Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R040XA115AZ
Sandy Wash 10"-13" p.z.
Accessed: 12/22/2024
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
| R040XA114AZ |
Loamy Upland 10"-13" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R040XA116AZ |
Sandy Upland 10"-13" p.z. |
| R040XA117AZ |
Sandy Loam Upland, Deep 10"-13" p.z. |
| R040XA118AZ |
Sandy Loam Upland 10"-13" p.z. |
Similar sites
| R041XB213AZ |
Sandy Wash 8-12" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XC316AZ |
Sandy Wash 12-16" p.z. |
| R040XB216AZ |
Sandy Wash 7"-10" p.z. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Parkinsonia florida |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Ambrosia ambrosioides |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Muhlenbergia porteri |
Physiographic features
This site occurs in the upper elevations of the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona. This site benefits on a regular basis from extra moisture received as over bank flooding and/or runoff from adjacent upland sites. It occurs on flood plains and low stream terraces.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Alluvial fan
(2) Flood plain (3) Stream terrace |
|---|---|
| Flooding duration | Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) |
| Flooding frequency | Rare to occasional |
| Ponding duration | Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) |
| Ponding frequency | None to rare |
| Elevation | 1,900 – 3,300 ft |
| Slope | 3% |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
Precipitation in the sub 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 very young soils on gravelly and sandy alluvium of mixed origin. They are deep and excessively well drained. Textures range from sandy loam to very gravelly sands. Although course textures make for low water holding capacities, plant-soil moisture relationships are good due to the extra moisture the soils receive. They may or may not be calcareous.
Soils mapped on this site include: in
SSA-627 Southern Mohave County MU Anthony-7;
SSA-645 Aguilla-Carefree MU's Arizo-6, 7 & 8, Anthony-121;
SSA-661 Eastern Pinal Southern Gila counties MU Queencreek-295;
SSA-666 MU Queencreek-200; SSA-668 Tucson Avra Valley MU's Anthony-AhA, AnA, AnB, ApB, AsB & Vu, Arizo-Az, Brazito-Br, BsB & Bt, Comoro-Cm & Co, Gravelly Alluvial Land-Gr & VgB, Vinton-VsA & Vu;
SSA-669 Eastern Pima county MU's Anthony-3 & Arizo-5.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Very gravelly sandy loam (2) Fine sandy loam (3) Very gravelly loamy sand |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Sandy |
| Drainage class | Somewhat excessively drained to well drained |
| Permeability class | Rapid to moderately rapid |
| Soil depth | 60 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 5 – 40% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 5% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
3 – 6 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
5% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
2 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
7.4 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
65% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
10% |
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, Sandy Wash 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 1
Historical Climax Plant Community
Community 1.1
Historical Climax Plant Community
The potential plant community is a diverse mixture of desert trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and forbs. Major species are well dispersed throughout the plant community. The aspect is shrubland. With continuous, heavy grazing, perennial mid grasses and palatable forbs are removed from the plant community. When the grass cover has been depleted, erosion begins and sandy channels form which remove flood water rapidly and tend to dry the site. With erosion, trees like mesquite, blue paloverde, and retama increase to dominate the site. As palatable understory species are removed, increases occur in shrubs like big bursage, burrowbush, creosotebush, and wolfberry. Base level changes in watersheds can lead to eventual gullying of this site. Under deteriorated conditions, channel areas develop and are pioneered by shrubs like burrobush and big bursage.
