Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R040XA120AZ
Clay Loam Upland 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
| R040XA108AZ |
Limy Fan 10"-13" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R040XA112AZ |
Loamy Swale 10"-13" p.z. |
| R040XA114AZ |
Loamy Upland 10"-13" p.z. |
Similar sites
| R041XC305AZ |
Clay Loam Upland 12-16" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XB204AZ |
Clay Loam Upland 8-12" p.z. |
| R040XB205AZ |
Clay Loam Upland 7"-10" p.z. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Prosopis velutina |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pleuraphis mutica |
Physiographic features
This site occurs in the upper elevations of the Sonoran Desert in southern Arizona. It occurs on alluvial fans and fan terraces.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Fan
(2) Terrace (3) Stream terrace |
|---|---|
| Flooding duration | Extremely brief (0.1 to 4 hours) |
| Flooding frequency | None to rare |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 610 – 1,036 m |
| Slope | 1 – 15% |
| 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) | 330 mm |
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 deep and moderately deep soils which have formed in clayey alluvium of mixed origins. They are not calcareous. Cemented lime pans may occur at moderate depths. These soils exhibit slight cracking but no soil churning. Plant-soil moisture relationships are fair.
Soils mapped on this site include: in
SSA-627 Southern Mohave County MU's Aquarius-8, Continental-34, 35, 36 & 37, Eba-114 & 115, Vekol family-126;
SSA-645 Aguilla-Carefree MU's Continental-65, Eba-33, 34, 37 & 40, Mohave-85, Pinaleno-40, 42, 96 & 97;
SSA-661 Eastern Pinal Southern Gila counties MU's Nahda-650 & Tubac-870;
SSA-668 Tucson Avra Valley MU's Anway-Aw, Mohave-Mo & Tubac-TuA & TuB;
SSA-669 Eastern Pima county MU's Nahda-48 & 50 & Tubac-80;
SSA-703 Tohono O'odham MU Tubac-58.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Gravelly loam (2) Clay loam (3) Gravelly clay loam |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately slow to slow |
| Soil depth | 64 – 152 cm |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 0 – 60% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 0 – 10% |
| Available water capacity (0-101.6cm) |
10.16 – 22.86 cm |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 15% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 2 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
6.6 – 7.8 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
0 – 60% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
0 – 20% |
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 model, Clay Loam Upland 10-13
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 7 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, and cactii with understories of halfshrubs, tobosa grass and annuals. The aspect is shrubland. With continuous, heavy grazing, perennial grass species are removed from the plant community and half shrubs like bursage and snakeweed can increase in the understory. Tree species tend to be shrubby on this site due to clayey textures at the surface. With loss of herbaceous cover, this site becomes a very ineffective user of summer rainfall. A 5% tree canopy is very important in this site to keep diversity in the community. The potential of the site to produce grass is reduced as tree cover exceeds this amount. Prickly pear and cholla can increase with heavy grazing pressure. This site is an effective user of winter moisture and will produce tremendous amounts of annuals in a wet spring. It is not an effcient user of intense summer storms and production of summer annuals will be much less.
Figure 5. 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 | 121 | 336 | 869 |
| Forb | 11 | 168 | 729 |
| Shrub/Vine | 9 | 84 | 146 |
| Tree | 6 | 28 | 56 |
| Total | 147 | 616 | 1800 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 0% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 0-2% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 1-3% |
| Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 5-15% |
| Litter | 15-70% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0-60% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-10% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 10-75% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (m) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.15 | – | – | 1-25% | 0-25% |
| >0.15 <= 0.3 | – | 0-2% | 1-10% | 1-20% |
| >0.3 <= 0.6 | – | 0-2% | 5-15% | 1-20% |
| >0.6 <= 1.4 | – | 15-5% | 0-1% | 0-1% |
| >1.4 <= 4 | 0-5% | – | – | – |
| >4 <= 12 | 0-2% | – | – | – |
| >12 <= 24 | – | – | – | – |
| >24 <= 37 | – | – | – | – |
| >37 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ4013, 40.1 10-13" p.z. other 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 | 10 | 20 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 20 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
State 2
Tobosa, shrub increase, cobbly surfaces
Community 2.1
Tobosa, shrub increase, cobbly surfaces
On some areas of the site, cobbly surfaces protect the soil surface from erosion. Tobosa diminishes and shrubs and succulents increase to dominate the site with annuals. Cobbly sufaces help retain good hydrologic characteristics and stabilize the site.
