Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R034AY244WY
Saline Upland Foothills and Basins West (SU)
Last updated: 5/01/2024
Accessed: 12/21/2024
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.
Associated sites
| R034AY230WY |
Overflow Foothills and Basins West (Ov) |
|---|---|
| R034AY238WY |
Saline Lowland Foothills and Basins West (SL) |
| R034AY240WY |
Saline Lowland Drained Foothills and Basins West (SLDr) |
| R034AY254WY |
Shale Foothills and Basins West (Sh) |
Similar sites
| R034AY240WY |
Saline Lowland Drained Foothills and Basins West (SLDr) Saline Lowland, drained 10-14W has somewhat higher production with greasewood as a dominant woody species and a small amount of Gardners saltbush. |
|---|---|
| R034AY254WY |
Shale Foothills and Basins West (Sh) Shale 10-14W has lower production and is located in a more upland, sloping position. |
| R034AY238WY |
Saline Lowland Foothills and Basins West (SL) Saline Lowland 10-14W has much higher production with greasewood as a dominant woody species and a small amount of Gardners saltbush. |
| R034AY144WY |
Saline Upland Green River and Great Divide Basins (SU) Saline Upland 7-9GR has lower production. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
Not specified |
Physiographic features
This site occurs in a lowland position, but can occur on a variety of slopes and in all positions. Slopes are mostly 1 to 10% and elevations are mostly above 7000 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Alluvial fan
(2) Stream terrace |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 6,500 – 7,500 ft |
| Slope | 15% |
| Ponding depth |
Not specified |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
Annual precipitation ranges from 10-14 inches per year. Wide fluctuations may occur in yearly precipitation and result in more dry years than those with more than normal precipitation. Temperatures show a wide range between summer and winter and between daily maximums and minimums. This is predominantly due to the high elevation and dry air, which permits rapid incoming and outgoing radiation. Cold air outbreaks in winter move rapidly from northwest to southeast and account for extreme minimum temperatures. Extreme storms may occur during the winter, but most severely affect ranch operations during late winter and spring.
Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 50 mph.
Growth of native cool season plants begins about April 15 and continues to about August 15. Some green up of cool season plants usually occurs in September depending upon fall moisture occurrences.
For detailed information visit the Natural Resources Conservation Service National Water and Climate Center at http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/state.pl?state=wy website. Other climate stations representative of this precipitation zone include ”Border 3 N ” and Kemmerer Wtr Trtmt” in Lincoln County; “Evanston 1 E” in Uinta County; and “Merna” in Sublette County.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 67 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 97 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 14 in |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
There are no water features associated with this site.
Soil features
These soils commonly are deep (greater than 20 inches in depth) and well drained. They are composed of mostly fine alluvium sediment with excess salt and/or sodium. Surface clays may disperse when wetted and inhibit infiltration. Permeability and available water capacity are also restricted. Parent material is sedimentary rock, especially shale.
Major soil series correlated to this site include: Absher, Gunsone, and Tisworth.
Other soil series correlated in MLRA 34A include: Abston, Spicerton, Moyerson, Sunburst and some phases of the Elkol series.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Clay (2) Silty clay (3) Clay loam |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
| Drainage class | Moderately well drained to well drained |
| Permeability class | Slow to moderately slow |
| Soil depth | 20 – 60 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 5% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
2 – 5 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
10% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
4 – 16 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
13 – 20 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
6.6 – 9.6 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
15% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
Not specified |
Ecological dynamics
As this site deteriorates from improper grazing management, species such as halogeton and annual forbs will invade. Indian ricegrass, bud sagebrush, and Gardners saltbush will decrease in frequency and production.
These plant communities narratives may not represent every possibility, but they probably are the most prevalent and repeatable plant communities. The plant composition tables shown above have been developed from the best available knowledge at the time of this revision. As more data is collected, some of these plant communities may be revised or removed, and new ones may be added. None of these plant communities should necessarily be thought of as “Desired Plant Communities”. According to the USDA NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook, Desired Plant Communities (DPC’s) will be determined by the decision-makers and will meet minimum quality criteria established by the NRCS. The main purpose for including any description of a plant community here is to capture the current knowledge and experience at the time of this revision.
