Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R035XA106AZ
Clayey Upland 10-14" p.z.
Accessed: 11/13/2024
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): 035X–Colorado Plateau
This ecological site occurs in Common Resource Area 35.1 - the Colorado Plateau Mixed Grass Plains
Elevations range from 4800 to 6300 feet and precipitation averages 10 to 14 inches per year. Vegetation includes Stipa species, Indian ricegrass, galleta, and blue grama, fourwing saltbush, winterfat, and cliffrose. The soil temperature regime is mesic and the soil moisture regime is ustic aridic. 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.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
Not specified |
---|---|
Shrub |
(1) Atriplex canescens |
Herbaceous |
(1) Bouteloua gracilis |
Physiographic features
This site occurs in an upland position on gently sloping old valley fill plains or mesa tops. It neither benefits significantly from run-in moisture nor suffers excessively from runoff.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms |
(1)
Mesa
(2) Plain |
---|---|
Flooding duration | Extremely brief (0.1 to 4 hours) |
Flooding frequency | None to rare |
Elevation | 1,463 – 1,920 m |
Slope | 0 – 15% |
Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
This site receives about 60% of the moisture as rain during July through September. This is the most effective and dependable moisture. The 40% received from November through February is uaually in the form of light rain or snow from October through May.
High velocity winds are common during the winter and spring. Long periods of time with little or no effective moisture are relatively common.
The cool season plants begin growth in early spring and mature in early summer. The warm season plants take advantage of the summer rains and growing and nutritious from July through September.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) | 160 days |
---|---|
Freeze-free period (average) | 180 days |
Precipitation total (average) | 330 mm |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
Soil features
Soils in this site are moderately deep to deep over basalt bedrock or other plant root restricting layers. The surface soil is 4 to 8 inches thick and textures are generally clay and silty clay with granular silty clay loam or clay loam at the surface in some locations. The substratum textures are silty clay, loam, silty clay loam, or clay. Coarse fragments of gravel, cobble, or stone range from a few percent to as much as 30% by volume on the surface and in the substratum. When dry, these soils have cracks that are one inch or more wide and 20 to 36 inches deep. Runoff is slow to medium on dry soils, and medium to high on moist soils. Infiltration rate of the dry soil is very high; that of the moist soil is very low. The soils are neutral to moderately alkaline (pH 7.3 - 8.4) in reaction and soluble salt accumulations are low.
Typical taxonomic units include:
SSA Central Coconino County(631) - Springerville MU's 043, 044, 045;
SSA Central Navajo County(633) - Springerville MU 063;
SSA Western Yavapai County(637) MU TcC and
SSA Navajo Mountain Area(711) MU 65 Campanile.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material |
(1)
Alluvium
–
tuff
|
---|---|
Surface texture |
(1) Clay (2) Silty clay (3) Silty clay loam |
Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
Drainage class | Moderately well drained to well drained |
Permeability class | Moderately slow to very slow |
Soil depth | 102 – 152 cm |
Surface fragment cover <=3" | 0 – 30% |
Surface fragment cover >3" | 0 – 30% |
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 15% |
Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 mmhos/cm |
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm) |
0 |
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
7.3 – 8.4 |
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
0 – 30% |
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
0 – 30% |
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
Figure 4. State and Transition Model – R035XA106AZ
More interactive model formats are also available.
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Ecosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State
The reference state includes the Historic Climax Plant Community and was described by the observation and study of plant communties that have evolved through the long-term interactions of natural disturbance processes, climate, soils and landforms. This reference state is characterized as a native mid and short grassland dominated by warm season grasses.
Community 1.1
Native Perennial Grassland (HCPC)
This site has a plant community made up primarily of mid and short grasses with a relatively small percentage of shrubs and forbs. There is a mixture of both cool and warm season grasses. The plant community is dominated by grasses, which make up about 75% of the plant community by weight, forbs make up about 5%, shrubs make up about 20% with an occasional tree.
