Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Ecological site F035XH808AZ

Loamy Upland 17-25" p.z. (PIPO)

Accessed: 12/22/2024

Home / Esd catalog / MLRA 035X / Ecological site F035XH808AZ

USC

Metric

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.

Click to explore map

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): 035X–Colorado Plateau

This ecological site occurs in Common Resource Area 35.8 - the Colorado Plateau Ponderosa Pine Forests

The Common Resource Area occurs within the Colorado Plateau Physiographic Province. Elevations range from 6800 to 8500 feet and precipitation averages 17 to 25 inches per year. Vegetation includes ponderosa pine, white fir, aspen, pinyon, juniper, Gambel oak, big sagebrush, ceanothus, blue elderberry, muttongrass, upland sedge, and big wildrye, mountain muhly, Arizona fescue, pine dropseed, and blue grama. The soil temperature regime ranges from mesic to frigid and the soil moisture regime is typic ustic. This unit occurs within the Colorado Plateau Physiographic Province and is characterized by a sequence of flat to gently dipping sedimentary rocks eroded into plateaus, valleys and deep canyons. Sedimentary rock classes dominate the plateau with volcanic fields occurring for the most part near its margin.

Associated sites

R035XH807AZ	Loamy Upland 17-25" p.z. Deep and very deep soils in wide drainageways and open valleys.

R035XH807AZ

Loamy Upland 17-25" p.z.

Deep and very deep soils in wide drainageways and open valleys.

Similar sites

F035XH805AZ	Loamy Hills 17-25" p.z. (PIPO) Steeper slopes, hills and escarpments.

F035XH805AZ

Loamy Hills 17-25" p.z. (PIPO)

Steeper slopes, hills and escarpments.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Pinus ponderosa (2) Quercus gambelii
Shrub	(1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis (2) Ceanothus fendleri
Herbaceous	(1) Poa fendleriana (2) Carex rossii

Download full description

Physiographic features

This site is a forestland dominated by ponderosa pine. It occurs on nearly level to gently sloping plateaus, benches, and mesas. Soils are typically moderately deep, well-developed and non effervescent. The site can have small inclusions of deeper soils, or shallow soils associated with rock outcrops. Slopes on this site generally range from 1 - 15%, occasionally as high as 20%. The site does not benefit significantly from run-on moisture from adjacent sites.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Plateau (2) Mesa (3) Structural bench
Elevation	6,800 – 8,500 ft
Slope	15%
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

Winter-summer moisture ratios are typically 70:30 on the west side of this LRU and shift to 60:40 on the east side. Late spring is usually the driest period, and early fall moisture can be sporadic. Summer rains fall from June through September; moisture originates in the Gulf of Mexico and creates convective, usually brief, intense thunderstorms. Cool season moisture from October through May tends to be frontal; It originates in the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California and falls in widespread storms with longer duration and lower intensity. Precipitation generally comes as snow from October into April. Snowpack can persist for 3-4 months, although it may disappear in exposed areas during prolonged dry weather. Summer daytime temperatures are typically 80-90 but can exceed 95 degrees F. Winter temperatures of around 0 degrees F are common and can reach -25 degrees F.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (average)	100 days
Freeze-free period (average)	130 days
Precipitation total (average)	25 in

Bar

Line

Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range

Bar

Line

Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Influencing water features

The soil moisture on this ecological site comes from precipitation. The site does not benefit significantly from run-on moisture. The loamy surface texture of the soil allows the site to capture the majority of the winter storms and the light to moderate summer storms if the site has good vegetative cover. Intense summer thunderstorms will produce runoff, reducing the amount of effective rainfall.

Soil features

The soils on this site are moderately deep. They have been formed in place from residuum. Surfaces have a O horizon 1-4 inches deep. The surface textures of the mineral soil range from sandy loam to silt loam, sometimes gravelly. The A horizon is typically no more than 6 inches thick. Subsurface textures are clay loam to clay, occasionally gravelly. An argillic horizon is unually present; in come cases it has been degraded away.

Soil survey map unit components that have been correlated to this ecolgical site include:

SSA-625 Mohave county NE 12-Godding;

SSA-701 Grand Canyon area 37-Elledge Family, 91-Pinntank;

SSA-713 Chinle Area 21-Jacks/Manuelito, 26-Jacks family/Pachic Haplustolls, 59-Jacks family

SSA-715 Ft Defiance 54-Manuelito, 55-Manuelito

SSA-717 Shiprock area 10-Kunz.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Surface texture	(1) Gravelly loam (2) Gravelly sandy loam (3) Gravelly silt loam
Family particle size	(1) Clayey
Drainage class	Well drained
Permeability class	Very slow to slow
Soil depth	20 – 40 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	10%
Available water capacity (0-40in)	2.5 – 7 in
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)	2 mmhos/cm
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	6.6 – 7.3
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	15%

Ecological dynamics

The plant communities found on an ecological site are naturally variable. Composition and production will vary with yearly conditions, location, aspect, and the natural variability of the soils. The historical climax plant community represents the natural potential plant communities found on relict or relatively undisturbed sites. Other plant communities described here represent plant communities that are known to occur when the site is disturbed by factors such as grazing, fire, or drought.