The Historic Climax Plant Community (description follows the plant community diagram) has been determined by study of rangeland relic areas, or areas protected from excessive disturbance. Trends in plant communities going from heavily grazed areas to lightly grazed areas, seasonal use pastures, and historical accounts have also been used.
The following is a State and Transition Model Diagram that illustrates the common plant communities (states) that can occur on the site and the transitions between these communities. The ecological processes will be discussed in more detail in the plant community narratives following the diagram.
State and transition model
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View Interactive Models
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State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Gardner's Saltbush/Bunchgrass (HCPC)
Community 1.1
Gardner's Saltbush/Bunchgrass (HCPC)
The interpretive plant community for this site is the Historic Climax Plant Community. Potential vegetation is about 55% grasses or grass-like plants, 5% forbs, and 40% woody plants. Saline tolerant plants dominate this site. The major grasses include rhizomatous wheatgrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, and Indian ricegrass. Other grasses may include alkali sacaton, needleandthread, and Sandberg bluegrass. Gardners saltbush, bud sagebrush, greasewood, and winterfat are the dominant woody plants. A typical plant composition for this state consists of rhizomatous wheatgrass 10-25%, bottlebrush squirreltail 10-20%, Indian ricegrass 10-20%, other grasses and grass-like plants 5-15%, perennial forbs 1-5%, Gardners saltbush 20-40%, winterfat 5-15%, up to 5% bud sagebrush, and up to 5% greasewood. This state provides valuable winter grazing for domestic livestock. Ground cover, by ocular estimate, varies from 30-50%. The total annual production (air-dry weight) of this state is about 600 pounds per acre, but it can range from about 400 lbs./acre in unfavorable years to about 750 lbs./acre in above average years. This state is fragile, but well adapted to the Cool Central Desertic Basins and Plateaus climatic conditions. The diversity in plant species allows for some drought resistance. This is a sustainable plant community, but is difficult to reestablish when damaged. (Site/soil stability, watershed function, and biologic integrity). Transitional pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Severe Ground Disturbance will convert this plant community to the Halogeton State. • Continuous Season-long Grazing will convert this plant community to the Gardners Saltbush/Annual Forb State.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 220 | 330 | 412 |
| Shrub/Vine | 160 | 240 | 300 |
| Forb | 20 | 30 | 38 |
| Total | 400 | 600 | 750 |
Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). WY0301, 34AC, Upland Sites. All Upland Sites.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 5 | 40 | 50 | 5 |
State 2
Gardner's Saltbush/Annual Forb
Community 2.1
Gardner's Saltbush/Annual Forb
This plant community is a result of moderate to heavy continual grazing use. Gardner's saltbush remains the dominant woody plant, however frequency and production is decreased. Grasses are replaced by annual and perennial forbs and an increase in bare ground. The total annual production (air-dry weight) of this state is about 400 pounds per acre, but it can range from about 200 lbs./acre in unfavorable years to about 600 lbs./acre in above average years. The site is at risk and not well protected from excessive erosion. Grazing for wildlife and cattle has been reduced. The biotic integrity of this plant community is not intact. The amount of bare ground puts the watershed at risk for increased runoff. Transitional pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Severe Ground Disturbance will convert this plant community to the Halogeton State. • Prescribed grazing will prevent further deterioration and over the long-term may return this state to near Historic Climax Plant Community (Gardners Saltbush/Bunchgrass State).
