Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R028AY338UT
Upland Stony Loam (Pinyon-Utah Juniper)
Accessed: 11/21/2024
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 Ecological 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
| R028AY310UT |
Upland Loam (Bonneville Big Sagebrush) North |
|---|---|
| R028AY324UT |
Upland Shallow Loam (Utah Juniper - Singleleaf Pinyon) |
| R028AY325UT |
Upland Shallow Loam (Black Sagebrush) |
| R028AY334UT |
Upland Stony Loam (Wyoming Big Sagebrush) |
Similar sites
| R028AY324UT |
Upland Shallow Loam (Utah Juniper - Singleleaf Pinyon) |
|---|---|
| R028AY320UT |
Upland Shallow Hardpan (Pinyon-Utah Juniper) |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Pinus monophylla |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Artemisia tridentata var. vaseyana |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pseudoroegneria spicata |
Physiographic features
This site occurs on fan remnants, hills, mountain slopes, terraces and the toeslopes of drainageways at elevations between 4,350 to 8,770 feet. The site is found on slopes ranging from 2% to 70%, occurs on all aspects and produces low to very high amounts of runoff depending on soil.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Mountain slope
(2) Fan remnant (3) Hill |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 4,350 – 8,770 ft |
| Slope | 2 – 70% |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
The climate of this site is characterized by cold, snowy winters and warm dry summers. The average annual precipitation is mostly 9 to 13 (16 at highest elevations) inches. June and July are commonly the driest months. Annual distribution varies from 40 to 50 percent during plant growth period, May to October. Precipitation during the growing season is not always effective because it comes as small intermittent showers which do not wet the soil deeply, especially in the hottest months of July and August. The most effective moisture for plant growth is the portion that falls as snow during the plant dormant period and enters the soil during the growing season.
Ranges in values for precipitation reported here incorporate variability across the geographic extent of this ecological site and variability between years using 25 and 75 percent quartiles.
Mean Annual Air Temperature: 38-52 degrees.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 135 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 163 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 16 in |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
There are no influencing water features on this ecological site.
Soil features
The characteristic soils in this site are 12 to 40 inches deep over bedrock and well drained. They formed in alluvium, colluvium and residuum derived from a mixture of parent materials including sandstone, limestone, quartzite, igneous rock, metamorphic rock, shale and chert. The soil surface has textures ranging from clay loams to sandy loams. Rock fragments may cover up to 60 percent of the soil surface. The volume of rock fragments in the soil profile ranges from 35 to about 60 percent. Soils have slow to moderately rapidly permeable. A layer of carbonate accumulation is usually within 30 inches of the surface. Available water holding capacity is 1.4 to 4.7 inches. The soil moisture regime is xeric and the soil moisture regime is frigid or mesic.
Natural geologic erosion in potential is approximately 0.2 tons/acre/year.
Soil Survey Area: Soil Components (Map units in parentheses).
Box Elder County - Western Part (UT601): Clavicon; Fonteen; Phage.
Box Elder County - Eastern Part (UT602): Promo; Rozlee; Sandall.
Millard County-Eastern Part (UT618): Bodacious.
Sanpete Valley Area (UT627): Bodacious; Fonteen.
Iron-Washington Area (UT634): Abela; Bamos; Bodacious; Fonteen; Moondog; Rob Roy; Waltershow.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Alluvium
–
limestone, sandstone, and shale
(2) Colluvium – quartzite (3) Residuum – chert |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Gravelly loam (2) Very gravelly sandy loam (3) Cobbly silt loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Slow to moderately rapid |
| Soil depth | 12 – 40 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 1 – 45% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 3 – 41% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
3 – 5 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
40% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
5 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
6.6 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
5 – 32% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
7 – 56% |
Ecological dynamics
This site is found in the Great Salt Lake Area of the Basin and Range Ecological Provence. It developed under the natural ecological conditions found there, including the normal influences of native wildlife herbivory, fire and climate. Species composition is generally dominated by an overstory canopy of either two-needle or singleleaf pinyon with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush dominates the shrub layer. A mix of other shrubs including antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush and Utah serviceberry are commonly found. Perennial herbaceous species occurrence and production is directly related to overstory canopy density with bluebunch wheatgrass, Nevada bluegrass and Indian ricegrass found most often. Warm season species including James galleta and blue grama become more prominent on the site as one travels from north to south throughout its range.
Evidence indicates that this site historically maintained a fairly long burn cycle (100 years or more). Very old singleleaf or two-needle pinyon and Utah juniper are common on most undisturbed sites. Over time, without fire, tree and shrub canopies increase in density, slowly reducing understory herbaceous vegetation. Following stand removing fire, perennial grasses and forbs flourish for a time, but without fire are again reduced.
Severe drought and insect damage can affect pinyon trees in some locations, causing them to die back. This event may allow Utah juniper to increase. This event can also allow for an increase in shrubs and herbaceous species during periods when wetter years return.
Because of the sites stony, somewhat shallow soils and steep slopes, it is rarely chained and/or seeded to introduced forage species. Cheatgrass and annual forbs are most likely to invade this site.
As vegetative communities respond to changes caused by natural or manmade events that cause them to cross ecological thresholds, a return to previous states may not be possible. The amount of effort needed to affect desired vegetative shifts depends on a sites present biotic and abiotic features and the desired results.
The following State and Transition diagram depicts the most common plant communities found on this ecological site. It does not necessarily depict all the plant communities that can occur, but does show the most prevalent and repeatable. As more data are collected, some of these plant communities may be revised or removed, and new ones added. These descriptions capture the current knowledge and experience at the time of this revision.
