Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R028AY001UT
Alkali Bottom (Alkali Sacaton)
Accessed: 11/24/2024
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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 028A–Ancient Lake Bonneville
MLRA-D28A, Great Salt Lake Area, occurs in the eastern portion of the Basin and Range Province. This area is composed of nearly level basins located between widely separated mountain ranges that run mostly north and south. Basin edges are often bordered by gently sloping alluvial fans. The mountains are uplifted fault blocks with steep side slopes.
Associated sites
| R028AY004UT |
Alkali Flat (Black Greasewood) |
|---|---|
| R028AY006UT |
Loamy Bottom (Great Basin Wildrye) |
| R028AY024UT |
Wet Saline Meadow (Saltgrass) |
| R028AY130UT |
Desert Salt Flat (Sickle Saltbush) |
| R028AY132UT |
Desert Salty Silt (Iodinebush) |
Similar sites
| R028AY132UT |
Desert Salty Silt (Iodinebush) |
|---|---|
| R028AY004UT |
Alkali Flat (Black Greasewood) |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Sarcobatus vermiculatus |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Sporobolus airoides |
Physiographic features
This site is typically located on lake plains, lake terraces, valley floors, flood plains, alluvial flats, and in depressional areas within lake terraces. It typically occupies the elevational area just above lake playas and just below the alkali flat ecological site. Slopes typically range from 0 to 2 percent but may occasionally reach 3 percent. This site may rarely flood during runoff periods. Runoff potential ranges from low to medium.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Lake terrace
(2) Lake plain (3) Valley floor |
|---|---|
| Flooding duration | Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to long (7 to 30 days) |
| Flooding frequency | None to rare |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 1,277 – 1,768 m |
| Slope | 0 – 2% |
| Water table depth | 46 – 152 cm |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
The climate of this site is dry subhumid and semiarid. It is characterized by cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. The average annual precipitation ranges from 12 to 18 inches. April and May are typically the wettest months with July and August being the driest. The most reliable sources of moisture for plant growth are the snow that accumulates over the winter, and spring rains. Summer thunderstorms are intermittent and sporadic in nature, and thus are not reliable sources of moisture to support vegetative growth on this site. The mean annual air temperature is 45 to 54 degrees.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 202 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 140 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 381 mm |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 4. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 5. Annual average temperature pattern
Influencing water features
Soils on this ecological site may have a water table ranging from 18 to 60 inches during much of the growing season.
Soil features
Characteristic soils in this site are very deep and poorly to somewhat poorly drained. The soil moisture and temperature regimes are xeric, bordering on aridic and mesic respectively. The dry surface color is typically a very dark gray. These soils formed in alluvium and/or lacustrine deposits derived mainly from mixed sources including sandstone, shale and sedimentry rock parent material. Soil textures are typically silt loams or silty clay loams but may occasionally include fine sandy loams. They are moderately to strongly saline and moderately to strongly alkaline. Available water capacity is 0.90 to 7.7 inches.
This site has been used in the following soil surveys and has been correlated to the following components:
UT602 – Box Elder County, Eastern Part – Airport, Bear River, Fridlo, Greenson, Kirkman, Lasil, Magna, Payson, Refuge, Stokes, Syracuse, Warm Springs.
UT603 – Cache Valley Area – Airport, Jordan, Kirkman, Lasil, Lewiston, Payson, Quinney, Shay, Trenton.
UT607 - Davis-Weber Area - Airport, Arave, Croy, Ford, Ironton, Kirkman, Lasil, Leland, Refuge, Sunset, Syracuse, Trenton, Warm Springs.
UT608 - Fairfield-Nephi - Benjamin, Bramwell, Fridlo, Mellor, Payson.
UT611 - Tooele Area - Bramwell, Kanosh, Lasil, Skumpah.
UT612 - Salt Lake Area - Bramwell, Chipman, Deckerman, Lasil, Leland, Terminal, Warm Springs.
UT617 - West Millard-Juab area - Rafael.
UT621 - Utah County; Central Part - Arave, Benjamin, Bramwell, Chipman, Holdaway, Ironton, Jordan, Kirkman, McBeth, Payson, Sunset, Vineyard.
UT626 - Beaver County, Western Part - Benjamin, Musinia, Woodrow.
UT627 - Sanpete Valley Area - Arapien, Dyreng.
UT634 - Iron-Washington Area - Paragonah, Parowan.
Typical Profile (Airport):
A – 0-6 inches; silty clay loam; violently effervescent; moderately alkaline.
Btkn – 6-19 inches; silty clay loam; violently effervesent; strongly alkaline.
Bk1 – 19-32 inches; silty clay loam; violently efferverscent; strongly alkaline.
Bk2 – 32-40 inches; silty clay loam; violently effervescent; strongly alkaline.
C - 40-60 inches; silty clay loam; violently effervescent; strongly alkaline.
The water supplying capacity is 4 to 8 inches. Natural geological erosion in potential is approximately 0.2 tons/acre/year.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Lacustrine deposits
–
limestone and shale
(2) Alluvium – sandstone |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Silty clay loam (2) Silt |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Somewhat poorly drained to moderately well drained |
| Permeability class | Slow to moderate |
| Soil depth | 152 – 0 cm |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 0% |
| Available water capacity (0-101.6cm) |
2.29 – 19.56 cm |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 40% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 32 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 30 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
7.4 – 9 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
0% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
0% |
Ecological dynamics
This ecological site occurs on deep soils in Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) D28A—The Great Salt Lake Area and was influenced by many of the natural disturbances typically associated with that MLRA. Modern disturbances such as improper livestock grazing,brush treatments, the introduction of invasive species, and the sites conversion to seeded rangeland have impacted the resilience of this ecological site and its associated plant communities.