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 | 175 | 600 | 1000 |
| Forb | 30 | 450 | 800 |
| Tree | 250 | 500 | 700 |
| Shrub/Vine | 62 | 250 | 410 |
| Total | 517 | 1800 | 2910 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 1-2% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 1-2% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 3-8% |
| Forb basal cover | 1-2% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0-10% |
| Litter | 40-80% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 5-65% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-15% |
| Bedrock | 0-5% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 10-50% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | 1-5% | 0-5% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | 0-1% | 5-15% | 1-10% |
| >1 <= 2 | – | 0-2% | 10-25% | 1-15% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 1-5% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 1-10% | 1-5% | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | 10-15% | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ4012, 40.1 10-13" p.z. bottom sites. Growth begins in the late winter, most growth occurs in the 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 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
State 2
Exotic grasses in under-story
Community 2.1
Exotic grasses in under-story
This state occurs where exotic perennial grasses like bufflegrass, fountain grass, bermuda grass, Lehmann and Boers lovegrasses invade and become dominant in the understory. They replace native grass, perennial forb and vine species. They do not out-compete native trees and shrubs in the deep sandy textured soils of this site.
State 3
Exotic grasses and fire
Community 3.1
Exotic grasses and fire
This state occurs where exotic perennial grasses have invaded the under-story and fire has burned through the plant community. Fire sensitive species like cacti and paloverde are removed from the plant community and sprouting species like mesquite and catclaw acacia recover with exotic grasses dominating the under-story.
State 4
Exotic annuals
Community 4.1
Exotic annuals
This state occurs where exotic annual grasses and forbs have invaded the under-story. These species include red brome, schismus, foxtail barley, London rocket and filaree. These species compete with native annual forbs and grasses. They do not affect the over-story of native trees and shrubs.
State 5
Eroded
Community 5.1
Eroded
This state occurs where poor condition watershed areas contribute excess amounts of runoff to the site and in some cases excess sediment. Sediment can clog channels and extra water can cause channels to deepen and streambanks to erode. Continuous grazing of this site leads to loss of herbaceous species in the under-story and makes the site more susceptible to channel and bank erosion. In some areas base level changes in major stream systems will affect tributary washes by causing channel deepening, increase erosion and reduce the size of the flooded area.
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 | 150–250 | ||||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 50–200 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 5–150 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 0–100 | – | ||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 5–100 | – | ||
| spike dropseed | SPCO4 | Sporobolus contractus | 1–100 | – | ||
| plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 1–50 | – | ||
| giant dropseed | SPGI | Sporobolus giganteus | 0–3 | – | ||
| 2 | Perennial threeawns | 10–150 | ||||
| Santa Rita threeawn | ARCAG | Aristida californica var. glabrata | 1–50 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–50 | – | ||
| Parish's threeawn | ARPUP5 | Aristida purpurea var. parishii | 0–50 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 5–50 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTEG | Aristida ternipes var. gentilis | 1–50 | – | ||
| blue threeawn | ARPUN | Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi | 0–15 | – | ||
| 3 | Misc perennial grasses | 5–100 | ||||