State 3
Exotic annuals
Community 3.1
Exotic annuals
Exotic annuals like filaree, red brome, schismus, London rocket and purslane invade the native plant community. These species displace native annual grasses and forbs.
State 4
Shrub increased state
Community 4.1
Shrub increased state
This state occurs where the native grass cover of tobosa has been depleted and shrubs and succulents increase to dominate the plant community. Soil compaction and reduced herbaceous cover leads to accelerated sheet erosion.
State 5
Annuals, desert broom
Community 5.1
Annuals, desert broom
This state occurs after clearing for irrigation and subsequent abandonment. Early stages of plant succession lead to dominance by annual forbs and grasses (both native and non-native). Tumbleweed (Russian thistle) will persist with continued disturbance like disking. Desert broom can invade and may dominate the upper layer of the plant community. This state will persist for several years before other shrubs and desert trees come in and assume dominance. It will persist for long periods of time with continued disturbance. Natural flooding is reduced or eliminated by dikes, ditches and levees that were built to protect irrigated fields.
State 6
Mesquite, grass and shrubs
Community 6.1
Mesquite, grass and shrubs
This state will result from long term rest of areas that were cleared and then abandoned. Without disturbance for 30 or 40 years mesquite will come in with other shrubs like pencil cholla and whitethorn acacia and form an open overstory. Perennial grasses, both native and non-native will dominate the understory especially in areas where water accumulates; the bottom ends of fields and along borders and old ditches. Some areas (with heavy soil crusting due to silty clayloam textures) will be entirely barren until a wet winter is effective in producing a crop of annuals. Annual forbs and grasses (both native and exotic) will fluctuate with climate. This appears to be a stable community without fire or other disturbance like continuous grazing. Usually water control features (dikes, ditches) are left intact and natural flooding of these areas does not occur.
State 7
Eroded
Community 7.1
Eroded
This state occurs where the site has severe sheet, rill and gully erosion. Lack of plant cover, soil compaction and concentration of surface water flow will lead to rilling and gully formation. Usually these areas lack any perennial cover except along drainage ways.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Dominant Perennial Grasses | 112–280 | ||||
| tobosagrass | PLMU3 | Pleuraphis mutica | 112–280 | – | ||
| 2 | Short perennial grasses | 1–168 | ||||
| curly-mesquite | HIBE | Hilaria belangeri | 1–168 | – | ||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 0–112 | – | ||
| red grama | BOTR2 | Bouteloua trifida | 0–112 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–11 | – | ||
| ring muhly | MUTO2 | Muhlenbergia torreyi | 0–6 | – | ||
| 3 | Perennial threeawns | 2–112 | ||||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 1–112 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 1–56 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTEG | Aristida ternipes var. gentilis | 0–28 | – | ||
| Parish's threeawn | ARPUP5 | Aristida purpurea var. parishii | 0–22 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 0–17 | – | ||
| 4 | Misc perennial grasses | 0–28 | ||||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 0–11 | – | ||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 0–11 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 0–11 | – | ||
| common wolfstail | LYPH | Lycurus phleoides | 0–11 | – | ||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 0–11 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–11 | – | ||
| large-spike bristlegrass | SEMA5 | Setaria macrostachya | 0–11 | – | ||
| plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 0–6 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 0–6 | – | ||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 0–6 | – | ||
| big galleta | PLRI3 | Pleuraphis rigida | 0–2 | – | ||