There is little evidence to indicate that this site historically maintained a short burn frequency on this site. Following a burn, however, greasewood immediately re-sprouted, but grasses typically continued to dominate the community. After a few years of average precipitation, greasewood increased in prominence on the site.
Soil salinity characteristics of this site are dynamic. Greasewood leaves concentrate salts, which over time are deposited into the soil. Thus, soil salinities are expected to be altered by the dominate shrub species of this site.
This site is suited for cattle and sheep grazing during spring, summer, fall, or winter and grazing suitability is good. It has been grazed by domestic livestock since they were first introduced into the area around 1860. This livestock introduction, including the use of fencing, and the development of reliable water sources, have had a major influence on the disturbance regime historically associated with this ecological site. This site often served, and still serves as wintering pastures for sheep and cattle producers.
Improperly managed livestock grazing (continuous season long grazing, heavy stocking rates, repeated early spring grazing, etc.) can cause this site to depart from its reference plant community. During periods of continous winter grazing, alkail sacaton, alkali bluegrass and other perennial grasses will decrease and black greasewood will often increase.
As vegetative communities respond to changes in management or natural influences that move them from one state to another, a return to previous states may not be possible. The amount of energy needed to affect these vegetative shifts depends on present biotic and abiotic features and the desired results.
The following state and transition model diagram depicts some of the most commonly occurring plant communities found on this ecological site. These communities may not represent every possibility, but they are the most prevalent and repeatable. As more data are collected, some of these plant communities may be revised or removed, and new ones may be added. This model was developed using range data collected for publication of the Box Elder County, Eastern Part, Soil Survey and the recent Eastern Shores update. Both ocular and measured data was collected and utilized. Range data collected by the NRCS since 1983 was also used.
State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available.
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More interactive model formats are also available.
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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
Ecosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State
The reference state represents the plant communities and ecological dynamics of the alkali bottom (greasewood) site. This state includes the biotic communities that become established on the ecological site if all successional sequences are completed under the natural disturbance regime. The reference state is generally dominated by black greasewood and alkali sacaton. The reference state is self sustaining and resistant to change due to high resistance to natural disturbances and high resilience following natural disturbances. When natural disturbances occur, the rate of recovery is variable due to disturbance intensity. Once invasive plants establish, return to the reference state may not be possible. Reference State: Black greasewood/alkali sacaton state with natural fluctuations that form either a shrubland or grassland aspect depending on the natural disturbance history. Indicators: A community dominated by greasewood and and alkali sacaton. Feedbacks: Improper livestock grazing of perennial grasses and/or other disturbances that may allow for the establishment of invasive species. At-risk Community Phase: This state is at risk when native plants are stressed and nutrients become available for invasive plants to establish. Trigger: The establishment of invasive plant species.
Community 1.1
Black greasewood/Alkali Sacaton Community Phase.
Figure 6. Community Phase 1.1
This community is characterized by an open black greasewood shrub canopy, small amounts of basin big sagebrush and shadscale may also present. The site however, has a grassland aspect with alkali sacaton, alkali bluegrass and basin wildrye dominating the herbaceous layer. Other commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include saltgrass, Douglas sedge and baltic rush. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs are also present. The composition by air-dry weight is approximately 85 percent perennial grasses, 5 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. Bare ground is variable (20-40%) depending on the amount of biological crust (0 to 15), and plant cover. The following tables provide an example the typical vegetative floristics of a community phase 1.1 plant community.
Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 841 | 1681 | 2466 |
| Shrub/Vine | 101 | 202 | 280 |
| Forb | 50 | 101 | 146 |
| Total | 992 | 1984 | 2892 |
Table 6. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 0% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 1-5% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 50-60% |
| Forb foliar cover | 1-5% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 0% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 0% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (m) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.15 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.15 <= 0.3 | – | – | – | 0-10% |
| >0.3 <= 0.6 | – | – | 55-65% | – |
| >0.6 <= 1.4 | – | 0-10% | – | – |
| >1.4 <= 4 | – | – | – | – |
| >4 <= 12 | – | – | – | – |
| >12 <= 24 | – | – | – | – |
| >24 <= 37 | – | – | – | – |
| >37 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT0011, PNC. Excellent Condition.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 5 | 25 | 50 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
State 2
Current Potential State
The current potential state is similar to the reference state, however invasive grasses and/ or forbs are now present in all community phases. This state is still dominated by an open canopy of black greasewood, however depending on disturbance history, basin big sagebrush and rubber rabbitbrush may be prominent on the site. Alkali sacaton, alkali bluegrass and basin wildrye are still the primary perennial grass species however, saltgrass, baltic rush, cheatgrass and other less palatable species make up a larger portion of the herbaceous layer. Primary disturbance mechanisms include native herbivore grazing and proper domestic livestock grazing. Timing of these disturbances dictates the ecological dynamics that occur. The current potential state is still self sustaining; but is losing resistance to change due to lower resilience following disturbances. When disturbances occur, the rate of recovery is variable depending on severity. Current Potential State: Black greasewood/ alkali sacaton state with variations within a basin big sagebrush and/or rubber rabbitbrush shrubland community. Invasive plants are present. Indicators: A community dominated by greasewood and/or rubber rabbitbrush where native perennial grasses and forbs are also present. Invasive grasses and/or forbs are present. Feedbacks: Frequent disturbances that may allow the dominance of annual invasive species such as cheatgrass to dominate. At-risk Community Phase: As increased disturbance frequency allows for the dominance of annual grasses, such as cheatgrass, this community is at greater risk. Trigger: Reoccurring disturbance that results in a dominance of annual grasses in the herbaceous layer.