| whiplash pappusgrass | PAVA2 | Pappophorum vaginatum | 0–50 | – | ||
| big galleta | PLRI3 | Pleuraphis rigida | 0–50 | – | ||
| big sacaton | SPWR2 | Sporobolus wrightii | 0–20 | – | ||
| false Rhodes grass | TRCR9 | Trichloris crinita | 0–20 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 0–15 | – | ||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 0–10 | – | ||
| low woollygrass | DAPU7 | Dasyochloa pulchella | 0–10 | – | ||
| desert needlegrass | ACSP12 | Achnatherum speciosum | 0–10 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMU | Tridens muticus | 0–10 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–10 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELELE | Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides | 0–5 | – | ||
| slender grama | BORE2 | Bouteloua repens | 0–5 | – | ||
| green sprangletop | LEDU | Leptochloa dubia | 0–2 | – | ||
| large-spike bristlegrass | SEMA5 | Setaria macrostachya | 0–2 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 0–2 | – | ||
| 4 | Annual grasses | 10–500 | ||||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 2–100 | – | ||
| canyon cupgrass | ERLE7 | Eriochloa lemmonii | 1–100 | – | ||
| mucronate sprangeltop | LEPAB | Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata | 0–100 | – | ||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 0–50 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–50 | – | ||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 0–50 | – | ||
| feather fingergrass | CHVI4 | Chloris virgata | 0–50 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 0–50 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–25 | – | ||
| bearded cupgrass | ERAR5 | Eriochloa aristata | 0–25 | – | ||
| tufted lovegrass | ERPEP2 | Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea | 0–25 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 0–25 | – | ||
| Parry's grama | BOPA2 | Bouteloua parryi | 0–20 | – | ||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 0–10 | – | ||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 0–10 | – | ||
| Arizona brome | BRAR4 | Bromus arizonicus | 0–10 | – | ||
| witchgrass | PACA6 | Panicum capillare | 5–10 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 0–5 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–5 | – | ||
| Bigelow's bluegrass | POBI | Poa bigelovii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Madagascar dropseed | SPPY2 | Sporobolus pyramidatus | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert lovegrass | ERPEM | Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima | 0–5 | – | ||
| Eastwood fescue | VUMIC | Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata | 0–2 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 5 | Parasitic plants | 10–50 | ||||
| mesquite mistletoe | PHCA8 | Phoradendron californicum | 10–50 | – | ||
| bigseed alfalfa dodder | CUIN | Cuscuta indecora | 0–25 | – | ||
| manyflower broomrape | ORLUM | Orobanche ludoviciana ssp. multiflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| 6 | Perennial vines | 5–100 | ||||
| slender janusia | JAGR | Janusia gracilis | 0–25 | – | ||
| coyote gourd | CUPA | Cucurbita palmata | 1–20 | – | ||
| climbing wartclub | BOSC | Boerhavia scandens | 1–20 | – | ||
| fingerleaf gourd | CUDI | Cucurbita digitata | 0–20 | – | ||
| fringed twinevine | FUCYC | Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. cynanchoides | 0–15 | – | ||
| Coulter's lyrepod | LYCO4 | Lyrocarpa coulteri | 0–10 | – | ||
| roving sailor | MAAN9 | Maurandella antirrhiniflora | 0–10 | – | ||
| Gila manroot | MAGI | Marah gilensis | 0–5 | – | ||
| spearleaf | MAPA9 | Matelea parvifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| wishbone-bush | MILAV | Mirabilis laevis var. villosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| Schott's yellowhood | NISC | Nissolia schottii | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert rosemallow | HICO | Hibiscus coulteri | 0–5 | – | ||
| Missouri gourd | CUFO | Cucurbita foetidissima | 0–5 | – | ||
| climbing arrowheads | SIGR | Sicyosperma gracile | 0–1 | – | ||
| 7 | Perennial forbs | 5–50 | ||||
