Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XA117AZ
Shallow Upland 16-20" p.z.
Last updated: 4/09/2021
Accessed: 11/21/2024
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
| F041XA112AZ |
Sandy Wash 16-20" p.z. woodland |
|---|---|
| F041XA113AZ |
Sandy Bottom 16-20" p.z. woodland |
| R041XA102AZ |
Shallow Hills 16-20" p.z. |
| R041XA108AZ |
Loamy Upland 16-20" p.z. |
Similar sites
| R041XC322AZ |
Shallow Upland 12-16" p.z. |
|---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) quercus emoryi |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) calliandra eriophylla |
| Herbaceous |
(1) bouteloua chondrosioides |
Physiographic features
This site occurs in the middle elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and Chihuahua and Sonora, Mexico. It occurs on gently sloping to moderately steep pediments which flank mountain areas. Numerous small areas of rock outcrop occur throughout areas of this site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Mountain valley
(2) Pediment |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 4,500 – 5,500 ft |
| Slope | 1 – 15% |
| 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.-March, 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, false mesquite, shrubby buckwheat and spreading 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 soils have developed in place on various types of acid igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary parent materials like granite, rhyolite, gneiss, sandstone and schist. They are shallow and non-calcareous. In very old parent materials (pre-cambrian) the underlying bedrock is fractured and deeply (40-60 inches) weathered. Soil surfaces are well covered by gravels and small stones. Plant-soil moisture relationships are fair. Soils mapped in these areas include Turquoise and Nugget. In younger parent materials the bedrock is only slightly weathered (4-10 inches).
Soils mapped in these areas include: SSA-671 Cochise county Douglas-Tombstone part MU 103 Magoffin.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Slope alluvium
–
dacite
|
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Gravelly sandy loam (2) Very gravelly sandy loam (3) Very gravelly loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately rapid to moderately slow |
| Soil depth | 10 – 20 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 15 – 55% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 3 – 10% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
0.7 – 2.4 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
Not specified |
| 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) |
10 – 45% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
3 – 10% |
Ecological dynamics
The plant communities found on an ecological site are naturally variable. Composition and production will vary with yearly conditions, location, aspect, and the natural variability of the soils. The Historical Climax Plant Community represents the natural potential plant communities found on relict or relatively undisturbed sites. Other plant communities described here represent plant communities that are known to occur when the site is disturbed by factors such as fire, grazing, or drought.
Production data provided in this site description is standardized to air dry weight at the end of the summer growing season. The plant communities described in this site description are based on near normal rainfall years.
NRCS uses a Similarity Index to compare existing plant communities to the plant communities described here. Similarity index is determined by comparing the production and composition of a plant community to the production of a plant community described in this site description. To determine Similarity Index, compare the production (air dry weight) of each species to that shown in the plant community description. For each species, count no more than the maximum amount shown for the species, and for each group, count no more than the maximum amount shown for the group. Divide the resulting total by the total normal year production shown in the plant community description. If rainfall has been significantly above or below normal, use the total production shown for above or below normal years. If field data is not collected at the end of the summer growing season, then the field data must be corrected to the end of the year production before comparing it to the site description. The growth curve can be used as a guide for estimating production at the end of the summer growing season.
State and transition model
Figure 4. State and Transition, Granitic Upland 16-20" p.z.
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 1
Historic Climax Plant Community
Community 1.1
Historic Climax Plant Community
This site includes 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 reoccupies the site with proper management. The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses and several species of low shrubs. Perennial forbs and annuals are of minor importance on this site. Emory oak and Mexican blue oak trees can occur up to 5% canopy on the site. The aspect is savannah to grassland. All of the major perennial grasses and shrubs on the site are well dispersed throughout the plant community. Drought and or fire can open up the grass community for a few years, but the major species of perennial grasses will quickly recover. The dominant half shrubs on the site are vigorous sprouters after fire. Shrubby buckwheat and plains lovegrass can diminish in severe drought. Species like mimosa, ocotillo, mesquite and manzanita can increase to dominate the site. Lehmann lovegrass can invade and increase to dominate the plant community.