Figure 6. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike | 280 | 532 | 785 |
Shrub/Vine | 45 | 112 | 163 |
Forb | 11 | 22 | 45 |
Tree | – | 6 | 17 |
Total | 336 | 672 | 1010 |
Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ3511, 35.1 10-14" p.z. all sites. Growth begins in the spring and continues through the summer, 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 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 18 | 25 | 24 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ5102, 35.1 10-14" p.z. blue grama. Growth occurs mostly in summer and early fall during the 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 | 5 | 15 | 30 | 30 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ5103, 35.1 10-14" p.z. sideoats grama. Most growth occurs in summer and early fall during the 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 | 20 | 30 | 20 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ5213, 35.1 10-14" p.z. winterfat. Growth begins in the spring and continues through the summer. Seed stalk extension and seed set occurs in summer..
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
0 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 25 | 20 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
State 2
Native/ Invasive Annuals State
This state is a grassland/shrubland plant community with a moderate amount of native and non-native annuals in the plant community.
Community 2.1
Galleta - Blue grama/Fourwing saltbush with Annuals
This plant community phase is characterized by native and non-native annual grasses and forbs well distributed in the plant community and can dominate the plant community in wet years. There is a decline of favorable cool and warm seson grasses. The decline of perennial herbaceous ground cover and an increase of bare ground along with increased runoff allow for the invasion of annuals. Annuals can make up to 40% of the plant community annual production.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
Establishment of non-native annual species creates an irreversible change in the plant community. Unmanaged grazing, drought, decrease of perennial herbaceous ground cover, increase bare ground allow for the invasive of native and non-native annual grasses and forbs.
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
1 | Cool Season Grasses | 112–213 | ||||
squirreltail | ELELE | Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides | 37–110 | – | ||
western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 37–73 | – | ||
Indian ricegrass | ACHY | Achnatherum hymenoides | 37–73 | – | ||
2 | Warm Season Grasses | 280–443 | ||||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 110–183 | – | ||
James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 73–146 | – | ||
alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 73–146 | – | ||
sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 73–146 | – | ||
3 | Other Grasses | 39–129 | ||||
common wolfstail | LYPH | Lycurus phleoides | 0–39 | – | ||
sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–39 | – | ||
Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–22 | – | ||
ring muhly | MUTO2 | Muhlenbergia torreyi | 0–22 | – | ||
spike muhly | MUWR | Muhlenbergia wrightii | 0–22 | – | ||
Grass, annual | 2GA | Grass, annual | 0–11 | – | ||
Forb
|
||||||
4 | Forbs | 6–50 | ||||
Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 6–17 | – | ||
Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–11 | – | ||
globemallow | SPHAE | Sphaeralcea | 0–6 | – | ||
common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 0–6 | – | ||
false goldeneye | HELIO4 | Heliomeris | 0–3 | – | ||
flatspine stickseed | LAOC3 | Lappula occidentalis | 0–3 | – | ||
ragweed | AMBRO | Ambrosia | 0–3 | – | ||
western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 0–3 | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
5 | Shrubs | 73–174 | ||||
fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 39–123 | – | ||
winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 11–56 | – | ||
Fremont's mahonia | MAFR3 | Mahonia fremontii | 0–39 | – | ||
Subshrub (<.5m) | 2SUBS | Subshrub (<.5m) | 0–22 | – | ||
Whipple cholla | CYWH | Cylindropuntia whipplei | 0–11 | – | ||
pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 0–11 | – | ||
Tree
|
||||||
6 | Trees | 0–17 | ||||
Utah juniper | JUOS | Juniperus osteosperma | 0–17 | – |
Interpretations
Animal community
This site is suitable for grazing during any period of the year by cows and calves, stocker cattle, sheep and horses. Prescribed grazing systems can benefit this site by allowing rest periods for the cool season species.