| desert globemallow | SPAM2 | Sphaeralcea ambigua | 5–50 | – | ||
| canaigre dock | RUHY | Rumex hymenosepalus | 1–20 | – | ||
| slender janusia | JAGR | Janusia gracilis | 0–20 | – | ||
| Arizona foldwing | DIRE4 | Dicliptera resupinata | 0–10 | – | ||
| smooth threadleaf ragwort | SEFLM | Senecio flaccidus var. monoensis | 1–10 | – | ||
| desert tobacco | NIOBO | Nicotiana obtusifolia var. obtusifolia | 1–10 | – | ||
| trailing windmills | ALIN | Allionia incarnata | 0–10 | – | ||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 1–5 | – | ||
| dwarf desertpeony | ACNA2 | Acourtia nana | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert marigold | BAMU | Baileya multiradiata | 0–5 | – | ||
| scarlet spiderling | BOCO | Boerhavia coccinea | 0–5 | – | ||
| red-gland spurge | CHME5 | Chamaesyce melanadenia | 0–5 | – | ||
| pricklyburr | DAIN2 | Datura inoxia | 0–5 | – | ||
| brownplume wirelettuce | STPA4 | Stephanomeria pauciflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–5 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPIP4 | Machaeranthera pinnatifida ssp. pinnatifida var. pinnatifida | 0–5 | – | ||
| caliche globemallow | SPLA | Sphaeralcea laxa | 0–2 | – | ||
| Parry's beardtongue | PEPA24 | Penstemon parryi | 0–2 | – | ||
| spreading fanpetals | SIAB | Sida abutifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| hairy fournwort | TENE | Tetramerium nervosum | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona wrightwort | CAAR7 | Carlowrightia arizonica | 0–2 | – | ||
| brownfoot | ACWR5 | Acourtia wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| San Felipe dogweed | ADPO | Adenophyllum porophylloides | 0–2 | – | ||
| Palmer's Indian mallow | ABPA | Abutilon palmeri | 0–2 | – | ||
| narrowleaf silverbush | ARLA12 | Argythamnia lanceolata | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico silverbush | ARNE2 | Argythamnia neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Braun's rockcress | ARPE3 | Arabis perstellata | 0–1 | – | ||
| pineneedle milkweed | ASLI6 | Asclepias linaria | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert larkspur | DEPA | Delphinium parishii | 0–1 | – | ||
| tall mountain larkspur | DESC | Delphinium scaposum | 0–1 | – | ||
| bluedicks | DICA14 | Dichelostemma capitatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairy five eyes | CHSO | Chamaesaracha sordida | 0–1 | – | ||
| Texas bindweed | COEQ | Convolvulus equitans | 0–1 | – | ||
| leatherweed | CRPOP | Croton pottsii var. pottsii | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert thorn-apple | DADI2 | Datura discolor | 0–1 | – | ||
| catnip noseburn | TRNE | Tragia nepetifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| Tumamoc globeberry | TUMA | Tumamoca macdougalii | 0–1 | – | ||
| orange fameflower | PHAU13 | Phemeranthus aurantiacus | 0–1 | – | ||
| jewels of Opar | TAPA2 | Talinum paniculatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Coulter's wrinklefruit | TECO | Tetraclea coulteri | 0–1 | – | ||
| monkeyflower | MIMUL | Mimulus | 0–1 | – | ||
| Parry's false prairie-clover | MAPA7 | Marina parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert trumpet | ERIN4 | Eriogonum inflatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| California fagonbush | FALA | Fagonia laevis | 0–1 | – | ||
| 8 | Annual forbs | 10–600 | ||||
| carelessweed | AMPA | Amaranthus palmeri | 1–100 | – | ||
| bristly fiddleneck | AMTE3 | Amsinckia tessellata | 10–100 | – | ||
| fringed amaranth | AMFI | Amaranthus fimbriatus | 0–50 | – | ||
| thelypody | THELY | Thelypodium | 0–50 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 0–50 | – | ||
| shaggyfruit pepperweed | LELA | Lepidium lasiocarpum | 0–40 | – | ||
| combseed | PECTO | Pectocarya | 0–40 | – | ||
| sorrel buckwheat | ERPO4 | Eriogonum polycladon | 0–25 | – | ||
| pitseed goosefoot | CHBE4 | Chenopodium berlandieri | 0–25 | – | ||
| wheelscale saltbush | ATEL | Atriplex elegans | 0–25 | – | ||
| Coulter's spiderling | BOCO2 | Boerhavia coulteri | 0–20 | – | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–20 | – | ||
| ivyleaf morning-glory | IPHE | Ipomoea hederacea | 0–20 | – | ||