State and transition model
Figure 4. R028AY338UT
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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State
This state describes the various biotic communities that are expected to be found on this ecological site under natural conditions. This reference state has an overstory canopy of singleleaf and/or two-needle pinyon, with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. The shrub layer is typically dominated by mountain big sagebrush. A mixture of other shrubs including black sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush and Utah serviceberry are commonly found. Bluebunch wheatgrass is the dominant herbaceous species with Nevada bluegrass and Indian ricegrass commonly occurring. Other native grasses, forbs, and shrubs will often produce a significant portion of vegetative composition in the plant community. This site occurs on 2% to 70% slopes on all aspects. It is typically found on fan remnants, hills, mountain slopes, terraces and the toeslopes of drainageways. Its soils are shallow to moderately deep, well drained and gravelly or cobbly loams in texture. The reference state is self-sustaining and resistant to change due to a good natural resilience to its natural disturbances. The primary natural disturbance mechanisms are wildlife population densities which can affect the shrub layer composition, weather fluctuations, and fire period. Definitions: Reference State: Natural plant communities as influenced by tree and shrub canopy densities, long term weather fluctuations, and periodic fire. Indicators: These communities are dominated by pinyon/juniper, mountain big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass. The density of the tree and shrub canopies determines the amount and composition of the other native species present in the community. Feedbacks: Natural fluctuations in weather patterns that allow for a self-sustaining tree, shrub and native grass community. Prolonged drought, an increase in fire frequency, or other disturbances may allow for the establishment of invasive species. At-risk Community Phase: All communities are at risk when native plants are stressed and conditions are created that may allow invasive plants to establish. Trigger: The establishment of invasive plant species.
Community 1.1
Open Canopy - Pinyon/Juniper/Mountain Big Sage/Bluebunch Wheatgrass Community Phase.
Figure 5. Community Phase 1.1
This community phase is characterized by an open overstory canopy of either singleleaf or two-needle pinyon along with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush is the dominant shrub. Antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush and Utah serviceberry are common understory shrubs. Commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include bluebunch wheatgrass, Nevada bluegrass, Geyer sedge and Indian ricegrass. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs are also often present. This community phase is fairly early in its natural fire cycle and, over time, the canopy of trees and shrubs will slowly close, reducing the sites herbaceous vegetation as described in community phase 1.2. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 55 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs, and 25 percent shrubs and 15% trees. Bare ground is variable (2-50%) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1-25%) and surface rock fragments (2-70%). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces. The following tables provide an example the typical vegetative floristics of a community phase 1.1 plant community.
Figure 6. 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 140 | 275 | 400 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 130 | 250 | 360 |
| Tree | 50 | 75 | 110 |
| Forb | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| Total | 350 | 650 | 950 |
Table 6. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 15-30% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 10-25% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-3% |
| 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 (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | – | – |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 20-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 25-35% | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381, 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 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Community 1.2
Closed Canopy - Pinyon/Juniper/Mountain Big Sage/Bluebunch Wheatgrass Community Phase.
Figure 8. Community Phase 1.2
This community phase is characterized by a closed overstory canopy of either singleleaf or two-needle pinyon along with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush is the dominant shrub. Antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush and Utah serviceberry are common understory shrubs. Commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include bluebunch wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, Nevada bluegrass, Geyer sedge and Indian ricegrass. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs are also often present. This community phase typically occurs late in the sites natural fire cycle. Over time, the canopy of trees and shrubs will continue to slowly close, further reducing the sites herbaceous vegetation as described in community phase 1.1. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 20 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs, and 40 percent shrubs and 35% trees. Bare ground is variable (2-50%) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1-25%) and surface rock fragments (2-70%). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces. The following tables provide an example the typical vegetative floristics of a community phase 1.2 plant community.
Figure 9. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 140 | 275 | 400 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 130 | 250 | 360 |
| Tree | 50 | 75 | 110 |
| Forb | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| Total | 350 | 650 | 950 |
Table 9. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 15-30% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 10-25% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-3% |
| 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 10. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | – | – |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 20-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 25-35% | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381, 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 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
This community pathway occurs when long-term drought and/or extended periods without fire allows canopies of Utah juniper and two-needle or singleleaf pinyon to significantly increase. This closing canopy event causes understory vegetation to be reduced and eventually nearly eliminated from the site. Drought alone can also reduce native perennial grass production and eventually eliminate some species from the system. Improper livestock grazing during these periods can facilitate this process.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
This community pathway occurs when weather patterns return to within normal ranges and some level of fire reduces Utah juniper and two-needle or singleleaf pinyon, significantly opening the sites canopy. Insect damage on singleleaf pinyon can also cause its canopy to be reduced on this site. This more open canopy allows understory vegetation to recover and increase in production, and under some circumstances, flourish on the site. Proper livestock grazing during these periods can facilitate this process.
State 2
Current Potential State.
The Current Potential State is similar to the Reference Sate except that non-native species are now present. This state describes the plant communities that may or have become established on this ecological site under various successional sequences and disturbance conditions. This state typically has a well developed overstory canopy composed of either two-needle or singleleaf pinyon with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush often dominates the shrub layer. Black sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush and Utah serviceberry are common shrub species. Bluebunch wheatgrass is the dominant herbaceous species with Indian ricegrass, Nevada bluegrass and other perennial grasses and forbs also commonly found in abundance. Cheatgrass, alyssum, various mustard species and other non-native species are present on the site and, under certain circumstances, may visually dominate the sites aspect. The primary disturbance mechanisms are the tree and shrub layer densities; the amount and kinds of invasive species present; weather fluctuations; and fire. The current potential state is still self-sustaining but may be losing its resistance to change due to the impact of disturbances with less resilience following those disturbances. Definitions: Current Potential State: Plant communities influenced by tree and shrub canopy density, long term weather fluctuations, and periodic fire. Invasive species are present in various amounts. Indicators: A community dominated by pinyon/ juniper, mountain big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass. The density of the tree and shrub canopies determines the amount and composition of the other native and introduced grasses and forbs that may be present. Feedbacks: Natural fluctuations in weather patterns that allow for a self sustaining shrub and native grass community. Prolonged drought, more frequent fires, and/or other disturbances that may allow for the increase of invasive species. At-risk Community Phase: All communities are at risk when native plants are stressed and nutrients become available for invasive plants to increase. Trigger: A reduction of perennial grass and forb species combined with an increase of invasive plant species.
Community 2.1
Open Canopy - Pinyon/Juniper/Mountain Big Sage/Bluebunch Wheatgrass Invasive Weed Community Phase.
Figure 11. Community Phase 2.1
This community phase is characterized by an open overstory canopy of either singleleaf or two-needle pinyon along with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush is the dominant shrub. Antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush and Utah serviceberry are common understory shrubs. Commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include bluebunch wheatgrass, Nevada bluegrass, Geyer sedge and Indian ricegrass. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs are also often present. Non-native species including cheatgrass, Russian thistle and various annual mustard species are now present in the all plant communities and are expected to remain a permanent part of these communities. This community phase is fairly early in its natural fire cycle and, over time, the canopy of trees and shrubs will slowly close, reducing the sites herbaceous vegetation as described in community phase 2.2. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 40 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs, and 30 percent shrubs and 20% trees. Bare ground is variable (2-50%) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1-25%) and surface rock fragments (2-70%). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces. The following tables provide an example the typical vegetative floristics of a community phase 1.1 plant community.
