.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

The climate associated with this site is semiarid and characterized by cool, moist winters and warm, dry summers. Average annual precipitation is 10 to 14 inches. Mean annual air temperature is 42 to 44 degrees F. The average growing season is about 70 to 100 days.

Nevada’s climate is predominantly arid, with large daily ranges of temperature, infrequent severe storms, heavy snowfall in the higher mountains, and great location variations with elevation. Three basic geographical factors largely influence Nevada’s climate: continentality, latitude, and elevation. Continentality is the most important factor. The strong continental effect is expressed in the form of both dryness and large temperature variations. Nevada lies on the eastern, lee side of the Sierra Nevada Range, a massive mountain barrier that markedly influences the climate of the State. The prevailing winds are from the west, and as the warm moist air from the Pacific Ocean ascend the western slopes of the Sierra Range, the air cools, condensation occurs and most of the moisture falls as precipitation. As the air descends the eastern slope, it is warmed by compression, and very little precipitation occurs. The effects of this mountain barrier are felt not only in the West but throughout the state, with the result that the lowlands of Nevada are largely desert or steppes. The temperature regime is also affected by the blocking of the inland-moving maritime air. Nevada sheltered from maritime winds, has a continental climate with well-developed seasons and the terrain responds quickly to changes in solar heating.
Nevada lies within the mid-latitude belt of prevailing westerly winds which occur most of the year. These winds bring frequent changes in weather during the late fall, winter and spring months, when most of the precipitation occurs. To the south of the mid-latitude westerlies, lies a zone of high pressure in subtropical latitudes, with a center over the Pacific Ocean. In the summer, this high-pressure belt shifts northward over the latitudes of Nevada, blocking storms from the ocean. The resulting weather is mostly clear and dry during the summer and early fall, with scattered thundershowers. The eastern portion of the state receives significant summer thunderstorms generated from monsoonal moisture pushed up from the Gulf of California, known as the North American monsoon. The monsoon system peaks in August and by October the monsoon high over the Western U.S. begins to weaken and the precipitation retreats southward towards the tropics (NOAA 2004).

Average annual precipitation is 16 to over 20 inches. Mean annual air temperature is 41 to 44 degrees F. The average growing season is about 50 to 70 days.

Mean annual precipitaion at the Bear Creek, Nevada SNOTEL station (170501020301) is 37.69 inches.

monthly mean precipitation is:
January 3.84; February 3.75; March 4.38; April 4.9;
May 3.99; June 2.82; July .95; August 1.66;
September 1.22; October 2.12;
November 3.67; December 4.38.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Influencing water features

There are no influencing water features associated with this site.

Soil features

The soils associated with this site have a very shallow to very deep effective rooting depth and are well drained. The soils are typically modified with over 50 percent gravels and other coarse fragments throughout the profile. These soils also have high amounts of gravels, cobbles, or stones on the surface which occupy plant growing space yet provide a stabilizing affect on surface erosion conditions. The available water capacity of these soils is very low to low. A surface cover of rock fragments helps to reduce evaporation and conserve the limited soil moisture. The harsh environment for plant growth presented by these soil properties restricts site productivity. Characteristic herbaceous plants have shallow root systems and the ability to make rapid early growth before evaporation depletes the limited supply of soil moisture. The soil series associated with this site include: Anawalt, Devada, Freznik, Grassycan, and Millerlux.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Livestock Interpretations:
This site has limited value for livestock grazing, due to the low forage production. Sandberg bluegrass is a widespread forage grass. It is one of the earliest grasses in the spring and is sought by domestic livestock and several wildlife species. Sandberg bluegrass is a palatable species, but its production is closely tied to weather conditions. It produces little forage in drought years, making it a less dependable food source than other perennial bunchgrasses. Webber’s needlegrass is desired forage in the spring and undesired the rest of the year for livestock. Domestic sheep and to a much lesser degree cattle consume low sagebrush, particularly during the spring, fall and winter.

Stocking rates vary over time depending upon season of use, climate variations, site, and previous and current management goals. A safe starting stocking rate is an estimated stocking rate that is fine tuned by the client by adaptive management through the year and from year to year.

Wildlife Interpretations:
Low sagebrush is considered a valuable browse plant during the spring, fall and winter months. In some areas it is of little value in winter due to heavy snow. Mule deer utilize and sometimes prefer low sagebrush, particularly in winter and early spring. Sagebrush-grassland communities provide critical sage-grouse breeding and nesting habitats. Meadows surrounded by sagebrush may be used as feeding and strutting grounds. Sagebrush is a crucial component of their diet year-round, and sage-grouse select sagebrush almost exclusively for cover. Sage-grouse prefer mountain big sagebrush and Wyoming big sagebrush communities to basin big sagebrush communities. Sandberg bluegrass is desirable for pronghorn antelope and mule deer in the spring and preferable in the spring, summer, and fall for elk and desirable as part of their winter range. Webber’s needlegrass is desired forage in the spring and undesired the rest of the year for wildlife.

Hydrological functions

Rills are few to common on this site with the amount primarily dependent on cover of surface rock fragments. Water flow patterns are rare. Pedestals are rare with occurrence typically limited to areas within water flow patterns. Frost heaving of shallow rooted plants should not be considered as normal condition. Gullies are rare. The relatively low density of perennial herbaceous plants offers minimal impact on surface runoff or infiltration conditions. Shrub canopy and associated litter break raindrop impact and provide opportunity for snow catch and accumulation on site. Coarse textured surface soils allow medium to rapid infiltration.

Recreational uses

Aesthetic value is derived from the diverse floral and faunal composition and the colorful flowering of wild flowers and shrubs during the spring and early summer. This site offers rewarding opportunities to photographers and for nature study. This site has potential for upland and big game hunting.

Other information

Low sagebrush can be successfully transplanted or seeded in restoration.

Type locality

Other references

Fire Effects Information System (Online; http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/).

USDA-NRCS Plants Database (Online; http://www.plants.usda.gov).

Contributors

BH/SW
T Stringham (UNR under contract with BLM)

Approval

Kendra Moseley, 4/10/2025