Physiographic features

This site is found principally on shallow sand sheets and low dunes associated with structural benches, buttes and mesas. Runoff is typically very high. Slopes range from 2-30%. Elevations are generally 4800-7500 feet.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

The climate is characterized by hot summers and cool to warm winters. Large fluctuations in daily temperatures are common. Mean annual high temperatures are 64 degrees Fahrenheit and mean annual low temperatures are 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Approximately 70-75% of precipitation occurs as rain from March through October. On the average, February, May, and June are the driest months and July through October are the wettest months. Precipitation is extremely variable from month to month and from year to year but averages between 9 and 13 inches per year. Much of the summer precipitation occurs as convection thunderstorms.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Influencing water features

There are no influencing water features on this ecological site.

Soil features

The characteristic soils in this site are 4 to 20 inches deep over Navajo sandstone and somewhat excessively drained. They occur on eolian deposits derived from sandstone parent material. The soils are deposited and stabilized in the form of sand sheets or low dunes mixed with exposed bedrock and can contain some alluvium and residuum. Soil surfaces typically support biological crusts, but areas of bare sand or surface gravels are common. Plants are concentrated where the soil and available moisture are most conducive to plant growth. The soils are typically psamments. There are no distinguishing soil development characteristics; they are often composed of unconsolidated sand of various depths. The sand accumulates and is stabilized by vegetation or crust. Water often runs onto the soil from adjacent rock outcrop and may pool. When there is a large erosion event, soils will sometimes move and redeposit in nearby areas. Soil color is typically yellowish brown (10YR 5/6), and textures range from sand and loamy sand to fine sand and may contain small amounts of gravel. Available water holding capacity is 0.3 to 1.2 inches.

This site has been used in the following soil surveys and has been correlated to the following components:

UT686 - Escalante Grand Staircase - Nalcase;
UT636 – Panguitch Area – Nalcase.

Typical Profile (Nalcase):

C1 – 0-4 inches; fine sand; pale brown (10YR 7/4); non-effervescent; neutral.

C2 – 4-8 inches; fine sand; yellowish brown (10YR 7/3); non-effervescent; neutral.

R - 8 inches; Navajo sandstone.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

--Threatened and Endangered Species--
This site may provide foraging and resting opportunities for peregrine Falcons.

--Wildlife Interpretation--
Small herds of mule deer and pronghorn antelope may graze/browse on these sites, especially when located near water sources and in the winter. The hot summers and lack of water often favors small mammals, which may have an easier time finding shelter, food, and water. Several species of rats, mice, squirrels, bats, and chipmunks may be observed using the site, along with coyotes and foxes. Lizards can often be observed during the day. Common lizard species include the northern whiptail, desert spiny, and the colorful western collard lizard. (NPS.gov, 2008)

--Grazing Interpretations--
This site has limited potential for livestock grazing due to a lack of perennial grasses and the large amounts of rock outcrop that dissect this site. This site often lacks natural water sources, which can influence its suitability for livestock grazing.

The plant community is typically composed of Utah juniper, two-needle pinyon, and a variety of shrubs, Several shrub species can serve as browse forage for livestock on winter range. When present, perennial grasses, primarily Indian ricegrass and James galleta, can also provide good forage for horses, cattle, and sheep. Grazing must be carefully planned and managed to prevent damage to the site. An onsite evaluation should be conducted as part of a science based grazing management plan.

Hydrological functions

The soils associated with this ecological site are generally in Hydrologic Soil Group D due to their shallow depth (NRCS National Engineering Handbook). These soils become saturated quickly due to their high infiltration rates and shallow depths; once these soils are saturated run off potential is high. (National Range and Pasture Handbook, 2003)

Recreational uses

Recreation activities include aesthetic value and good opportunities for hiking and off-road vehicle use.

Wood products

Utah juniper and Two-needle pinyon may provide firewood and possibly fence post where growth is sufficient and regulations allow such use.

