Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XA108AZ
Loamy Upland 16-20" p.z.
Last updated: 4/09/2021
Accessed: 12/03/2024
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
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 41 represents the most northern extent of the Sierra Madre Occidental, or in English, the “mother mountains of the west.” The Sierra Madre Occidental is a massive, rugged mountain system that runs northwest from the Rio Grande de Santiago, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, through the states of Sonora and Chihuahua, and ending in Arizona and New Mexico. Through Mexico, this mountain system runs parallel to the Pacific coast and, as it crosses into the United States and confronts the tectonic folding and rifting of the Basin and Range Physiographic Province, the land mass geographically breaks into smaller, isolated mountain ranges, called “sky islands.” The centralizing theme for this MLRA can be summed up as a series of inland islands extending from their mainland, the Sierra Madre Occidental, surrounded by a sea of desert grassland. To the west, the Madrean Archipelago bounds the Sonoran Basin and Range where several sky islands in southern Arizona grade into Sonoran Desert basins; to the north it bounds the contiguous mountains and geology of the Mogollon Transition area; and to the east, in New Mexico, it bounds the geology of the Rio Grande Rift. MLRA 41 is primarily a rangeland subdivision with small amounts of irrigated cropland. It encompasses approximately 13M acres.
LRU notes
Land Resource Unit 41-1, Mexican Oak-Pine Forest and Oak Savannah. Elevations range from 4500 to 5500 feet and precipitation ranges from 16 to 20 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 is thermic; the soil moisture regime is aridic ustic.
Classification relationships
USDA-NRCS Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin: Western Range and Irrigated Region D; Major Land Resource Area 41, Southeastern Arizona Basin and Range; Land Resource Unit 41-1, Madrean Oak Savanna; Ecological Site Loamy Upland, 16-20" p.z.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ecological Regions of North America: Level I, Region 12, Southern Semi-Arid Highlands; Level II, 12.1 Western Sierra Madre Piedmont, Level III, Ecoregion 79 Madrean Archipelago, 79a, Apachian Valleys and Low Hills.
USDA-USFS Ecological Subregions: Sections of the Conterminous United States: Section 321 Basin and Range; Section 321A, Basin and Range Section.
Ecological site concept
Loamy Upland, 16"-20" p.z., is found on upland landscapes with deep soils with an argillic horizon underlying loam textured soil or, when the soil above the argillic is sandy loam textured, it is less than 4" thick.
Associated sites
| R041XA104AZ |
Limy Slopes 16-20" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XA107AZ |
Loamy Slopes 16-20" p.z. |
| R041XA109AZ |
Clay Loam Upland 16-20" p.z. |
| R041XA114AZ |
Loamy Bottom 16-20" p.z. |
| R041XA115AZ |
Loamy Swale 16-20" p.z. |
Similar sites
| R041XC313AZ |
Loamy Upland 12"-16" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XA110AZ |
Sandy Loam Upland 16-20" p.z. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) baccharis pteronioides |
| Herbaceous |
(1) bouteloua gracilis |
Physiographic features
This site occurs in the upper elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona. It occurs on fan terraces and gentle hillslopes.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Fan piedmont
(2) Plain |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 4,700 – 5,500 ft |
| Slope | 1 – 15% |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
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, wooly bunchgrass, false mesquite, shrubby buckwheat and ratany 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 old alluvium of mixed origin. Surface textures range from very gravelly sandy loam to gravelly loam. Sandy loam surfaces can be no thicker than 4 inches (eight inches for CBV-SL). These soils all have clayey (argillic) horizons near the surface. They are non calcareous in the upper 20 inches. Soil surfaces are dark colored. Plant-soil moisture relationships are good. Although several soil series are correlated in map unit components to this ecological site, Cherrycow soil series is most representative of Loamy Upland, 16-20” p.z..
