Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R040XA101AZ
Basalt Hills 10"-13" 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): 040X–Sonoran Basin and Range
AZ 40.1 – Upper Sonoran Desert
Elevations range from 2000 to 3200 feet and precipitation averages 10 to 13 inches per year. Vegetation includes saguaro, palo verde, mesquite, creosotebush, triangle bursage, prickly pear, cholla, limberbush, wolfberry, bush muhly, threeawns, ocotillo, and globe mallow. The soil temperature regime is thermic and the soil moisture regime is typic aridic. This unit occurs within the Basin and Range Physiographic Province and is characterized by numerous mountain ranges that rise abruptly from broad, plain-like valleys and basins. Igneous and metamorphic rock classes dominate the mountain ranges and sediments filling the basins represent combinations of fluvial, lacustrine, colluvial and alluvial deposits.
Associated sites
| R040XA105AZ |
Shallow Hills 10"-13" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R040XA110AZ |
Limy Slopes 10"-13" p.z. |
| R040XA111AZ |
Limy Upland 10"-13" p.z. |
| R040XA123AZ |
Volcanic Hills 10"-13" P.Z. |
Similar sites
| R040XA123AZ |
Volcanic Hills 10"-13" P.Z. |
|---|---|
| R041XB223AZ |
Basalt Hills 8-12" p.z. |
| R040XB201AZ |
Basalt Hills 7"-10" p.z. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Parkinsonia microphylla |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Encelia farinosa |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Muhlenbergia porteri |
Physiographic features
This site occurs in the upper elevations of the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona. It occurs on hill-slopes, ridge-tops and mesas. Slope aspect is site differentiating at elevations near common resource area boundaries.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Hill
(2) Ridge (3) Mesa |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 2,200 – 4,000 ft |
| Slope | 15 – 60% |
| Aspect | N, E, S |
Climatic features
Precipitation in the common resource area ranges from 10 to 13 inches in the southern part, along the Mexican border with elevations from about 1900 to 3200 feet. Precipitation in the northern part of the resource area ranges from 11 to 14 inches with elevations from about 1700 to 3500 feet. Winter-summer rainfall ratios range from 40%-60% in the southern portions of the land resource unit, to 50%-50% in the central portions, to 60%-40% in the northern part of the land resource unit. As one moves from east to west in this resource area rains become slightly more unpredictable and variable with Coefficients of Variation of annual rainfall equal to 29% at Tucson and 36% at Carefree. Summer rains fall July through Sept., originate in the Gulf of Mexico, and are convective, usually brief, intense thunderstorms. Cool season moisture tends to be frontal, originating in the Pacific and Gulf of California. This winter precipitation falls in widespread storms with long duration and low intensity. Snow is rare and seldom lasts more than an hour or two. May and June are the driest months of the year. Humidity is generally very low.
Winter temperatures are mild, with very few days recording freezing temperatures in the morning. Summer temperatures are warm to hot, with several days in June and July exceeding 105 degrees F.
Both the spring and the summer growing seasons are equally important for perennial grass, forb and shrub growth. Cool and warm season annual forbs and grasses can be common in their respective seasons with above average rainfall. Perennial forage species can remain green throughout the year with available moisture.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 265 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 0 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 13 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 are shallow soils formed on basic igneous parent material (Basalt) and related conglomerates. Bedrock is hard and unweathered. They are calcareous loams with extremely well developed, very dark colored, cobble and stone covers (malapais). Large area of talus or rock slides occur intermingled with soil areas. Rock outcrops make up from 5-20% of the area. Plants-soil moisture relationships are fair. Soils mapped on this site are: SSA-627 Southern Mohave County MU's Akela-1 & 8; SSA-637 Western Yavapai County MU's House Mountain-HmE & Graham-GsE, Rn; SSA-653 Gila Bend-Ajo area MU Winkel-26; SSA-659 Western Pinal County MU Akela-1, ; SSA-661 Eastern Pinal-Southern Gila Counties MU Lehmans-208, ; SSA-703 Tohono O'odham area MU's Delthorny-18 & Garzona-18.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Very cobbly sandy loam (2) Very gravelly sandy loam (3) Cobbly loam |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately rapid to moderate |
| Soil depth | 5 – 20 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 40 – 60% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 20 – 40% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
0.6 – 2.3 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
3 – 15% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
2 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
7.6 – 8.2 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
35 – 65% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
5 – 40% |
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 fire, grazing, 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 amount shown for the group. Divide the resulting total by the total normal year production shown in the plant community description. If the 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.