Figure 12. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 11. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 140 | 275 | 400 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 130 | 250 | 360 |
| Tree | 50 | 75 | 110 |
| Forb | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| Total | 350 | 650 | 950 |
Table 12. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 15-30% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 10-25% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-3% |
| 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 13. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | – | – |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 20-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 25-35% | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381, 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 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Community 2.2
Closed Canopy - Pinyon/Juniper/Mountain Big Sage/Community Phase.
Figure 14. Community Phase 2.2
This community phase is characterized by a closed overstory canopy of either singleleaf or two-needle pinyon along with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush is the dominant shrub. Antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush and Utah serviceberry are common understory shrubs. Herbaceous species including bluebunch wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, Nevada bluegrass, and Indian ricegrass are typically much reduced. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs may or may not be present. Non-native species including cheatgrass, Russian thistle and various annual mustard species are now present in the all plant communities and are expected to remain a permanent part of these communities. This community phase typically occurs late in the sites natural fire cycle. Over time, the canopy of trees and shrubs will continue to slowly close, further reducing the sites herbaceous vegetation. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 25 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs, and 30 percent shrubs and 45% trees. Bare ground is variable (2-50%) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1-25%) and surface rock fragments (2-70%). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces. The following tables provide an example the typical vegetative floristics of a community phase 2.2 plant community.
Figure 15. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 14. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 140 | 275 | 400 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 130 | 250 | 360 |
| Tree | 50 | 75 | 110 |
| Forb | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| Total | 350 | 650 | 950 |
Table 15. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 15-30% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 10-25% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-3% |
| 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 16. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | – | – |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 20-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 25-35% | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381, 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 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2
This community pathway occurs when long-term drought and/or extended periods without fire allows canopies of Utah juniper and two-needle or singleleaf pinyon to significantly increase. This closing canopy event causes understory vegetation to be reduced and eventually nearly eliminated from the site. Drought alone can also reduce native perennial grass production and eventually eliminate some species from the system. Improper livestock grazing during these periods can facilitate this process.
Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1
This community pathway occurs when weather patterns return to within normal ranges and some level of fire reduces Utah juniper and two-needle or singleleaf pinyon, significantly opening the sites canopy. Insect damage on singleleaf pinyon can also cause its canopy to be reduced on this site. This more open canopy allows understory vegetation to recover and increase in production, and under some circumstances, flourish on the site. Proper livestock grazing during these periods can facilitate this process.
State 3
Disturbance State
This state describes the plant communities that may or have become established on this ecological site under various successional sequences and disturbance conditions. Two distinct community phases have been observed to date. The first describes the effects of recent crown fire, and the other describes communities where dense canopies of pinyon and juniper have been removed either by chaining, pushing or chainsaw cutting. Non-native species are normally present in all community phases. This states vegetative communities are quite variable depending the disturbance mechanism and pre-disturbance conditions. Fire will normally also remove mountain big sage and other fire sensitive species while mechanical removal usually leaves these species. Bluebunch wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, Nevada bluegrass and other native perennial grass species are often abundant following fire but may also be reduced or missing following either disturbance. Western wheatgrass is usually still present on the site and along with invasive weedy species, including cheatgrass, alyssum, various mustard species and other non-native species, may visually dominate the sites herbaceous layer. The primary disturbance mechanisms include recent crown fire or the mechanical removal of the overstory of pinyon/juniper; a shrub layer comprised of various amounts of mountain big sagebrush; significant amounts of invasive herbaceous species present; weather fluctuations, and pre-disturbance conditions. This state may be losing its resistance to change due to the impact of these disturbances and may have less resilience following those disturbances. Definitions: Disturbance State: Plant communities impacted by the removal of overstory of pinyon/juniper; a shrub canopy that may or may not contain mountain big sagebrush; long term weather fluctuations; and periodic fire. Indicators: The density of the remaining tree and shrub canopies following disturbance determines the amount and composition of the other native and introduced grasses and forbs that may be present. Feedbacks: Natural fluctuations in weather patterns following the removal of pinyon/juniper that may impact the remaining native shrub and grass communities. Prolonged drought, improper livestock grazing and/or other disturbances that allow for the increase of invasive species. At-risk Community Phase: All communities are at risk when native plants are stressed and nutrients become available for invasive plants to increase. Trigger: A reduction of perennial grass and forb species combined with an increase of invasive plant species.
Community 3.1
Recent Crown Fire Community Phase.
Figure 17. Community Phase 3.1
This community phase is at the beginning of the sites natural fire cycle. It is created after a fire has recently (typically 1 to 5 years) removed most of the singleleaf or two-needle pinyon and Utah juniper from the site. Mountain big sage, black sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush have also been reduced but those species that are sprouters may be recovering. Commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include cheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, Nevada bluegrass and Indian ricegrass. Non-native species are present in the all plant communities and are expected to remain a permanent part and potentially dominate these communities. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 65 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs, and 20 percent shrubs and 5% trees. Bare ground is variable (2-50%) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1-25%) and surface rock fragments (10-70%). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces. The following tables provide an example the typical vegetative floristics of a community phase 3.1 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 (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 140 | 275 | 400 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 130 | 250 | 360 |
| Tree | 50 | 75 | 110 |
| Forb | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| Total | 350 | 650 | 950 |
Table 18. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 15-30% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 10-25% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-3% |
| 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 19. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | – | – |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 20-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 25-35% | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 19. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381, 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 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Community 3.2
Recent Chaining/Pushing Community Phase.
Figure 20. Community Phase 3.2
The site has been chain-sawed, mechanically chained or pushed to remove the overstory singleleaf or two-needle pinyon and Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush and other shrubs may or may not be present. Native perennial grasses are typically much reduced or missing from the herbaceous layer. The site is occasionally seeded to smooth brome or intermediate wheatgrass. Various amounts of native grasses and forbs may still be present but often at reduced levels. Non-native species are present on the site and will be present in the seeded community. Some pinyon and juniper seedlings are also typically present in the community. The sites vegetative composition by air-dry weight is approximately 65 percent grasses and introduced weedy species, 10 percent forbs, 20 percent shrubs and 5% trees. The following tables provide an example of the typical vegetative floristics of a community phase 3.2 plant community.