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
|---|---|
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Slow |
| Soil depth | 60 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 10 – 25% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 5% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
8.4 – 9.6 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) |
6.1 – 7.8 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
3 – 10% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
5% |
Ecological dynamics
State and transition model
Figure 4. Loamy Upland 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-Oak Savannah (HCPC)
Figure 5. Empire Ranch, West Pasture exclosure, KA 17&18
The historic native state includes the native plant communities that occur on the site, including the historic climax plant community. The state includes other plant communities that naturally occupy the site following fire, drought, flooding, herbivores and other natural disturbances. The historic plant community represents the natural climax community that eventually reoccupies the site with proper management. The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial midgrasses. The major perennial species are well dispersed throughout the plant community. Perennial forbs, several species of low shrubs and succulents are well represented in the plant community. The aspect is open grassland to oak-grass savannah. Mesquite and Lehmann lovegrass are both pushing the upper limits of their elevations in this MLRA subdivision and can invade areas of this site. They may be able to dominate the native plant community, especially with climatic warming. Species like one seed and alligator juniper can invade and increase to dominate the site. Naturally occuring fires in June-August are an important factor shaping this plant community. Fire-free intervals range from 10-20 years. With thin coarse textured soil surfaces, any soil loss due to erosion can reduce the site’s ability to effectively use intense summer rainfall. This site recovers moderately well from drought due to the favorable climate prevailing in this sub-resource area.
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 | 520 | 1200 | 1600 |
| Forb | 11 | 45 | 245 |
| Shrub/Vine | 11 | 35 | 85 |
| Tree | 0 | 5 | 25 |
| Total | 542 | 1285 | 1955 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 0-1% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 0-2% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 7-20% |
| Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0-1% |
| Biological crusts | 1-10% |
| Litter | 20-65% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 10-25% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-5% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| 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% | 5-15% | 1-5% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | 1-5% | 10-20% | 1-5% |
| >1 <= 2 | – | 1-2% | 15-30% | 0-15% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 0-1% | 0-10% | 0-2% |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 0-1% | – | – | – |
| >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
In "El Nino" years and without disturbance like grazing or fire, forbs like camphorweed, gumweed and annual goldeneye will increase to dominate the plant community as perennial grass cover diminishes from drought in the preceding years. Periodic drought can occur in this CRA and cause significant grass mortality. Droughts in the early 30s, mid-50s, 1975-76, 1988-89, 1995-96 and 2002 resulted in the loss of much of the grass cover on this site. Mortality is highest in areas where the soil surface is very thin. There is a strong relationship between grass mortality and surface thickness/micro relief on this site. This site recovers moderately well from drought due to the favorable climate prevailing in this sub-resource area.
Community 1.3
Short Grasses
With continuous, heavy grazing, midgrasses like sideoats grama, cane beardgrass and plains lovegrass are removed from the plant community and often times replaced by a continuous sod of blue grama. The absence of mid-grasses reduces fire fuel load resulting in increased half-shrub and succulent shrubs. With severe deterioration, shrubby species like yerba-de-pasmo and wooly groundsel can increase to dominate the plant community.
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 that result 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 | |
| Firebreak | |
| Livestock Pipeline | |
| Pumping Plant | |
| 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 |
Pathway 1.1b
Community 1.1 to 1.3
Continuous, unmanaged, grazing with heavy to severe utilization impacts perennial mid-grasses and affects natural fire cycles.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Fence | |
| Firebreak | |
| Livestock Pipeline | |
| Pumping Plant | |
| 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 |
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1
With managed grazing, this site recovers moderately well from drought due to the favorable climate prevailing in this sub-resource area.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Fence | |
| Firebreak | |
| Livestock Pipeline | |
| Pumping Plant | |
| 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 |
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.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Fence | |
| Firebreak | |
| Livestock Pipeline | |
| Pumping Plant | |
| 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 |
State 2
Exotic Grasses State
Community 2.1
Exotic Grassland
Figure 8. Loamy Upland 16-20" pz, Boer lovegrass
This state occurs where African lovegrass species have either invaded from established stands or from direct seedings of these areas. Lehmann, Boer, weeping lovegrass and in some places yellow or King Ranch bluestems are dominant and native perennial grasses and forbs exist only in minor amounts. Cover and production of these species is very high and site stability and hydrologic function are good.