Community 2.1
Black greasewood, Alkali Sacaton, Invasive Weed Community Phase.
Figure 9. Community Phase 2.1
This community phase is characterized by a black greasewood shrub canopy with alkali sacaton, alkali bluegrass and basin wildrye still dominating the herbaceous layer. Non-native species including cheatgrass, mustard species, alyssum, fivehorn smotherweed and halogeton are present. Other grasses and grasslikes including saltgrass, Douglas sedge and baltic rush are increasing and preferred species are decreasing. The composition by air-dry weight is approximately 60 percent perennial grasses, 10 percent forbs, and 30 percent shrubs. Bare ground is variable (20-50%) depending on the amount of biological crust (0 to 15), and plant cover. The following tables provide an example the typical vegetative floristics of a community phase 2.1 plant community.
Figure 10. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 857 | 1670 | 2477 |
| Shrub/Vine | 101 | 196 | 291 |
| Forb | 50 | 101 | 146 |
| Total | 1008 | 1967 | 2914 |
Table 9. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 0% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 10-20% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 40-50% |
| Forb foliar cover | 5-10% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 0% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 30-50% |
Table 10. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (m) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.15 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.15 <= 0.3 | – | – | – | 0-10% |
| >0.3 <= 0.6 | – | – | 55-65% | – |
| >0.6 <= 1.4 | – | 0-10% | – | – |
| >1.4 <= 4 | – | – | – | – |
| >4 <= 12 | – | – | – | – |
| >12 <= 24 | – | – | – | – |
| >24 <= 37 | – | – | – | – |
| >37 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT0011, PNC. Excellent Condition.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 5 | 25 | 50 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Community 2.2
Black greasewood, Invasive Weed Community Phase.
Figure 12. Community Phase 2.2
This community phase is characterized by a black greasewood and/or basin big sagebrush shrub canopy. Alkali sacaton, alkali bluegrass and basin wildrye are much reduced in the understory. Non-native species including cheatgrass, mustard species, alyssum, fivehorn smotherweed and halogeton often dominate the site. Other commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include saltgrass, baltic rush may be increasing and preferred spacies are decreasing. The composition by air-dry weight is approximately <20 percent perennial grasses, 30 percent forbs, and 50 percent shrubs. Bare ground is variable (20-60%) depending on the amount of biological crusts (0 to 5), and plant cover. The following tables provide an example the typical vegetative floristics of a community phase 2.2 plant community.
Figure 13. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 11. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 673 | 1121 | 1569 |
| Shrub/Vine | 673 | 897 | 1009 |
| Forb | 224 | 336 | 448 |
| Total | 1570 | 2354 | 3026 |
Table 12. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 0% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 20-45% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 25-45% |
| Forb foliar cover | 10-30% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 1-3% |
| Litter | 0% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 30-50% |
Table 13. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (m) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.15 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.15 <= 0.3 | – | – | – | 0-10% |
| >0.3 <= 0.6 | – | – | 55-65% | – |
| >0.6 <= 1.4 | – | 0-10% | – | – |
| >1.4 <= 4 | – | – | – | – |
| >4 <= 12 | – | – | – | – |
| >12 <= 24 | – | – | – | – |
| >24 <= 37 | – | – | – | – |
| >37 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 14. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT0011, PNC. Excellent Condition.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 5 | 25 | 50 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2
This pathway occurs when events favor a decrease in palatable perennial grasses and grasslikes and an increase in less palatable species such as saltgrass and baltic rush. Non-native annuals including cheatgrass and fivehorned smotherweed may eventually dominate the community. Events may include extended drought, improper livestock grazing, and fire that it increase annuals and decrease desirable perennials.
Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1
This pathway occurs when events favor an increase in palatable perennial grasses and grasslikes an decrease in less palatable species such as saltgrass and baltic rush. Non-native annuals, including cheatgrass and fivehorned smotherweed become less dominate in the community. Events may include extended periods with above average moisture, carefully managed livestock grazing, and the absence of fire, which, in combination, can decrease annuals and less palatable perennials and increase more desirable perennial vegeration.
State 3
Disturbed State
This state occurs when the site is plowed or disked and planted to various rangeland grasses. Tall wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass and Russian wildrye are the most commonly seeded species. These seedings may be very clean and healthy or may have various amounts of non-native annuals including, but are not limited to Russian thistle, cheatgrass, tansy mustard, broom snakeweed, alyssum, 5-horned smotherweed and annual Cryptantha. Invasive Forb State: Range seeding community phases influenced by livestock grazing practices and weather cycles. Indicators: Perennial rangeland seeding with annual, invasive forbs and grasses present in various amounts. Feedbacks: Livestock grazing practices and weather cycles that maintain or degrade the range seeding and suppress or increase the non-native annuals present in the community. Trigger: The increased establishment of cheatgrass and other annuals that may increase the sites fire interval, decrease perennial seeding production and increase bare ground.