State and transition model
Figure 4. State and Transition, Basalt Hills 10-13" pz.
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 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 6 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Historic Climax Plant Community
Community 1.1
Historic Climax Plant Community
The Historic Native State includes the native plant communities that occur on the site, including the historic climax plant community. This state includes other plant communities that naturally occupy the site following drought and other natural disturbances. This plant community is a diverse mixture of desert trees, shrubs, cacti, grasses and forbs. Annuals, of both the winter and summer types, are very important in their respective seasons in wet years. North exposures have a higher percentage cover of perennial grasses and forbs than warm exposures. Grass cover ranges from 0-5% on north slopes and 0-1% on south slopes. Suffrutescent forb cover ranges from 1-25% on north slopes and 0-5% on south slopes. Warm exposures have a higher percentage of trees and succulents than north slopes. The half shrub community on north slopes is dominated by species like calliandra, goldeneye, mint bush and mormon tea while on south slopes brittlebush, ratany, limberbush and bursage are dominant. North aspects will have a higher cover of whitethorn while southern aspects will have more creosotebush. The percent of annual forbs and grasses in the plant community can range from 5% in dry years to nearly 70% in very wet winters or summers. The yearly production of annuals ranges from 20 lbs per acre to over 1500 lbs. per acre (from dry year to wet year). Severe drought can reduce the cover of perennial grasses and suffrutescent forbs to less than 1%. Drought can also reduce the cover of sub-shrubs like brittlebush and bursage. The dynamics of Saguaro on this site is unlike the 200-300 year cycle found on deep upland sites in the Upper Sonoran desert. Saguaro recruitment can occur in any favorable year due to numerous rocky habitats favorable for establishment. Saguaro populations tend to be multi-aged and persistent on this site although very favorable years for establishment may result in very heavy stands on some slopes many years later.
Figure 5. 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 | 10 | 75 | 690 |
| Forb | 16 | 50 | 570 |
| Shrub/Vine | 100 | 450 | 540 |
| Tree | 80 | 200 | 300 |
| Total | 206 | 775 | 2100 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 1% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 1-5% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 0-1% |
| Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0-5% |
| Litter | 5-50% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 20-60% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 25-60% |
| Bedrock | 1-5% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 5-35% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | 0-1% | 0-15% | 0-15% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | 0-2% | 1-10% | 0-10% |
| >1 <= 2 | – | 5-15% | 0-5% | 1-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | 0-1% | 1-5% | 0-1% | 0-1% |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 5-15% | 0-2% | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | 0-1% | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ4011, 40.1 10-13" p.z. hill sites. Growth begins in the late winter, goes semi-dormant in the drought period of late May through early July, growth continues in the summer through early fall..
| 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 | 5 | 15 | 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
State 2
Native trees, cacti, shrubs and fire
Community 2.1
Native trees, cacti, shrubs and fire
This plant community occurs as a result of a single hot season fire. Paloverde and saguaro can be severely impacted and may take long periods of time (30-50 years) to recover to pre-fire levels. Perennial and annual grasses and forbs dominate the community for some time until shrubs like bursage and brittlebush can recover. This plant community can produce enough herbaceous fuel from native species of grasses and / or forbs to carry fire in El Nino years or after unusually wet summers. The natural incidence of fire in this MLRA is very low and fires are much more common from man-made ignitions. Areas of the site close to urban zones or along heavily travelled roads and highways will experience a higher rate of fires.