State 3
Shrub Invaded State
Community 3.1
Mesquite and Juniper
Figure 9. Loamy Upland 16-20" pz. juniper invasion
With continuous grazing, a nearby seed source and in the absence of fire for long periods of time; velvet mesquite and / or western honey mesquite and one seed or alligator juniper can invade and increase to dominate the site. Canopy cover can be from 2 to 25%. Sheet and rill erosion can begin to accelerate at the higher canopy levels.
State 4
Eroded State
Community 4.1
Eroded Short-Grassland
Figure 10. Loamy Upland 16-20" pz, alligator juniper, erosion
This state occurs where accelerated sheet and / or rill erosion has removed most of the surface (A) horizon. With one inch of surface soil left the site has lost its ability to grow mid-grasses. The new potential is for short gramas with lower basal cover and less production. To see the new potential see ecological site # R041XA109AZ, Clayloam Upland 16-20"pz, without tobosa.
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. Mesquite and juniper 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. Reduced soil cover, compaction, and A Horizon loss 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. Persistent reduced infiltration severely limits perennial grass recruitment.
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 | |
| Firebreak | |
| Livestock Pipeline | |
| 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 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. Mesquite and juniper 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 | |
| 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 |
Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 2
Restoration activities conducted when a non-native seed bank is present on site (African lovegrasses 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 | |
| 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 | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Written | |
| Fish and Wildlife Habitat Plan - Applied |
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4
Long-term, continuous, unmanaged grazing with heavy to severe utilization affects soil site stability and hydrologic functioning. Reduced soil cover, compaction, and A Horizon loss 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. Persistent reduced infiltration severely limits perennial grass recruitment.
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 | 400–900 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 150–500 | – | ||
| plains lovegrass | ERIN | Eragrostis intermedia | 150–500 | – | ||
| spiked crinkleawn | TRSP12 | Trachypogon spicatus | 0–150 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 50–150 | – | ||
| green sprangletop | LEDU | Leptochloa dubia | 0–100 | – | ||
| 2 | Dominant short grasses | 200–450 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 100–300 | – | ||
| sprucetop grama | BOCH | Bouteloua chondrosioides | 25–200 | – | ||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 25–100 | – | ||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 0–100 | – | ||
| common wolfstail | LYPH | Lycurus phleoides | 0–50 | – | ||
| 3 | Cool season grasses | 10–40 | ||||
| pinyon ricegrass | PIFI | Piptochaetium fimbriatum | 0–15 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–10 | – | ||
| densetuft hairsedge | BUCA2 | Bulbostylis capillaris | 0–5 | – | ||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 0–5 | – | ||
| flatsedge | CYPER | Cyperus | 0–5 | – | ||
| 4 | Miscellaneous perennial grasses | 5–100 | ||||
| curly-mesquite | HIBE | Hilaria belangeri | 1–15 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 0–15 | – | ||
| woolyspike balsamscale | ELBA | Elionurus barbiculmis | 0–10 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 0–10 | – | ||
| vine mesquite | PAOB | Panicum obtusum | 0–10 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–10 | – | ||
| poverty threeawn | ARDI5 | Aristida divaricata | 1–10 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 1–10 | – | ||
| Orcutt's threeawn | ARSCO | Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana | 0–10 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 1–10 | – | ||
| purple grama | BORA | Bouteloua radicosa | 0–10 | – | ||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 0–10 | – | ||
| bullgrass | MUEM | Muhlenbergia emersleyi | 0–10 | – | ||
| purple muhly | MURI3 | Muhlenbergia rigida | 0–5 | – | ||
| silver bluestem | BOSA | Bothriochloa saccharoides | 0–5 | – | ||
| slender grama | BORE2 | Bouteloua repens | 0–5 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTEG | Aristida ternipes var. gentilis | 0–5 | – | ||
| tobosagrass | PLMU3 | Pleuraphis mutica | 0–5 | – | ||
| Texas bluestem | SCCI2 | Schizachyrium cirratum | 0–5 | – | ||
| fall witchgrass | DICO6 | Digitaria cognata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona muhly | MUAR3 | Muhlenbergia arizonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 0–5 | – | ||
