Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XA107AZ
Loamy Slopes 16-20" p.z.
Last updated: 4/09/2021
Accessed: 12/21/2024
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): 041X–Madrean Archipelago
AZ 41.1 – Mexican Oak-Pine Forest and Oak Savannah
Elevations range from 4500 to 10,700 feet and precipitation ranges from 16 to 30 inches. Vegetation includes Emory oak, Mexican blue oak, Arizona white oak, one-seed juniper, alligator juniper, sacahuista, California bricklebush, skunkbush sumac, Arizona rosewood, wait-a-bit mimosa, sideoats grama, blue grama, purple grama, wooly bunchgrass, plains lovegrass, squirreltail, and pinyon ricegrass. The soil temperature regime ranges from thermic to mesic and the soil moisture regime ranges from aridic ustic to typic ustic. 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
| R041XA104AZ |
Limy Slopes 16-20" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XA108AZ |
Loamy Upland 16-20" p.z. |
| R041XA114AZ |
Loamy Bottom 16-20" p.z. |
| R041XA115AZ |
Loamy Swale 16-20" p.z. |
Similar sites
| F041XA124AZ |
Loamy Hills 20-23" p.z. (QUAR, QUEM) |
|---|---|
| R041XC314AZ |
Loamy Slopes 12-16" p.z. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) agave palmeri |
| Herbaceous |
(1) bouteloua curtipendula |
Physiographic features
This site occurs in the middle elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona. It occurs on hillslopes, ridges and saddles. Slope aspect is site differentiating at elevations near common resource area boundaries.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Hill
(2) Ridge (3) Saddle |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 4,500 – 5,500 ft |
| Slope | 15 – 45% |
| Aspect | N, E, S |
Climatic features
Precipitation in this zone of the common resource area ranges from 16-20 inches per year with elevations from 4700-5500 feet. Approximately 40% of this moisture comes as gentle rain or snow during the winter-spring (Oct-Apr) season; originates in the north Pacific and Gulf of California and comes as frontal storms with long duration and low intensity. The remaining 60% falls in the summer season (May-Sep); originates in the Gulf of Mexico and are convective, usually brief, intense thunderstorms. Snow is common Dec-Mar, averaging 5-15 inches per year, but rarely lasts more than a week. May and June are the driest months. Humidity is low.
Temperatures are mild. Freezing temperatures are common at night from Oct-May, but daytime temperatures are almost always over 40 F. Below 0 F temperatures can occur Dec-Feb. Daytime summer highs rarely exceed 95 F.
Species like plains lovegrass, beargrass, false mesquite and shrubby buckwheat begin growth in late March to April. Warm season grasses begin growth in July or August with receipt of the first summer rains.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 200 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | |
| Precipitation total (average) | 20 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 deep soils which have formed in loamy alluvium of mixed origin. Surface textures range from cobbly sandy loam to very gravelly loam. Very gravelly surface horizons are usually several inches thick. Soils have well-developed covers of rocks, cobbles and gravels. Surface soil is dark colored. Clayey subsoils occur at shallow depths. Some soils have calcic horizons at moderate depths. Plant-soil moisture relationships are good.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-666 Cochise county Northwestern part MU's 5 Blacktail, 22 Cherrycow; SSA-667 Santa Cruz and parts of Cochise & Pima counties MU's CdE Canelo GrVSL, CmE Casto GrVSL; SSA-671 Cochise county Douglas-Tombstone part MU's 27 Blacktail & Cherrycow, 41 Brunopeak, 140 Terrarossa, 141 Blacktail.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Cobbly sandy loam (2) Very gravelly loam (3) Gravelly loam |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately slow to slow |
| Soil depth | 60 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 10 – 45% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 1 – 10% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
4.8 – 9.6 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
25% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
2 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
6.1 – 7.8 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
5 – 45% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
5% |
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 historic 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 like 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 listed 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 the 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, and for each group, count no more than the maximum amount shown for that 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. Loamy Slopes 41-1 STM diagram
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 1
Reference State
Community 1.1
Grassland/Savannah (HCPC)
Figure 5. Loamy Slopes 16-20" pz. Agave Palmeri
The historic native state includes the 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 fire, drought, flooding, herbivores, and other natural disturbances. The historic climax plant community represents the natural climax community that eventually re-occupies the site with proper management. The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial mid-grasses. The major grass species are well dispersed throughout the plant community. Stands of Palmer agave occur in dense patches and are not well dispersed through areas of the site. Several species of low shrubs, cacti and other succulents, and forbs are well represented in this plant community. The aspect is open grassland to savannah. North slopes will often have an open canopy of oaks and / or juniper. South slopes will be agave dotted grassland. Mesquite and Lehmann lovegrass are at the upper limits of their elevation range, but can increase on the site, especially below 5000 feet elevation and on southern exposures. Climatic warming may allow these two species to push higher in elevation as time goes by. Naturally occurring fires in June-August were an important factor in shaping this plant community. Fire-free intervals range from 10-20 years. Periodic drought can occur in this LRA and cause significant grass mortality. Droughts in the early 30s, mid 50s, 1975-1976, 88-89, 95-96 and 2002 resulted in the loss of much of the grass cover on this site. This site is the principal habitat for the Agave palmeri in southeastern Arizona, an important food source for the endangered lesser long-nosed bat in June, July, and August. Dense stands of this species occur scattered throughout areas of this site. Nectar production in these stands ranges from 6-10 gallons per acre.