Community 3.1
Seeded Range Community Phase.
Figure 15. Community Phase 3.1
This community phase has been mechanically plowed, disked or burned and then seeded to rangeland grasses including crested wheatgrass, tall wheatgrass and/or Russian wildrye. Black greasewood, rubber rabbitbrush and/or basin big sage may be present in small amounts. Annuals iincluding cheatgrass, halogeton, various mustard species and other non-native species are also present in small amounts and during above average moisture years, may become prominent enough in the stand to cause a fire hazard. Tall wheatgrass is sometimes irrigated. The following tables provide an example the typical vegetative floristics of a community phase 3.1 plant community.
Figure 16. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 14. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 673 | 1121 | 1457 |
| Forb | 112 | 168 | 224 |
| Shrub/Vine | 45 | 112 | 168 |
| Total | 830 | 1401 | 1849 |
Table 15. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 0% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 0-10% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 20-30% |
| Forb foliar cover | 5-10% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 0% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 50-60% |
Table 16. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (m) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.15 | – | – | 10-15% | 5-10% |
| >0.15 <= 0.3 | – | – | 25-35% | – |
| >0.3 <= 0.6 | – | – | 40-50% | – |
| >0.6 <= 1.4 | – | – | 10-15% | – |
| >1.4 <= 4 | – | – | – | – |
| >4 <= 12 | – | – | – | – |
| >12 <= 24 | – | – | – | – |
| >24 <= 37 | – | – | – | – |
| >37 | – | – | – | – |
Community 3.2
Failed Range Seeding Community Phase.
Figure 17. Community Phase 3.2
This community phase has been mechanically plowed, disked or burned and then seeded to renge seeding species including crested wheatgrass, tall wheatgrass, and/or Russian wildrye. Poor management and/or drought causes the seeding to fail. Black greasewood, rubber rabbitbrush and/or basin big sage may be present and increasing in the stand. Cheatgrass, halogeton, various mustard species and other non-native species are present and often dominate the community. The following tables provide an example the typical vegetative floristics of a community phase 3.2 plant community.
Figure 18. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 17. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 560 | 785 | 1009 |
| Forb | 112 | 168 | 224 |
| Shrub/Vine | 45 | 112 | 168 |
| Total | 717 | 1065 | 1401 |
Table 18. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 0% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 0-10% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 20-30% |
| Forb foliar cover | 5-10% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 0% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 50-60% |
Table 19. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (m) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.15 | – | – | 10-15% | 5-10% |
| >0.15 <= 0.3 | – | – | 25-35% | – |
| >0.3 <= 0.6 | – | – | 40-50% | – |
| >0.6 <= 1.4 | – | – | 10-15% | – |
| >1.4 <= 4 | – | – | – | – |
| >4 <= 12 | – | – | – | – |
| >12 <= 24 | – | – | – | – |
| >24 <= 37 | – | – | – | – |
| >37 | – | – | – | – |
Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2
This pathway occurs when events favor an decrease in seeded rangeland species and an increase in unwanted invasive annuals. Events may include extended drought and improper livestock grazing that it increases annuals and decreases desirable perennials.
Pathway 3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1
This pathway occurs when events favor an increase in seeded rangeland species and a reduction in unwanted invasive annuals. Events may include a series of above average moisture years and proper livestock grazing.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
This transition is from the native perennial warm and cool season grass and grasslike understory in the reference state to a state that contains non-native, invasive species. Events may include the establishment of invasive grasses and forbs, and an increase in black greasewood, basin big sagebrush and/or rubber rabbitbrush. Factors that drive such events include, improper livestock grazing of perennial grasses, prolonged drought, and the presence of a seed source for invasive species. Fire may also be a driver for this change in some instances. Invasive species such as cheatgrass however have been known to invade intact perennial plant communities with little to no disturbance. Once invasive species are found in the plant community a threshold has been crossed.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
This transition is from the current potential state to a well established seeded rangeland community phase. Site is plowed, disked and/or burned, and seeded to adapted rangeland species including tall wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass or Russian wilrye. Factors that drive such events include, proper livestock grazing of perennial grasses, sufficient moisture for seeding establishment, and adequate control of unwanted invasive species. Once site is converted, a threshold has been crossed.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 3
This transition is from the current potential state to a failed seeded rangeland community phase. Site is plowed, disked and/or burned, and seeded to adapted rangeland species including tall wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass or Russian wilrye. Factors that drive such events include, improper livestock grazing of perennial grasses, prolonged drought for seeding establishment, and poor control of unwanted invasive species. Once site is converted, a threshold has been crossed.