| nineawn pappusgrass | ENDE | Enneapogon desvauxii | 0–1 | – | ||
| blue threeawn | ARPUN | Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi | 0–1 | – | ||
| Wright's threeawn | ARPUW | Aristida purpurea var. wrightii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Havard's threeawn | ARHA3 | Aristida havardii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Wooton's threeawn | ARPA9 | Aristida pansa | 0–1 | – | ||
| 5 | Annual grasses | 1–100 | ||||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 0–25 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 0–15 | – | ||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 0–10 | – | ||
| mucronate sprangeltop | LEPAB | Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata | 0–10 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| tufted lovegrass | ERPEP2 | Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea | 0–5 | – | ||
| pitscale grass | HAGR3 | Hackelochloa granularis | 0–5 | – | ||
| feather fingergrass | CHVI4 | Chloris virgata | 0–5 | – | ||
| tapertip cupgrass | ERACA | Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata | 0–5 | – | ||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 0–5 | – | ||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 0–5 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 0–5 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Mexican lovegrass | ERME | Eragrostis mexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert lovegrass | ERPEM | Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima | 0–2 | – | ||
| poverty dropseed | SPVA | Sporobolus vaginiflorus | 0–2 | – | ||
| prairie false oat | TRIN5 | Trisetum interruptum | 0–2 | – | ||
| sticky sprangletop | LEVI5 | Leptochloa viscida | 0–2 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 0–2 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–2 | – | ||
| witchgrass | PACA6 | Panicum capillare | 0–2 | – | ||
| matted grama | BOSI2 | Bouteloua simplex | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Perennial forbs | 10–45 | ||||
| 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 | – | ||
| leatherweed | CRPO5 | Croton pottsii | 0–5 | – | ||
| rose heath | CHER2 | Chaetopappa ericoides | 0–5 | – | ||
| Texas snoutbean | RHSET | Rhynchosia senna var. texana | 0–5 | – | ||
| 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 | – | ||
| largeflower onion | ALMA4 | Allium macropetalum | 0–2 | – | ||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 1–2 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–2 | – | ||
| tuber anemone | ANTU | Anemone tuberosa | 0–2 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–2 | – | ||
| trailing fleabane | ERFL | Erigeron flagellaris | 0–2 | – | ||
| small matweed | GUDE | Guilleminea densa | 0–2 | – | ||
| tufted evening primrose | OECA10 | Oenothera caespitosa | 0–2 | – | ||
| silver dwarf morning-glory | EVSE | Evolvulus sericeus | 0–2 | – | ||
| Wright's deervetch | LOWR | Lotus wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–2 | – | ||
| Mexican star | MIBI2 | Milla biflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| lemon beebalm | MOCIA | Monarda citriodora ssp. austromontana | 0–1 | – | ||
| variableleaf bushbean | MAGI2 | Macroptilium gibbosifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona snakecotton | FRAR2 | Froelichia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| scarlet beeblossom | GACO5 | Gaura coccinea | 0–1 | – | ||
| pearly globe amaranth | GONI | Gomphrena nitida | 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 | – | ||
| 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 | – | ||
| Mexican fireplant | EUHE4 | Euphorbia heterophylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| sun spurge | EURA2 | Euphorbia radians | 0–1 | – | ||
| melon loco | APUN | Apodanthera undulata | 0–1 | – | ||
| shaggy dwarf morning-glory | EVNU | Evolvulus nuttallianus | 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 | – | ||
| 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 | – | ||
| dwarf stickpea | CAHUR | Calliandra humilis var. reticulata | 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 | – | ||
| Mexican yellowshow | AMPA3 | Amoreuxia palmatifida | 0–1 | – | ||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 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 | – | ||
| James' prairie clover | DAJA | Dalea jamesii | 0–1 | – | ||
| dwarf prairie clover | DANA | Dalea nana | 0–1 | – | ||
| downy prairie clover | DANE | Dalea neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Torrey's craglily | ECFL | Echeandia flavescens | 0–1 | – | ||
| trailing windmills | ALIN | Allionia incarnata | 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 | – | ||
| salt spring checkerbloom | SINE3 | Sidalcea neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| silverleaf nightshade | SOEL | Solanum elaeagnifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| 7 | Annual Forbs | 1–200 | ||||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOA2 | Heliomeris longifolia var. annua | 1–200 | – | ||