Figure 6. 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 | 740 | 1400 | 1940 |
| Forb | 11 | 60 | 250 |
| Shrub/Vine | 12 | 50 | 110 |
| Tree | 0 | 10 | 50 |
| Total | 763 | 1520 | 2350 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 0-1% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 1-2% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 8-15% |
| Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0-1% |
| Biological crusts | 0-5% |
| Litter | 20-50% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 15-45% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-5% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 15-40% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | 1-5% | 5-10% | 1-10% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | 1-5% | 10-20% | 1-10% |
| >1 <= 2 | – | 1-10% | 15-30% | 1-20% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 1-10% | 5-15% | 0-2% |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 0-5% | – | 0-5% | – |
| >13 <= 40 | 0-5% | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ4111, 41.1 16-30. Growth begins in the spring, semi-dormancy occurs during the June drought, most growth occurs during the summer rainy season..
| 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 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 15 | 45 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Community 1.2
Annual Forbs
Live perennial mid-grass and short-grass basal cover both decrease by more than half compared to the Grassland/Savannah Community. Forbs like annual goldeneye, cudweed and camphorweed dominate the plant community.
Community 1.3
Short Grasses
Mid-grasses are largely absent from the plant community and replaced by short grasses such as curly mesquite, slender grama and sprucetop grama. The absence of mid-grasses reduces fire fuel load resulting in increased half-shrub and succulent shrubs.
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Extended periods with no disturbance (fire or grazing) allow the build-up of perennial grass biomass and results in plant decadence. Periodic drought also causes significant grass mortality. Droughts in the early 30s, mid 50s, 1975-1976, 88-89, 95-96 and 2002 resulted in the loss of much of the grass cover on this site.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Fence | |
| Livestock Pipeline | |
| Range Planting | |
| Watering Facility | |
| Upland Wildlife Habitat Management | |
| Prescribed Grazing | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Written | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Applied | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied |
Pathway 1.1b
Community 1.1 to 1.3
Continuous unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization impacts perennial mid-grass and affects natural fire cycles.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Fence | |
| Livestock Pipeline | |
| Upland Wildlife Habitat Management | |
| Native Plant Community Restoration and Management | |
| Prescribed Grazing | |
| Fish and Wildlife Structure | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Written | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Applied | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied |
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1
The site recovers rapidly due to excellent covers of stone, cobbles and gravel and the favorable climate that prevails in this common resource area.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Fence | |
| Livestock Pipeline | |
| Watering Facility | |
| Water Well | |
| Upland Wildlife Habitat Management | |
| Prescribed Grazing | |
| Fish and Wildlife Structure | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Written | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Applied | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied |
Pathway 1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.1
With managed grazing, native mid-grasses will be able to regain their dominance in the plant community, unless soil erosion is severe enough to strip away the surface horizon.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Fence | |
| Livestock Pipeline | |
| Pumping Plant | |
| Watering Facility | |
| Water Well | |
| Upland Wildlife Habitat Management | |
| Prescribed Grazing | |
| Fish and Wildlife Structure | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Written | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Applied | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied |
State 2
Exotic grasses
Community 2.1
Exotic grasses
Figure 8. Loamy Slopes 16-20" pz. Lehmann lovegrass
This state occurs where non-native lovegrass species or yellow bluestem, have invaded from adjacent areas or roads and right-of-ways with a seed source. As these species increase to dominate the plant community, native perennial grasses and forbs decrease to remnant amounts. Fire will usually act to increase species like Lehmann lovegrass. The native half shrubs seem to be able to stay in the plant community. It is not known how Agave palmeri fares under this condition.
State 3
Shrub invaded
Community 3.1
Shrub invaded
Figure 9. Loamy Slopes 16-20" pz. juniper invaded
This state occurs where mesquite, wait a bit mimosa, one-seed juniper and / or alligator juniper have invaded or increased to dominate the plant community. This occurs in the absence of fire for long periods of time, with continuous grazing and in the presence of a seed source of these species. As canopy levels of trees and shrubs approach 30%, sheet and rill erosion can begin to accelerate.
State 4
Eroded surface
Community 4.1
Eroded surface
Figure 10. Loamy Slopes 16-20" pz. trailed and eroded
This state occurs where severe soil compaction and trailing has resulted in loss of plant cover and an increase in runoff. Sheet and rill erosion accelerates and the surface (A) horizon is removed faster than it can be replaced by down-slope soil movement and weathering of the ridgetops. When the subsurface argillic (clayey) horizons are exposed, the site has lost its potential productivity. The plant community will shift from warm season plants to cool season plants and the ratio of runoff to infiltration will increase.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
Non-native bunchgrass seed is purposely or inadvertently introduced into the plant community (wind-blown or mechanical transport). Disturbances such as fire or drought can disrupt the native perennials allowing the non-native grasses an opportunity to expand their range from disturbed or planted areas. Long term events such as continuous unmanaged grazing or community phase pathway 1.1a (shift to the Annual Forbs community phase 1.2) allow non-native bunchgrasses a competitive advantage over natives.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
Continuous unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization results in persistently low perennial grass cover and extended fire free periods. Shrubs increase in size and number. Remnant native perennial grasses cannot re-colonize areas with shrub competition.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4
Long-term, continuous, unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization affects soil site stability and hydrologic functioning. Animal trailing and soil surface compaction compound the effect of plant community changes (increased shrub/decreased perennial grass community) to increase surface water run-off rather than infiltration. Drought conditions accelerate this transition.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
No restoration pathway known at this time. Perhaps future development of herbicide or biological treatment to remove perennial exotics will occur.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Fence | |
| Livestock Pipeline | |
| Pumping Plant | |
| Watering Facility | |
| Water Well | |
| Upland Wildlife Habitat Management | |
| Prescribed Grazing | |
| Fish and Wildlife Structure | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Written | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Applied | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied |
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
Continuous unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization results in persistently low perennial grass cover and extended fire free periods. Shrubs increase in size and number. Remnant native perennial grasses cannot re-colonize areas with shrub competition.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1
Woody species control, native species seeding (as needed) supported by managed grazing. Shrub control maintained with herbicide and/or prescribed burning.