State 3
Exotic perennial grasses with natives
Community 3.1
Exotic perennial grasses with natives
This community occurs where bufflegrass and / or fountain grass invade the native plant community. These species occupy the niches of low shrubs like brittlebush or triangle bursage. They may even result in mortality of large shrubs and cacti like paloverde, prickly pear and cholla.
State 4
Exotic perennial grasses and fire
Community 4.1
Exotic perennial grasses and fire
This community occurs where a native plant community that has been invaded by bufflegrass or fountain grass has burned one or more times. Increasing amounts of bufflegrass leads to more uniform fine fuels. In areas adjacent to roads and urban areas the risk of repeated fires will increase. As fire frequency increases the dominance of the exotic grasses increase.
State 5
Native plant community with exotic annuals
Community 5.1
Native plant community with exotic annuals
This plant community occurs where the native community has been invaded by red brome. Red brome occupies the niche of the native winter annual forbs and grasses. This exotic annual grass will fluctuate from nearly nothing in a dry winter to dominance of the understory plant community in a El Nino winter.
State 6
Exotic annuals and fire
Community 6.1
Exotic annuals and fire
This plant community occurs where a native plant community which has been invaded by red brome has burned repeatedly. As fires become more frequent the native trees, shrubs and succulents are removed from the plant community and red brome becomes dominant. In areas of the site near urban areas and along heavily travelled roads this will be a more common occurence due to an increased source of ignitions.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Dominant perennial grasses | 7–150 | ||||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 5–100 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 1–30 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTEG | Aristida ternipes var. gentilis | 0–30 | – | ||
| tobosagrass | PLMU3 | Pleuraphis mutica | 0–30 | – | ||
| big galleta | PLRI3 | Pleuraphis rigida | 0–30 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMU | Tridens muticus | 1–20 | – | ||
| Parish's threeawn | ARPUP5 | Aristida purpurea var. parishii | 0–20 | – | ||
| blue threeawn | ARPUN | Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi | 0–10 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 0–10 | – | ||
| 2 | Misc perennial grasses | 1–40 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 0–15 | – | ||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 0–15 | – | ||
| slender grama | BORE2 | Bouteloua repens | 0–15 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–10 | – | ||
| Wright's threeawn | ARPUW | Aristida purpurea var. wrightii | 0–10 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 0–5 | – | ||
| low woollygrass | DAPU7 | Dasyochloa pulchella | 0–5 | – | ||
| nineawn pappusgrass | ENDE | Enneapogon desvauxii | 0–5 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 1–5 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 0–5 | – | ||
| southwestern bristlegrass | SESC2 | Setaria scheelei | 0–5 | – | ||
| plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 0–5 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–2 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–1 | – | ||
| 3 | Annual grasses | 5–500 | ||||
| mucronate sprangeltop | LEPAB | Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata | 1–400 | – | ||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 1–200 | – | ||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 1–200 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–100 | – | ||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 0–15 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 0–15 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–10 | – | ||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 0–5 | – | ||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona brome | BRAR4 | Bromus arizonicus | 0–5 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 0–3 | – | ||
