Physiographic features

This site occurs on plateau summits, on the summit and shoulders of rock pediments and upper piedmont slopes, and on interplateau basins. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent, but slope gradients of 2 to 4 percent are most typical. Elevations are 4600 to 6500 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 44 to 49 degrees F. The average growing season is about 80 to 110 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 formed in residuum or colluvium derived from volcanic parent materials. These soils are characterized by dark, reddish-brown, clay textured surface soils that are underlain by clayey subsoils. In many areas the soil surface is covered with a thin, light colored, layer of silt. The soil surface has very high amounts (>75% surface cover) of cobbles and/or stones that are usually tightly interlocked. The soils are subject to swelling when saturated and shrinking with drying. The soil series associated with this site include: Tuledad and Tunnison.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Livestock Interpretations:
This site has limited value for livestock grazing due to low forage production and stony surfaces. 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. Thurber’s needlegrass species begin growth early in the year and remain green throughout a relatively long growing season. This pattern of development enables animals to use Thurber’s needlegrass when many other grasses are unavailable. Cattle prefer Thurber’s needlegrass in early spring before fruits have developed as it becomes less palatable when mature. Thurber’s needlegrasses are grazed in the fall only if the fruits are softened by rain. Bottlebrush squirreltail is very palatable winter forage for domestic sheep of Intermountain ranges. Domestic sheep relish the green foliage. Overall, bottlebrush squirreltail is considered moderately palatable to livestock. Domestic sheep and to a much lesser degree cattle consume low sagebrush, particularly during the spring, fall and winter. Douglas’ rabbitbrush is tolerant of grazing and may be rejuvenated by foliage removal. Douglas’ rabbitbrush commonly increases on degraded rangelands as more palatable species are removed.

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. Douglas’ rabbitbrush provides an important source of browse for wildlife, particularly in the late fall and early winter after more palatable species have been depleted. Wild ungulates show varying preference for Douglas’ rabbitbrush depending on season, locality, and subspecies. Mature or partially mature plants are generally preferred to green, immature ones. Douglas’ rabbitbrush provides important cover for pronghorn fawns. 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. Thurber needlegrass is valuable forage for wildlife. Bottlebrush squirreltail is a dietary component of several wildlife species.

Hydrological functions

Runoff is medium to very high. Permeability is slow. Hydrologic soil group is D. There are no rills or waterflow patterns. Extremely high amount of cobbles and stones on soil surface and low gradient slope (<4%) provide stabilizing effect for surface soils. Pedestals are none to rare. Frost heaving of shallow rooted plants and shrink-swell activity of soil are not indicators of erosion. Gullies are rare in areas of this site that occur on stable landforms. Low density of perennial herbaceous plants offers minimal impact on surface runoff or infiltration conditions. Sparse shrub canopy provides little protection from raindrop impact.

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 is used for camping and hiking and has potential for upland and big game hunting.

Other products

Douglas’ rabbitbrush can be a source of rubber and possibly valuable resins.

Other information

Low sagebrush can be successfully transplanted or seeded in restoration. Bottlebrush squirreltail is tolerant of disturbance and is a suitable species for revegetation.

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

SW/GKB

Approval

Kendra Moseley, 4/10/2025