Conservation practices
| Brush Management | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Burning | |
| Fence | |
| Firebreak | |
| Livestock Pipeline | |
| Pumping Plant | |
| Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment | |
| Range Planting | |
| Watering Facility | |
| Water Well | |
| Upland Wildlife Habitat Management | |
| Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems | |
| Prescribed Grazing | |
| Fuel Break | |
| Fish and Wildlife Structure | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Written | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Applied | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied |
Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 2
Restoration activities conducted when a non-native seed bank is present on site (Lehmann lovegrass or other non-natives present along trails, roads or in disturbed areas) can result in an exotic grassland community. Native species seeding may enhance the native grass component. Restoration practices are woody species control and native species seeding (as needed) supported by managed grazing. Shrub control maintained with herbicide may favor the native grasses while prescribed burning may favor non-natives. Burning the mixed shrub community with a non-native grass seed source present can result in an exotic grassland co-dominant with shrubs.
Conservation practices
| Brush Management | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Burning | |
| Fence | |
| Firebreak | |
| Grade Stabilization Structure | |
| Livestock Pipeline | |
| Pumping Plant | |
| Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment | |
| Range Planting | |
| Watering Facility | |
| Water Well | |
| Upland Wildlife Habitat Management | |
| Prescribed Grazing | |
| Fuel Break | |
| Fish and Wildlife Structure | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Written | |
| Grazing Management Plan - Applied | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied |
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4
Continuous unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization resulting in persistently low perennial grass cover, extended fire free periods, and adverse soil changes (loss of A horizon organic matter, compaction, and accelerated erosion.)
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 mid-grasses | 700–1500 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 400–700 | – | ||
| plains lovegrass | ERIN | Eragrostis intermedia | 200–700 | – | ||
| Texas bluestem | SCCI2 | Schizachyrium cirratum | 0–200 | – | ||
| spiked crinkleawn | TRSP12 | Trachypogon spicatus | 0–200 | – | ||
| green sprangletop | LEDU | Leptochloa dubia | 20–200 | – | ||
| bullgrass | MUEM | Muhlenbergia emersleyi | 0–200 | – | ||
| Orcutt's threeawn | ARSCO | Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana | 10–200 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 50–200 | – | ||
| purple muhly | MURI3 | Muhlenbergia rigida | 0–100 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 20–100 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 0–50 | – | ||
| woolyspike balsamscale | ELBA | Elionurus barbiculmis | 0–50 | – | ||
| 2 | Dominant short grasses | 10–300 | ||||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 1–100 | – | ||
| curly-mesquite | HIBE | Hilaria belangeri | 5–50 | – | ||
| sprucetop grama | BOCH | Bouteloua chondrosioides | 0–50 | – | ||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 0–50 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–50 | – | ||
| purple grama | BORA | Bouteloua radicosa | 0–45 | – | ||
| slender grama | BORE2 | Bouteloua repens | 0–25 | – | ||
| fall witchgrass | DICO6 | Digitaria cognata | 1–25 | – | ||
| common wolfstail | LYPH | Lycurus phleoides | 0–25 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 0–25 | – | ||
| 3 | Cool season grasses | 2–50 | ||||
| prairie acacia | ACAN | Acacia angustissima | 20–60 | – | ||
| yerba de pasmo | BAPT | Baccharis pteronioides | 20–60 | – | ||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 20–60 | – | ||
| Cooley's bundleflower | DECO2 | Desmanthus cooleyi | 20–60 | – | ||
| bastardsage | ERWR | Eriogonum wrightii | 20–60 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 20–60 | – | ||
| trailing krameria | KRLA | Krameria lanceolata | 20–60 | – | ||
| velvetpod mimosa | MIDY | Mimosa dysocarpa | 20–60 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELELE | Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides | 1–50 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–20 | – | ||
| pinyon ricegrass | PIFI | Piptochaetium fimbriatum | 0–20 | – | ||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 1–10 | – | ||
| flatsedge | CYPER | Cyperus | 0–5 | – | ||
| densetuft hairsedge | BUCA2 | Bulbostylis capillaris | 0–5 | – | ||
| muttongrass | POFE | Poa fendleriana | 0–2 | – | ||
| 4 | Miscellaneous perennial grasses | 5–75 | ||||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 1–25 | – | ||
| silver bluestem | BOSA | Bothriochloa saccharoides | 0–25 | – | ||
| tobosagrass | PLMU3 | Pleuraphis mutica | 0–20 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 0–10 | – | ||
| vine mesquite | PAOB | Panicum obtusum | 0–10 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 0–10 | – | ||
| Wright's threeawn | ARPUW | Aristida purpurea var. wrightii | 0–5 | – | ||
| streambed bristlegrass | SELE6 | Setaria leucopila | 0–5 | – | ||
| bulb panicgrass | PABU | Panicum bulbosum | 0–5 | – | ||
| maidencane | PAHE2 | Panicum hemitomon | 0–5 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–2 | – | ||