Production data provided in this site description is standardized to air-dry weight at the end of the summer growing season. The plant communities described in this site description are based on near normal rainfall years.

NRCS uses a Similarity Index to compare existing plant communities to the plant communities described here. Similarity Index is determined by comparing the production and composition of a plant community to the production and composition of a plant community described in this site description. To determine Similarity Index, compare the production (air-dry weight) of each species to that shown in the plant community description. For each species, count no more than the maximum amount shown for the species, and for each group, count no more than the maximum shown for the group. Divide the resulting total by the total normal year production shown in the plant community description. If rainfall has been significantly above or below normal, use the total production shown for above or below normal years. If field data is not collected at the end of the summer growing season, then the field data must be corrected to the end of the year production before comparing it to the site description. The growth curve can be used as a guide for estimating production at the end of the summer growing season.

The State and Transition model shows the most common occurring plant communities likely to be encountered on this ecological site. This model may not show every possible plant community, but only those that are most prevalent and observed through field inventory. As more data is collected and research is available, these plant communities may be revised, removed, and even added to reflect the ecological dynamics of this site.

State and transition model

Custom diagram

Standard diagram

Figure 4. 358 LoamyUpland S&T

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

State 1
Reference State

This is a forest site that is dominated by a ponderosa pine tree overstory. Cool season grasses dominate the understory vegetation with shrubs and forbs as minor components throughout the site. Fire suppression, grazing and favorable climatic conditions have increased shrub and/or tree components of theis site. This is in conjunction with decreased amounts of grass cover and an increase in pine needle litter and annuals.

Community 1.1
Historic Climax Plant Community

Figure 5. Loamy Upland 17-25" p.z.

1.1 This site was developed under historic Colorado Plateau climatic conditions and reflects the natural influences of herbivores, climate fluctuations and occasional fire. This community has an overstory layer dominated by mature and widely-spaced ponderosa pine. The shrub layer is intermittent. Grasses are dominantly cool-season perennials and make up a substantial part of the vegetation. Perennial and annual forbs are also well represented.

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)
Grass/Grasslike	265	318	370
Forb	75	113	150
Shrub/Vine	5	27	55
Tree	5	28	55
Total	350	486	630

Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ3581, 35.8 17-25" p.z. all sites. Growth begins in the spring, most growth occurs during the summer rainy season..

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	4	10	24	21	23	13	5	0	0

Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ3901, 35.8 17-25" p.z. muttongrass. Growth begins in the spring and extends through the summer rainy season..

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	5	10	30	20	20	10	5	0	0

Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ3902, 35.8 17-25" p.z. Arizona fescue. Growth begins in the late spring and extends through the summer rainy season..

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	0	5	20	30	30	10	5	0	0

Community 1.2
Ponderosa Pine Overstory with Increased Shrub Understory

Fire suppression and grazing have decreased the amount of grass understory and various shrubs have increased on the site.

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Fire suppression and unmanaged grazing.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Brush treatment and possible grass re-seeding.

State 2
Heavy Overstory

This state has a very dense overstory of ponderosa pine trees. Much of the understory vegetation is excluded from this plant community. It takes large amounts of energy to return to the reference plant community.

Community 2.1
Heavy Overstory

Thick pondrosa pine overstory with a very diminished plant community understory.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Lack of fire/fire suppression, excessive grazing, high precipitation years