Figure 21. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 20. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 140 | 275 | 400 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 130 | 250 | 360 |
| Tree | 50 | 75 | 110 |
| Forb | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| Total | 350 | 650 | 950 |
Table 21. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 5-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 15-30% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 10-25% |
| Forb foliar cover | 2-3% |
| 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 22. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | – | – |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 20-30% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 25-35% | – | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | – | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 22. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381, 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 | 0 | 10 | 30 | 45 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
This transitional pathway occurs when any combination of improper livestock grazing, prolonged drought or other disturbance causes the perennial herbaceous community to become significantly reduced allowing non-native species such as cheatgrass, alyssum, Russian thistle and other invasive weeds to become established. Broom snakeweed may also increase during this time. Once invasive species occupy the site, a threshold has been crossed. Cheatgrass, however, has been known to become established in healthy communities on this site.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
This transitional pathway occurs when a major fire or mechanical treatment removes nearly all the Utah juniper and any pinyon present from the site. A combination of improper livestock grazing, prolonged drought or other disturbance can slow the expected recovery of the perennial herbaceous community, allowing non-native species such as cheatgrass, alyssum, russian thistle and other invasive weeds to flourish. Broom snakeweed may also increase during this time. Fire tolerant shrubs will often recover quickly during these periods.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2
This restoration pathway occurs when the site is well managed and fire is excluded for long periods of time. The natural fire cycle will be expected to occur but not for many years. The site will normally have a mix of native and introduced species including perennial grasses and annual and perennial grasses. Mountain big sagebrush will normally increase until it again dominates the shrub layer. Pinyon and Utah juniper will also return to normal, pre-disturbance levels during this time.
Additional community tables
Table 23. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 200–350 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 125–175 | – | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 60–90 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 30–60 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 30–60 | – | ||
| 4 | Secondary Grasses | 60–90 | ||||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 20–30 | – | ||
| Geyer's sedge | CAGE2 | Carex geyeri | 20–30 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 10–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| saline wildrye | LESAS | Leymus salinus ssp. salinus | 10–20 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–20 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| Letterman's needlegrass | ACLE9 | Achnatherum lettermanii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Columbia needlegrass | ACNE9 | Achnatherum nelsonii | 10–20 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | 30–60 | |||||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 20–40 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 10–20 | – | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 10–20 | – | ||
| shaggy fleabane | ERPU2 | Erigeron pumilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 10–20 | – | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue flax | LIPE2 | Linum perenne | 10–20 | – | ||
| tailcup lupine | LUCA | Lupinus caudatus | 10–20 | – | ||
| hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| lobeleaf groundsel | PAMU11 | Packera multilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low beardtongue | PEHU | Penstemon humilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 10–20 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 10–20 | – | ||
| longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 10–20 | – | ||
| Pacific aster | SYCHC | Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 10–20 | – | ||
| salsify | TRPO | Tragopogon porrifolius | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| low pussytoes | ANDI2 | Antennaria dimorpha | 10–20 | – | ||
| Utah milkvetch | ASUT | Astragalus utahensis | 10–20 | – | ||
| Wyoming Indian paintbrush | CALI4 | Castilleja linariifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 10–20 | – | ||
| maiden blue eyed Mary | COPA3 | Collinsia parviflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bastard toadflax | COUM | Comandra umbellata | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Shrubs | 250–375 | ||||
| mountain big sagebrush | ARTRV | Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana | 150–200 | – | ||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 70–100 | – | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 30–60 | – | ||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 40–80 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 10–20 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 10–20 | – | ||
| mormon tea | EPVI | Ephedra viridis | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender buckwheat | ERMI4 | Eriogonum microthecum | 10–20 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–20 | – | ||
| creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 10–20 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Mexican cliffrose | PUME | Purshia mexicana | 10–20 | – | ||
| Gambel oak | QUGA | Quercus gambelii | 10–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| mountain snowberry | SYOR2 | Symphoricarpos oreophilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 6 | Trees | 120–160 | ||||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 80–100 | – | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 80–100 | – | ||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 20–40 | – | ||
Table 24. Community 1.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 100–200 | ||||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 30–60 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 30–60 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 30–60 | – | ||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 30–60 | – | ||
| 4 | Secondary Grasses | 60–90 | ||||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 20–30 | – | ||
| Geyer's sedge | CAGE2 | Carex geyeri | 20–30 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 10–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| saline wildrye | LESAS | Leymus salinus ssp. salinus | 10–20 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–20 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| Letterman's needlegrass | ACLE9 | Achnatherum lettermanii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Columbia needlegrass | ACNE9 | Achnatherum nelsonii | 10–20 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Secondary Forbs | 30–60 | ||||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 20–40 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 10–20 | – | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 10–20 | – | ||
| shaggy fleabane | ERPU2 | Erigeron pumilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 10–20 | – | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue flax | LIPE2 | Linum perenne | 10–20 | – | ||
| tailcup lupine | LUCA | Lupinus caudatus | 10–20 | – | ||
| hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| lobeleaf groundsel | PAMU11 | Packera multilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low beardtongue | PEHU | Penstemon humilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| elephant grass | PEPU2 | Pennisetum purpureum | 10–20 | – | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 10–20 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 10–20 | – | ||
| longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 10–20 | – | ||
| Pacific aster | SYCHC | Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 10–20 | – | ||
| salsify | TRPO | Tragopogon porrifolius | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| low pussytoes | ANDI2 | Antennaria dimorpha | 10–20 | – | ||
| Utah milkvetch | ASUT | Astragalus utahensis | 10–20 | – | ||