Figure 5. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 376 | 650 | 925 |
| Shrub/Vine | 57 | 100 | 175 |
| Tree | 0 | 10 | 100 |
| Forb | 5 | 15 | 40 |
| Total | 438 | 775 | 1240 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 0-1% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 1-3% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 4-12% |
| Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0-1% |
| Biological crusts | 0-1% |
| Litter | 20-70% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 25-65% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-10% |
| Bedrock | 1-10% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 5-40% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | 1-5% | 5-10% | 0-2% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | 5-10% | 10-20% | 0-5% |
| >1 <= 2 | – | 1-5% | 10-15% | 0-2% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 0-5% | 1-10% | 0-1% |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 0-2% | 0-2% | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | 0-5% | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 6. 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 |
State 2
Lehmann lovegrass invaded
Community 2.1
Lehmann lovegrass invaded
Figure 7. Granitic Upland 16-20" pz. Lehmann lovegrass
This state occurs where Lehmann lovegrass has invaded from existing stands along roads, trails and rights of ways through areas of the site. As Lehmann lovegrass increases in dominance the amounts of native grasses and herbs diminish both in diversity and density. The dominant half shrubs seem to be able to persist in the plant community with Lehmann lovegrass. Above ground biomass production is higher on sites dominated by Lehmann lovegrass. As fires and droughts cause openings in the plant community, Lehmann lovegrass quickly assumes dominance.
State 3
Shrub increased
Community 3.1
Shrub increased
Figure 8. Granitic Upland 16-20" pz. Shrubby
In the absence of fires for long periods of time shrubs like mesquite, mimosa, ocotillo, manzanita and succulents like prickly pear and agave can increase to dominate the plant community. Climatic warming may be driving the increase in wait-a-bit and velvet-pod mimosas. Mature shrubs are fire tolerant and sprout back vigorously after being top killed. As canopy levels approach 25% the site can no longer support much in the herbaceous layer; further limiting the effect and incidence of fire on the plant community.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Dominant Perennial Short Grasses | 300–600 | ||||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 65–150 | – | ||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 50–150 | – | ||
| purple grama | BORA | Bouteloua radicosa | 10–100 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 50–100 | – | ||
| sprucetop grama | BOCH | Bouteloua chondrosioides | 50–100 | – | ||
| Santa Rita Mountain grama | BOEL | Bouteloua eludens | 20–100 | – | ||
| slender grama | BORE2 | Bouteloua repens | 5–50 | – | ||
| common wolfstail | LYPH | Lycurus phleoides | 5–50 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 0–50 | – | ||
| Arizona muhly | MUAR3 | Muhlenbergia arizonica | 0–30 | – | ||
| 2 | Dominant Perennial Mid Grasses | 70–250 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 50–100 | – | ||
| plains lovegrass | ERIN | Eragrostis intermedia | 10–100 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 0–50 | – | ||
| green sprangletop | LEDU | Leptochloa dubia | 0–50 | – | ||
| spiked crinkleawn | TRSP12 | Trachypogon spicatus | 10–50 | – | ||
| Texas bluestem | SCCI2 | Schizachyrium cirratum | 0–25 | – | ||
| woolyspike balsamscale | ELBA | Elionurus barbiculmis | 0–25 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 0–20 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 0–20 | – | ||
| 3 | Miscellaneous Perennial Grasses | 0–20 | ||||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–10 | – | ||
| tobosagrass | PLMU3 | Pleuraphis mutica | 0–10 | – | ||
| plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 0–5 | – | ||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 0–5 | – | ||
| vine mesquite | PAOB | Panicum obtusum | 0–5 | – | ||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 0–5 | – | ||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 0–5 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–5 | – | ||
| nineawn pappusgrass | ENDE | Enneapogon desvauxii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Kunth's smallgrass | MIKU | Microchloa kunthii | 0–2 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMU | Tridens muticus | 0–2 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMUE | Tridens muticus var. elongatus | 0–2 | – | ||
| 4 | Perennial Threeawns | 5–35 | ||||
| Orcutt's threeawn | ARSCO | Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana | 5–25 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 0–5 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTEG | Aristida ternipes var. gentilis | 0–5 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 0–5 | – | ||
| Wright's threeawn | ARPUW | Aristida purpurea var. wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Havard's threeawn | ARHA3 | Aristida havardii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Wooton's threeawn | ARPA9 | Aristida pansa | 0–2 | – | ||