The potential plant community provides a variety of food and cover plants for wildlife. When the vegetation complex retrogresses then unpalatable shrub species increase and the site becomes less usable as a foraging area for some species. Grazing practices that encourage cool season grass species are beneficial to antelope, cottontails and rodents. Shrubs that provide both food and cover should be maintained.
Recreational uses
Site is located on gently sloping plains and mesa tops which lend themselves to activities such as horseback riding, wildlife observation and hunting.
This site has a variety of spring and summer flowers which are particularly noticeable after good moisture periods. It has good aesthetic appeal when not severely disturbed.
Winters are cold, however, relatively mild spring, fall and summer months are attractive to recreationists.
Other information
Threatened and Endangered Species: Golden eagles and Prairie falcons occasionally use the site for feeding areas.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Maricopa County, AZ | |
---|---|
Township/Range/Section | T25N R3W S31 |
General legal description | Espee Ranch, Long Point, Flagstaff, AZ. |
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
Ken Gishi
Larry D. Ellicott
Steve Barker
Unknown
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) | Karlynn Huling |
---|---|
Contact for lead author | State Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS-Arizona State Office, Phoenix, AZ |
Date | 03/08/2006 |
Approved by | Byron Lambeth |
Approval date | |
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None to very few. A few rills may form on the steeper slopes due to the very slow permeability of the soil and the medium runoff. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Some water flow patterns and ponding areas are possible due to the very slow permeability of the soil, the medium runoff, the shrink/swell characteristics, and the physical crust on the surface, especially on the steeper slopes. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
A few pedestals and terracettes may form on the steeper slopes due to the very slow permeability, medium runoff, and the shrink/swell characteristics of the soils. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
This site should have a moderate amount of bare ground (range 20-50%). The moderate available water capacity (7 inches average) gives the site the potential to produce a moderate percentage of plant cover. Areas with a cover of rock fragments will have less bare ground. Drought may cause an increase in bare ground. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Herbaceous and fine woody litter will be transported in the water flow pathways. Coarse woody litter will remain under shrub and tree canopies. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Average site stability rating of 5 expected. Soil surface texture is clay. Most surface horizons are cobbly, but a few are stony and few do not have any fragments. The soils contain shrink/swell clays, so there are many large cracks on the surfacewhen the soil is dry. There may be a 1/4" physical crust on the surface. When well vegetated and protected by surface rock armor, these soils have a moderate to high resistance to water erosion and a high resistance to wind erosion. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Surface structure is granular (moderate to strong, very fine to fine). Surface thickness ranges from 1 to 5 inches. Color is variable depending upon parent material. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
This site is characterized by a relatively even distribution of grasses with some shrubs and trees. Both canopy and basal cover values (especially canopy cover) decrease during a prolonged drought. This type of plant community is moderately effective at capturing and storing precipitation. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None. The surface 3 to 5 inches may be easily compacted in some areas, but the compacted layers may be broken up by the shrink/swell action of the soils. Many of the soils are protected from compaction by surface rock cover or rocks within the surface horizon. -
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:
Warm season bunchgrasses >>Sub-dominant:
Warm season colonizing grasses = Shrubs > Cool season bunchgrasses > Cool season colonizing grasses = ForbsOther:
Trees > CactiAdditional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
All plants functional groups are adapted to survival in all but the most severe droughts. Severe winter droughts affect shrubs the most. Severe summer droughts affect grasses the most. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Mostly herbaceous litter with some woody litter. Litter amounts increase during the first few years of drought, then decrease in later years. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Average annual production on this site is expected to be 450 to 650 lbs/ac. in a year of average annual precipitation. -
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:
Broom snakeweed, cacti, and juniper are native to the site, but have the potential to increase and dominate the site. The decline of perennial herbaceous ground cover and increase of bare ground allows for the invasion of native and non-native annuals. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All plants native to this site are adapted and are capable of producing seeds, stolons and rhizomes in all but the most severe drought.
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