| slender grama | BORE2 | Bouteloua repens | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert needlegrass | ACSP12 | Achnatherum speciosum | 0–2 | – | ||
| Wooton's threeawn | ARPA9 | Aristida pansa | 0–2 | – | ||
| blue threeawn | ARPUN | Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi | 0–2 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 0–2 | – | ||
| low woollygrass | DAPU7 | Dasyochloa pulchella | 0–1 | – | ||
| burrograss | SCBR2 | Scleropogon brevifolius | 0–1 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELELE | Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides | 0–1 | – | ||
| nineawn pappusgrass | ENDE | Enneapogon desvauxii | 0–1 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMU | Tridens muticus | 0–1 | – | ||
| 5 | Annual grasses | 6–280 | ||||
| mucronate sprangeltop | LEPAB | Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata | 1–224 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 1–112 | – | ||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 1–112 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 0–56 | – | ||
| little barley | HOPU | Hordeum pusillum | 0–56 | – | ||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 0–56 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 0–22 | – | ||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 0–17 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–11 | – | ||
| sticky sprangletop | LEVI5 | Leptochloa viscida | 0–11 | – | ||
| canyon cupgrass | ERLE7 | Eriochloa lemmonii | 0–6 | – | ||
| tufted lovegrass | ERPEP2 | Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea | 0–2 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 0–2 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–2 | – | ||
| Eastwood fescue | VUMIC | Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata | 0–2 | – | ||
| Pacific fescue | VUMIP | Vulpia microstachys var. pauciflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| Bigelow's bluegrass | POBI | Poa bigelovii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona brome | BRAR4 | Bromus arizonicus | 0–2 | – | ||
| low woollygrass | DAPU7 | Dasyochloa pulchella | 0–2 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Perennial forbs | 6–56 | ||||
| desert globemallow | SPAM2 | Sphaeralcea ambigua | 1–17 | – | ||
| Coues' cassia | SECO10 | Senna covesii | 0–11 | – | ||
| dense ayenia | AYMI | Ayenia microphylla | 0–11 | – | ||
| slender janusia | JAGR | Janusia gracilis | 0–11 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPIP4 | Machaeranthera pinnatifida ssp. pinnatifida var. pinnatifida | 0–6 | – | ||
| Indian rushpea | HOGL2 | Hoffmannseggia glauca | 0–6 | – | ||
| bluedicks | DICAC5 | Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum | 0–6 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–6 | – | ||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 1–6 | – | ||
| slender poreleaf | POGR5 | Porophyllum gracile | 0–6 | – | ||
| desert tobacco | NIOBO | Nicotiana obtusifolia var. obtusifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| brownplume wirelettuce | STPA4 | Stephanomeria pauciflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| spreading fanpetals | SIAB | Sida abutifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| silverleaf nightshade | SOEL | Solanum elaeagnifolium | 0–2 | – | ||
| dwarf desertpeony | ACNA2 | Acourtia nana | 0–2 | – | ||
| red-gland spurge | CHME5 | Chamaesyce melanadenia | 0–2 | – | ||
| San Felipe dogweed | ADPO | Adenophyllum porophylloides | 0–2 | – | ||
| wishbone-bush | MILAV | Mirabilis laevis var. villosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| Davis Mountain mock vervain | GLBIC | Glandularia bipinnatifida var. ciliata | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert rosemallow | HICO | Hibiscus coulteri | 0–1 | – | ||
| leatherweed | CRPOP | Croton pottsii var. pottsii | 0–1 | – | ||
| pricklyburr | DAIN2 | Datura inoxia | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert marigold | BAMU | Baileya multiradiata | 0–1 | – | ||
| climbing wartclub | BOSC | Boerhavia scandens | 0–1 | – | ||