| Wyoming Indian paintbrush | CALI4 | Castilleja linariifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| naked mariposa lily | CANU2 | Calochortus nudus | 10–20 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 10–20 | – | ||
| maiden blue eyed Mary | COPA3 | Collinsia parviflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bastard toadflax | COUM | Comandra umbellata | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Shrubs | 350–450 | ||||
| mountain big sagebrush | ARTRV | Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana | 200–300 | – | ||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 70–100 | – | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 30–60 | – | ||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 40–80 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 10–20 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 10–20 | – | ||
| mormon tea | EPVI | Ephedra viridis | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender buckwheat | ERMI4 | Eriogonum microthecum | 10–20 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–20 | – | ||
| creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 10–20 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Mexican cliffrose | PUME | Purshia mexicana | 10–20 | – | ||
| Gambel oak | QUGA | Quercus gambelii | 10–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| mountain snowberry | SYOR2 | Symphoricarpos oreophilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 6 | Trees | 220–260 | ||||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 120–160 | – | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 120–160 | – | ||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 80–120 | – | ||
Table 25. Community 2.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 200–350 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 125–175 | – | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 60–90 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 30–60 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 30–60 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 30–60 | – | ||
| 4 | Secondary Grasses | 60–90 | ||||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 20–30 | – | ||
| Geyer's sedge | CAGE2 | Carex geyeri | 20–30 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 10–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| saline wildrye | LESAS | Leymus salinus ssp. salinus | 10–20 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–20 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bulbous bluegrass | POBU | Poa bulbosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| Letterman's needlegrass | ACLE9 | Achnatherum lettermanii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Columbia needlegrass | ACNE9 | Achnatherum nelsonii | 10–20 | – | ||
| crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | 10–20 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| red brome | BRRU2 | Bromus rubens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Secondary Forbs | 30–60 | ||||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 20–40 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 10–20 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 10–20 | – | ||
| herb sophia | DESO2 | Descurainia sophia | 10–20 | – | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 10–20 | – | ||
| shaggy fleabane | ERPU2 | Erigeron pumilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 10–20 | – | ||
| saltlover | HAGL | Halogeton glomeratus | 10–20 | – | ||
| common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 10–20 | – | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 10–20 | – | ||
| prickly lettuce | LASE | Lactuca serriola | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue flax | LIPE2 | Linum perenne | 10–20 | – | ||
| tailcup lupine | LUCA | Lupinus caudatus | 10–20 | – | ||
| hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| lobeleaf groundsel | PAMU11 | Packera multilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low beardtongue | PEHU | Penstemon humilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| elephant grass | PEPU2 | Pennisetum purpureum | 10–20 | – | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 10–20 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 10–20 | – | ||
| longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 10–20 | – | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 10–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 10–20 | – | ||
| Pacific aster | SYCHC | Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 10–20 | – | ||
| salsify | TRPO | Tragopogon porrifolius | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| desert madwort | ALDE | Alyssum desertorum | 10–20 | – | ||
| low pussytoes | ANDI2 | Antennaria dimorpha | 10–20 | – | ||
| Utah milkvetch | ASUT | Astragalus utahensis | 10–20 | – | ||
| Wyoming Indian paintbrush | CALI4 | Castilleja linariifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| naked mariposa lily | CANU2 | Calochortus nudus | 10–20 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 10–20 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | 10–20 | – | ||
| crossflower | CHTE2 | Chorispora tenella | 10–20 | – | ||
| maiden blue eyed Mary | COPA3 | Collinsia parviflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bastard toadflax | COUM | Comandra umbellata | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Shrubs | 250–375 | ||||
| mountain big sagebrush | ARTRV | Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana | 150–200 | – | ||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 70–100 | – | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 30–60 | – | ||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 40–80 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 10–20 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 10–20 | – | ||
| mormon tea | EPVI | Ephedra viridis | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender buckwheat | ERMI4 | Eriogonum microthecum | 10–20 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–20 | – | ||
| creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 10–20 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Mexican cliffrose | PUME | Purshia mexicana | 10–20 | – | ||
| Gambel oak | QUGA | Quercus gambelii | 10–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| mountain snowberry | SYOR2 | Symphoricarpos oreophilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 6 | Trees | 120–160 | ||||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 80–100 | – | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 80–100 | – | ||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 20–40 | – | ||
Table 26. Community 2.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 100–200 | ||||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 60–90 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 30–60 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 30–60 | – | ||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 30–60 | – | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 30–60 | – | ||
| 4 | Secondary Grasses | 60–90 | ||||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 20–30 | – | ||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 20–30 | – | ||
| bulbous bluegrass | POBU | Poa bulbosa | 20–30 | – | ||
| red brome | BRRU2 | Bromus rubens | 20–30 | – | ||
| Geyer's sedge | CAGE2 | Carex geyeri | 20–30 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 10–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| saline wildrye | LESAS | Leymus salinus ssp. salinus | 10–20 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–20 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| Letterman's needlegrass | ACLE9 | Achnatherum lettermanii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Columbia needlegrass | ACNE9 | Achnatherum nelsonii | 10–20 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Secondary Forbs | 30–60 | ||||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 20–40 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 20–30 | – | ||
| herb sophia | DESO2 | Descurainia sophia | 20–30 | – | ||
| desert madwort | ALDE | Alyssum desertorum | 20–30 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | 20–30 | – | ||
| crossflower | CHTE2 | Chorispora tenella | 20–30 | – | ||
| prickly lettuce | LASE | Lactuca serriola | 20–30 | – | ||
| saltlover | HAGL | Halogeton glomeratus | 20–30 | – | ||
| common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 20–30 | – | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 20–30 | – | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 20–30 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 10–20 | – | ||
| Pacific aster | SYCHC | Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 10–20 | – | ||