| poverty threeawn | ARDI5 | Aristida divaricata | 0–1 | – | ||
| 5 | Annual Grasses | 1–20 | ||||
| sweet tanglehead | HEME | Heteropogon melanocarpus | 0–10 | – | ||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 1–5 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–2 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 0–2 | – | ||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 0–1 | – | ||
| mucronate sprangeltop | LEPAB | Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata | 0–1 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 0–1 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–1 | – | ||
| Parry's grama | BOPA2 | Bouteloua parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| matted grama | BOSI2 | Bouteloua simplex | 0–1 | – | ||
| feather fingergrass | CHVI4 | Chloris virgata | 0–1 | – | ||
| tapertip cupgrass | ERACA | Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata | 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 | – | ||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 0–1 | – | ||
| witchgrass | PACA6 | Panicum capillare | 0–1 | – | ||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 0–1 | – | ||
| poverty dropseed | SPVA | Sporobolus vaginiflorus | 0–1 | – | ||
| prairie false oat | TRIN5 | Trisetum interruptum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Eastwood fescue | VUMIC | Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert fescue | VUMIM | Vulpia microstachys var. microstachys | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Perennial Forbs | 5–20 | ||||
| lipfern | CHEIL | Cheilanthes | 0–5 | – | ||
| trailing windmills | ALIN | Allionia incarnata | 0–5 | – | ||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–5 | – | ||
| wild dwarf morning-glory | EVAR | Evolvulus arizonicus | 0–5 | – | ||
| cliffbrake | PELLA | Pellaea | 0–5 | – | ||
| Lewis flax | LILE3 | Linum lewisii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona cudweed | PSAR12 | Pseudognaphalium arizonicum | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona spikemoss | SEAR2 | Selaginella arizonica | 0–2 | – | ||
| Thurber's cotton | GOTH | Gossypium thurberi | 0–2 | – | ||
| Palmer's Indian mallow | ABPA | Abutilon palmeri | 0–2 | – | ||
| Cooley's bundleflower | DECO2 | Desmanthus cooleyi | 0–2 | – | ||
| brownplume wirelettuce | STPA4 | Stephanomeria pauciflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| Rocky Mountain zinnia | ZIGR | Zinnia grandiflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| hairy fournwort | TENE | Tetramerium nervosum | 0–1 | – | ||
| longstalk greenthread | THLO | Thelesperma longipes | 0–1 | – | ||
| branched noseburn | TRRA5 | Tragia ramosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| Fort Huachuca vervain | VEGR2 | Verbena gracilis | 0–1 | – | ||
| bluedicks | DICA14 | Dichelostemma capitatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| winged buckwheat | ERAL4 | Eriogonum alatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–1 | – | ||
| rose heath | CHER2 | Chaetopappa ericoides | 0–1 | – | ||
| mala mujer | CNAN | Cnidoscolus angustidens | 0–1 | – | ||
| whitemouth dayflower | COER | Commelina erecta | 0–1 | – | ||
| palmleaf thoroughwort | COGR10 | Conoclinium greggii | 0–1 | – | ||
| leatherweed | CRPO5 | Croton pottsii | 0–1 | – | ||
| whiteflower prairie clover | DAAL | Dalea albiflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| James' prairie clover | DAJA | Dalea jamesii | 0–1 | – | ||
| dwarf desertpeony | ACNA2 | Acourtia nana | 0–1 | – | ||
| brownfoot | ACWR5 | Acourtia wrightii | 0–1 | – | ||
| San Felipe dogweed | ADPO | Adenophyllum porophylloides | 0–1 | – | ||
| Santa Rita mountain yellowshow | AMGO | Amoreuxia gonzalezii | 0–1 | – | ||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico silverbush | ARNE2 | Argythamnia neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| perennial rockcress | ARPE2 | Arabis perennans | 0–1 | – | ||
| Watson's dutchman's pipe | ARWA | Aristolochia watsonii | 0–1 | – | ||
| chaparral asphead | ASHI3 | Aspicarpa hirtella | 0–1 | – | ||
| dense ayenia | AYMI | Ayenia microphylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairyseed bahia | BAAB | Bahia absinthifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert marigold | BAMU | Baileya multiradiata | 0–1 | – | ||
| scarlet spiderling | BOCO | Boerhavia coccinea | 0–1 | – | ||
| climbing wartclub | BOSC | Boerhavia scandens | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona wrightwort | CAAR7 | Carlowrightia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| dwarf stickpea | CAHUR | Calliandra humilis var. reticulata | 0–1 | – | ||
| wholeleaf Indian paintbrush | CAIN14 | Castilleja integra | 0–1 | – | ||
| pepper | CAPSI | Capsicum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Indian paintbrush | CASTI2 | Castilleja | 0–1 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–1 | – | ||
| plains blackfoot | MELE2 | Melampodium leucanthum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Mexican star | MIBI2 | Milla biflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| wishbone-bush | MILAV | Mirabilis laevis var. villosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert tobacco | NIOB | Nicotiana obtusifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| Schott's yellowhood | NISC | Nissolia schottii | 0–1 | – | ||