| manybristle chinchweed | PEPA2 | Pectis papposa | 0–20 | – | ||
| cleftleaf wildheliotrope | PHCR | Phacelia crenulata | 0–20 | – | ||
| slender goldenweed | MAGR10 | Machaeranthera gracilis | 0–20 | – | ||
| whitestem blazingstar | MEAL6 | Mentzelia albicaulis | 0–20 | – | ||
| woolly tidestromia | TILA2 | Tidestromia lanuginosa | 0–20 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–15 | – | ||
| tripleleaf morning-glory | IPTE5 | Ipomoea ternifolia | 0–15 | – | ||
| California poppy | ESCAM | Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | 0–15 | – | ||
| Esteve's pincushion | CHST | Chaenactis stevioides | 0–15 | – | ||
| yellow tackstem | CAPA7 | Calycoseris parryi | 0–15 | – | ||
| white tackstem | CAWR | Calycoseris wrightii | 0–15 | – | ||
| smallflowered milkvetch | ASNU4 | Astragalus nuttallianus | 0–10 | – | ||
| fewflower beggarticks | BILE | Bidens leptocephala | 0–10 | – | ||
| Abert's buckwheat | ERAB2 | Eriogonum abertianum | 0–10 | – | ||
| miniature woollystar | ERDI2 | Eriastrum diffusum | 0–10 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–10 | – | ||
| New Mexico plumeseed | RANE | Rafinesquia neomexicana | 0–10 | – | ||
| sleepy silene | SIAN2 | Silene antirrhina | 0–10 | – | ||
| lyreleaf jewelflower | STCAA | Streptanthus carinatus ssp. arizonicus | 0–10 | – | ||
| woollyhead neststraw | STMI2 | Stylocline micropoides | 0–10 | – | ||
| desert Indianwheat | PLOV | Plantago ovata | 0–10 | – | ||
| Lindley's silverpuffs | MILI5 | Microseris lindleyi | 0–10 | – | ||
| glandular threadplant | NEGL | Nemacladus glanduliferus | 0–10 | – | ||
| Coulter's lupine | LUSP2 | Lupinus sparsiflorus | 0–10 | – | ||
| California desertdandelion | MACA6 | Malacothrix californica | 0–10 | – | ||
| Gordon's bladderpod | LEGO | Lesquerella gordonii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona lupine | LUAR4 | Lupinus arizonicus | 0–5 | – | ||
| lineleaf whitepuff | OLLI | Oligomeris linifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| distant phacelia | PHDI | Phacelia distans | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona phacelia | PHAR13 | Phacelia arizonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona cottonrose | LOAR12 | Logfia arizonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| crestrib morning-glory | IPCO2 | Ipomoea costellata | 0–5 | – | ||
| redstar | IPCO3 | Ipomoea coccinea | 0–5 | – | ||
| hairy desertsunflower | GECA2 | Geraea canescens | 0–5 | – | ||
| California mustard | GULA4 | Guillenia lasiophylla | 0–5 | – | ||
| Thurber's buckwheat | ERTH3 | Eriogonum thurberi | 0–5 | – | ||
| American wild carrot | DAPU3 | Daucus pusillus | 0–5 | – | ||
| New Mexico thistle | CINE | Cirsium neomexicanum | 0–5 | – | ||
| hyssopleaf sandmat | CHHY3 | Chamaesyce hyssopifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| Sonoran sandmat | CHMI7 | Chamaesyce micromera | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert sand verbena | ABVI | Abronia villosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| hoary bowlesia | BOIN3 | Bowlesia incana | 0–2 | – | ||
| California suncup | CACA32 | Camissonia californica | 0–2 | – | ||
| pincushion flower | CHFR | Chaenactis fremontii | 0–2 | – | ||
| sand pygmyweed | CRCOC | Crassula connata var. connata | 0–2 | – | ||
| wedgeleaf draba | DRCU | Draba cuneifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| Palmer's grapplinghook | HAPA7 | Harpagonella palmeri | 0–2 | – | ||
| star gilia | GIST | Gilia stellata | 0–2 | – | ||
| dainty desert hideseed | EUMI2 | Eucrypta micrantha | 0–2 | – | ||
| foothill deervetch | LOHU2 | Lotus humistratus | 0–2 | – | ||
| California goldfields | LACAC2 | Lasthenia californica ssp. californica | 0–2 | – | ||
| flatspine stickseed | LAOCO | Lappula occidentalis var. occidentalis | 0–2 | – | ||
| slimjim bean | PHFI3 | Phaseolus filiformis | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert evening primrose | OEPR | Oenothera primiveris | 0–2 | – | ||
| Louisiana vetch | VILU | Vicia ludoviciana | 0–2 | – | ||
| spectacle fruit | WIRE | Wislizenia refracta | 0–2 | – | ||