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). WY0301, 34AC, Upland Sites. All Upland Sites.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 5 | 40 | 50 | 5 |
State 3
Halogeton
Community 3.1
Halogeton
This plant community is a result of severe ground disturbance. Halogeton, bottlebrush squirreltail, and bare ground are a major part of this state. Sparse saline tolerant grasses can be found in the understory with the balance made up of annual forbs. The total annual production (air-dry weight) of this state is about 200 pounds per acre, but it can range from about 100 lbs./acre in unfavorable years to about 400 lbs./acre in above average years. The state is vulnerable to excessive erosion. The biotic integrity of this plant community is at risk depending on how far a shift has occurred in plant composition toward halogeton and annual forbs. The watershed is at risk as bare ground increases. Transitional pathways leading to other plant communities are as follows: • Chemical Seedbed Preparation and Re-seeding followed by deferment for 1 to 2 years as part of a Prescribed Grazing plan will return this plant community to near Historic Climax Plant Community (Gardners Saltbush/Bunchgrass State) although halogeton will remain a part of the plant community. Additional deferment may be necessary and should be prescribed on an individual site basis.
Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). WY0301, 34AC, Upland Sites. All Upland Sites.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 5 | 40 | 50 | 5 |
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 | 60–150 | |||||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 60–150 | – | ||
| 2 | 60–120 | |||||
| Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 60–120 | – | ||
| 3 | 60–120 | |||||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 60–120 | – | ||
| 4 | 30–90 | |||||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–30 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECO26 | Hesperostipa comata | 0–30 | – | ||
| Sandberg bluegrass | POSE | Poa secunda | 0–30 | – | ||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 0–30 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 5 | 6–30 | |||||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 0–30 | – | ||
| sandwort | ARENA | Arenaria | 0–30 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–30 | – | ||
| fleabane | ERIGE2 | Erigeron | 0–30 | – | ||
| buckwheat | ERIOG | Eriogonum | 0–30 | – | ||
| tufted evening primrose | OECA10 | Oenothera caespitosa | 0–30 | – | ||
| spiny phlox | PHHO | Phlox hoodii | 0–30 | – | ||
| phlox | PHLOX | Phlox | 0–30 | – | ||
| princesplume | STANL | Stanleya | 0–30 | – | ||
| deathcamas | ZIGAD | Zigadenus | 0–30 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 6 | 120–240 | |||||
| Gardner's saltbush | ATGA | Atriplex gardneri | 120–240 | – | ||
| 7 | 30–90 | |||||
| winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 30–90 | – | ||
| 8 | 0–30 | |||||
| bud sagebrush | PIDE4 | Picrothamnus desertorum | 0–30 | – | ||
| 9 | 0–30 | |||||
| greasewood | SAVE4 | Sarcobatus vermiculatus | 0–30 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations
Gardners Saltbush/Bunchgrass Plant Community (HCPC): The predominance of woody plants in this plant community provides winter grazing for mule deer and antelope. Suitable thermal and escape cover may be limited due to the low quantities of tall woody plants. Sagebrush obligate species may frequent the area, but do not prefer this habitat. When found adjacent to sagebrush dominated states, this plant community may provide lek sites for sage grouse. It provides suitable habitat for prairie dog towns, badgers, burrowing owls, and other ground-burrowing animals.
Gardners Saltbush/Annual Forb Plant Community: This plant community may be useful for the same wildlife that would use the Historic Climax Plant Community. However, the plant community composition is less diverse, and thus, less apt to meet the seasonal needs of these animals.
Halogeton Plant Community: This plant community exhibits a low level of plant species diversity. In most cases, it is not a desirable plant community to select as a wildlife habitat management objective.
Animal Community – Grazing Interpretations
The following table lists suggested stocking rates for cattle under continuous season-long grazing under normal growing conditions. These are conservative estimates that should be used only as guidelines in the initial stages of the conservation planning process. Often, the current plant composition does not entirely match any particular plant community (as described in this ecological site description). Because of this, a field visit is recommended, in all cases, to document plant composition and production. More precise carrying capacity estimates should eventually be calculated using this information along with animal preference data, particularly when grazers other than cattle are involved. Under more intensive grazing management, improved harvest efficiencies can result in an increased carrying capacity.
