Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F030XC252NV
LIMESTONE SLOPES
Last updated: 4/26/2024
Accessed: 05/11/2024
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.
Ecological site concept
This forestland site occurs on mountain backslopes on all aspects. Slopes range from 15 to 75 percent, but slopes are typically 30 to 50 percent. Elevations range from 5000 to 8100 feet. The soils associated with this ecological site are well drained and shallow to very shallow. These soils formed in the residuum and colluvium from dolomite and dolomite limestone parent materials.
This is a group concept and provisional STM that also covers the following ecological sites: , F030XC235NV, F030XC243NV, F030XC244NV, F030XC246NV, F030X253NV, F030XC278NV
Associated sites
| F030XC251NV |
QUARTZITE SLOPES |
|---|---|
| F030XC292NV |
LIMESTONE SLOPES |
| F030XC293NV |
QUARTZITE SLOPES |
| F030XC295NV |
MOUNTAIN INSET FANS |
| R030XC023NV |
SHALLOW GRAVELLY FAN 11-15 P.Z. |
| R030XC031NV |
SHALLOW LIMESTONE SLOPE 13+ P.Z. |
| R030XC039NV |
SHALLOW LIMESTONE SLOPE 9-11 P.Z. |
| R030XC045NV |
SHALLOW NORTH SLOPE 9-11 P.Z. |
Similar sites
| F030XC253NV |
Pinyon-Juniper (Limestone) ARTRV dominant shrub. |
|---|---|
| F030XC254NV |
PIMO-JUOS/ARTRV ARTRV dominant shrub, lower site index. |
| F030XC251NV |
QUARTZITE SLOPES JUOS dominant |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Pinus monophylla |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Artemisia nova |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Poa fendleriana |
Physiographic features
This forestland site occurs on mountain backslopes on all aspects. Slopes range from 15 to 75 percent, but slopes are typically 30 to 50 percent. Elevations range from 5000 to 8100 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Mountain slope
|
|---|---|
| Elevation | 5,000 – 8,100 ft |
| Slope | 15 – 75% |
Climatic features
The climate is semi-arid with warm, dry summers and cold, moist winters. Precipitation is greatest in the winter with a lesser secondary peak in the summer, typical of the Mojave Desert. Average annual precipitation is about 9 to 14 inches. Mean annual air temperature is about 45 to 49 degrees F. The average growing season is 90 to 180 days.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 180 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | |
| Precipitation total (average) | 14 in |
Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
There are no influencing water features associated with this ecological site.
Soil features
The soils associated with this ecological site are well drained and shallow to very shallow. These soils formed in the residuum and colluvium from dolomite and dolomite limestone parent materials. Diagnostic horizon features of this soil include a mollic epipedon from 0 to 14 inches and lithic contact at 14 inches. The soil surface is covered by approximately 80 percent rock fragments (gravels, cobbles, and stones) that provide a stabilizing effect, protecting the surface from wind and water erosion. The official soil series correlated to this forestland ecological site include Seralin, a loamy-skeletal, mixed, superactive, mesic Aridic Lithic Haplustoll.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Residuum
–
dolomite
(2) Colluvium – limestone |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Extremely gravelly very fine sandy loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately rapid |
| Soil depth | 8 – 14 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 60 – 70% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 10 – 20% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
1 – 2 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
10% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
4 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
1 – 5 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
7.9 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
50 – 80% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
10% |
Ecological dynamics
The plant communities of this site are dynamic in response to changes in disturbance regimes and weather patterns. A variety of disturbances at different temporal and spatial scales influence the vegetation response of a particular site. The natural process of succession is dynamic; an individual plant community can exist in a various stable states. Wildfire plays an important role in all forest ecosystems. Important processes that are regulated by fire include regeneration and reproduction, seedbed preparation, competition reduction and thinning to maintain stand health (Spurr and Barnes 1964).
Pinyon and juniper forest overstory predicts solar radiation and soil moisture patterns, creating a variety of microclimates within the stand (Breshears et al. 1997). Alternating canopy and inter-canopy patches influence soil moisture and temperature variability. Center portions of canopy patches receive less solar radiation than inter-canopy patches, influencing the kinds and proportions of vegetation growing there. Canopy and inter-canopy patches interact with the kind of precipitation event to influence soil moisture. Generally snow cover is greater in inter-canopy patches, indicating greater soil moisture. However, during rainfall events large enough to generate runoff and stem flow, canopy locations are much wetter than inter-canopy spaces (Breshears et al. 1997). As the overstory become more dense effects on soil moisture and solar radiation influence understory vegetation. Species diversity and understory production decrease with increased shading.