| Eastwood fescue | VUMIC | Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata | 0–3 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–3 | – | ||
| witchgrass | PACA6 | Panicum capillare | 0–3 | – | ||
| Bigelow's bluegrass | POBI | Poa bigelovii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 0–2 | – | ||
| canyon cupgrass | ERLE7 | Eriochloa lemmonii | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert lovegrass | ERPEM | Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima | 0–2 | – | ||
| tufted lovegrass | ERPEP2 | Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea | 0–2 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 4 | Dominant perennial forbs | 15–70 | ||||
| desert globemallow | SPAM2 | Sphaeralcea ambigua | 1–25 | – | ||
| slender janusia | JAGR | Janusia gracilis | 1–15 | – | ||
| trailing windmills | ALIN | Allionia incarnata | 1–10 | – | ||
| narrowleaf silverbush | ARLA12 | Argythamnia lanceolata | 1–10 | – | ||
| rough menodora | MESC | Menodora scabra | 1–10 | – | ||
| wishbone-bush | MILAV | Mirabilis laevis var. villosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| brownplume wirelettuce | STPA4 | Stephanomeria pauciflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| longflower tube tongue | JULO3 | Justicia longii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Parry's false prairie-clover | MAPA7 | Marina parryi | 0–5 | – | ||
| Chihuahua tansyaster | MAPIC | Machaeranthera pinnatifida ssp. pinnatifida var. chihuahuana | 0–5 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–5 | – | ||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 1–5 | – | ||
| 5 | Annual forbs and trace perennials | 5–500 | ||||
| California poppy | ESCAM | Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | 0–150 | – | ||
| goosefoot | CHENO | Chenopodium | 0–100 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–100 | – | ||
| Coulter's spiderling | BOCO2 | Boerhavia coulteri | 0–100 | – | ||
| Coulter's lupine | LUSP2 | Lupinus sparsiflorus | 0–100 | – | ||
| phacelia | PHACE | Phacelia | 0–100 | – | ||
| desert Indianwheat | PLOV | Plantago ovata | 1–100 | – | ||
| thelypody | THELY | Thelypodium | 0–100 | – | ||
| shaggyfruit pepperweed | LELA | Lepidium lasiocarpum | 0–50 | – | ||
| Emory's rockdaisy | PEEM | Perityle emoryi | 0–25 | – | ||
| combseed | PECTO | Pectocarya | 0–15 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–15 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 0–15 | – | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–10 | – | ||
| carelessweed | AMPA | Amaranthus palmeri | 0–10 | – | ||
| bristly fiddleneck | AMTE3 | Amsinckia tessellata | 0–10 | – | ||
| woolly tidestromia | TILA2 | Tidestromia lanuginosa | 0–10 | – | ||
| Coulter's globemallow | SPCO2 | Sphaeralcea coulteri | 0–5 | – | ||
| lyreleaf jewelflower | STCA5 | Streptanthus carinatus | 0–5 | – | ||
| slender poreleaf | POGR5 | Porophyllum gracile | 0–5 | – | ||
| cliffbrake | PELLA | Pellaea | 0–5 | – | ||
| Coulter's lyrepod | LYCO4 | Lyrocarpa coulteri | 0–5 | – | ||
| coastal bird's-foot trefoil | LOSA | Lotus salsuginosus | 0–5 | – | ||
| Gordon's bladderpod | LEGO | Lesquerella gordonii | 0–5 | – | ||
| green carpetweed | MOVE | Mollugo verticillata | 0–5 | – | ||
| bristly nama | NAHI | Nama hispidum | 0–5 | – | ||
| glandular threadplant | NEGL | Nemacladus glanduliferus | 0–5 | – | ||
| fringepod | THYSA | Thysanocarpus | 0–5 | – | ||
| brownfoot | ACWR5 | Acourtia wrightii | 0–5 | – | ||
| poreleaf dogweed | ADPO2 | Adenophyllum porophyllum | 0–5 | – | ||
| hoary bowlesia | BOIN3 | Bowlesia incana | 0–5 | – | ||
| Tucson Mountain spiderling | BOME | Boerhavia megaptera | 0–5 | – | ||
| exserted Indian paintbrush | CAEXE | Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta | 0–5 | – | ||
| whitemargin sandmat | CHAL11 | Chamaesyce albomarginata | 0–5 | – | ||
| brittle spineflower | CHBR | Chorizanthe brevicornu | 0–5 | – | ||
| lipfern | CHEIL | Cheilanthes | 0–5 | – | ||
| hairy prairie clover | DAMO | Dalea mollis | 0–5 | – | ||