Plant Community Production (lb./ac) and Carrying Capacity* (AUM/ac)
Gardners Saltbush/Bunchgrass (HCPC) 400-750 lb./ac and .18 AUM/ac
Gardners Saltbush/Annual Forb 200-600 lb./ac and .12 AUM/ac
Halogeton 100-400 lb./ac and .06 AUM/ac
* - Continuous, season-long grazing by cattle under average growing conditions.
Grazing by domestic livestock is one of the major income-producing industries in the area. Rangeland in this area may provide yearlong forage for cattle, sheep, or horses. During the dormant period, the forage for livestock use needs to be supplemented with protein because the quality does not meet minimum livestock requirements.
Hydrological functions
Water is the principal factor limiting forage production on this site. This site is highly variable and is dominated by soils in hydrologic group B and D, with localized areas in hydrologic group A and C. Infiltration ranges from slow to very rapid. Runoff potential for this site varies from moderate to high depending on soil hydrologic group, depth and fracturing of bedrock, slope, and ground cover (refer to Part 630, NRCS National Engineering Handbook for detailed hydrology information).
Rills and gullies may be present, but should be small. Water flow patterns should be barely distinguishable. Pedestals are only slightly present in association with bunchgrasses. Litter typically falls in place, and signs of movement are not common. Chemical and physical crusts are rare to non-existent. Cryptogrammic crusts are present, but only cover 1-2% of the soil surface.
Recreational uses
This site provides limited hunting opportunities.
Wood products
No appreciable wood products are present on the site.
Other products
None noted.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping data and other inventory data. Field observations from range trained personnel were also used. Those involved in developing this site include: Bill Christensen, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; Karen Clause, Range Management Specialist, NRCS; and Everet Bainter, Range Management Specialist, NRCS. Other sources used as references include: USDA NRCS Water and Climate Center, USDA NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook, and USDA NRCS Soil Surveys from various counties.
Contributors
Karen Clause
Approval
Kirt Walstad, 5/01/2024
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) | K. Clause, B. Brazee, E. Bainter |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | karen.clause@wy.usda.gov or 307-367-2257 |
| Date | 03/16/2007 |
| Approved by | Kirt Walstad |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
Rare to nonexistent. Where present, short and widely spaced. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Barely observable. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Rare to nonexistent. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground can range from 20-45%. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Active gullies should not be present. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Minimal to nonexistent. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Herbaceous litter expected to move only in small amounts (to leeward side of shrubs) due to wind. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil Stability Index ratings range from 3 (interspaces) to 5 (under plant canopy), but average values should be 4.0 or greater. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Typically an A-horizon of greater than 3 inches (7 cm) with medium platy structure and color hues of 10YR or 5Y, values of 5-7, and chromas of 2-4. Sometimes a shallow E-horizon of 1 inch (3 cm) with weak platy structure that is grayish brown (i.e. 2.5Y 5/2) will replace the A-horizon. Organic matter typically ranges from 1 to 2%. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Plant community consists of 30-65% grasses, 5% forbs, and 30-65% shrubs. Evenly distributed plant canopy (35-70%) and litter, but slow infiltration rates result in slight to moderate runoff. Basal cover is typically less than 5% for this site and does very little to effect runoff on this site. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
No compaction layer exists, but some soil crusting in dry conditions is typical. -
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:
perennial shrubs=mid-size, cool season bunchgrasses>>cool season rhizomatous grasses>>short, cool season bunchgrasses=perennial forbs -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Minimal decadence. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter ranges from 10-30% of total canopy measurement with total litter (including beneath the plant canopy) from 25-50% expected. Herbaceous litter depth is typically shallow, ranging from 2-7 mm. Woody litter can be up to an inch (3 cm). -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
English: 400-750 lb/ac (600 lb/ac average); Metric: 448-840 kg/ha (672 kg/ha average). -
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:
Bare ground greater than 60% is the most common indicator of a threshold being crossed. Sandberg bluegrass and phlox are common increasers. Halogeton, kochia, and Russian thistle are common invasive species in disturbed sites. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species are capable of reproducing, except in drought years.
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