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

Thinning of forest overstory, burning of understory and possible re-seeding

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	Grasses			265–370
	muttongrass	POFE	Poa fendleriana	55–160	–
	Ross' sedge	CARO5	Carex rossii	5–80	–
	big squirreltail	ELMU3	Elymus multisetus	10–55	–
	Arizona fescue	FEAR2	Festuca arizonica	0–25	–
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	0–25	–
	mountain muhly	MUMO	Muhlenbergia montana	0–25	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	0–15	–
	pinyon ricegrass	PIFI	Piptochaetium fimbriatum	0–5	–
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	0–5	–
	Porter brome	BRPO2	Bromus porteri	0–5	–
	Grass, perennial	2GP	Grass, perennial	0–5	–
	pine dropseed	BLTR	Blepharoneuron tricholepis	0–5	–
	needle and thread	HECOC8	Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata	0–5	–
Forb
2	Perennial Forbs			55–105
	cinquefoil	POTEN	Potentilla	0–15	–
	ragwort	SENEC	Senecio	0–15	–
	goldenrod	SOLID	Solidago	0–15	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	0–15	–
	Indian paintbrush	CASTI2	Castilleja	0–15	–
	silvery lupine	LUAR3	Lupinus argenteus	0–15	–
	Hill's lupine	LUHI2	Lupinus hillii	0–15	–
	tansyaster	MACHA	Machaeranthera	0–15	–
	toadflax penstemon	PELI2	Penstemon linarioides	0–15	–
	Utah bird's-foot trefoil	LOUT3	Lotus utahensis	0–10	–
	Wright's deervetch	LOWR	Lotus wrightii	0–10	–
	larkspur	DELPH	Delphinium	0–10	–
	redroot buckwheat	ERRA3	Eriogonum racemosum	0–10	–
	aspen fleabane	ERSPM	Erigeron speciosus var. macranthus	0–10	–
	pussytoes	ANTEN	Antennaria	0–10	–
	Fendler's sandwort	ARFE3	Arenaria fendleri	0–5	–
	sego lily	CANU3	Calochortus nuttallii	0–5	–
	western yarrow	ACMIO	Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis	0–5	–
	Lewis flax	LILE3	Linum lewisii	0–5	–
	rock goldenrod	PETRA	Petradoria	0–5	–
	beardlip penstemon	PEBA2	Penstemon barbatus	0–5	–
	yellow salsify	TRDU	Tragopogon dubius	0–5	–
3	Annual Forbs			25–50
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	0–10	–
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	0–10	–
	Wheeler's thistle	CIWH	Cirsium wheeleri	0–10	–
	trailing fleabane	ERFL	Erigeron flagellaris	0–10	–
	Cooper's rubberweed	HYCO2	Hymenoxys cooperi	0–10	–
	fineleaf hymenopappus	HYFI	Hymenopappus filifolius	0–10	–
	scarlet gilia	IPAG	Ipomopsis aggregata	0–10	–
	lousewort	PEDIC	Pedicularis	0–10	–
	desert Indianwheat	PLOV	Plantago ovata	0–10	–
	hillside vervain	VENE	Verbena neomexicana	0–10	–
Shrub/Vine
4	Shrubs			5–50
	Wyoming big sagebrush	ARTRW8	Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis	0–25	–
	Fendler's ceanothus	CEFE	Ceanothus fendleri	0–25	–
	black sagebrush	ARNO4	Artemisia nova	0–20	–
	rubber rabbitbrush	ERNAN5	Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa var. nauseosa	0–15	–
	broom snakeweed	GUSA2	Gutierrezia sarothrae	0–10	–
	Gambel oak	QUGA	Quercus gambelii	0–10	–
	wax currant	RICE	Ribes cereum	0–5	–
	New Mexico raspberry	RUNE	Rubus neomexicanus	0–5	–
	blue elderberry	SANIC5	Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea	0–5	–
	mountain snowberry	SYOR2	Symphoricarpos oreophilus	0–5	–
	pingue rubberweed	HYRI	Hymenoxys richardsonii	0–5	–
	Fremont's mahonia	MAFR3	Mahonia fremontii	0–5	–
	creeping barberry	MARE11	Mahonia repens	0–5	–
	Stansbury cliffrose	PUST	Purshia stansburiana	0–5	–
	Shrub (>.5m)	2SHRUB	Shrub (>.5m)	0–5	–
Tree
5	Evergreen Trees			5–50
	ponderosa pine	PIPO	Pinus ponderosa	5–50	–
	white fir	ABCO	Abies concolor	0–5	–
	Utah juniper	JUOS	Juniperus osteosperma	0–5	–
	Rocky Mountain juniper	JUSC2	Juniperus scopulorum	0–5	–
	twoneedle pinyon	PIED	Pinus edulis	0–5	–
6	Deciduous trees			0–15
	Gambel oak	QUGA	Quercus gambelii	0–15	–
	quaking aspen	POTR5	Populus tremuloides	0–5	–

Interpretations

Animal community

Site is favorable for grazing throughout most of the year except when snow cover restricts availability of forage. With continuous grazing use during winter and spring, the relatively scarce cool season mid grasses are replaced by rabbit brush, snakeweed and lower value forbs and grasses. Planned grazing systems adapt well to use on this site.

Recreational uses

Winters are cold, however, relatively mild spring, fall and summer months are attractive to recreationists.

Activities include hunting, cross-country riding, photography, hiking, rock collecting, and wildlife observation.

Supporting information

Other references

Updates and revisions for this ESD were conducted as part of a 2007-2012 Interagency Technical Assistance Agreement between the Bureau of Indian Affairs–Navajo Region and the NRCS-Arizona.

Contributors

Art Meen
Dan Carroll
Karlynn Huling
Larry D. Ellicott

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
Approved by
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:

Download reference sheet

Search

Natural ResourcesConservation Service