| camphorweed | HESU3 | Heterotheca subaxillaris | 0–25 | – | ||
| curlytop gumweed | GRNUA | Grindelia nuda var. aphanactis | 0–20 | – | ||
| Wright's cudweed | PSCAC2 | Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens | 0–20 | – | ||
| slender goldenweed | MAGR10 | Machaeranthera gracilis | 0–20 | – | ||
| tanseyleaf tansyaster | MATA2 | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | 0–20 | – | ||
| 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 | – | ||
| Abert's buckwheat | ERAB2 | Eriogonum abertianum | 0–5 | – | ||
| sorrel buckwheat | ERPO4 | Eriogonum polycladon | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| intermediate pepperweed | LEVIM | Lepidium virginicum var. medium | 0–2 | – | ||
| sawtooth sage | SASU7 | Salvia subincisa | 0–2 | – | ||
| redstar | IPCO3 | Ipomoea coccinea | 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 | – | ||
| flaxflowered ipomopsis | IPLOL | Ipomopsis longiflora ssp. longiflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| miniature woollystar | ERDI2 | Eriastrum diffusum | 0–1 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–1 | – | ||
| crestrib morning-glory | IPCO2 | Ipomoea costellata | 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 | – | ||
| 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 | – | ||
| Abert's creeping zinnia | SAAB | Sanvitalia abertii | 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 | – | ||
| whitestem blazingstar | MEAL6 | Mentzelia albicaulis | 0–1 | – | ||
| green carpetweed | MOVE | Mollugo verticillata | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert evening primrose | OEPR | Oenothera primiveris | 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 | 10–60 | ||||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 1–30 | – | ||
| bastardsage | ERWR | Eriogonum wrightii | 0–20 | – | ||
| yerba de pasmo | BAPT | Baccharis pteronioides | 1–20 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 0–10 | – | ||
| trailing krameria | KRLA | Krameria lanceolata | 1–10 | – | ||
| prairie acacia | ACAN | Acacia angustissima | 0–10 | – | ||
| 9 | Miscellaneous shrubs | 0–15 | ||||
| catclaw mimosa | MIACB | Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera | 0–5 | – | ||
| velvetpod mimosa | MIDY | Mimosa dysocarpa | 0–5 | – | ||
| sacahuista | NOMI | Nolina microcarpa | 0–2 | – | ||
| Pringle manzanita | ARPR | Arctostaphylos pringlei | 0–2 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–1 | – | ||
| burroweed | ISTE2 | Isocoma tenuisecta | 0–1 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGR | Acacia greggii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Sonoran scrub oak | QUTU2 | Quercus turbinella | 0–1 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–1 | – | ||
| threadleaf ragwort | SEFLF | Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus | 0–1 | – | ||
| 10 | Succulents | 1–10 | ||||
| Palmer's century plant | AGPA3 | Agave palmeri | 1–5 | – | ||
| Parry's agave | AGPA4 | Agave parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| walkingstick cactus | CYSP8 | Cylindropuntia spinosior | 0–1 | – | ||
| 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 | ECPEP | Echinocereus pectinatus var. pectinatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| spinystar | ESVI2 | Escobaria vivipara | 0–1 | – | ||
| Macdougal's nipple cactus | MAHEM | Mammillaria heyderi var. macdougalii | 0–1 | – | ||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 0–1 | – | ||
| twistspine pricklypear | OPMA2 | Opuntia macrorhiza | 0–1 | – | ||
| tulip pricklypear | OPPH | Opuntia phaeacantha | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 11 | Trees | 0–25 | ||||
| Emory oak | QUEM | Quercus emoryi | 0–25 | – | ||
| Arizona white oak | QUAR | Quercus arizonica | 0–20 | – | ||
| alligator juniper | JUDE2 | Juniperus deppeana | 0–2 | – | ||
| oneseed juniper | JUMO | Juniperus monosperma | 0–2 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
The plant community on this site is suitable for grazing by all classes of livestock at any season. The plant community will be low in digestible protein in the winter. Phosphorous may be deficient throughout the year. Grazing should be managed to maintain good grass cover. This site can easily erode and is less effective in using intense summer rainfall when cover falls below the minimum needed to protect the soil surface. (5% cover - 2% slope, 10% cover - 6% slope). Poisonous shrubs like yerba-de-pasmo and wooly groundsel can cause problems in the spring unless cool season species like plains lovegrass, squirreltail and shrubs like false mesquite and shrubby buckwheat are in the plant community. Annual goldeneye can cause problems in the fall after unusually wet winter-spring seasons.