Other information

--Poisonous/Toxic Plant Communities--

Toxic plants associated with this site include woolly locoweed, sand sagebrush, and oakbrush. Woolly locoweed is toxic to all classes of livestock and wildlife. Locoweed is palatable and had similar nutrient value to alfalfa, which may cause animals to consume it even when other forage is available. Locoweed contains swainsonine (indolizdine alkaloid) and is poisonous at all stages of growth. Poisoning will become evident after 2-3 weeks of continuous grazing and is associated with 4 major symptoms: 1) neurological damage, 2) emaciation, 3) reproductive failure and abortion, and 4) congestive heart failure linked with “high mountain disease”. Sand sagebrush is toxic to horses, but not to other livestock and wildlife ruminants. This plant contains sesquiterpene lactones and monoterpenes, where toxic concentrations are greatest in the late fall and winter. Horses develop neurological signs and exhibit abnormal behavior, such as ataxia and the tendency to fall down, after eating sand sagebrush for several days. Oakbrush is thought to contain tannins that can be detrimental to cattle, sheep, and occasionally horses if grazed as more than 50% of the diet. Oak is highly toxic during the budding stage, leafing stage, and when acorns are available. Symptoms include lack of appetite, weakness, excessive thirst, edema, reluctance to follow the herd, and emaciation.

Potentially toxic plants associated with this site include four-wing saltbush, which may accumulate selenium, but only when growing on selenium enriched soils. These plants, when consumed will cause alkali disease or chronic selenosis, which affects all classes of livestock (excluding goats). Typically animals consuming 5-50 ppm selenium will develop chronic selenosis and animals consuming greater than 50 ppm selenium will develop acute selenosis. Clinical signs include lameness, soughing of the hoof, hair loss, blindness, and aimless wondering. Horses tend to develop what is called a “bob” tail or “roached” main due to breakage of the long hairs.

Russian thistle is an invasive toxic plant, causing nitrate and to a lesser extent oxalate poisoning, which affects all classes of livestock. The buildup of nitrates in these plants is highly dependent upon environmental factors, such as after a rain storm during a drought, cool/cloudy days, and soils high in nitrogen and low in sulfur and phosphorus, all which cause increased nitrate accumulation. Nitrate collects in the stems and can persist throughout the growing season. Clinical signs of nitrate poisoning include drowsiness, weakness, muscular tremors, increased heart and respiratory rates, staggering gait, and death. Conversely, oxalate poisoning causes kidney failure; clinical signs include muscle tremors, tetany, weakness, and depression. Poisoning generally occurs when livestock consume and are not accustomed to grazing oxalate-containing plants. Animals with prior exposure to oxalates have increased numbers of oxalate-degrading rumen microflora and thus are able to degrade the toxin before clinical poisoning can occur.

--Invasive Plant Communities--

Generally as ecological conditions deteriorate and perennial vegetation decreases due to disturbance (fire, over grazing, drought, off road vehicle overuse, erosion, etc.) annual forbs and grasses will invade the site. Of particular concern in semi-arid environments are the non-native annual invaders including cheatgrass, Russian thistle, halogeton, and annual mustards. The presence of these species will depend on soil properties and moisture availability; however, these invaders are highly adaptive and can flourish in many locations. Once established, complete removal is difficult but suppression may be possible. Due to Cutler jointfir’s slow growth rate it does not compete well with invading plants after a disturbance and thus restoration efforts could be hindered.

--Fire Ecology--

The ability for an ecological site to carry fire depends primarily on the present fuel load and plant moisture content—sites with small fuel loads will burn more slowly and less intensely than sites with large fuel loads. Many semi-desert plant communities in the Colorado Plateau may have evolved without the influence of fire. However a year of exceptionally heavy winter rains can generate fuels by producing heavy stands of annual forbs and grasses. When fires do occur, the effect on the plant community may be extreme due to the harsh environment and slow rate of recovery.

Fires on cutler jointfir ecological sites are relatively uncommon due to sparse vegetation and insufficient fuels. Its fire regime depends on the adjacent plant communities and has been to have a wide range of return intervals. This plant generally sprouts from the roots or woody rood crown after a fire, but also has the capability of reestablishing through seed. While it establishes quickly after fire, its slow growth rate inhibits vigorous competition with invading annuals, which could change the fire regime due to an increase in fine fuels.

Other references

Relative Forage Preference of Plants for Grazing Use by Season: Plants commonly found in Major Land Resource Area D35 --The Colorado Plateau. 2007

Stubbendieck, J., S. L. Hatch, and C. H. Butterfield. 1997. North American range plants. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press. 501p.

USDA, Forest Service. 2007. Fire effects information: plant species life form. Available at http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/index.html. Accessed 7 August 2007.

Knight, A. P. and R. G. Walter. 2001. A guide to plant poisoning of animals in North America. Jackson, WY: Teton NewMedia. 367p.

USDA, Forest Service. 2007. Fire effects information: plant species life form. Available at http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/index.html. Accessed 7 August 2007.

Contributors

Susanne Mayne
Tom Jarman
V. Keith Wadman