| salsify | TRPO | Tragopogon porrifolius | 10–20 | – | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue flax | LIPE2 | Linum perenne | 10–20 | – | ||
| tailcup lupine | LUCA | Lupinus caudatus | 10–20 | – | ||
| hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| lobeleaf groundsel | PAMU11 | Packera multilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low beardtongue | PEHU | Penstemon humilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| elephant grass | PEPU2 | Pennisetum purpureum | 10–20 | – | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 10–20 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 10–20 | – | ||
| longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| maiden blue eyed Mary | COPA3 | Collinsia parviflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bastard toadflax | COUM | Comandra umbellata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low pussytoes | ANDI2 | Antennaria dimorpha | 10–20 | – | ||
| Utah milkvetch | ASUT | Astragalus utahensis | 10–20 | – | ||
| Wyoming Indian paintbrush | CALI4 | Castilleja linariifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| naked mariposa lily | CANU2 | Calochortus nudus | 10–20 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 10–20 | – | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 10–20 | – | ||
| shaggy fleabane | ERPU2 | Erigeron pumilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 10–20 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Shrubs | 350–450 | ||||
| mountain big sagebrush | ARTRV | Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana | 200–300 | – | ||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 70–100 | – | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 30–60 | – | ||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 40–80 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 10–20 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 10–20 | – | ||
| mormon tea | EPVI | Ephedra viridis | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender buckwheat | ERMI4 | Eriogonum microthecum | 10–20 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–20 | – | ||
| creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 10–20 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Mexican cliffrose | PUME | Purshia mexicana | 10–20 | – | ||
| Gambel oak | QUGA | Quercus gambelii | 10–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| mountain snowberry | SYOR2 | Symphoricarpos oreophilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 6 | Trees | 220–260 | ||||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 120–160 | – | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 120–160 | – | ||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 80–120 | – | ||
Table 27. Community 3.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 200–350 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 125–175 | – | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 60–90 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 30–60 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 30–60 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 30–60 | – | ||
| 4 | Secondary Grasses | 60–90 | ||||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 20–30 | – | ||
| Geyer's sedge | CAGE2 | Carex geyeri | 20–30 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 10–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| saline wildrye | LESAS | Leymus salinus ssp. salinus | 10–20 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–20 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bulbous bluegrass | POBU | Poa bulbosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| Letterman's needlegrass | ACLE9 | Achnatherum lettermanii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Columbia needlegrass | ACNE9 | Achnatherum nelsonii | 10–20 | – | ||
| crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | 10–20 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| red brome | BRRU2 | Bromus rubens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Secondary Forbs | 30–60 | ||||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 20–40 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 10–20 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 10–20 | – | ||
| herb sophia | DESO2 | Descurainia sophia | 10–20 | – | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 10–20 | – | ||
| shaggy fleabane | ERPU2 | Erigeron pumilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 10–20 | – | ||
| saltlover | HAGL | Halogeton glomeratus | 10–20 | – | ||
| common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 10–20 | – | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 10–20 | – | ||
| prickly lettuce | LASE | Lactuca serriola | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue flax | LIPE2 | Linum perenne | 10–20 | – | ||
| tailcup lupine | LUCA | Lupinus caudatus | 10–20 | – | ||
| hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| lobeleaf groundsel | PAMU11 | Packera multilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low beardtongue | PEHU | Penstemon humilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| elephant grass | PEPU2 | Pennisetum purpureum | 10–20 | – | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 10–20 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 10–20 | – | ||
| longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 10–20 | – | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 10–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 10–20 | – | ||
| Pacific aster | SYCHC | Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 10–20 | – | ||
| salsify | TRPO | Tragopogon porrifolius | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| desert madwort | ALDE | Alyssum desertorum | 10–20 | – | ||
| low pussytoes | ANDI2 | Antennaria dimorpha | 10–20 | – | ||
| Utah milkvetch | ASUT | Astragalus utahensis | 10–20 | – | ||
| Wyoming Indian paintbrush | CALI4 | Castilleja linariifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| naked mariposa lily | CANU2 | Calochortus nudus | 10–20 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 10–20 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | 10–20 | – | ||
| crossflower | CHTE2 | Chorispora tenella | 10–20 | – | ||
| maiden blue eyed Mary | COPA3 | Collinsia parviflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bastard toadflax | COUM | Comandra umbellata | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Shrubs | 100–150 | ||||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 70–100 | – | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 30–60 | – | ||
| mountain big sagebrush | ARTRV | Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana | 30–60 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 40–80 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 10–20 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 10–20 | – | ||
| mormon tea | EPVI | Ephedra viridis | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender buckwheat | ERMI4 | Eriogonum microthecum | 10–20 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–20 | – | ||
| creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 10–20 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Mexican cliffrose | PUME | Purshia mexicana | 10–20 | – | ||
| Gambel oak | QUGA | Quercus gambelii | 10–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| mountain snowberry | SYOR2 | Symphoricarpos oreophilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 6 | Trees | 60–90 | ||||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 20–40 | – | ||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 20–40 | – | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 20–40 | – | ||
Table 28. Community 3.2 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary Grasses | 200–350 | ||||
| bluebunch wheatgrass | PSSP6 | Pseudoroegneria spicata | 125–175 | – | ||
| intermediate wheatgrass | THIN6 | Thinopyrum intermedium | 60–90 | – | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 60–90 | – | ||
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | 60–90 | – | ||
| cheatgrass | BRTE | Bromus tectorum | 30–60 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 30–60 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 30–60 | – | ||
| 4 | Secondary Grasses | 60–90 | ||||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 20–30 | – | ||
| Geyer's sedge | CAGE2 | Carex geyeri | 20–30 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender wheatgrass | ELTR7 | Elymus trachycaulus | 10–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| saline wildrye | LESAS | Leymus salinus ssp. salinus | 10–20 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 10–20 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bulbous bluegrass | POBU | Poa bulbosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| Letterman's needlegrass | ACLE9 | Achnatherum lettermanii | 10–20 | – | ||