This site is a primary habitat for pronghorn antelope in southeastern Arizona. It provides a variety of their favored browses and perennial forbs, as well as tall grass for fawning cover. Being open grassland and rich in forb species, this site is home to a great variety of insect, bird, small mammal and reptile species. In areas adjacent to woodlands, this site is heavily used as a foraging are by both mule deer and whitetail deer. The lesser longnosed bat uses the abundant nectar in the flowers of the agave palmeri during its June-August flowering season. Natural water is lacking on this site and water developments are very important to large and small mammals and several species of birds that use the habitat.
Hydrological functions
Thin, coarse textured soil surfaces help catch and hold intense summer rainfall and let it slowly infiltrate the clayey subsurface soil. The site is very sensitive to loss of the coarse textured surface (A) horizon. As the surface is reduced in thickness the ratio of runoff to infiltration increases. Natural rates of runoff on this site are as high as 30%. With loss of the A horizon runoff can increase to over 70% of annual rainfall.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, photography, birdwatching, camping
Wood products
None unless the site is invaded by mesquite and / or juniper.
Other products
Grass seed, medicinal herbs like yerba-de-pasmo
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 5 in excellent condition, 6 in good condition and 4 in fair condition.
Type locality
| Location 1: Cochise County, AZ | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T21S R19E S34 |
| General legal description | Douglas FO - Ft. Huachuca - West Range N1/2 of section |
| Location 2: Pinal County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T21S R18E S31 |
| General legal description | Tucson FO - Vaughn Enclosure SW 1/4 of section |
| Location 3: Cochise County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T18S R28E S12 |
| General legal description | Willcox FO - Oak Ranch NE 1/2 of section (old contest site) |
| Location 4: Santa Cruz County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T21S R18E S21 |
| General legal description | On Audubon Research Ranch, on flat area north of Post Canyon. |
Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. Ellicott
Unknown
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 | 04/30/2013 |
| Approved by | Curtis Talbot |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Common, short (<6 ft. in length), discontinuous -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals common on perennial grasses (1/2-1" height). Terrecettes common, 1-3 ft. between with 1" elevation difference. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground ranges from 20-40%, with higher values after fire. Non-vegetated areas are very small (<1 ft. diam). Gravel cover 10-20%. -
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):
Fine litter moving up approximately 1 ft. to upper margin of terrecettes. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Slake test values taken from under perennial grass and shrub cover were "5" and "6"; values from outside canopy ranged from "4" to "6". -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Soil surface horizon was gravelly loam, 0-2" depth, with granular structure. Color 5YR 3/3 moist. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Perennial grass basal cover well-dispersed across site. Perennial mid-grass distribution clumped among short-grasses. In mid-grass clumps foliar cover is high (50-70% foliar cover), short-grass foliar cover was 30-50%. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
No compaction. Clay horizon at 5" can act like compaction layer. Soil penetrometer depth averaged 6 cm, with values ranging from 4 cm - 9 cm. -
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 mid-grasses > perennial short-grassesSub-dominant:
low shrubs > perennial forbsOther:
succulentsAdditional:
annual grasses and forbs fluctuate with rainfall -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Mortality about 2-5%. Perennial mid-grasses express decadence as time since last fire increases. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter cover ranges from 20-60%, increasing with time after burning. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
542 lbs/ac. in a below average year; 1285 lbs/ac. in an average year; 1955 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, mesquite, alligator juniper -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Not impaired.
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