Additional community tables
Table 20. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 1154–1659 | ||||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 415–516 | – | ||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 314–415 | – | ||
| basin wildrye | LECI4 | Leymus cinereus | 106–207 | – | ||
| Douglas' sedge | CADO2 | Carex douglasii | 62–106 | – | ||
| 3 | Secondary Grasses | 106–207 | ||||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 22–62 | – | ||
| foxtail barley | HOJU | Hordeum jubatum | 22–62 | – | ||
| beardless wildrye | LETR5 | Leymus triticoides | 22–62 | – | ||
| mat muhly | MURI | Muhlenbergia richardsonis | 22–62 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 22–62 | – | ||
| Nuttall's alkaligrass | PUNU2 | Puccinellia nuttalliana | 22–62 | – | ||
| alkali cordgrass | SPGR | Spartina gracilis | 22–62 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 2 | Priamary Shrubs | 106–207 | ||||
| greasewood | SAVE4 | Sarcobatus vermiculatus | 106–207 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 62–106 | ||||
| iodinebush | ALOC2 | Allenrolfea occidentalis | 22–62 | – | ||
| basin big sagebrush | ARTRT | Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata | 22–62 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 22–62 | – | ||
| Gardner's saltbush | ATGA | Atriplex gardneri | 22–62 | – | ||
| basin saltbush | ATTR3 | Atriplex tridentata | 22–62 | – | ||
| whiteflower rabbitbrush | CHAL9 | Chrysothamnus albidus | 22–62 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTRT | Rhus trilobata var. trilobata | 22–62 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 4 | 106–207 | |||||
| silverscale saltbush | ATAR2 | Atriplex argentea | 22–62 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 22–62 | – | ||
| Drummond's goldenbush | ISDR | Isocoma drummondii | 22–62 | – | ||
| povertyweed | IVAX | Iva axillaris | 22–62 | – | ||
| King's mousetail | IVKI | Ivesia kingii | 22–62 | – | ||
| alkali mallow | MALE3 | Malvella leprosa | 22–62 | – | ||
| hollyleaf clover | TRGY | Trifolium gymnocarpon | 22–62 | – | ||
Table 21. Community 2.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 1166–1659 | ||||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 448–560 | – | ||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 224–280 | – | ||
| basin wildrye | LECI4 | Leymus cinereus | 90–168 | – | ||
| Douglas' sedge | CADO2 | Carex douglasii | 56–101 | – | ||
| 3 | Secondary Grasses | 135–224 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 56–112 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 22–62 | – | ||
| foxtail barley | HOJU | Hordeum jubatum | 22–62 | – | ||
| beardless wildrye | LETR5 | Leymus triticoides | 22–62 | – | ||
| mat muhly | MURI | Muhlenbergia richardsonis | 22–62 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 22–62 | – | ||
| Nuttall's alkaligrass | PUNU2 | Puccinellia nuttalliana | 22–62 | – | ||
| alkali cordgrass | SPGR | Spartina gracilis | 22–62 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 2 | Priamary Shrubs | 135–224 | ||||
| greasewood | SAVE4 | Sarcobatus vermiculatus | 135–224 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 224–336 | ||||
| basin big sagebrush | ARTRT | Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata | 56–112 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 22–62 | – | ||
| Gardner's saltbush | ATGA | Atriplex gardneri | 22–62 | – | ||
| basin saltbush | ATTR3 | Atriplex tridentata | 22–62 | – | ||
| whiteflower rabbitbrush | CHAL9 | Chrysothamnus albidus | 22–62 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTRT | Rhus trilobata var. trilobata | 22–62 | – | ||
| iodinebush | ALOC2 | Allenrolfea occidentalis | 22–62 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 4 | Forbs | 168–224 | ||||
| field pennycress | THAR5 | Thlaspi arvense | 22–62 | – | ||
| hollyleaf clover | TRGY | Trifolium gymnocarpon | 22–62 | – | ||
| silverscale saltbush | ATAR2 | Atriplex argentea | 22–62 | – | ||
| fivehorn smotherweed | BAHY | Bassia hyssopifolia | 22–62 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 22–62 | – | ||
| Drummond's goldenbush | ISDR | Isocoma drummondii | 22–62 | – | ||
| povertyweed | IVAX | Iva axillaris | 22–62 | – | ||
| King's mousetail | IVKI | Ivesia kingii | 22–62 | – | ||
| alkali mallow | MALE3 | Malvella leprosa | 22–62 | – | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 28–56 | – | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 28–56 | – | ||
| herb sophia | DESO2 | Descurainia sophia | 28–56 | – | ||
Table 22. Community 2.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 448–673 | ||||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 392–448 | – | ||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 112–168 | – | ||
| basin wildrye | LECI4 | Leymus cinereus | 45–112 | – | ||
| Douglas' sedge | CADO2 | Carex douglasii | 0–34 | – | ||
| 3 | Secondary Grasses | 448–560 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 336–448 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–22 | – | ||
| foxtail barley | HOJU | Hordeum jubatum | 0–22 | – | ||
| beardless wildrye | LETR5 | Leymus triticoides | 0–22 | – | ||
| mat muhly | MURI | Muhlenbergia richardsonis | 0–22 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 0–22 | – | ||
| Nuttall's alkaligrass | PUNU2 | Puccinellia nuttalliana | 0–22 | – | ||
| alkali cordgrass | SPGR | Spartina gracilis | 0–22 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 2 | Priamary Shrubs | 179–336 | ||||
| greasewood | SAVE4 | Sarcobatus vermiculatus | 179–336 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 448–560 | ||||
| basin big sagebrush | ARTRT | Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata | 168–336 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTRT | Rhus trilobata var. trilobata | 22–62 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 22–62 | – | ||