| American wild carrot | DAPU3 | Daucus pusillus | 0–5 | – | ||
| hyssopleaf sandmat | CHHY3 | Chamaesyce hyssopifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| scarlet spiderling | BOCO | Boerhavia coccinea | 0–5 | – | ||
| New Mexico thistle | CINE | Cirsium neomexicanum | 0–5 | – | ||
| beetle spurge | EUER2 | Euphorbia eriantha | 0–5 | – | ||
| bluedicks | DICA14 | Dichelostemma capitatum | 0–5 | – | ||
| flatcrown buckwheat | ERDE6 | Eriogonum deflexum | 0–5 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–5 | – | ||
| buckwheat | ERIOG | Eriogonum | 0–5 | – | ||
| woollyhead neststraw | STMI2 | Stylocline micropoides | 0–3 | – | ||
| Coues' cassia | SECO10 | Senna covesii | 0–2 | – | ||
| sleepy silene | SIAN2 | Silene antirrhina | 0–2 | – | ||
| cloak fern | NOTHO | Notholaena | 0–2 | – | ||
| Florida pellitory | PAFL3 | Parietaria floridana | 0–2 | – | ||
| Parry's beardtongue | PEPA24 | Penstemon parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| evening primrose | OENOT | Oenothera | 0–1 | – | ||
| whitestem blazingstar | MEAL6 | Mentzelia albicaulis | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert tobacco | NIOBO | Nicotiana obtusifolia var. obtusifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| polygala | POLYG | Polygala | 0–1 | – | ||
| chia | SACO6 | Salvia columbariae | 0–1 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona popcornflower | PLAR | Plagiobothrys arizonicus | 0–1 | – | ||
| sand fringepod | THCU | Thysanocarpus curvipes | 0–1 | – | ||
| branched noseburn | TRRA5 | Tragia ramosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| fringed twinevine | FUCY | Funastrum cynanchoides | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert rosemallow | HICO | Hibiscus coulteri | 0–1 | – | ||
| devil's spineflower | CHRI | Chorizanthe rigida | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert larkspur | DEPA | Delphinium parishii | 0–1 | – | ||
| tall mountain larkspur | DESC | Delphinium scaposum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona wrightwort | CAAR7 | Carlowrightia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| common fiddleneck | AMMEI2 | Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert marigold | BAMU | Baileya multiradiata | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico silverbush | ARNE2 | Argythamnia neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| perennial rockcress | ARPE2 | Arabis perennans | 0–1 | – | ||
| Palmer's Indian mallow | ABPA | Abutilon palmeri | 0–1 | – | ||
| angel's trumpets | ACLO2 | Acleisanthes longiflora | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 6 | Dominant shrubs | 25–160 | ||||
| triangle bur ragweed | AMDE4 | Ambrosia deltoidea | 10–150 | – | ||
| brittlebush | ENFA | Encelia farinosa | 15–150 | – | ||
| 7 | Miscellaneous shrubs | 10–140 | ||||
| triangle bur ragweed | AMDE4 | Ambrosia deltoidea | 18–36 | – | ||
| brittlebush | ENFA | Encelia farinosa | 18–36 | – | ||
| Parish's goldeneye | VIPA14 | Viguiera parishii | 1–20 | – | ||
| white ratany | KRGR | Krameria grayi | 1–10 | – | ||
| whitestem paperflower | PSCO2 | Psilostrophe cooperi | 0–10 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–10 | – | ||
| cattle saltbush | ATPO | Atriplex polycarpa | 0–10 | – | ||
| spiny hackberry | CEEH | Celtis ehrenbergiana | 0–10 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 0–5 | – | ||
| Eastern Mojave buckwheat | ERFA2 | Eriogonum fasciculatum | 0–5 | – | ||
| Coulter's brickellbush | BRCO | Brickellia coulteri | 1–5 | – | ||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 0–5 | – | ||
| starry bedstraw | GAST | Galium stellatum | 0–5 | – | ||
| sweetbush | BEJU | Bebbia juncea | 0–5 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGR | Acacia greggii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona mimosa | MIDIL | Mimosa distachya var. laxiflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 0–5 | – | ||
| arrow poision plant | SEBI9 | Sebastiania bilocularis | 0–5 | – | ||
| jojoba | SICH | Simmondsia chinensis | 0–5 | – | ||
| American threefold | TRCA8 | Trixis californica | 1–5 | – | ||