| big sacaton | SPWR2 | Sporobolus wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Porter's melicgrass | MEPO | Melica porteri | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona muhly | MUAR3 | Muhlenbergia arizonica | 0–2 | – | ||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 0–2 | – | ||
| nineawn pappusgrass | ENDE | Enneapogon desvauxii | 0–1 | – | ||
| poverty threeawn | ARDI5 | Aristida divaricata | 0–1 | – | ||
| Havard's threeawn | ARHA3 | Aristida havardii | 0–1 | – | ||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 0–1 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMU | Tridens muticus | 0–1 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMUE | Tridens muticus var. elongatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| 5 | Annual grasses | 0–15 | ||||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 0–5 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| tapertip cupgrass | ERACA | Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 0–2 | – | ||
| Eastwood fescue | VUMIC | Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata | 0–2 | – | ||
| Pacific fescue | VUMIP | Vulpia microstachys var. pauciflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| witchgrass | PACA6 | Panicum capillare | 0–2 | – | ||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 0–2 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 0–1 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–1 | – | ||
| matted grama | BOSI2 | Bouteloua simplex | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona brome | BRAR4 | Bromus arizonicus | 0–1 | – | ||
| feather fingergrass | CHVI4 | Chloris virgata | 0–1 | – | ||
| fragilegrass | AETE | Aegopogon tenellus | 0–1 | – | ||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 0–1 | – | ||
| prairie false oat | TRIN5 | Trisetum interruptum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Mexican lovegrass | ERME | Eragrostis mexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| tufted lovegrass | ERPEP2 | Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea | 0–1 | – | ||
| pitscale grass | HAGR3 | Hackelochloa granularis | 0–1 | – | ||
| sweet tanglehead | HEME | Heteropogon melanocarpus | 0–1 | – | ||
| little barley | HOPU | Hordeum pusillum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 0–1 | – | ||
| mucronate sprangeltop | LEPAB | Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata | 0–1 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 0–1 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Perennial forbs | 10–50 | ||||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 1–10 | – | ||
| Cooley's bundleflower | DECO2 | Desmanthus cooleyi | 1–10 | – | ||
| bluedicks | DICA14 | Dichelostemma capitatum | 1–10 | – | ||
| orange fameflower | PHAU13 | Phemeranthus aurantiacus | 0–10 | – | ||
| wild dwarf morning-glory | EVAR | Evolvulus arizonicus | 0–5 | – | ||
| spreading snakeherb | DYSCD | Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens | 0–5 | – | ||
| trailing fleabane | ERFL | Erigeron flagellaris | 1–5 | – | ||
| Texas snoutbean | RHSET | Rhynchosia senna var. texana | 1–5 | – | ||
| rose heath | CHER2 | Chaetopappa ericoides | 0–5 | – | ||
| leatherweed | CRPO5 | Croton pottsii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Gregg's prairie clover | DAGR2 | Dalea greggii | 0–5 | – | ||
| bastard toadflax | COUM | Comandra umbellata | 0–2 | – | ||
| dwarf stickpea | CAHUR | Calliandra humilis var. reticulata | 1–2 | – | ||
| largeflower onion | ALMA4 | Allium macropetalum | 0–2 | – | ||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 1–2 | – | ||
| tuber anemone | ANTU | Anemone tuberosa | 0–2 | – | ||
| shrubby purslane | POSU3 | Portulaca suffrutescens | 0–2 | – | ||
| Missouri goldenrod | SOMI2 | Solidago missouriensis | 0–2 | – | ||
| brownplume wirelettuce | STPA4 | Stephanomeria pauciflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| Rocky Mountain zinnia | ZIGR | Zinnia grandiflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| Wright's deervetch | LOWR | Lotus wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| New Mexico fleabane | ERNE3 | Erigeron neomexicanus | 0–2 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–2 | – | ||
| silver dwarf morning-glory | EVSE | Evolvulus sericeus | 0–2 | – | ||
| small matweed | GUDE | Guilleminea densa | 0–2 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–2 | – | ||
| tufted evening primrose | OECA10 | Oenothera caespitosa | 0–2 | – | ||
| radishroot woodsorrel | OXAL | Oxalis albicans | 0–1 | – | ||
| Drummond's woodsorrel | OXDR | Oxalis drummondii | 0–1 | – | ||
| locoweed | OXYTR | Oxytropis | 0–1 | – | ||
| beardlip penstemon | PEBA2 | Penstemon barbatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| Cochise beardtongue | PEDA | Penstemon dasyphyllus | 0–1 | – | ||
| longstalk chinchweed | PELO | Pectis longipes | 0–1 | – | ||
| Parry's beardtongue | PEPA24 | Penstemon parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| slimleaf bean | PHAN3 | Phaseolus angustissimus | 0–1 | – | ||
| Mexican star | MIBI2 | Milla biflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| lemon beebalm | MOCIA | Monarda citriodora ssp. austromontana | 0–1 | – | ||
| variableleaf bushbean | MAGI2 | Macroptilium gibbosifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| ivyleaf groundcherry | PHHE4 | Physalis hederifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| white milkwort | POAL4 | Polygala alba | 0–1 | – | ||