| Columbia needlegrass | ACNE9 | Achnatherum nelsonii | 10–20 | – | ||
| crested wheatgrass | AGCR | Agropyron cristatum | 10–20 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| red brome | BRRU2 | Bromus rubens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Secondary Forbs | 30–60 | ||||
| tapertip hawksbeard | CRAC2 | Crepis acuminata | 20–40 | – | ||
| fiddleleaf hawksbeard | CRRU3 | Crepis runcinata | 10–20 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 10–20 | – | ||
| herb sophia | DESO2 | Descurainia sophia | 10–20 | – | ||
| cushion buckwheat | EROV | Eriogonum ovalifolium | 10–20 | – | ||
| shaggy fleabane | ERPU2 | Erigeron pumilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| northern bedstraw | GABO2 | Galium boreale | 10–20 | – | ||
| saltlover | HAGL | Halogeton glomeratus | 10–20 | – | ||
| common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 10–20 | – | ||
| ballhead ipomopsis | IPCOC3 | Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta | 10–20 | – | ||
| prickly lettuce | LASE | Lactuca serriola | 10–20 | – | ||
| blue flax | LIPE2 | Linum perenne | 10–20 | – | ||
| tailcup lupine | LUCA | Lupinus caudatus | 10–20 | – | ||
| hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| lobeleaf groundsel | PAMU11 | Packera multilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| low beardtongue | PEHU | Penstemon humilis | 10–20 | – | ||
| elephant grass | PEPU2 | Pennisetum purpureum | 10–20 | – | ||
| Chambers' twinpod | PHCH2 | Physaria chambersii | 10–20 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 10–20 | – | ||
| longleaf phlox | PHLO2 | Phlox longifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| Russian thistle | SAKA | Salsola kali | 10–20 | – | ||
| tall tumblemustard | SIAL2 | Sisymbrium altissimum | 10–20 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 10–20 | – | ||
| Pacific aster | SYCHC | Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow salsify | TRDU | Tragopogon dubius | 10–20 | – | ||
| salsify | TRPO | Tragopogon porrifolius | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 10–20 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 10–20 | – | ||
| desert madwort | ALDE | Alyssum desertorum | 10–20 | – | ||
| low pussytoes | ANDI2 | Antennaria dimorpha | 10–20 | – | ||
| Utah milkvetch | ASUT | Astragalus utahensis | 10–20 | – | ||
| Wyoming Indian paintbrush | CALI4 | Castilleja linariifolia | 10–20 | – | ||
| naked mariposa lily | CANU2 | Calochortus nudus | 10–20 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 10–20 | – | ||
| lambsquarters | CHAL7 | Chenopodium album | 10–20 | – | ||
| crossflower | CHTE2 | Chorispora tenella | 10–20 | – | ||
| maiden blue eyed Mary | COPA3 | Collinsia parviflora | 10–20 | – | ||
| bastard toadflax | COUM | Comandra umbellata | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary Shrubs | 250–375 | ||||
| mountain big sagebrush | ARTRV | Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana | 150–200 | – | ||
| antelope bitterbrush | PUTR2 | Purshia tridentata | 70–100 | – | ||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 30–60 | – | ||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 20–40 | – | ||
| 5 | Secondary Shrubs | 40–80 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 10–20 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
| alderleaf mountain mahogany | CEMO2 | Cercocarpus montanus | 10–20 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 10–20 | – | ||
| mormon tea | EPVI | Ephedra viridis | 10–20 | – | ||
| slender buckwheat | ERMI4 | Eriogonum microthecum | 10–20 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNA10 | Ericameria nauseosa | 10–20 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–20 | – | ||
| creeping barberry | MARE11 | Mahonia repens | 10–20 | – | ||
| plains pricklypear | OPPO | Opuntia polyacantha | 10–20 | – | ||
| rock goldenrod | PEPU7 | Petradoria pumila | 10–20 | – | ||
| Mexican cliffrose | PUME | Purshia mexicana | 10–20 | – | ||
| Gambel oak | QUGA | Quercus gambelii | 10–20 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 10–20 | – | ||
| mountain snowberry | SYOR2 | Symphoricarpos oreophilus | 10–20 | – | ||
| spineless horsebrush | TECA2 | Tetradymia canescens | 10–20 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 6 | Trees | 60–80 | ||||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 20–40 | – | ||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 20–40 | – | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 20–40 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
--Wildlife Interpretation--
This ecological site, in its reference state, produces significant amounts of nutritious forage that was utilized by native herbivores including Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer and pronghorn antelope who lived here along with their associated predators. Although a portion 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 mountain lions, rabbits, coyotes, badgers, and red fox's.
This site also provides habitat to raptors and other bird species including golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, ferruginous hawks, and several species of owls. Ringneck pheasant, sage grouse, chukars, and California quail are also commonly found.
--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 herbaceous plant community is primarily grasses, with the majority of forage production being attributed to bluebunch wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass and Nevada bluegrass. Improper livestock grazing can cause these species to decrease while annual forbs, black sagebrush and rabbitbrush species increase.
When this site is stressed, cheatgrass, alyssum, Russian thistle and halogeton are likely to invade.
Hydrological functions
The soils associated with this ecological site are generally in Hydrologic Soil Groups B and C (NRCS National Engineering Handbook) with runoff curves ranging from 61 to 79 and 74 to 86 respectively, depending on hydrologic condition. These soils are saturated quickly due to high infiltration rates and somewhat shallow soils; once soils are saturated, run off potential varies but typically ranges from moderate to high. 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. Heavy grazing can alter the hydrology by decreasing plant cover and increasing bare ground. Fire can also affect hydrology, but its 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 (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
Utah juniper and singleleaf and/or two-needle pinyon can provide firewood and fence post where growth is sufficient and regulations allow for such use. The pinyon trees are a good source of pine-nuts and make nice Christmas trees.
Other products
None.
Other information
--Poisonous and Toxic Plant Communities--
Toxic plants associated with this site include woolly locoweed, broom snakeweed, and Russian thistle.
Woolly locoweed is toxic to all classes of livestock and wildlife. Locoweed is palatable and has similar nutrient value to alfalfa, which may cause animals to consume it even when other forage is available. Locoweed contains swainsonine (indolizdine alkaloid) and is poisonous at all stages of growth. Poisoning will become evident after 2-3 weeks of continuous grazing and is associated with 4 major symptoms: 1) neurological damage, 2) emaciation, 3) reproductive failure and abortion, and 4) congestive heart failure linked with “high mountain disease”.
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 generally will only graze broom snakeweed when other forage is unavailable, typically in winter when toxicity levels are at their lowest (Knight and Walter, 2001).
Russian thistle is an invasive toxic plant, causing 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, during periods with cool/cloudy days, and when growing on soils high in nitrogen and low in sulfur and phosphorus. 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.
--Invasive Plant Communities--
Generally, as ecological conditions deteriorate and perennial vegetation decreases due to disturbance (fire, drought, off road vehicle overuse, erosion, etc.) annual forbs and grasses may invade the site. Of particular concern in semi-arid environments are annual invaders including cheatgrass, Russian thistle, alyssum and annual mustards. The presence of these species will depend 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 be possible.
On well developed Utah juniper and singleleaf pinyon communities, soils are often completely occupied by lateral roots which can inhibit the herbaceous understory as well as limit annual invasive species. Once these sites are disturbed and pinyon-juniper communities begin to decline, their increase or invasion is possible.
