Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Ecological site R023XY316OR

DROUGHTY LOAM 11-13 PZ

Accessed: 04/26/2024

Home / Esd catalog / MLRA 023X / Ecological site R023XY316OR

USC

Metric

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.

Click to explore map

Figure 1. Mapped extent

Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.

Associated sites

R023XY212OR	LOAMY 10-12 PZ Loamy 10-12" PZ
R023XY216OR	CLAYPAN 12-16 PZ Claypan 12-16" PZ
R023XY301OR	DROUGHTY SOUTH SLOPES 11-13 PZ South Slopes 11-13" PZ
R023XY318OR	LOAMY 12-16 PZ Loamy 12-16" PZ

Similar sites

R023XY212OR	LOAMY 10-12 PZ Loamy 10-12" PZ (lower production, different composition)

R023XY212OR

LOAMY 10-12 PZ

Loamy 10-12" PZ (lower production, different composition)

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	(1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata (2) Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana
Herbaceous	(1) Festuca idahoensis (2) Achnatherum thurberianum

Download full description

Physiographic features

This site occurs on plateaus and tablelands. Slopes range from 2 to 30%. Elevations range from 4200 to 5500 feet.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Plateau (2) Hill (3) Alluvial fan
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	4,200 – 5,500 ft
Slope	2 – 30%
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The annual precipitation ranges from11 to 13 inches, most of which occurs in the form of snow during the months of December through March. Localized convectioin torms occasionally occur during the summer. The soil temperature regime is frigid with a mean annaul air temperature of 47 degrees F. Temperature extremes range from 100 to -30 degrees F. The frost free period for native plants is from mid-April through June.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (average)	75 days
Freeze-free period (average)	0 days
Precipitation total (average)	13 in

Soil features

The soils of this site are shallow or moderately deep to a duripan and/or bedrock. The soils have a dark colored medium textured surface 10 to 20 inches thick. The subsoil and/or substratum is typically medium to fine textured and free of coarse fragments. Permeabilty is moderate. The available water holding capacity (AWC) is about 2 to 5 inches for the profile. The potential for wind or water erosion is moderate.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Colluvium – basalt (2) Residuum – andesite
Surface texture	(1) Cobbly very fine sandy loam (2) Cobbly loam (3) Loam
Family particle size	(1) Loamy
Drainage class	Well drained
Permeability class	Moderate to moderately slow
Soil depth	16 – 40 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	25%
Surface fragment cover >3"	16%
Available water capacity (0-40in)	1.5 – 4.8 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)	Not specified
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)	2 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in)	2
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	6.6 – 7.8
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	18%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified)	15%

Ecological dynamics

Range in Characteristics:
The reference native plant community is dominated by Idaho fescue and Thurber's needlegrass. Basin big sagebrush is prominent. Bluebunch wheatgrass and Sandberg bluegrass are common. The vegetative composition of the community is approximately 85 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs.

Variability in plant composition and production results from variation in soil depth, depth to a clay subsoil. and the percent clay in the subsoil. Idaho fescue, basin big sagebrush and production will increase as the soil depth and/or depth to a heavy clay subsoil increases. Thurber's needlegrass increases on a gravelly surface. Production decreases and Wyoming big sagebrush increases as the soil becomes shallower and at the lower end of the precipitation range.

Five states have been identified for this site: a reference state; a state with the presence of annuals; a state that has juniper dominating site resources; a state that is juniper dominant; and a state with annual dominance.

Reference State: Plant community phase change is driven by fire. Mountain and basin big sagebrush declines after fire while Idaho fescue, Thurber’s needlegrass and other grasses increase. May see a temporary increase in rabbitbrush after fire. Time facilitates the reintroduction of sagebrush. The introduction of invasive annual grasses and forbs transitions into state 2.