| sand fringepod | THCU | Thysanocarpus curvipes | 0–2 | – | ||
| chia | SACO6 | Salvia columbariae | 0–2 | – | ||
| Lemmon's ragwort | SELE8 | Senecio lemmonii | 0–2 | – | ||
| sandyseed clammyweed | PODOT | Polanisia dodecandra ssp. trachysperma | 0–2 | – | ||
| doubleclaw | PRPA2 | Proboscidea parviflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| London rocket | SIIR | Sisymbrium irio | 0–1 | – | ||
| bristly scaleseed | SPEC2 | Spermolepis echinata | 0–1 | – | ||
| false carrot | YAMI | Yabea microcarpa | 0–1 | – | ||
| pellitory | PARIE | Parietaria | 0–1 | – | ||
| mesa tansyaster | MATA | Machaeranthera tagetina | 0–1 | – | ||
| tanseyleaf tansyaster | MATA2 | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| spring pygmycudweed | EVVE | Evax verna | 0–1 | – | ||
| Mexican fireplant | EUHE4 | Euphorbia heterophylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| Palmer's spectaclepod | DICA31 | Dimorphocarpa candicans | 0–1 | – | ||
| touristplant | DIWI2 | Dimorphocarpa wislizeni | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairy prairie clover | DAMO | Dalea mollis | 0–1 | – | ||
| shepherd's purse | CABU2 | Capsella bursa-pastoris | 0–1 | – | ||
| ragweed | AMBRO | Ambrosia | 0–1 | – | ||
| common fiddleneck | AMMEI2 | Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia | 0–1 | – | ||
| milkweed | ASCLE | Asclepias | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | Half shrubs | 5–40 | ||||
| singlewhorl burrobrush | HYMO | Hymenoclea monogyra | 0–15 | – | ||
| white ratany | KRGR | Krameria grayi | 0–10 | – | ||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 0–10 | – | ||
| brittlebush | ENFA | Encelia farinosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| sweetbush | BEJU | Bebbia juncea | 0–5 | – | ||
| Coulter's brickellbush | BRCO | Brickellia coulteri | 0–5 | – | ||
| triangle bur ragweed | AMDE4 | Ambrosia deltoidea | 0–5 | – | ||
| rough menodora | MESC | Menodora scabra | 0–5 | – | ||
| burroweed | ISTE2 | Isocoma tenuisecta | 0–5 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 0–5 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–5 | – | ||
| Parish's goldeneye | VIPA14 | Viguiera parishii | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert zinnia | ZIAC | Zinnia acerosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| toothleaf goldeneye | VIDE3 | Viguiera dentata | 0–2 | – | ||
| whitestem paperflower | PSCO2 | Psilostrophe cooperi | 0–2 | – | ||
| woolly fruit bur ragweed | AMER | Ambrosia eriocentra | 0–2 | – | ||
| narrowleaf silverbush | ARLA12 | Argythamnia lanceolata | 0–2 | – | ||
| big saltbush | ATLE | Atriplex lentiformis | 0–1 | – | ||
| rubber rabbitbrush | ERNAG | Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa var. glabrata | 0–1 | – | ||
| Douglas' ragwort | SEFLD | Senecio flaccidus var. douglasii | 0–1 | – | ||
| 10 | Large shrubs | 50–300 | ||||
| spiny hackberry | CEEH | Celtis ehrenbergiana | 10–100 | – | ||
| creosote bush | LATR2 | Larrea tridentata | 0–50 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCO2 | Acacia constricta | 2–50 | – | ||
| ambrosia leaf bur ragweed | AMAM2 | Ambrosia ambrosioides | 2–50 | – | ||
| soaptree yucca | YUEL | Yucca elata | 1–20 | – | ||
| Berlandier's wolfberry | LYBE | Lycium berlandieri | 2–20 | – | ||
| Arizona desert-thorn | LYEX | Lycium exsertum | 0–15 | – | ||
| Warnock's snakewood | COWA | Condalia warnockii | 0–10 | – | ||
| burrobrush | HYSA | Hymenoclea salsola | 0–10 | – | ||
| water jacket | LYAN | Lycium andersonii | 0–5 | – | ||
| desertbroom | BASA2 | Baccharis sarothroides | 1–5 | – | ||
| lotebush | ZIOB | Ziziphus obtusifolia | 1–5 | – | ||
| hollyleaf redberry | RHIL | Rhamnus ilicifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| mule-fat | BASA4 | Baccharis salicifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| 11 | Misc shrubs | 5–40 | ||||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–10 | – | ||
| Drummond's clematis | CLDR | Clematis drummondii | 0–10 | – | ||
| longleaf jointfir | EPTR | Ephedra trifurca | 0–10 | – | ||
| Mexican bladdersage | SAME | Salazaria mexicana | 0–10 | – | ||