| lotebush | ZIOB | Ziziphus obtusifolia | 0–3 | – | ||
| Mexican bladdersage | SAME | Salazaria mexicana | 0–3 | – | ||
| desert lavender | HYEM | Hyptis emoryi | 0–3 | – | ||
| knifeleaf condalia | COSP3 | Condalia spathulata | 0–2 | – | ||
| ragged rockflower | CRBI2 | Crossosoma bigelovii | 0–2 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–2 | – | ||
| slender janusia | JAGR | Janusia gracilis | 0–2 | – | ||
| rough menodora | MESC | Menodora scabra | 0–2 | – | ||
| woody crinklemat | TICAC | Tiquilia canescens var. canescens | 0–2 | – | ||
| Mojave woodyaster | XYTOT | Xylorhiza tortifolia var. tortifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPIP4 | Machaeranthera pinnatifida ssp. pinnatifida var. pinnatifida | 0–1 | – | ||
| bush arrowleaf | PLPL | Pleurocoronis pluriseta | 0–1 | – | ||
| slender poreleaf | POGR5 | Porophyllum gracile | 0–1 | – | ||
| sangre de cristo | JACA2 | Jatropha cardiophylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| wand fleabane | EROX2 | Erigeron oxyphyllus | 0–1 | – | ||
| Mexican croton | CRCI | Croton ciliatoglandulifer | 0–1 | – | ||
| Sonoran croton | CRSO | Croton sonorae | 0–1 | – | ||
| featherplume | DAFO | Dalea formosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| spearleaf brickellbush | BRAT | Brickellia atractyloides | 0–1 | – | ||
| desertbroom | BASA2 | Baccharis sarothroides | 0–1 | – | ||
| narrowleaf silverbush | ARLA12 | Argythamnia lanceolata | 0–1 | – | ||
| pelotazo | ABIN | Abutilon incanum | 0–1 | – | ||
| California copperleaf | ACCA3 | Acalypha californica | 0–1 | – | ||
| 8 | Dominant large shrubs | 20–100 | ||||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCO2 | Acacia constricta | 5–25 | – | ||
| ocotillo | FOSP2 | Fouquieria splendens | 1–25 | – | ||
| creosote bush | LATR2 | Larrea tridentata | 5–25 | – | ||
| Berlandier's wolfberry | LYBE | Lycium berlandieri | 1–15 | – | ||
| Wright's beebrush | ALWR | Aloysia wrightii | 1–15 | – | ||
| Arizona desert-thorn | LYEX | Lycium exsertum | 1–10 | – | ||
| banana yucca | YUBA | Yucca baccata | 1–5 | – | ||
| water jacket | LYAN | Lycium andersonii | 0–5 | – | ||
| 9 | Succulents | 15–140 | ||||
| saguaro | CAGI10 | Carnegiea gigantea | 1–50 | – | ||
| ocotillo | FOSP2 | Fouquieria splendens | 5–20 | – | ||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 1–20 | – | ||
| staghorn cholla | CYVE3 | Cylindropuntia versicolor | 1–15 | – | ||
| teddybear cholla | CYBI9 | Cylindropuntia bigelovii | 0–10 | – | ||
| organpipe cactus | STTH3 | Stenocereus thurberi | 0–10 | – | ||
| desert agave | AGDE | Agave deserti | 0–10 | – | ||
| buck-horn cholla | CYAC8 | Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa | 0–5 | – | ||
| banana yucca | YUBA | Yucca baccata | 0–5 | – | ||
| candy barrelcactus | FEWI | Ferocactus wislizeni | 1–5 | – | ||
| dollarjoint pricklypear | OPCH | Opuntia chlorotica | 0–5 | – | ||
| jumping cholla | CYFU10 | Cylindropuntia fulgida | 0–5 | – | ||
| Christmas cactus | CYLE8 | Cylindropuntia leptocaulis | 1–5 | – | ||
| Graham's nipple cactus | MAGR9 | Mammillaria grahamii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Engelmann's hedgehog cactus | ECEN | Echinocereus engelmannii | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECFA | Echinocereus fasciculatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| rainbow cactus | ECPE | Echinocereus pectinatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| spinystar | ESVIV | Escobaria vivipara var. vivipara | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 10 | Native trees | 80–200 | ||||
| yellow paloverde | PAMI5 | Parkinsonia microphylla | 80–260 | – | ||
| velvet mesquite | PRVE | Prosopis velutina | 0–20 | – | ||
| desert ironwood | OLTE | Olneya tesota | 0–20 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