Soils provide physical support, moisture and nutrients to the forest community and trees have reciprocating effects on the soil. Since forest communities tend to exist on site for extended periods of time, their roots typically extend deep into the subsoil and even into fractured bedrock influencing the rate of soil development. Considerable amounts of organic material are returned to the soil in the form of fallen litter and decaying roots. Increased organic matter on the soil surface, or litter layer, helps to keep moisture conditions more uniform. Insulation provided the tree canopy and litter layer also reduces the temperature fluctuation from day to night (Fisher and Binkley 2002).
The distributions of pinyon and juniper forests have undergone many changes in prehistoric and historic times and these communities continue to change in modern times. It is also true that any assessment of pinyon and juniper distribution is only a snapshot of a plant community in motion (Zouhar 2001). Expansions in the spatial extent of pinyon-juniper communities in recent times have been contributed to many variables including distribution by birds, centuries of livestock grazing, changes in fire frequency and climate change. Currently pinyon-juniper forests are defined as being dominated by pre-settlement trees, those that established prior to 1860. Trees that established after the rapid settlement of the West in the late 1860’s and 1870’s are defined as post-settlement (Miller et al. 1999). True old-growth pinyon-juniper forests should be defined on the basis of tree age, and stand structure and function (Miller et al. 1999). In general pinyon-juniper woodlands are open with a shrubby understory. Total vegetative cover is high due to the diverse understory, although the tree cover remains quite low. Individual trees on this site can be greater than 200 years old. Indicating, stand replacing disturbances are uncommon.
Fire Ecology: Generally, pinyon-juniper forests occur on xeric sites with infertile, shallow, rocky soils, where fires are infrequent and unpredictable. Years with exceptional rainfall lead to increased herbaceous growth and allows for wildfire to spread. Singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper are highly susceptible to fire damage. Both have thin, highly flammable bark that provides little protection to the cambium and lack self-pruning branches. Small trees are more susceptible to mortality from wildfire. Reestablishment occurs solely from seed, rodents and birds often store large amounts of seed. Rate of reestablishment largely depends on size, season, rate of burn, as well as, age of trees when burned. Mature trees produce more seed and therefore build up the seed bank in the soil and increase the rate of return. Reestablishment may take 50 to 100 years to reach pre-fire densities.
Black sagebrush is readily killed by fire of all severities and regeneration depends on an offsite seed source. Desert snowberry is top killed by fire, but sprouts from the root crown. Utah serviceberry is top killed by fire and recovers by sprouting from the root crown. Damage may be more servere if burned while soil moisture is low. Rabbitbrush is top-killed by fire, but regenerates by sprouting and by establishing from offsite seed source. Ephedra is also top-killed by fire, but the underground reproductive structures generally survive and sprout after the fire. Ephedra may increase in overall vegetative cover following fire. Muttongrass can survive low severity fires but is harmed and slow to recover from more severe fires. Blue grama is tolerant of fire, but can be damaged if burned during drought. Blue grama generally increases in production and cover following fire. Indian ricegrass can be killed by fire, but reestablishes on burned sites through seed. Ross' sedge survives fire through buried seed with long-term viability. The rhizomes of Ross' sedge survive low- to moderate-severity fires.
State and transition model
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Ecosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
Communities 1, 5 and 6 (additional pathways)
Communities 2, 5 and 6 (additional pathways)
State 1
Reference State
The reference state is representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. This state is co-dominated by singleleaf pinyon pine and Utah juniper. Primary natural disturbance mechanisms affecting this ecological site are wildfire, drought, disease and insect attack. Interactions between disturbance regimes and weather events determine long term plant community dynamics. Pinyon-juniper habitat is generally arid and species are adapted to receiving limited annual precipitation. Overall, drought related mortality is low in this habitat type. Increased mortality following drought is likely caused by a combination of insect attack and disease (Shaw et al. 2005). Long term drought reduces herbaceous biomass production, lengthens the fire return interval and allows trees to increase in spatial coverage by spreading into nearby shrub lands.
Community 1.1
Reference Plant Community: Mature Forest
Figure 3. Mature Forest
This plant community is co-dominated by Utah juniper and singleleaf pinyon. Black sagebrush and desert snowberry are the principal understory shrubs. Pinyon and juniper trees have reached or are near maximal heights for the site. Co-dominant trees have full crowns, while upper crowns are irregular, flat topped or rounded. Tree canopy cover averages about 30 to 40 percent. Understory vegetation is strongly influenced by tree competition, overstory shading, duff accumulation, etc. This stage of development is assumed to be representative of this ecological site in a pristine environment.