| brownfoot | ACWR5 | Acourtia wrightii | 0–1 | – | ||
| field anoda | ANPE4 | Anoda pentaschista | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico silverbush | ARNE2 | Argythamnia neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Coulter's wrinklefruit | TECO | Tetraclea coulteri | 0–1 | – | ||
| orange fameflower | PHAU13 | Phemeranthus aurantiacus | 0–1 | – | ||
| twinleaf senna | SEBA3 | Senna bauhinioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| 7 | Annual forbs | 6–673 | ||||
| California poppy | ESCAM | Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | 0–112 | – | ||
| shaggyfruit pepperweed | LELA | Lepidium lasiocarpum | 0–112 | – | ||
| Nuttall's povertyweed | MONU | Monolepis nuttalliana | 0–112 | – | ||
| Arizona popcornflower | PLAR | Plagiobothrys arizonicus | 0–112 | – | ||
| Coulter's lupine | LUSP2 | Lupinus sparsiflorus | 0–56 | – | ||
| mesa tansyaster | MATA | Machaeranthera tagetina | 0–56 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–56 | – | ||
| thelypody | THELY | Thelypodium | 0–56 | – | ||
| foothill deervetch | LOHU2 | Lotus humistratus | 0–56 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–56 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 0–56 | – | ||
| bristly fiddleneck | AMTE3 | Amsinckia tessellata | 0–56 | – | ||
| wheelscale saltbush | ATEL | Atriplex elegans | 0–56 | – | ||
| yellow tackstem | CAPA7 | Calycoseris parryi | 0–28 | – | ||
| white tackstem | CAWR | Calycoseris wrightii | 0–28 | – | ||
| coastal bird's-foot trefoil | LOSA | Lotus salsuginosus | 0–28 | – | ||
| miniature woollystar | ERDI2 | Eriastrum diffusum | 0–28 | – | ||
| combseed | PECTO | Pectocarya | 0–28 | – | ||
| manybristle chinchweed | PEPA2 | Pectis papposa | 0–22 | – | ||
| desert Indianwheat | PLOV | Plantago ovata | 0–22 | – | ||
| cleftleaf wildheliotrope | PHCR | Phacelia crenulata | 0–22 | – | ||
| Gordon's bladderpod | LEGO | Lesquerella gordonii | 0–22 | – | ||
| Lindley's silverpuffs | MILI5 | Microseris lindleyi | 0–22 | – | ||
| wedgeleaf draba | DRCU | Draba cuneifolia | 0–22 | – | ||
| fringed redmaids | CACI2 | Calandrinia ciliata | 0–22 | – | ||
| smallflowered milkvetch | ASNU4 | Astragalus nuttallianus | 0–22 | – | ||
| exserted Indian paintbrush | CAEXE | Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta | 0–17 | – | ||
| pitseed goosefoot | CHBE4 | Chenopodium berlandieri | 0–17 | – | ||
| buckwheat | ERIOG | Eriogonum | 0–17 | – | ||
| California desertdandelion | MACA6 | Malacothrix californica | 0–17 | – | ||
| Coulter's globemallow | SPCO2 | Sphaeralcea coulteri | 0–11 | – | ||
| New Mexico plumeseed | RANE | Rafinesquia neomexicana | 0–11 | – | ||
| sleepy silene | SIAN2 | Silene antirrhina | 0–11 | – | ||
| Mexican fireplant | EUHE4 | Euphorbia heterophylla | 0–11 | – | ||
| pincushion flower | CHFR | Chaenactis fremontii | 0–11 | – | ||
| Sonoran sandmat | CHMI7 | Chamaesyce micromera | 0–11 | – | ||
| Esteve's pincushion | CHST | Chaenactis stevioides | 0–11 | – | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–11 | – | ||
| carelessweed | AMPA | Amaranthus palmeri | 0–11 | – | ||
| white easterbonnets | ANLA7 | Antheropeas lanosum | 0–11 | – | ||
| fringed amaranth | AMFI | Amaranthus fimbriatus | 0–11 | – | ||
| American wild carrot | DAPU3 | Daucus pusillus | 0–6 | – | ||
| California suncup | CACA32 | Camissonia californica | 0–6 | – | ||
| Texas stork's bill | ERTE13 | Erodium texanum | 0–6 | – | ||
| Arizona cottonrose | LOAR12 | Logfia arizonica | 0–6 | – | ||
| limestone bedstraw | GAPR | Galium proliferum | 0–6 | – | ||
| star gilia | GIST | Gilia stellata | 0–6 | – | ||
| California mustard | GULA4 | Guillenia lasiophylla | 0–6 | – | ||
| woollyhead neststraw | STMI2 | Stylocline micropoides | 0–6 | – | ||
| Louisiana vetch | VILU | Vicia ludoviciana | 0–6 | – | ||
| whitestem blazingstar | MEAL6 | Mentzelia albicaulis | 0–6 | – | ||
| distant phacelia | PHDI | Phacelia distans | 0–6 | – | ||
| Arizona phacelia | PHAR13 | Phacelia arizonica | 0–6 | – | ||
| green carpetweed | MOVE | Mollugo verticillata | 0–6 | – | ||