| Gardner's saltbush | ATGA | Atriplex gardneri | 22–62 | – | ||
| basin saltbush | ATTR3 | Atriplex tridentata | 22–62 | – | ||
| whiteflower rabbitbrush | CHAL9 | Chrysothamnus albidus | 22–62 | – | ||
| iodinebush | ALOC2 | Allenrolfea occidentalis | 22–62 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 4 | Forbs | 224–448 | ||||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 168–224 | – | ||
| desert madwort | ALDE | Alyssum desertorum | 56–112 | – | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 56–84 | – | ||
| fivehorn smotherweed | BAHY | Bassia hyssopifolia | 56–84 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | 22–62 | – | ||
| field bindweed | COAR4 | Convolvulus arvensis | 22–62 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 22–62 | – | ||
| herb sophia | DESO2 | Descurainia sophia | 22–62 | – | ||
| Drummond's goldenbush | ISDR | Isocoma drummondii | 22–62 | – | ||
| povertyweed | IVAX | Iva axillaris | 22–62 | – | ||
| King's mousetail | IVKI | Ivesia kingii | 22–62 | – | ||
| prickly lettuce | LASE | Lactuca serriola | 22–62 | – | ||
| alkali mallow | MALE3 | Malvella leprosa | 22–62 | – | ||
| field pennycress | THAR5 | Thlaspi arvense | 22–62 | – | ||
| hollyleaf clover | TRGY | Trifolium gymnocarpon | 22–62 | – | ||
| annual ragweed | AMAR2 | Ambrosia artemisiifolia | 22–62 | – | ||
| silverscale saltbush | ATAR2 | Atriplex argentea | 22–62 | – | ||
Table 23. Community 3.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Dominant Grasses | 673–1345 | ||||
| tall wheatgrass | THPO7 | Thinopyrum ponticum | 0–1345 | – | ||
| crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | 0–1121 | – | ||
| Russian wildrye | PSJU3 | Psathyrostachys juncea | 0–897 | – | ||
| 2 | Sib-dominant Grasses | 224–336 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 56–84 | – | ||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 56–84 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 3 | Forbs | 112–336 | ||||
| desert madwort | ALDE | Alyssum desertorum | 28–56 | – | ||
| annual ragweed | AMAR2 | Ambrosia artemisiifolia | 28–56 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | 28–56 | – | ||
| field bindweed | COAR4 | Convolvulus arvensis | 28–56 | – | ||
| herb sophia | DESO2 | Descurainia sophia | 28–56 | – | ||
| prickly lettuce | LASE | Lactuca serriola | 28–56 | – | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 28–56 | – | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 28–56 | – | ||
| field pennycress | THAR5 | Thlaspi arvense | 28–56 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 4 | Shrubs | 56–168 | ||||
| basin big sagebrush | ARTRT | Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata | 0–112 | – | ||
| greasewood | SAVE4 | Sarcobatus vermiculatus | 28–112 | – | ||
Table 24. Community 3.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Dominant Grasses | 112–448 | ||||
| crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | 0–168 | – | ||
| tall wheatgrass | THPO7 | Thinopyrum ponticum | 0–168 | – | ||
| Russian wildrye | PSJU3 | Psathyrostachys juncea | 0–112 | – | ||
| 2 | Sub-Dominant Grasses | 560–785 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 336–448 | – | ||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 56–140 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 3 | Forbs | 224–560 | ||||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 112–168 | – | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 56–84 | – | ||
| field pennycress | THAR5 | Thlaspi arvense | 56–84 | – | ||
| desert madwort | ALDE | Alyssum desertorum | 56–84 | – | ||
| annual ragweed | AMAR2 | Ambrosia artemisiifolia | 56–84 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | 56–84 | – | ||
| field bindweed | COAR4 | Convolvulus arvensis | 56–84 | – | ||
| herb sophia | DESO2 | Descurainia sophia | 56–84 | – | ||
| prickly lettuce | LASE | Lactuca serriola | 56–84 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 4 | Shrubs | 56–168 | ||||
| basin big sagebrush | ARTRT | Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata | 0–112 | – | ||
| greasewood | SAVE4 | Sarcobatus vermiculatus | 28–112 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
--Threatened and Endangered Species--
This section will be populated as more information becomes available.
--Wildlife Interpretation--
This ecological site, in its reference state, produced large amounts of nutritious forage that was utilized by native herbivores including deer and antelope who lived here along their associated predators. Although much of this site is presently different from the reference state, it is still very important as wildlife habitat. Other wildlife commonly observed using this site include rabbit, coyote, badger, fox, and various waterfowl species.
In many locations, this ecological site and its associated wetland ecological sites provide critical habitat for migrating birds from both the Pacific and Central Flyways of North America. These areas contain abundant food for birds.
--Grazing Interpretations--
This site provides good spring, fall, and winter grazing conditions for domestic livestock due to its accessibility and its supply of nutritious forage. The plant community is primarily grasses, with the majority of canopy cover being attributed to alkali sacaton, alkali bluegrass, and basin wildrye. Improper livestock grazing can cause these species to decrease while annual forbs, black greasewood and rabbitbrush increase.
Healthy alkali sacaton produces an abundant supply of exceptionally long-lived seed, which enables this species to extend its stand rather vigorously on favorable areas.
When this site is stressed, cheatgrass, Russian thistle and halogeton are likely to invade.