Figure 4. 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 | 56 | 120 | 170 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 30 | 50 | 80 |
| Forb | 10 | 20 | 30 |
| Tree | 4 | 10 | 20 |
| Total | 100 | 200 | 300 |
Community 1.2
Herbaceous
This plant community is representative of an early-seral plant community. Vegetation is dominated by grasses and forbs under full sunlight. Standing snags remaining after disturbance have little or no affect on the composition and production of herbaceous vegetation, but can provide important wildlife habitat. This plant community is at-risk of invasion by non-natives. Non-native species are able to take advantage of increased availability of critical resources following fire or other disturbance.
Community 1.3
Shrub-Herbaceous
This community phase is dominated by shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. Various amounts of tree seedlings (less than 20 inches in height) may be present up to the point where they are obviously a component of the vegetal structure. Sprouting shrubs, such as ephedra, Utah serviceberry, desert snowberry and spiny greasebush, quickly recover and provide favorable site for germination and establishment of other shrubs. Fast moving, low-intensity fires result in the incomplete removal of sagebrush allowing for direct reestablishment.
Community 1.4
Sapling
This plant community is characterized by increasing woody perennials. In the absence of disturbance, the tree seedlings develop into saplings (20 inches to 4½ feet in height) with a canopy cover between 5 and 15 percent. Open canopy allows understory vegetation to be dominated by shrubs, grasses and forbs in association with tree saplings. Sufficient time has past for the complete recovery of sagebrush. Tree seedlings establish under the canopy of shrubs.
Community 1.5
Immature Forest
The visual aspect of the plant community is dominated by singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper greater than 4½ feet in height. Seedlings and saplings of singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper are prevalent in the understory. Understory vegetation is moderately influenced by shading from the overstory canopy of about 15 to 30 percent, reducing the density and production of grasses, forbs and shrubs. Black sagebrush and other shrubs serve as nurse plants for pinyon and juniper seedlings.
Community 1.6
Over-Mature Forest
Dominant and co-dominant trees have reached maximal heights for the site and average greater than eight inches in diameter at one-foot stump height. Upper crowns of most trees are typically irregular, flat-topped or rounded. Understory herbaceous production is greatly reduced or even absent due to tree competition and shading. Tree canopy cover is commonly greater than 40 percent. This plant community experiences increased runoff and decreased infiltration during precipitation events and is at risk of soil loss to surface erosion. Loss of perennial herbaceous vegetation in the understory reduces water storage, soil stability and inputs of organic matter.
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Wildfire, prolonged drought, disease and/or insect attack.
Pathway 1.1c
Community 1.1 to 1.5
Thinning or partial harvest, partial mortality from pest attack or other small scale disturbance.
Pathway 1.1b
Community 1.1 to 1.6
Absence from disturbance, continued growth and fire suppression.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.3
Absence from disturbance and natural regeneration over time.
Pathway 1.3b
Community 1.3 to 1.2
Wildfire, prolonged drought, disease and/or insect attack.
Pathway 1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.4
Absence from disturbance and natural regeneration over time.
Pathway 1.4b
Community 1.4 to 1.2
Wildfire, prolonged drought, disease and/or insect attack.
Pathway 1.4a
Community 1.4 to 1.5
Absence from disturbance and natural regeneration over time.
Pathway 1.5a
Community 1.5 to 1.1
Absence from disturbance, seedling and sapling growth and natural regeneration over time.
Pathway 1.5b
Community 1.5 to 1.2
Wildfire, prolonged drought, disease and/or insect attack.
Pathway 1.6a
Community 1.6 to 1.2
Wildfire, prolonged drought, disease and/or insect attack.