| woolly tidestromia | TILA2 | Tidestromia lanuginosa | 0–3 | – | ||
| redseed plantain | PLRH | Plantago rhodosperma | 0–3 | – | ||
| bluedicks | DICAC5 | Dichelostemma capitatum ssp. capitatum | 0–3 | – | ||
| desert trumpet | ERIN4 | Eriogonum inflatum | 0–3 | – | ||
| common fiddleneck | AMMEI2 | Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia | 0–3 | – | ||
| flatspine stickseed | LAOCO | Lappula occidentalis var. occidentalis | 0–2 | – | ||
| hoary bowlesia | BOIN3 | Bowlesia incana | 0–2 | – | ||
| Palmer's spectaclepod | DICA31 | Dimorphocarpa candicans | 0–2 | – | ||
| New Mexico thistle | CINE | Cirsium neomexicanum | 0–2 | – | ||
| purslane | PORTU | Portulaca | 0–2 | – | ||
| doubleclaw | PRPA2 | Proboscidea parviflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| Lemmon's ragwort | SELE8 | Senecio lemmonii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Florida pellitory | PAFL3 | Parietaria floridana | 0–2 | – | ||
| Mojave desertstar | MOBE2 | Monoptilon bellioides | 0–2 | – | ||
| slender goldenweed | MAGR10 | Machaeranthera gracilis | 0–1 | – | ||
| tanseyleaf tansyaster | MATA2 | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert evening primrose | OEPR | Oenothera primiveris | 0–1 | – | ||
| sand fringepod | THCU | Thysanocarpus curvipes | 0–1 | – | ||
| lyreleaf jewelflower | STCAA | Streptanthus carinatus ssp. arizonicus | 0–1 | – | ||
| London rocket | SIIR | Sisymbrium irio | 0–1 | – | ||
| sand pygmyweed | CRCOC | Crassula connata var. connata | 0–1 | – | ||
| dainty desert hideseed | EUMI2 | Eucrypta micrantha | 0–1 | – | ||
| scarlet spiderling | BOCO | Boerhavia coccinea | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Half Shrubs | 2–56 | ||||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 1–22 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 1–22 | – | ||
| rough menodora | MESC | Menodora scabra | 0–17 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–17 | – | ||
| Eastern Mojave buckwheat | ERFA2 | Eriogonum fasciculatum | 0–11 | – | ||
| bastardsage | ERWR | Eriogonum wrightii | 0–6 | – | ||
| burroweed | ISTE2 | Isocoma tenuisecta | 0–6 | – | ||
| triangle bur ragweed | AMDE4 | Ambrosia deltoidea | 0–6 | – | ||
| desert zinnia | ZIAC | Zinnia acerosa | 0–6 | – | ||
| winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 0–2 | – | ||
| plains blackfoot | MELE2 | Melampodium leucanthum | 0–2 | – | ||
| yerba de pasmo | BAPT | Baccharis pteronioides | 0–2 | – | ||
| Coulter's brickellbush | BRCO | Brickellia coulteri | 0–1 | – | ||
| brittlebush | ENFA | Encelia farinosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| threadleaf snakeweed | GUMI | Gutierrezia microcephala | 0–1 | – | ||
| white ratany | KRGR | Krameria grayi | 0–1 | – | ||
| American threefold | TRCA8 | Trixis californica | 0–1 | – | ||
| rayless goldenhead | ACSP | Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus | 0–1 | – | ||
| 9 | Large shrubs | 1–34 | ||||
| jojoba | SICH | Simmondsia chinensis | 0–11 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGR | Acacia greggii | 0–6 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–6 | – | ||
| Warnock's snakewood | COWA | Condalia warnockii | 0–2 | – | ||
| snakewood | CONDA | Condalia | 0–2 | – | ||
| ocotillo | FOSP2 | Fouquieria splendens | 0–2 | – | ||
| water jacket | LYAN | Lycium andersonii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Berlandier's wolfberry | LYBE | Lycium berlandieri | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona desert-thorn | LYEX | Lycium exsertum | 0–2 | – | ||
| plains blackfoot | MELE2 | Melampodium leucanthum | 0–2 | – | ||
| Mexican bladdersage | SAME | Salazaria mexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| slender janusia | JAGR | Janusia gracilis | 0–2 | – | ||
| Joshua tree | YUBR | Yucca brevifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| soaptree yucca | YUEL | Yucca elata | 0–2 | – | ||
| pelotazo | ABIN | Abutilon incanum | 0–2 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCO2 | Acacia constricta | 0–1 | – | ||