| velvetseed milkwort | POOB | Polygala obscura | 0–1 | – | ||
| Indian rushpea | HOGL2 | Hoffmannseggia glauca | 0–1 | – | ||
| red bluet | HORU | Houstonia rubra | 0–1 | – | ||
| babyslippers | HYVE | Hybanthus verticillatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| ragged nettlespurge | JAMA | Jatropha macrorhiza | 0–1 | – | ||
| San Pedro daisy | LAPO4 | Lasianthaea podocephala | 0–1 | – | ||
| Fendler's bladderpod | LEFE | Lesquerella fendleri | 0–1 | – | ||
| narrowleaf stoneseed | LIIN2 | Lithospermum incisum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Lewis flax | LILE3 | Linum lewisii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Greene's bird's-foot trefoil | LOGR4 | Lotus greenei | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona snakecotton | FRAR2 | Froelichia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| scarlet beeblossom | GACO5 | Gaura coccinea | 0–1 | – | ||
| pearly globe amaranth | GONI | Gomphrena nitida | 0–1 | – | ||
| shaggy dwarf morning-glory | EVNU | Evolvulus nuttallianus | 0–1 | – | ||
| Mexican fireplant | EUHE4 | Euphorbia heterophylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| sun spurge | EURA2 | Euphorbia radians | 0–1 | – | ||
| Torrey's craglily | ECFL | Echeandia flavescens | 0–1 | – | ||
| James' prairie clover | DAJA | Dalea jamesii | 0–1 | – | ||
| dwarf prairie clover | DANA | Dalea nana | 0–1 | – | ||
| downy prairie clover | DANE | Dalea neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| jewels of Opar | TAPA2 | Talinum paniculatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Coulter's wrinklefruit | TECO | Tetraclea coulteri | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairy fournwort | TENE | Tetramerium nervosum | 0–1 | – | ||
| longstalk greenthread | THLO | Thelesperma longipes | 0–1 | – | ||
| Hopi tea greenthread | THME | Thelesperma megapotamicum | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinewoods spiderwort | TRPI | Tradescantia pinetorum | 0–1 | – | ||
| branched noseburn | TRRA5 | Tragia ramosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| Fort Huachuca vervain | VEGR2 | Verbena gracilis | 0–1 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Louisiana vetch | VILUL2 | Vicia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana | 0–1 | – | ||
| copper zephyrlily | ZELO | Zephyranthes longifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| copper globemallow | SPAN3 | Sphaeralcea angustifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| slimflower scurfpea | PSTE5 | Psoralidium tenuiflorum | 0–1 | – | ||
| buffpetal | RHPH2 | Rhynchosida physocalyx | 0–1 | – | ||
| slimleaf plainsmustard | SCLI12 | Schoenocrambe linearifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| twinleaf senna | SEBA3 | Senna bauhinioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| Lemmon's ragwort | SELE8 | Senecio lemmonii | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico fanpetals | SINE | Sida neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| silverleaf nightshade | SOEL | Solanum elaeagnifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| perennial rockcress | ARPE2 | Arabis perennans | 0–1 | – | ||
| Watson's dutchman's pipe | ARWA | Aristolochia watsonii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona milkvetch | ASAR6 | Astragalus arizonicus | 0–1 | – | ||
| spider milkweed | ASAS | Asclepias asperula | 0–1 | – | ||
| Cochise scaly cloakfern | ASCO42 | Astrolepis cochisensis | 0–1 | – | ||
| chaparral asphead | ASHI3 | Aspicarpa hirtella | 0–1 | – | ||
| broadleaf milkweed | ASLA4 | Asclepias latifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| woolly locoweed | ASMOB | Astragalus mollissimus var. bigelovii | 0–1 | – | ||
| sheep milkvetch | ASNO3 | Astragalus nothoxys | 0–1 | – | ||
| horsetail milkweed | ASSU2 | Asclepias subverticillata | 0–1 | – | ||
| dense ayenia | AYMI | Ayenia microphylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairyseed bahia | BAAB | Bahia absinthifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| lyreleaf greeneyes | BELY | Berlandiera lyrata | 0–1 | – | ||
| scarlet spiderling | BOCO | Boerhavia coccinea | 0–1 | – | ||
| copper fern | BOHI | Bommeria hispida | 0–1 | – | ||
| trailing windmills | ALIN | Allionia incarnata | 0–1 | – | ||
| melon loco | APUN | Apodanthera undulata | 0–1 | – | ||
| Mexican yellowshow | AMPA3 | Amoreuxia palmatifida | 0–1 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 0–1 | – | ||
| wholeleaf Indian paintbrush | CAIN14 | Castilleja integra | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert mariposa lily | CAKE | Calochortus kennedyi | 0–1 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Indian paintbrush | CASTI2 | Castilleja | 0–1 | – | ||
| whitemargin sandmat | CHAL11 | Chamaesyce albomarginata | 0–1 | – | ||
| Fendler's lipfern | CHFE2 | Cheilanthes fendleri | 0–1 | – | ||
| fairyswords | CHLI | Cheilanthes lindheimeri | 0–1 | – | ||
| birdbill dayflower | CODI4 | Commelina dianthifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| Texas bindweed | COEQ | Convolvulus equitans | 0–1 | – | ||
| whitemouth dayflower | COER | Commelina erecta | 0–1 | – | ||
| fingerleaf gourd | CUDI | Cucurbita digitata | 0–1 | – | ||
| coyote gourd | CUPA | Cucurbita palmata | 0–1 | – | ||
| whiteflower prairie clover | DAAL | Dalea albiflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| 7 | Annual Forbs | 1–200 | ||||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOA2 | Heliomeris longifolia var. annua | 1–200 | – | ||