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Primary perennial grasses | 30–80 | ||||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 20–48 | – | ||
| Ross' sedge | CARO5 | Carex rossii | 10–18 | – | ||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 2–10 | – | ||
| little Parish's needlegrass | ACPAD | Achnatherum parishii var. depauperatum | 2–10 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 2–10 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 2 | Perennial forbs | 10–30 | ||||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 2–10 | – | ||
| scarlet gilia | IPAG | Ipomopsis aggregata | 2–10 | – | ||
| lupine | LUPIN | Lupinus | 2–10 | – | ||
| beardtongue | PENST | Penstemon | 2–10 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 3 | Primary shrubs | 60–130 | ||||
| black sagebrush | ARNO4 | Artemisia nova | 50–100 | – | ||
| Utah serviceberry | AMUT | Amelanchier utahensis | 10–18 | – | ||
| desert snowberry | SYLO | Symphoricarpos longiflorus | 10–18 | – | ||
| littleleaf mountain mahogany | CEIN7 | Cercocarpus intricatus | 2–10 | – | ||
| mormon tea | EPVI | Ephedra viridis | 2–10 | – | ||
| 4 | Secondary shrubs | 1–14 | ||||
| Utah agave | AGUT | Agave utahensis | 1–2 | – | ||
| yellow rabbitbrush | CHVI8 | Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus | 1–2 | – | ||
| spiny greasebush | GLSP | Glossopetalon spinescens | 1–2 | – | ||
| mountain magnolia | MAFR | Magnolia fraseri | 1–2 | – | ||
| grizzlybear pricklypear | OPPOE | Opuntia polyacantha var. erinacea | 1–2 | – | ||
| Stansbury cliffrose | PUST | Purshia stansburiana | 1–2 | – | ||
| wax currant | RICE | Ribes cereum | 1–2 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 5 | Evergreen | 4–20 | ||||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 2–10 | – | ||
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | 2–10 | – | ||
Table 7. Community 1.1 forest overstory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (ft) | Canopy cover (%) | Diameter (in) | Basal area (square ft/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
|||||||
| Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | Native | – | 50–60 | – | – |
| singleleaf pinyon | PIMO | Pinus monophylla | Native | – | 40–50 | – | – |
Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Interpretations: This site is not well suited to cattle or sheep grazing due to extreme surface stoniness and low forage production. Perennial grasses are highly nutritious and remain palatable throughout the grazing season. Grazing management should allow for ample seed production and seedling establishment. Many areas are not used because of steep slopes or lack of adequate water. The amount and nature of the understory vegetation in a forestland is highly responsive to the amount and duration of shade provided by the overstory canopy. Significant changes in kinds and abundance of plants occur as the canopy changes, often regardless of grazing use.
Muttongrass is a valuable forage resource. It has been rated excellent forage for domestic cattle and horses. It has been rated fair for domestic sheep, horses and cattle. Blue grama is valuable forage for all classes of livestock. It is most productive following summer rains, but cures well and provides forage year around. Indian ricegrass also provides year around forage. Ross’s sedge value as a forage plant varies depending on the site. It has been rated fair for domestic sheep, horses and cattle. Dominant shrubs provide additional foraging resources on this ecological site. Black sagebrush is used by domestic livestock, it is considered to be highly palatable to domestic sheep. Cattle and domestic goats browse black sagebrush to a lesser degree. Mountain snowberry is readily eaten by all classes of livestock. Its ability to sprout allows it to persist and even increase under moderate browsing pressure. Green ephedra provides important winter forage for livestock. Utah serviceberry is palatable to domestic livestock. It is important forage in the spring because it leafs out and blooms earlier than associated species. Littleleaf mountain mahogany is occasionally used by domestic livestock during the winter. Attentive grazing management is required due to steep slopes and erosive soil surface condition.
Stocking rates vary with such factors as kind and class of grazing animal, season of use and fluctuations in climate. Actual use records for individual sites, a determination of the degree to which the sites have been grazed and an evaluation of trend in site condition offer the most reliable basis for developing initial stocking rates. The forage value rating is not an ecological evaluation of the understory as is the range condition rating for rangeland. The forage value rating is a utilitarian rating of the existing understory plants for use by specific kinds of grazing animals.
Wildlife Interpretations: This site has high value for wildlife habitat year around. The high elevations and trees provide shade and cool environments during the summer and protection from winter storms. Mule deer use this ecological site for shelter and foraging resource. Desert bighorn sheep find valuable foraging resource on this ecological site. However, use will decrease drastically at medium to heavy canopy cover class, as desert bighorn sheep prefer habitat with high visibility. Pinyon juniper woodlands provide important bird habitat. Species such as bushtit, spotted towhee, broad-tail hummingbird and pinyon jay are common to this ecological site. Several species of owls, flycatchers, wrens and sparrows also depend on this forestland. Muttongrass provides good forage for sheep, elk and deer. Pronghorn antelope commonly feed on remaining seedheads during the winter. The seeds and leaves are also used by a variety of birds. Blue grama is used by mule deer, bighorn sheep, black-tailed jackrabbits and some song birds. It is primarily used during the growing season, but cures well and can provide forage year-round. Indian ricegrass is a relatively low producer on this site. However, pronghorn antelope will eat it whenever available. It is also an important habitat component for black-tailed jackrabbits, other small mammals and many birds. Dry grasses provide an important food reserve for bighorn sheep throughout the winter. Ross’s sedge provides occasional forage for mule deer and pronghorn antelope. Dominant shrubs provide additional foraging resources on this ecological site. Black sagebrush provides important foraging resource for wild ungulates. In some areas it is the most important winter forage resource for mule deer and pronghorn antelope. Birds such as sparrows, sage thrashers and sage grouse use black sagebrush habitats extensively for food and cover. It is also used by rodents, small mammals and associated predators like golden eagles. Snowberry is one of the first species to leaf out and therefore it is heavily used in the spring. Snowberry is capable of sprouting and therefore can persist and even increase under moderate browsing pressure. Prolonged browsing can result in reduced densities. Green ephedra is readily eaten by big games species during the winter months when little else is available. It is also important to small mammals and some birds. Utah serviceberry provides good browse for mule deer and bighorn sheep. It is heavily used early in the growing season, because it leafs out and blooms before many associated species. It is used by many birds and small mammals throughout the winter, since the berries remain on the shrub. Littleleaf mountain mahogany is good winter browse for wildlife species.