| lotebush | ZIOB | Ziziphus obtusifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| creosote bush | LATR2 | Larrea tridentata | 0–1 | – | ||
| banana yucca | YUBA | Yucca baccata | 0–1 | – | ||
| sangre de cristo | JACA2 | Jatropha cardiophylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| knifeleaf condalia | COSP3 | Condalia spathulata | 0–1 | – | ||
| Nevada jointfir | EPNE | Ephedra nevadensis | 0–1 | – | ||
| longleaf jointfir | EPTR | Ephedra trifurca | 0–1 | – | ||
| turpentine bush | ERLA12 | Ericameria laricifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| crucifixion thorn | CAEM4 | Castela emoryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| Wright's beebrush | ALWR | Aloysia wrightii | 0–1 | – | ||
| 10 | Succulents | 6–56 | ||||
| saguaro | CAGI10 | Carnegiea gigantea | 0–22 | – | ||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 6–17 | – | ||
| Arizona pencil cholla | CYAR14 | Cylindropuntia arbuscula | 0–11 | – | ||
| jumping cholla | CYFU10 | Cylindropuntia fulgida | 0–6 | – | ||
| purple pricklypear | OPMA8 | Opuntia macrocentra | 0–6 | – | ||
| tulip pricklypear | OPPH | Opuntia phaeacantha | 0–6 | – | ||
| buck-horn cholla | CYAC8 | Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa | 0–6 | – | ||
| walkingstick cactus | CYSP8 | Cylindropuntia spinosior | 0–6 | – | ||
| candy barrelcactus | FEWI | Ferocactus wislizeni | 0–2 | – | ||
| Christmas cactus | CYLE8 | Cylindropuntia leptocaulis | 0–2 | – | ||
| devil's cholla | GRKU | Grusonia kunzei | 0–1 | – | ||
| Graham's nipple cactus | MAGR9 | Mammillaria grahamii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Thornber's nipple cactus | MATH | Mammillaria thornberi | 0–1 | – | ||
| beavertail pricklypear | OPBA2 | Opuntia basilaris | 0–1 | – | ||
| dollarjoint pricklypear | OPCH | Opuntia chlorotica | 0–1 | – | ||
| Whipple cholla | CYWH | Cylindropuntia whipplei | 0–1 | – | ||
| Engelmann's hedgehog cactus | ECEN | Echinocereus engelmannii | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECFA | Echinocereus fasciculatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| spinystar | ESVIV | Escobaria vivipara var. vivipara | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 11 | Trees | 6–56 | ||||
| yellow paloverde | PAMI5 | Parkinsonia microphylla | 1–34 | – | ||
| velvet mesquite | PRVE | Prosopis velutina | 1–34 | – | ||
| blue paloverde | PAFL6 | Parkinsonia florida | 0–11 | – | ||
| crucifixion thorn | CAHO3 | Canotia holacantha | 0–6 | – | ||
| desert ironwood | OLTE | Olneya tesota | 0–6 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
The plant community on this site is suitable for grazing by livestock mainly in wet seasons when annual forbs and grasses are available. Perennial forage species like tobosa grow year-round with available moisture. Clayey horizons give this site a longer spring green season than other coarser textured upland sites.
Water developments are very important to wildlife species on this site. Vegetative cover and forage diversity are good enough for a variety of wildlife species including large mammals.
Hydrological functions
Heavy textured soils are good producers of runoff.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, camping, horseback riding, photography,
Wood products
Limited mesquite for campfires and branding fires.
Other products
Mesquite beans, hog potatoes, blue dicks and cactus fruits.
Supporting information
Type locality
| Location 1: Cochise County, AZ | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T13S R19E S25 |
| General legal description | Cascabel area, Banderilla Ranch |
| Location 2: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T17S R6E S11 |
| General legal description | Sells FO - Shuck Toak District San Juan Trail |
| Location 3: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T18S R12E S16 |
| General legal description | Santa Rita Experimental Range, Pasture 5S, Two miles west of Kinney tank. |
Contributors
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):
-
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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