State 2: Compositionally similar to the reference state with a trace of cheatgrass and annual weeds. Ecological function has not changed, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced by the presence of invasive weeds. Prescribed grazing maintains state dynamics. Mismanagement of grazing favors sagebrush and Sandberg bluegrass. Cheatgrass increases. Prescribed grazing can reverse the trend. Reduction in fire frequency facilitates juniper encroachment in both poor and good condition communities. Fire reduces or eliminates juniper and with time sagebrush reestablishes. Juniper can out-compete sagebrush and the herbaceous plant community which brings the site to state 3.

State 3: Juniper dominates site resources. Sagebrush is dead or dying and bitterbrush lacks vigor. Sandberg bluegrass is the dominant species in the interspace and bare ground is significant. The perennial grass component is significantly reduced in both density and productivity. Idaho fescue may be present under the canopy of trees (north slope typically). Spatial and temporal energy capture and nutrient cycling has been truncated. Infiltration may be reduced due to lack of ground cover. Juniper woodland development is complete and soil loss and erosion drive site processes as the site goes into state 4.

State 4: Juniper dominated state. Soil loss is evident and erosion is active. All ecological processes, hydrologic cycle, nutrient cycle and energy capture have been significantly changed preventing the establishment of perennial plants. An abiotic threshold has been crossed. With catastrophic wildfire, state 5 is achieved.

State 5: Cheatgrass dominated plant community with limited to no shrub or perennial grass component. Soil erosion and redistribution along with changes in dynamic soil properties affect the hydrologic cycle and thus the nutrient cycle. Harsh environmental factors increase state resiliency to change.

Response to Disturbance:
If the condition of the site deteriorates as a result of overgrazing, Idaho fescue and other bunchgrasses will decrease while basin big sagebrush, bottle brush squirreltail and Sandberg bluegrass will increase. Idaho fescue is the preferred species during all seasons. With further deterioration, annuals will invade and bareground will markedly increase. Excessive erosion in the bare soil interspaces reduces the site productivity and contributes to downstream sedimentation.

State and transition model

Custom diagram

Standard diagram

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

State 1
Reference State

Community 1.1
Reference Plant Community

The potential native plant community is dominated by Idaho fescue and Thurbers needle grass. Basin big sagebrush is prominent. Bluebunch wheatgrass and Sandberg bluegrass are common. The vegtative composition of the community is approximatley 85% grass, 5% forbs and 10% shrubs.

Figure 2. 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)
Grass/Grasslike	595	765	935
Shrub/Vine	70	90	110
Forb	35	45	55
Total	700	900	1100

Community 1.2
Grass Dominated Plant Community

The potential native plant community is dominated by Idaho fescue and Thurber's needle grass. Bluebunch wheatgrass and Sandberg bluegrass are common. The vegetative composition of the community is approximatley 93% grass, 5% forbs and 2% shrubs.

Figure 3. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 6. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	595	765	935
Shrub/Vine	70	90	110
Forb	35	45	55
Total	700	900	1100

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Basin big sagebrush declines after fire while Idaho fescue, Thurber’s needlegrass and other grasses increase.

Conservation practices

Prescribed Burning

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Time facilitates the reintroduction of sagebrush.

State 2
Shrub - Steppe with Annuals

Compositionally similar to the reference state with a trace of cheatgrass and the annual weeds. Ecological function has not changed, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced by the presence of invasive weeds. Prescribed grazing maintains state dynamics. Overgrazing grazing (CP1) favors sagebrush and Sandberg’s bluegrass. Cheatgrass increases. Prescribed grazing can reverse the trend (CP2). Reduction in fire frequency facilitates juniper encroachment in both poor and good condition communities (CP3). Fire reduces or eliminates juniper and with time sagebrush reestablishes (CP4).

Community 2.1
Shrub Steppe Community with Annuals

The plant community is dominated by Idaho fescue and Thurbers needle grass. Annual grasses and forbs are present. Basin big sagebrush is prominent. Bluebunch wheatgrass and Sandberg bluegrass are common. The vegtative composition of the community is approximatley 85% grass, 5% forbs and 10% shrubs.

Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 7. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	595	765	935
Shrub/Vine	70	90	110
Forb	35	45	55
Total	700	900	1100

Community 2.2
Sagebrush Dominant

Community 2.3
Juniper over Sagebrush

Increased time since fire allows western juniper to grow above the sagebrush. Sandberg bluegrass increases. Sagebrush and moderate-rooted bunchgrasses decrease.

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

Overgrazing grazing favors sagebrush and Sandberg bluegrass. Cheatgrass increases.

Pathway 2.1B
Community 2.1 to 2.3

Reduction in fire frequency facilitates juniper encroachment.

Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1

Prescribed grazing can increase the herbaceous plant community and reduce the sagebrush dominance.

Conservation practices

Prescribed Grazing

Pathway 2.2B
Community 2.2 to 2.3

Reduction in fire frequency facilitates juniper encroachment.

Pathway 2.3A
Community 2.3 to 2.1

Fire reduces or eliminates juniper and with time sagebrush reestablishes.

Conservation practices

Prescribed Burning

State 3
Juniper Dominant

Juniper dominates site resources. Sagebrush is dead or dying and bitterbrush lacks vigor. Sandberg’s bluegrass is the dominant species in the interspace and bare ground is significant. The perennial grass component is significantly reduced in both density and productivity. Idaho fescue may be present under the canopy of trees (north slope typically). Spatial and temporal energy capture and nutrient cycling has been truncated. Infiltration may be reduced due to lack of ground cover.

Community 3.1
Juniper Dominated Community

State 4
Juniper Dominant Eroded

Juniper dominated state. Soil loss is evident and erosion is active. All ecological processes, hydrologic cycle, nutrient cycle and energy capture have been significantly changed preventing the establishment of perennial plants. An abiotic threshold has been crossed.

Community 4.1
Juniper-Sandberg-Cheatgrass

State 5
Cheatgrass

Cheatgrass dominated plant community with limited to no shrub or perennial grass component. Soil erosion and redistribution along with changes in dynamic soil properties affect the hydrologic cycle and thus the nutrient cycle. Harsh environmental factors increase state resiliency to change.

Community 5.1
Cheatgrass dominant

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Introduction of annual weeds.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

Increased time since fire allows western juniper to dominate the site.

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2

Rehabilitation involves mechanical and/or prescribed fire to remove juniper. Herbicide treatment of cheatgrass may be necessary. Seeding of desired species may be needed.

Conservation practices

Brush Management
Prescribed Burning
Range Planting

Transition T3A
State 3 to 4

Soil erosion decreases site production and changes plant composition.

Transition T3B
State 3 to 5

Catastrophic wildfire causes annual grasses to dominate the site. This is mainly a problem on the warmer areas of this site. The frigid soil temperatures limit the ability of annual grasses to maintain dominance.

Transition T4A
State 4 to 5

Catastrophic wildfire allows annual grasses to dominate the site. This is mainly a problem on the warmer areas of this site. The frigid soil temperatures limit the ability of annual grasses to maintain dominance.