| jojoba | SICH | Simmondsia chinensis | 0–10 | – | ||
| Eastern Mojave buckwheat | ERFA2 | Eriogonum fasciculatum | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert lavender | HYEM | Hyptis emoryi | 0–5 | – | ||
| sangre de cristo | JACA2 | Jatropha cardiophylla | 0–5 | – | ||
| Thurber's desert honeysuckle | ANTH2 | Anisacanthus thurberi | 0–5 | – | ||
| Wright's beebrush | ALWR | Aloysia wrightii | 0–5 | – | ||
| pelotazo | ABIN | Abutilon incanum | 0–5 | – | ||
| Palmer's bluestar | AMPA5 | Amsonia palmeri | 0–2 | – | ||
| shortleaf baccharis | BABR | Baccharis brachyphylla | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona mimosa | MIDIL | Mimosa distachya var. laxiflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| Schott's yellowhood | NISC | Nissolia schottii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Thurber's sandpaper plant | PETH4 | Petalonyx thurberi | 0–2 | – | ||
| American threefold | TRCA8 | Trixis californica | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert zinnia | ZIAC | Zinnia acerosa | 0–2 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 0–2 | – | ||
| fringed twinevine | FUCYC | Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. cynanchoides | 0–1 | – | ||
| Hartweg's twinevine | FUCYH | Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. heterophyllum | 0–1 | – | ||
| sorrelvine | CITR2 | Cissus trifoliata | 0–1 | – | ||
| western white clematis | CLLI2 | Clematis ligusticifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| cattle saltbush | ATPO | Atriplex polycarpa | 0–1 | – | ||
| prairie acacia | ACANH | Acacia angustissima var. hirta | 0–1 | – | ||
| burrobush | AMDU2 | Ambrosia dumosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| 12 | Succulents | 2–30 | ||||
| saguaro | CAGI10 | Carnegiea gigantea | 0–10 | – | ||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 1–10 | – | ||
| tulip pricklypear | OPPH | Opuntia phaeacantha | 0–5 | – | ||
| walkingstick cactus | CYSP8 | Cylindropuntia spinosior | 0–2 | – | ||
| candy barrelcactus | FEWI | Ferocactus wislizeni | 1–2 | – | ||
| Arizona pencil cholla | CYAR14 | Cylindropuntia arbuscula | 0–2 | – | ||
| jumping cholla | CYFU10 | Cylindropuntia fulgida | 0–1 | – | ||
| Christmas cactus | CYLE8 | Cylindropuntia leptocaulis | 0–1 | – | ||
| buck-horn cholla | CYAC8 | Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa | 0–1 | – | ||
| Graham's nipple cactus | MAGR9 | Mammillaria grahamii | 0–1 | – | ||
| staghorn cholla | CYVE3 | Cylindropuntia versicolor | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECFA | Echinocereus fasciculatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| nightblooming cereus | PEGR3 | Peniocereus greggii | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 13 | Trees | 150–700 | ||||
| velvet mesquite | PRVE | Prosopis velutina | 125–500 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGR | Acacia greggii | 25–150 | – | ||
| blue paloverde | PAFL6 | Parkinsonia florida | 10–100 | – | ||
| yellow paloverde | PAMI5 | Parkinsonia microphylla | 0–50 | – | ||
| desert ironwood | OLTE | Olneya tesota | 0–50 | – | ||
| desert willow | CHLI2 | Chilopsis linearis | 0–15 | – | ||
| Jerusalem thorn | PAAC3 | Parkinsonia aculeata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Fremont cottonwood | POFR2 | Populus fremontii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Joshua tree | YUBR | Yucca brevifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| netleaf hackberry | CELAR | Celtis laevigata var. reticulata | 0–2 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
The plant community on this site is suitable for grazing by all classes of livestock. It usually occurs as small inclusions in large areas of upland sites. Having an excellent variety of forage species, long green seasons, shade, and occasional free water, this site will be over used especially in the summer season before proper use is made of adjacent, upland areas. For this reason, grazing systems must be used to allow recovery of herbaceous species on this site. The plant community provides adequate nutrition for livestock throughout the year.