Herbaceous forage production on this site is less palatable than on that of other hill sites because of high pH (lime) which ties up essential nutrients and makes soil water less available to plants. Steep slopes and extremely rough, cobbly surfaces hinder livestock distribution. This site is not well suited to grazing by cows in the hot season. Mother cow-pairs will only use 200 to 300 feet, up or down in elevation, from a water source in summer. Dry cows will use double that in the cool season. Stocker cattle are best suited to use this site. Slope aspect affects both the intensity of utilization as well as seasonal use patterns. South facing slopes are used more in winter due to warm temperatures and early spring greenup. North aspects, being shaded and cooler, are used more in the fall due to longer green periods for forage species. Seep and canyon water are available in the rainy seasons for short times. The plant community has a good variety of valuable browse species making it especially well suited for winter-spring grazing. Water developments are very important to wildlife on this site. Cover, forage diversity, and topography are good enough to make this site home to a variety of wildlife including the larger desert mammals. The desert tortoise dens on the cobble covered south slopes in the winter. Javalina and mule deer use north aspects extensively for herd bed areas.
Hydrological functions
This site is a fair producer of runoff due to steep slopes and shallow soils. Very cobbly soil surfaces tend to hold water on the site.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, birdwatching, photography
Wood products
Very limited paloverde and mesquite for camp-fires and branding fires.
Other products
Malapais cobbles, saguaro ribs, cholla skeletons. Tradtional foods like saguaro fruits, prickly pear tunas, cactus flower buds. Traditional herbs like coyote tobacco, mint bush, creosote and limberbush.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 8 in good to excellent condition.
Type locality
| Location 1: Pima County, AZ | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T11S R3W S17 |
| General legal description | Sells Field Office - Sauceda Mountains |
| Location 2: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T17S R1W S31 |
| General legal description | Sells Field Office - Mesquite Mountains |
| Location 3: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T17S R4E S6 |
| General legal description | Sells Field Office - Bird Nest Hills |
| Location 4: Maricopa County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T7N R2W S8 |
| General legal description | Buckeye Field Office - Sand Tank Mountains |
| Location 5: Maricopa County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T5N R2E S28 |
| General legal description | Phoenix Field Office - Lockett Ranch |
| Location 6: Maricopa County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T1S R10E S9 |
| General legal description | Chandler Field Office - Quarter Circle U Ranch |
| Location 7: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T14S R13E S15 |
| General legal description | Tumamoc Hill, UA Desert Laboratory, Ungrazed since 1906, 536 acres private, 320 acres state land. |
Other references
Vegetation change and plant demography in permanent plots in the Sonoran Desert. Deb Goldberg, Ray Turner. Ecology 67(3), 1986, pp. 695-712.
Effects of drought on shrub survival and longevity in the northern Sonoran Desert. Janice Bowers. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 132(3), 2005, pp. 421-431.
The Changing Mile Re-visited. Ray Turner, Robert Webb. University of Arizona press, 2003.
Exotic plants at the desert Laboratory, Tucson, Arizona. Tony Burgess, Janice Bowers and Ray Turner. Madrono, 38(2). 1991, pp. 96-114.
Contributors
C.M. Michaels
Dan Robinett
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
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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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):
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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:
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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:
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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