Desert Shallow Clay (Shadscale)

Description

The reference state is highly resistant to change due to the harsh soil environment of this site. Few species can readily establish and dominate on a shallow, clay, salt-affected soil with only 7-9.5 inches of annual precipitaion. The fuel loads are too sparse to carry a fire, and insect or disease impacts have not been documented to have a major impact on the plant community of the site. The resulting condition is a reference state that perpetuates itself on the site indefinately under natural historical conditions.

To this point, no non-native invasive species have been documented on this site, however, it is expected that cheatgrass, Russian thistle, and/or annual mustards may be able to establish as a result of disturbance.

Submodel