| camphorweed | HESU3 | Heterotheca subaxillaris | 0–50 | – | ||
| Wright's cudweed | PSCAC2 | Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens | 0–20 | – | ||
| mesa tansyaster | MATA | Machaeranthera tagetina | 0–10 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–10 | – | ||
| New Mexico thistle | CINE | Cirsium neomexicanum | 0–10 | – | ||
| New Mexico goosefoot | CHNE3 | Chenopodium neomexicanum | 0–10 | – | ||
| sensitive partridge pea | CHNI2 | Chamaecrista nictitans | 0–10 | – | ||
| smallflowered milkvetch | ASNU4 | Astragalus nuttallianus | 0–10 | – | ||
| Thurber's milkvetch | ASTH | Astragalus thurberi | 0–10 | – | ||
| pitseed goosefoot | CHBE4 | Chenopodium berlandieri | 0–10 | – | ||
| carelessweed | AMPA | Amaranthus palmeri | 0–5 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 0–5 | – | ||
| crestrib morning-glory | IPCO2 | Ipomoea costellata | 0–5 | – | ||
| redstar | IPCO3 | Ipomoea coccinea | 0–5 | – | ||
| ivyleaf morning-glory | IPHE | Ipomoea hederacea | 0–5 | – | ||
| Abert's buckwheat | ERAB2 | Eriogonum abertianum | 0–5 | – | ||
| sorrel buckwheat | ERPO4 | Eriogonum polycladon | 0–5 | – | ||
| tanseyleaf tansyaster | MATA2 | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| curlytop gumweed | GRNUA | Grindelia nuda var. aphanactis | 0–5 | – | ||
| slender goldenweed | MAGR10 | Machaeranthera gracilis | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| sweet four o'clock | MILO2 | Mirabilis longiflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| intermediate pepperweed | LEVIM | Lepidium virginicum var. medium | 0–2 | – | ||
| sawtooth sage | SASU7 | Salvia subincisa | 0–2 | – | ||
| Thurber's morning-glory | IPTH | Ipomoea thurberi | 0–2 | – | ||
| wedgeleaf draba | DRCU | Draba cuneifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| scrambled eggs | COAU2 | Corydalis aurea | 0–2 | – | ||
| New Mexico copperleaf | ACNE | Acalypha neomexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| miner's lettuce | CLPEP | Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata | 0–1 | – | ||
| threadstem sandmat | CHRE4 | Chamaesyce revoluta | 0–1 | – | ||
| thymeleaf sandmat | CHSE6 | Chamaesyce serpyllifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| slimseed sandmat | CHST8 | Chamaesyce stictospora | 0–1 | – | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–1 | – | ||
| Chihuahuan prairie clover | DAEX2 | Dalea exigua | 0–1 | – | ||
| American wild carrot | DAPU3 | Daucus pusillus | 0–1 | – | ||
| sacred thorn-apple | DAWR2 | Datura wrightii | 0–1 | – | ||
| poorjoe | DITE2 | Diodia teres | 0–1 | – | ||
| El Paso skyrocket | IPTH2 | Ipomopsis thurberi | 0–1 | – | ||
| miniature woollystar | ERDI2 | Eriastrum diffusum | 0–1 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–1 | – | ||
| flaxflowered ipomopsis | IPLOL | Ipomopsis longiflora ssp. longiflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| California poppy | ESCAM | Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona blanketflower | GAAR2 | Gaillardia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| red dome blanketflower | GAPI | Gaillardia pinnatifida | 0–1 | – | ||
| lesser yellowthroat gilia | GIFL | Gilia flavocincta | 0–1 | – | ||
| El Paso gilia | GIME | Gilia mexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Dakota mock vervain | GLBIB | Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida | 0–1 | – | ||
| crested anoda | ANCR2 | Anoda cristata | 0–1 | – | ||
| southwestern pricklypoppy | ARPL3 | Argemone pleiacantha | 0–1 | – | ||
| halfmoon milkvetch | ASAL6 | Astragalus allochrous | 0–1 | – | ||
| royal sandmat | CHDI5 | Chamaesyce dioica | 0–1 | – | ||
| pillpod sandmat | CHHI3 | Chamaesyce hirta | 0–1 | – | ||
| hyssopleaf sandmat | CHHY3 | Chamaesyce hyssopifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| wheelscale saltbush | ATEL | Atriplex elegans | 0–1 | – | ||
| fewflower beggarticks | BILE | Bidens leptocephala | 0–1 | – | ||
| Coulter's spiderling | BOCO2 | Boerhavia coulteri | 0–1 | – | ||
| erect spiderling | BOER | Boerhavia erecta | 0–1 | – | ||
| hoary bowlesia | BOIN3 | Bowlesia incana | 0–1 | – | ||
| purple spiderling | BOPU | Boerhavia purpurascens | 0–1 | – | ||
| fringed redmaids | CACI2 | Calandrinia ciliata | 0–1 | – | ||
| spreading fanpetals | SIAB | Sida abutifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| sleepy silene | SIAN2 | Silene antirrhina | 0–1 | – | ||
| streptanthella | STREP | Streptanthella | 0–1 | – | ||
| golden crownbeard | VEEN | Verbesina encelioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| Abert's creeping zinnia | SAAB | Sanvitalia abertii | 0–1 | – | ||
| whitestem blazingstar | MEAL6 | Mentzelia albicaulis | 0–1 | – | ||
| purslane | PORTU | Portulaca | 0–1 | – | ||
| yerba porosa | PORU6 | Porophyllum ruderale | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert unicorn-plant | PRAL4 | Proboscidea althaeifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| doubleclaw | PRPA2 | Proboscidea parviflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| plains flax | LIPU4 | Linum puberulum | 0–1 | – | ||
| foothill deervetch | LOHU2 | Lotus humistratus | 0–1 | – | ||
| coastal bird's-foot trefoil | LOSAB | Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus | 0–1 | – | ||
| shortstem lupine | LUBR2 | Lupinus brevicaulis | 0–1 | – | ||
| bajada lupine | LUCOC | Lupinus concinnus ssp. concinnus | 0–1 | – | ||
| Fendler's desertdandelion | MAFE | Malacothrix fendleri | 0–1 | – | ||