Hydrological functions
The soils associated with this ecological site are generally in Hydrologic Soil Group B. On these sites runoff potential is low to monerate and infiltration rates are moderate, depending on slope and ground cover/health (NRCS National Engineering Handbook). Hydrological groups are used in equations that estimate runoff from rainfall. These estimates are needed for solving hydrologic problems that arise in planning watershed-protection and flood-prevention projects and for designing structures for the use, control and disposal of water. In areas similar to the reference state where ground cover is adequate infiltration is increased and runoff potential is decreased. In areas where ground cover is less than 50%, infiltration is reduced and runoff potential is increased. Heavy use by domestic livestock affects hydrology in two ways. Trampling increases bulk density and breaks down soil aggregates. This results in decreased infiltration rates and increased runoff. Heavy grazing can also alter the hydrology by decreasing plant cover and increasing bare ground. Fire can also affect hydrology, but it affect is variable. Fire intensity, fuel type, soil, climate, and topography can each have different influences. Fires can increase areas of bare ground and hydrophobic layers that reduce infiltration and increase runoff.
Different plant communities affect hydrology in different ways. Weedy communities such as states 3 and 4 alter the hydrology by changing the surface soil texture. Soil surfaces will typically become siltier which reduces infiltration and increases runoff potential. (National Range and Pasture Handbook, 2003)
Recreational uses
Recreation activities include aesthetic value and good opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and off-road vehicle use. Due to the high erosion potential after a surface disturbance, care should be taken when planning recreational activities. Camp sites are usually limited due to lack of sheltering trees or rock outcrop.
Wood products
None
Other information
--Poisonous/Toxic Plant Species--
The toxic plant associated with this site include broom snakeweed and Russian thistle.
Broom snakeweed contains steroids, terpenoids, saponins, and flavones that can cause abortions or reproductive failure in sheep and cattle, however cattle are most susceptible. These toxins are most abundant during active growth and leafing stage. Cattle and sheep will typically only graze broom snakeweed when other forage is unavailable and generally in winter when toxicity levels are at their lowest (Knight and Walter, 2001).
Russian thistle can cause nitrate and to a lesser extent oxalate poisoning, which affects all classes of livestock. The buildup of nitrates in these plants is highly dependent upon environmental factors, such as after a rain storm during a drought, cool/cloudy days, and soils high in nitrogen and low in sulfur and phosphorus, all which cause increased nitrate accumulation. Nitrate collects in the stems and can persist throughout the growing season. Clinical signs of nitrate poisoning include drowsiness, weakness, muscular tremors, increased heart and respiratory rates, staggering gait, and death. Conversely, oxalate poisoning causes kidney failure; clinical signs include muscle tremors, tetany, weakness, and depression. Poisoning generally occurs when livestock consume and are not accustomed to grazing oxalate-containing plants. Animals with prior exposure to oxalates have increased numbers of oxalate-degrading rumen microflora and thus are able to degrade the toxin before clinical poisoning can occur. (Knight and Walter, 2001)
--Invasive Plant Communities--
Generally, as ecological conditions deteriorate and perennial vegetation decreases due to disturbance (fire, over grazing, drought, off road vehicle overuse, erosion, etc.) annual forbs and grasses will invade the site. Of particular concern in semi-arid environments are cheatgrass, Russian thistle, kochia, halogeton, and annual mustards. The presence of these species depends on soil properties and moisture availability; however, these invaders are highly adaptive and can flourish in many locations. Once established, complete removal is difficult but suppression may possible.
Cheatgrass and Russian thistle are common invaders to this site, especially in lower areas that concentrate nutrients and moisture. In some cases cheatgrass has been able to establish into an intact perennial grass and shrub community, but disturbed communities are more susceptible to invasion and domination. If growing conditions are conducive to invaders and the disturbance is not removed, these plants can create dense monocultures that can alter the nutrient cycling, erosion rates, and the fire regime of the area.
Fire Ecology
The ability for an ecological site to carry fire depends primarily on the present fuel load and plant moisture content. Fire was a typical disturbance in the historic climax plant community for this ecological site. The natural fire return interval is 30-100 years, where fires typically occur in the fall. When the site is degraded by the presence of invasive plants, the fire return interval may be shortened due to increased flashy fuels. The shortened fire return interval in the presence of invasive annual species is often sufficient to suppress the native plant community.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
This site update was completed as part of the NRCS East Shore Soil Survey Update.
Other references
US Fish and Wildlife Service; Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge; BearRiver@fws.gov
Knight, A.P. and R.G. Walter. 2001. A guide to plant poisoning of animals in North America. Teton NewMedia. Jackson, WY.
National Engineering Handbook. US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Available: http://www.info.usda.gov/CED/Default.cfm#National%20Engineering%20Handbook. Accessed February 25, 2008.
NRCS Grazing Lands Technology Institute. 2003. National Range and Pasture Handbook. Fort Worth, TX, USA: US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 190-VI-NRPH.
NPS.gov. 2008. Canyonlands National Park. Nature and Science. Available: http://www.nps.gov/cany/naturescience/. Accessed on January 4, 2008.
Utah Climate Summaries. 2009. Available: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/summary/climsmut.html. Accessed on February 25, 2008.
Plant.USDA.gov, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Plants Database, accessed at various times.
United States Department of Agriculture Handbook 296, Land resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin, Issued 2006.