--Fire Ecology--
The ability for an ecological site to carry fire depends primarily on its' present fuel load and plant moisture content. Sites with small fuel loads will burn more slowly and less intensely than sites with large fuel loads. The Utah juniper and singleleaf and/or two-needle pinyon communities growing on shallow soils are quite unique. These trees can support stand-replacing fires, though historically, fires were likely a mixture of surface and crown fires with intensities and frequencies dependent on site productivity. Most research agrees that historic fire return intervals are at a minimum 100 years, indicating that fire may have not played an important role in short term community dynamics. Fires are more common when trees are stressed or dead due to drought and/or beetle infestations. Pinyon-juniper stands reestablish either by seeds dispersed from adjacent unburned patches or by unburned seeds found at the burn site. Continuous (every 20-40 years) burning of these ecological sites can result in shrub dominated communities, due to the relatively fast recovery of shrubs when compared to trees. If invasive annual grasses are allowed to establish, fires may become more frequent, inhibiting the site’s ability to recover.
Supporting information
Type locality
| Location 1: Box Elder County, UT | |
|---|---|
| General legal description | Cedar Hills West of Yost, Box Elder County, Utah, |
| Location 2: Iron County, UT | |
| Township/Range/Section | T14N R16W S3 |
| General legal description | 1500 ft. North 500 ft. East of SW Corner of Section 3, Township 14N, Range 16W. Indian Peak, Iron County. |
Other references
Baily, R.G. 1995. Description of the ecoregions of the United Sates. Available http://www.fs.fed.us/land/ecosysmgmt/ecoreg1_home.html. Accessed February 27, 2008.
Belnap, J. and S.L. Phillips. 2001. Soil biota in an ungrazed grassland: response to annual grass (Bromus tectorum) invasion. Ecological Applications. 11:1261-1275
Chapin, S.F., B.H. Walker, R.J. Hobbs, D.U. Hooper, J.H. Lawton, O.E. Sala, and D. Tilman. 1997. Biotic control over the functioning of ecosystems. Science. 277:500-504
Cox R.D. and V.J. Anderson. 2004. Increasing native diversity of cheatgrass-dominated rangeland through assisted succession. Journal of Range Management. 57:203-210,
Howard, Janet L. 2003. Atriplex canescens. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/. Accessed on February 25, 2008.
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.
Tilley, D.J. 2007. Reintroducing native plants to the American West. Aberdeen Plant Materials Center, Aberdeen, ID, USA: US Department of Agriculture. Available: http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/idpmc/publications.html. Accessed February 22, 2008.
Utah Climate Summaries. 2008. Available: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/summary/climsmut.html. Accessed on February 25, 2008.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. 2007.
Woods, A.J., D.A. Lammers, S.A. Bryce, J.M. Omernik, R.L. Denton, M. Domeier, and J.A. Comstock. 2001. Ecoregions of Utah (color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs). Reston, Virginia, U.S. Geological Survey (map scale 1:1,175,000).
Contributors
David J. Somorville
DJS
V. Keith Wadman
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. Revised to reflect new concepts and terminology by V. Keith Wadman (NRCS, Retired). |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | Shane Green, Shane.Green@ut.usda.gov |
| Date | 04/03/2013 |
| Approved by | Shane A. Green |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
Rills common. This site is subject to some rilling even in reference condition due to slope, erodible soils, and percent bare ground. 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 other sites that produce large amounts of runoff (i.e. steeper sites, slickrock, rock outcrop). -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Water flow patterns are common. Some are long (15-20’). They are generally very widely spaced (about 20-30’ apart). Flow patterns occur in low places associated with microtopography commonly occurring on this site. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Plants may have small pedestals (1-3”) where they are adjacent to water flow patterns, but without exposed roots. Terracettes should be few and stable. Terracettes should be small (1-3”) and show little sign of active erosion. 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.
Well-developed biological crusts may appear pedestalled, but are actually a characteristic of the crust formation. 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):
15-25% 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. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
No gullies present on site. A very few gullies may be present in landscape settings where they transport runoff from areas of greater water flow such as exposed bedrock. These gullies will be limited to slopes exceeding 10% and adjacent to sites where this runoff accumulation occurs. Any gullies present should show little sign of accelerated erosion and should be stabilized with perennial vegetation. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Very minor evidence of active wind-generated soil movement. Wind scoured (blowouts) and depositional areas are rarely present. If present they have muted features and are mostly stabilized with vegetation and/or biological crust. Gravel or desert pavement protects the site from wind scour. -
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. On steep slopes (>30%), litter will move downhill to next obstruction. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
This site should have an erosion rating of 4 or 5 under plant canopies and a rating of 3 to 4 in the interspaces with an average rating of 4 using the soil stability kit test. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
This description is based on the modal soil (Abela GRV-L, soil survey area: 611, Tooele). This site has 4 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 14 inches deep. Structure is typically weak fine and medium granular. Color is typically grayish brown (10YR 5/2), dark brown (10YR 3/3) moist. Mollic epipedon is common.
-
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. Crowns of trees and accumulating litter at base of trees appear to create a micro-topography that may enhance development of water flow patterns below the drip line of the canopy. Significant increases in pinyon-juniper canopy reduces understory vegetation and increases runoff. -
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 of 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:
Trees (Pinyon, Utah Juniper) > Perennial cool season bunchgrasses (bluebunch wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass) > Nonsprouting shrubs (mountain big sagebrush) > Sprouting Shrubs (bitterbrush, black sagebrush).Sub-dominant:
Sprouting shrubs, (green rabbitbrush) > Perennial Grasses, (prairie junegrass, muttongrass) > Perennial Forbs (gooseberryleaf globemallow).Other:
Biological soil crust is variable in its expression where present 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.Additional:
In the northern portion of the MLRA cool-season perennial grasses (Indian ricegrass, needle and thread) dominate. In the southernmost portion of the MLRA warm-season perennial grasses (galleta, sand dropseed) dominate. The two groups share dominance in the middle portion of the MLRA.
Functional/structural groups may appropriately contain non-native species if their ecological function is the same as the native species in the reference state. 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 bunchgrass and shrub mortality may occur during severe droughts, particularly on the shallower and coarser soils associated with this site. -
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 15-20% following years with favorable growing conditions. Excess litter may accumulate in absence of disturbance. Vegetative production may be reduced if litter cover exceeds 40%. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Annual production in air-dry herbage should be approximately 650#/acre on an average year, but could range from 350 to 950#/acre during periods of prolonged drought or above average precipitation.
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, Russian thistle and annual forbs. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All perennial plants should have the ability to reproduce sexually or asexually, except in drought years. Density of plants indicates that plants reproduce at level sufficient to fill available resource. Within capability of site there are no restrictions on seed or vegetative reproductive capacity.
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