| warty caltrop | KAPA | Kallstroemia parviflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| Coulter's horseweed | LACO13 | Laennecia coulteri | 0–1 | – | ||
| Gordon's bladderpod | LEGO | Lesquerella gordonii | 0–1 | – | ||
| broadleaved pepperweed | LELA2 | Lepidium latifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| green carpetweed | MOVE | Mollugo verticillata | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert evening primrose | OEPR | Oenothera primiveris | 0–1 | – | ||
| purplewhite owl's-clover | ORPU2 | Orthocarpus purpureoalbus | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona phacelia | PHAR13 | Phacelia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| Mangas Spring phacelia | PHBO4 | Phacelia bombycina | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona popcornflower | PLAR | Plagiobothrys arizonicus | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Dominant half shrubs | 10–50 | ||||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 5–20 | – | ||
| cliff goldenbush | ERCUS | Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata | 0–10 | – | ||
| bastardsage | ERWR | Eriogonum wrightii | 1–10 | – | ||
| prairie acacia | ACAN | Acacia angustissima | 1–10 | – | ||
| yerba de pasmo | BAPT | Baccharis pteronioides | 1–10 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 0–5 | – | ||
| trailing krameria | KRLA | Krameria lanceolata | 0–5 | – | ||
| 9 | Succulents | 2–50 | ||||
| Palmer's century plant | AGPA3 | Agave palmeri | 1–40 | – | ||
| sacahuista | NOMI | Nolina microcarpa | 1–30 | – | ||
| common sotol | DAWH2 | Dasylirion wheeleri | 0–2 | – | ||
| scarlet hedgehog cactus | ECCOC | Echinocereus coccineus var. coccineus | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECFEF3 | Echinocereus fendleri ssp. fendleri | 0–1 | – | ||
| white fishhook cactus | ECIN2 | Echinomastus intertextus | 0–1 | – | ||
| rainbow cactus | ECPE | Echinocereus pectinatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| kingcup cactus | ECTR | Echinocereus triglochidiatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| spinystar | ESVI2 | Escobaria vivipara | 0–1 | – | ||
| Graham's nipple cactus | MAGR9 | Mammillaria grahamii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Macdougal's nipple cactus | MAHEM | Mammillaria heyderi var. macdougalii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Parry's agave | AGPA4 | Agave parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| Parry's agave | AGPAP5 | Agave parryi ssp. parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| Santa Cruz beehive cactus | CORE3 | Coryphantha recurvata | 0–1 | – | ||
| walkingstick cactus | CYSP8 | Cylindropuntia spinosior | 0–1 | – | ||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 0–1 | – | ||
| tulip pricklypear | OPPH | Opuntia phaeacantha | 0–1 | – | ||
| banana yucca | YUBA | Yucca baccata | 0–1 | – | ||
| soaptree yucca | YUEL | Yucca elata | 0–1 | – | ||
| Schott's yucca | YUSC | Yucca ×schottii | 0–1 | – | ||
| 10 | Miscellaneous shrubs | 0–10 | ||||
| Sonoran scrub oak | QUTU2 | Quercus turbinella | 0–2 | – | ||
| California brickellbush | BRCA3 | Brickellia californica | 0–2 | – | ||
| false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| littleleaf sumac | RHMI3 | Rhus microphylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–1 | – | ||
| evergreen sumac | RHVIC | Rhus virens var. choriophylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| heartleaf goldeneye | VICO | Viguiera cordifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| longleaf jointfir | EPTR | Ephedra trifurca | 0–1 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–1 | – | ||
| catclaw mimosa | MIACB | Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera | 0–1 | – | ||
| velvetpod mimosa | MIDY | Mimosa dysocarpa | 0–1 | – | ||
| Graham's mimosa | MIGR2 | Mimosa grahamii | 0–1 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGR | Acacia greggii | 0–1 | – | ||
| milfoil wattle | ACMI | Acacia millefolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| Wright's beebrush | ALWR | Aloysia wrightii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Thurber's desert honeysuckle | ANTH2 | Anisacanthus thurberi | 0–1 | – | ||
| Pringle manzanita | ARPR | Arctostaphylos pringlei | 0–1 | – | ||
| pointleaf manzanita | ARPU5 | Arctostaphylos pungens | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 11 | Trees | 0–50 | ||||
| Arizona white oak | QUAR | Quercus arizonica | 0–25 | – | ||
| Emory oak | QUEM | Quercus emoryi | 0–25 | – | ||
| Mexican blue oak | QUOB | Quercus oblongifolia | 0–20 | – | ||
| Abert's buckwheat | ERAB2 | Eriogonum abertianum | 2–8 | – | ||
| hoary tansyaster | MACA2 | Machaeranthera canescens | 2–8 | – | ||
| alligator juniper | JUDE2 | Juniperus deppeana | 0–5 | – | ||
| oneseed juniper | JUMO | Juniperus monosperma | 0–5 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
The plant community on this site is suitable for grazing by all classes of livestock at any season. The plant community provides adequate nutrition throughout the year. Steep slopes and very gravelly and/or cobbly surfaces limit livestock grazing distribution on this site. Large areas of this site should be fenced separately from the uplands and bottom sites it is associated with to effectively manage the forage resource it has. The presence of cool season grass species and plains lovegrass cause livestock to forage widely in the early spring on this site making this the best season to effectively use the site. Annual goldeneye can cause poisoning problems in the fall after unusually wet winter-spring seasons.