Contributors
David J. Somerville
DJS
V. Keith Wadman, Brock Benson
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) |
Jack Alexander, Range Specialist, Synergy Resource Solutions, Inc. Julia Kluck, Soil Scientist, Synergy Resource Solutions, Inc. Shane Green, State Range Specialist, Utah NRCS |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | Shane.green@ut.usda.gov |
| Date | 02/20/2007 |
| Approved by | Shane A. Green |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
No rills present. Very minor rill development may occur in sparsely vegetated areas. If rills are present, they should be widely spaced and not connected. Rill development may increase following large storm events, but should begin to heal during the following growing season. Frost heaving will accelerate recovery. Rill development may increase when run inflow enters site from adjacent sites that produce large amounts of runoff (i.e. steeper sites, slickrock, rock outcrop). Site is essentially level and rills do not form. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Essentially none. Site is essentially level, water flow patterns are not expected to form. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None. Some plants may appear to have a pedestal but rather than be formed by erosion, the only place litter accumulates and soil collects is at plant bases forming the appearance of a pedestal. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
10-20% bare ground* (soil with no protection from raindrop impact). Herbaceous communities are most likely to have lower values. As species composition by shrubs increases, bare ground is likely to increase. Poorly developed biological soil crust that is susceptible to raindrop splash erosion should be recorded as bare ground. Very few if any bare spaces of greater than 1 square foot.
*From existing ESD -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
No gullies present. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
No evidence of active wind-generated soil movement. Wind scoured (blowouts) and depositional areas are very rarely present. If present they have muted features and are mostly stabilized with vegetation and/or biological crust. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Most litter resides in place with some redistribution caused by water and wind movement. Very minor litter removal may occur in flow patterns and rills with deposition occurring at points of obstruction. The majority of litter accumulates at the base of plants. Some leaves, stems, and small twigs may accumulate in soil depressions adjacent to plants. Woody stems are not likely to move. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface is generally not stable due to soil structure and chemistry (average soil stability rating of 3). -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
This description is based on the modal soil (Bramwell SiL, soil survey area: 611, Tooele). This site has 22 correlated soils, resulting in variation of each of these attributes. Unless working on a location with the modal soil, it is critical to supplement this description with the soil-specific information from the published soil survey.
Soil surface horizon is typically 10 inches deep. Structure is typically moderate thin platy structure. Color is typically light gray (10YR 6/1), dark gray (10YR 4/1) moist. An ochric horizon extends to a depth of 10 inches. An ochric horizon typically extends to a depth of 2 to 10 inches. The ochric horizon is a surface horizon lacking fine stratification and which is either light colored, or thin, or has an low organic carbon content, or is massive and (very) hard when dry. The A horizon would be expected to be more strongly developed under plant canopies. It is important if you are sampling to observe the A horizon under plant canopies as well as the interspaces. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Vascular plants and any well-developed biological soil crusts (where present) will break raindrop impact and splash erosion. Spatial distribution of vascular plants and interspaces between well-developed biological soil crusts (where present) provide detention storage and surface roughness that slows runoff allowing time for infiltration. With the physiographic location of the site being in stream terraces, alluvial flats, drainage ways, and flood plains this site is one of the terminal accumulation sites for runoff water. As such, infiltration is naturally facilitated. Natural erosion would be expected in severe thunder storms or heavy spring runoff. When perennial grasses decrease, reducing ground cover and increasing bare ground, runoff is expected to increase and any associated infiltration reduced. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None. Naturally occurring soil horizons may be harder than the surface because of an accumulation calcium carbonate and should not be considered as compaction layers. -
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 bunchgrasses, tall cool season (alkali sacaton, basin wildrye) > Rhizomotous grasses (saltgrass)Sub-dominant:
Perrenial bunchgrasses, short cool season (Sandberg bluegrass) > resprouting shrubs (greasewood)Other:
The perennial grass/sprouting shrub (greasewood) functioning group is expected on this site.Additional:
Any of the communities listed in the reference state may occur. Refer to community descriptions in ESD.
Functional/structural groups may appropriately contain non-native species if their ecological function is the same as the native species in the reference state (e.g. crested wheatgrass and Russian wildrye may substitute for mid stature cool season perennial native bunchgrasses.). Biological soil crust is variable in its expression on this site and is measured as a component of ground cover. Forbs can be expected to vary widely in their expression in the plant community based upon departures from average growing conditions. -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
During years with average to above average precipitation, there should be very little recent mortality or decadence apparent in either the shrubs or grasses. Some mortality of bunchgrass and other shrubs may occur during very severe (long-term) droughts. There may be partial mortality of individual bunchgrasses and shrubs during less severe drought. Long-lived species dominate site. Open spaces from disturbance are quickly filled by new plants through seedlings and asexual reproduction (tillering). -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter cover includes litter under plants. Most litter will be fine litter. Depth should be 1-2 leaf thickness in the interspaces and up to 1/2” under canopies. Litter cover may increase to 35-45% following years with favorable growing conditions. Excess litter may accumulate in absence of disturbance. Vegetative production may be reduced if litter cover exceeds 40%.
*From ESD data -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
1750 #/acre on an average year. Even the most stable communities exhibit a range of production values. Production will vary between communities and across the MRLA. Refer to the community descriptions in the ESD. Production will differ across the MLRA due to the naturally occurring variability in weather, soils, and aspect. The biological processes on this site are complex; therefore, representative values are presented in a land management context. -
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:
Cheatgrass, Halogeton -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Reproduction restricted by effective precipitation, rock cover, soil depth, and generally harsh growing conditions; all to be expected for site. Site provides harsh environment for seedling establishment.
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