Additional community tables

Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial, bunch grass, deep-rooted			270–360
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	270–360	–
2	Perennial, bunch grass, moderately deep-rooted			180–270
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	180–270	–
3	Perennial, bunch grass, deep-rooted			90–180
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSPS	Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata	90–180	–
4	Perennial, tall bunch grass, deep-rooted			18–45
	basin wildrye	LECI4	Leymus cinereus	18–45	–
5	Perennial, bunch grass, shallow-rooted			18–45
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	18–45	–
6	Perennial			18–90
	Indian ricegrass	ACHY	Achnatherum hymenoides	0–18	–
	Ross' sedge	CARO5	Carex rossii	0–18	–
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	0–18	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	0–18	–
	Cusick's bluegrass	POCU3	Poa cusickii	0–18	–
Forb
10	Perennial			9–18
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	9–18	–
11	Perennial			9–18
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	9–18	–
12	Perennial			9–18
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	9–18	–
13	Perennial, all			9–45
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–9	–
	agoseris	AGOSE	Agoseris	0–9	–
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	0–9	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–9	–
	arrowleaf balsamroot	BASA3	Balsamorhiza sagittata	0–9	–
	tapertip hawksbeard	CRAC2	Crepis acuminata	0–9	–
	larkspur	DELPH	Delphinium	0–9	–
	fleabane	ERIGE2	Erigeron	0–9	–
	Lava aster	IOAL	Ionactis alpina	0–9	–
	granite prickly phlox	LIPU11	Linanthus pungens	0–9	–
	stoneseed	LITHO3	Lithospermum	0–9	–
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	0–9	–
	phacelia	PHACE	Phacelia	0–9	–
	phlox	PHLOX	Phlox	0–9	–
	ragwort	SENEC	Senecio	0–9	–
	deathcamas	ZIGAD	Zigadenus	0–9	–
Shrub/Vine
15	Evergreen			45–135
	basin big sagebrush	ARTRT	Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata	45–90	–
	mountain big sagebrush	ARTRV	Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana	18–45	–
16	Deciduous			0–18
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–18	–
17	Evergreen			0–18
	Wyoming big sagebrush	ARTRW8	Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis	0–9	–
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–9	–
Tree
20	Evergreen			0–9
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	0–9	–

Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial, bunch grass, deep-rooted			270–360
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	270–360	–
2	Perennial, bunch grass, moderately deep-rooted			180–270
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	180–270	–
3	Perennial, bunch grass, deep-rooted			90–180
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSPS	Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata	90–180	–
4	Perennial, tall bunch grass, deep-rooted			18–45
	basin wildrye	LECI4	Leymus cinereus	18–45	–
5	Perennial, bunch grass, shallow-rooted			18–45
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	18–45	–
6	Perennial			18–90
	Indian ricegrass	ACHY	Achnatherum hymenoides	0–18	–
	Ross' sedge	CARO5	Carex rossii	0–18	–
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	0–18	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	0–18	–
	Cusick's bluegrass	POCU3	Poa cusickii	0–18	–
Forb
10	Perennial			9–18
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	9–18	–
11	Perennial			9–18
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	9–18	–
12	Perennial			9–18
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	9–18	–
13	Perennial, all			9–45
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–9	–
	agoseris	AGOSE	Agoseris	0–9	–
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	0–9	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–9	–
	arrowleaf balsamroot	BASA3	Balsamorhiza sagittata	0–9	–
	tapertip hawksbeard	CRAC2	Crepis acuminata	0–9	–
	larkspur	DELPH	Delphinium	0–9	–
	fleabane	ERIGE2	Erigeron	0–9	–
	Lava aster	IOAL	Ionactis alpina	0–9	–
	granite prickly phlox	LIPU11	Linanthus pungens	0–9	–
	stoneseed	LITHO3	Lithospermum	0–9	–
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	0–9	–
	phacelia	PHACE	Phacelia	0–9	–
	phlox	PHLOX	Phlox	0–9	–
	ragwort	SENEC	Senecio	0–9	–
	deathcamas	ZIGAD	Zigadenus	0–9	–
Shrub/Vine
15	Evergreen			0–36
	basin big sagebrush	ARTRT	Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata	0–18	–
	mountain big sagebrush	ARTRV	Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana	0–18	–
16	Deciduous			0–18
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–18	–
17	Evergreen			10–20
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	10–20	–
	Wyoming big sagebrush	ARTRW8	Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis	0–9	–
Tree
20	Evergreen			0–9
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	0–9	–

Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (lb/acre)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Perennial, bunch grass, deep-rooted			180–270
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	180–270	–
2	Perennial, bunch grass, moderately deep-rooted			90–180
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	90–180	–
3	Perennial, bunch grass, deep-rooted			90–180
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSPS	Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata	90–180	–
4	Perennial, tall bunch grass, deep-rooted			18–45
	basin wildrye	LECI4	Leymus cinereus	18–45	–
5	Perennial, bunch grass, shallow-rooted			18–45
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	18–45	–
6	Perennial			18–90
	Indian ricegrass	ACHY	Achnatherum hymenoides	0–18	–
	Ross' sedge	CARO5	Carex rossii	0–18	–
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	0–18	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	0–18	–
	Cusick's bluegrass	POCU3	Poa cusickii	0–18	–
7	Annual Grasses			90–180
	cheatgrass	BRTE	Bromus tectorum	90–180	–
Forb
10	Perennial			9–18
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	9–18	–
11	Perennial			9–18
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	9–18	–
12	Perennial			9–18
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	9–18	–
13	Perennial, all			9–45
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	0–9	–
	agoseris	AGOSE	Agoseris	0–9	–
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	0–9	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–9	–
	arrowleaf balsamroot	BASA3	Balsamorhiza sagittata	0–9	–
	tapertip hawksbeard	CRAC2	Crepis acuminata	0–9	–
	larkspur	DELPH	Delphinium	0–9	–
	fleabane	ERIGE2	Erigeron	0–9	–
	Lava aster	IOAL	Ionactis alpina	0–9	–
	granite prickly phlox	LIPU11	Linanthus pungens	0–9	–
	stoneseed	LITHO3	Lithospermum	0–9	–
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	0–9	–
	phacelia	PHACE	Phacelia	0–9	–
	phlox	PHLOX	Phlox	0–9	–
	ragwort	SENEC	Senecio	0–9	–
	deathcamas	ZIGAD	Zigadenus	0–9	–
Shrub/Vine
15	Evergreen			45–135
	basin big sagebrush	ARTRT	Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata	45–90	–
	mountain big sagebrush	ARTRV	Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana	18–45	–
16	Deciduous			0–18
	antelope bitterbrush	PUTR2	Purshia tridentata	0–18	–
17	Evergreen			0–18
	Wyoming big sagebrush	ARTRW8	Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis	0–9	–
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	0–9	–
Tree
20	Evergreen			0–9
	western juniper	JUOC	Juniperus occidentalis	0–9	–

Interpretations

Animal community

Livestock Grazing:
This site is suitable for use by cattle, sheep and hroses in late spring, summer and fall under a planned grazing system. Use should be postponed until the soils are firm enough to avoid trampling damageand soil compaction.
Wildlife:
This stie will offer food and cover for antelope, mule deer, rodents and a variety of birds. It is important wintering area for antelope and mule deer.
Native Wildlife Associatied With The Potentail Climax Community:
Deer, Antelope, Hawks, Songbirds, and Rodents.

Hydrological functions

The soils of this site have moderatly high runoff potentail. The hydrologic soil group is C.

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)	Jeff Repp, Bruce Franssen
Contact for lead author	State Rangeland Management Specialist
Date	01/01/2004
Approved by	Bob Gillaspy
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
None
Presence of water flow patterns:
None
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
5 - 15%
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Fine - limited movement
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Moderately resistant to erosion: aggregate stability = 3-5
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
weak fine granular structure to weak thin platy structure, 6-10 inches thick; Low OM (1-2%)
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Significant ground cover (60-80%) and gentle to moderate slopes (2-15%) effectively limit rainfall impact and overland flow
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None
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:
Perennial, deep-rooted bunchgrasses >> perennial, shallow to moderately deep-rooted bunchgrasses

Sub-dominant:
Evergreen shrubs

Other:
Perennial forbs

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Normal decadence and mortality expected
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
900 lbs/acre
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:
Western Juniper readily invades the site. Cheatgrass and Medusahead invade sites that have lost deep rooted perennial grass functional groups
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species should be capable of reproducing annually

Download reference sheet

Search

Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ecological site R023XY316OR

DROUGHTY LOAM 11-13 PZ

Accessed: 04/26/2024

General information

Figure 1. Mapped extent

Associated sites

Similar sites

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Ecosystem states

State 1 submodel, plant communities

State 2 submodel, plant communities

State 3 submodel, plant communities

State 4 submodel, plant communities

State 5 submodel, plant communities

Natural Resources
Conservation Service