This site is a primary habitat for pronghorn antelope in southeastern Arizona. It is also habitat for mule and whitetail deer having enough topography and/or tree and shrub cover to maintain both deer species in residence. The potential plant community is rich in both grass and forb species making the site home to a great variety of insect, bird, small mammal and reptile species. The lesser long-nosed bat uses the abundant nectar in the flowers of the Agave Plameri as it flowers throughout June, July, and August. Natural water is lacking on the site and water developments are very important to large mammals and many species of birds and small mammals on the site.
Hydrological functions
With steep slopes and heavy textured soils this site is a good producer of runoff.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, photography, camping, picnicking, bird watching.
Wood products
Limited oak and juniper on north exposures. Mesquite may be present and furnish fuel-wood for campfires.
Other products
Agave for tequila or mescal, beargrass for fibers, medicinal plants like yerba de pasmo.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 3 in excellent condition, 4 in good condition and 1 in fair condition.
Type locality
| Location 1: Cochise County, AZ | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T21S R19E S30 |
| General legal description | SE 1/4 of section - Ft. Huachuca- West Range |
| Location 2: Cochise County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T22S R20E S8 |
| General legal description | NW 1/4 section - Ft. Huachuca - South Range |
| Location 3: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T19S R17E S36 |
| General legal description | Tucson - Empire Ranch, Hilton Pasture at KA #11 and 12. |
| Location 4: Cochise County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T13S R22E S18 |
| General legal description | NW 1/4 - Willcox - Warbonnet Ranch |
| Location 5: Santa Cruz County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T21S R18E S17 |
| General legal description | Audubon Research Ranch |
Contributors
Larry D. Ellicott`
Unknown
Dan Robinett
Approval
Curtis Talbot, 4/09/2021
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) | Wilma Renken, Dan Robinett, Larry Humphrey, Scott Stratton, Linda Kennedy |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | USDA-NRCS Tucson MLRA Soil Survey Office |
| Date | 05/01/2014 |
| Approved by | Curtis Talbot |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
North and South aspects: No rills.
Note: When evaluating range health on this ecological site, aspect and slope affect expected reference conditions and should be factored into evaluation. Reference conditions described here are from north- and south-facing aspects with 20% slope, 11 years post-burn (Ryan Fire). -
Presence of water flow patterns:
North aspect: very short, indistinguishable among high cobble/gravel/vegetation cover.
South aspect: common, short (<5') and discontinuous. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
North aspect: pedestals <1" in height occassionally observed on short-grasses; terracettes common, 3-5 ft apart with 1" elevation difference.
South aspect: pedestals 1/2"-1" in height common on perennial grasses; terracettes common, 1-2 ft apart with 1"-2" elevation difference. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
North aspect: 3-6% bare ground evenly distributed among gravel/rock cover; non-vegetated areas are scarce. After fire, 25-30% bare ground is observed.
South aspect: 7-8% bare ground evenly distributed among gravel/rock cover; small non-vegetated areas <1 ft in diam. occasionally observed. After fire, 25-30% bare ground is observed. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
North and South aspects: None -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
North and South aspects: None -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
North and South aspects: Fine litter moving less than 1 foot, course litter stays in place. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
North and South aspects: No difference between canopy-protected and unprotected soil slake values. All values rated as 5's and 6's. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
North and South aspects: Soil surface horizon 0-3" depth, gravelly sandy loam, granular structure. Color 7.5 YR 3/3 moist. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
North aspect: Perennial grasses are well-dispersed across site with basal cover 15-20%. Foliar cover is 50-70% perennial grasses and 5-10% low shrubs.
South aspect: Perennial mid-grasses occur within an evenly dispersed short-grass community. Basal cover of perennial grasses is >10%. Foliar cover is 50-70% within mid-grass patches and 30-50% within short-grasses. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
North and South aspects: No compaction. Clay horizon at 5" depth may be mistaken for compaction. -
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:
North aspect: Warm season mid-grasses;
South aspect: Warm season mid-grasses > short-grassesSub-dominant:
North aspect: short-grasses > low shrubs > perennial forbs > trees;
South aspect: low shrubs > perennial forbsOther:
succulentsAdditional:
Annual forbs and annual grasses fluctuate with precipitation and can flourish after fire or drought. -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
North and South aspects: Perennial grass decadence increases with time since last fire. Current observation (11 years post-burning), both aspects exhibit some perennial grass decadence, little mortality seen overall. Mortality from fire depends upon season and intensity of burn. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
North aspect: 55% litter cover; South aspect: 45% litter cover. Litter cover on the low end of the range is expected immmediately post-burn and increases with favorable weather and time. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
763 lbs/ac. in a below average year; 1520 lbs/ac. in an average year; 2350 lbs/ac. in an above average year. -
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:
Lehmann lovegrass, Boer lovegrass, yellow bluestem, velvet mesquite -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Not impaired. Warm season perennial grass seed production highly dependent upon the amount and timing of summer monsoons.
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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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