Forage diversity, cover, shade and occasional free water make this site excellent habitat for a great variety of wildlife. It is critical to the large desert mammals inhabiting desert plains. Water developments will lengthen the time of year that free water is available and are very important to wildlife using this site.
Hydrological functions
With deep sandy soils and flat slopes this site is a poor producer of runoff. Depending upon the size of the watershed contributing runoff to the site, it can produce streamflow for short times, in the summer rainy season, to fill ponds.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, camping, photography, horseback riding.
Wood products
Good supplies of mesquite and catclaw acacia for firewood.
Other products
Mesquite beans, cactus fruits and medicinal plants like creosote, coyote tobacco and canaigra.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 1 in good condition.
Type locality
| Location 1: Pima County, AZ | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T16S R7E S3 |
| General legal description | Sells Field Office - Tribal Herd Ranch NE pasture on Santa Rosa Cell SW 1/4 Sec. 3 |
| Location 2: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T17S R9E S25 |
| General legal description | Palo Alto ranch, Soldier well pasture, in NE corner. |
| Location 3: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T18S R14E S30 |
| General legal description | Santa Rita Experimental Range, Gravelly Ridge Enclosure, Big wash in southern end. Fenced in 1937. |
Contributors
C.Michaels
Dan Robinett
Larry D. Ellicott
M.G.Lameroux
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) | Dave Womack, Dan Robinett, Emilio Carrillo |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | NRCS Tucson Area Office |
| Date | 03/08/2005 |
| Approved by | S. Cassady |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
Rills are present on this site but are well vegetated and not eroding. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Highly variable, function of upland overland flow input. Water flow paths are braided channels which change with a frequent flooding regime. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
No accululated or erosional pedestals on most perennial plants. Woody debris dams form around larger shrubs and trees from frequent flooding. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
15-40% -
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):
Highly variable, function of upland overland flow input. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Expect ratings of 1-3 across site. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Weak platy to granular; color is 7.5-10YR6/4 dry; 7.5-10YR4/4 moist, thickness to 16 inches. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Canopy 60-70%; 10-30 perenial grass, 40% shrubs, 10% subshrubs, 10% perennial forbs, and 5-10% trees. Cover is well dispersed throughout site. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None -
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:
Perennial grasses = trees > subshrubs > perennial forbs > succulents (Not: annual forbs and grasses may be greater than subshrubs in El Nino years.)Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
20-30% canopy mortality in trees and shrubs; 90-100% mortality of perennial grasses. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
517 lbs/ac unfavorable precipitation, 1800 lbs/ac normal precipitation; 2910 lbs/ac favorable 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:
mesquite, blue paloverde, retama, big bursage, burrobrush, bufflegrass, London Rocket, malta starthistle, desert broom Bermuda grass -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Not impaired for shrubs, drought impaired for perennial grasses and forbs.
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