Hydrological functions
The soils correlated to this ecological site are characterized by very rapid runoff and moderate permeability. The potential for sheet and rill erosion can be high depending on steepness of slope and amount of rock fragments on the soil surface.
Recreational uses
This site has high aesthetic value and provided a variety of recreational oppotunities such as hiking, camping and permitted hunting, as well as, nature study and bird watching. Steep slopes and the fragile soil-vegetation complex, however, inhibit many other forms of recreation such as the use of off-road vehicles.
Wood products
Pinyon wood is rather soft, brittle, heavy with pitch, and yellowish brown in color. Singleleaf pinyon has been an important source of fuelwood, mine props, and wood for charcoal used in ore smelting. Utah juniper wood is highly resistant to decay and has long been used for fence posts, firewood, pencils and Christmas trees in locations where it commonly grows (Zlatnik 1999).
MANAGEMENT GUIDES AND INTERPRETATIONS
1. LIMITATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS
a. Moderate to severe equipment limitations due to extreme surface stoniness and on sites with steep slopes.
2. ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
a. Protect soils from accelerated erosion.
b. Manage to protect wildlife habitat.
3. SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
Silvicultural treatments are not reasonably applied on this site due to poor site quality, commercially undesirable species and severe limitations for equipment and tree harvest.
Other products
Singleleaf pinyon trees serve as a food source, as well as providing medicinal, cultural, and spiritual values for Native Americans. Pine nuts are a valuable food source for humans and a valuable commercial crop. Early inhabitants of the desert region used Utah juniper for construction, collected juniper berries for food and used shredded bark as a tobacco substitute or weaving material (Lanner 1984).
Supporting information
Type locality
| Location 1: Clark County, NV | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T14S R61E S17 |
| UTM zone | N |
| UTM northing | 4064544 |
| UTM easting | 664506 |
| Latitude | 36° 42′ 44″ |
| Longitude | 115° 9′ 29″ |
| General legal description | Approximately, 1 mile from the head of Timber Canyon, west of highway 93, Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Clark County, Nevada. |
Other references
Breshears, D.D., P.M. Rich, F.J. Barnes and K. Campbell. 1997. Over-imposed heterogeneity in solar radiation and soil moisture in a semiard woodland. Ecological Applications. 7(4):1201-1215.
Chojnacky, D.C. 1986. Pinyon-Juniper Site Quality and Volume Growth Equations for Nevada. USDA-FS, Research Paper INT-372. Inmtn Res. Sta., Ogden, Utah.
Fisher, R. and D. Binkley. 2002. Ecology and Management of Forest Soils. John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY.
Howell, J. 1940. Pinyon and juniper: a preliminary study of volume, growth, and yield. Regional Bulletin 71. Albuquerque, NM: USDA, SCS; 90p.
Lanner, R.M. 1984. Trees of the Great Basin. University of Nevada Press. Reno, NV.
Miller., R., R. Tausch and W. Waichler. 1999. Old-growth Juniper and Pinyon Woodlands. USDA Forest Service Proceddings RMRS-P-9.
Shaw, J.D., B.E. Steed and L.T. DeBlander. 2005. Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Annual Inventory Answers the Question: What is Happening to Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands? Journal of Forestry: 280-285.
Spurr, S. H. and B.V. Barnes. 1980. Forest Ecology. John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY.
USDA-NRCS. 1998. National Forestry Manual - Part 537. Washington, D.C.
USDA-NRCS. 2004 National Forestry Handbook, Title 190. Washington, D.C.
Zouhar, Kristin L. 2001. Pinus monophylla. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/
Contributors
E. Hourihan
PN-E
Approval
Kendra Moseley, 4/26/2024
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) | |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | |
| Date | 05/01/2024 |
| Approved by | Kendra Moseley |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
-
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
-
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
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:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
-
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:
-
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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