Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R023XY316OR
DROUGHTY LOAM 11-13 PZ
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.
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) |
---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
Not specified |
---|---|
Shrub |
(1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata |
Herbaceous |
(1) Festuca idahoensis |
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 |
Influencing water features
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
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 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
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.
Supporting information
Contributors
BG
Bob Gillaspy
Justin Gredvig
SCS/BLM ESI Team, Hines, OR
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 bunchgrassesSub-dominant:
Evergreen shrubsOther:
Perennial forbsAdditional:
-
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
Print Options
Sections
Font
Other
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.