| tufted evening primrose | OECA10 | Oenothera caespitosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| Oak Creek ragwort | PAQU8 | Packera quercetorum | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert rosemallow | HICO | Hibiscus coulteri | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkthroat morning-glory | IPLO | Ipomoea longifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| slender janusia | JAGR | Janusia gracilis | 0–1 | – | ||
| ragged nettlespurge | JAMA | Jatropha macrorhiza | 0–1 | – | ||
| longflower tube tongue | JULO3 | Justicia longii | 0–1 | – | ||
| narrowleaf stoneseed | LIIN2 | Lithospermum incisum | 0–1 | – | ||
| shaggy dwarf morning-glory | EVNU | Evolvulus nuttallianus | 0–1 | – | ||
| silver dwarf morning-glory | EVSE | Evolvulus sericeus | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona snakecotton | FRAR2 | Froelichia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| fringed twinevine | FUCYC | Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. cynanchoides | 0–1 | – | ||
| southwestern mock vervain | GLGO | Glandularia gooddingii | 0–1 | – | ||
| pearly globe amaranth | GONI | Gomphrena nitida | 0–1 | – | ||
| twinleaf senna | SEBA3 | Senna bauhinioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| velvet leaf senna | SELI4 | Senna lindheimeriana | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico fanpetals | SINE | Sida neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| silverleaf nightshade | SOEL | Solanum elaeagnifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| Missouri goldenrod | SOMI2 | Solidago missouriensis | 0–1 | – | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| slimflower scurfpea | PSTE5 | Psoralidium tenuiflorum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Texas snoutbean | RHSET | Rhynchosia senna var. texana | 0–1 | – | ||
| slimleaf plainsmustard | SCLI12 | Schoenocrambe linearifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| Wright's deervetch | LOWR | Lotus wrightii | 0–1 | – | ||
| longstalk chinchweed | PELO | Pectis longipes | 0–1 | – | ||
| Parry's beardtongue | PEPA24 | Penstemon parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| orange fameflower | PHAU13 | Phemeranthus aurantiacus | 0–1 | – | ||
| velvetseed milkwort | POOB | Polygala obscura | 0–1 | – | ||
| shrubby purslane | POSU3 | Portulaca suffrutescens | 0–1 | – | ||
| 7 | Annual Forbs | 0–20 | ||||
| sensitive partridge pea | CHNI2 | Chamaecrista nictitans | 0–5 | – | ||
| pitseed goosefoot | CHBE4 | Chenopodium berlandieri | 0–5 | – | ||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOA2 | Heliomeris longifolia var. annua | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| crestrib morning-glory | IPCO2 | Ipomoea costellata | 0–2 | – | ||
| wedgeleaf draba | DRCU | Draba cuneifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| miniature woollystar | ERDI2 | Eriastrum diffusum | 0–2 | – | ||
| sorrel buckwheat | ERPO4 | Eriogonum polycladon | 0–2 | – | ||
| California poppy | ESCAM | Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| fewflower beggarticks | BILE | Bidens leptocephala | 0–2 | – | ||
| Coulter's spiderling | BOCO2 | Boerhavia coulteri | 0–2 | – | ||
| New Mexico copperleaf | ACNE | Acalypha neomexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| carelessweed | AMPA | Amaranthus palmeri | 0–2 | – | ||
| sawtooth sage | SASU7 | Salvia subincisa | 0–2 | – | ||
| spreading fanpetals | SIAB | Sida abutifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| intermediate pepperweed | LEVIM | Lepidium virginicum var. medium | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona popcornflower | PLAR | Plagiobothrys arizonicus | 0–2 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–2 | – | ||
| fringed redmaids | CACI2 | Calandrinia ciliata | 0–2 | – | ||
| yerba porosa | PORU6 | Porophyllum ruderale | 0–1 | – | ||
| shrubby purslane | POSU3 | Portulaca suffrutescens | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert unicorn-plant | PRAL4 | Proboscidea althaeifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| doubleclaw | PRPA2 | Proboscidea parviflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| Wright's cudweed | PSCAC2 | Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens | 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 | – | ||
| slender goldenweed | MAGR10 | Machaeranthera gracilis | 0–1 | – | ||
| tanseyleaf tansyaster | MATA2 | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| sweet four o'clock | MILO2 | Mirabilis longiflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| green carpetweed | MOVE | Mollugo verticillata | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert evening primrose | OEPR | Oenothera primiveris | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona phacelia | PHAR13 | Phacelia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| sleepy silene | SIAN2 | Silene antirrhina | 0–1 | – | ||
| sand fringepod | THCU | Thysanocarpus curvipes | 0–1 | – | ||
| southwestern pricklypoppy | ARPL3 | Argemone pleiacantha | 0–1 | – | ||
| smallflowered milkvetch | ASNU4 | Astragalus nuttallianus | 0–1 | – | ||
| erect spiderling | BOER | Boerhavia erecta | 0–1 | – | ||
| purple spiderling | BOPU | Boerhavia purpurascens | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico thistle | CINE | Cirsium neomexicanum | 0–1 | – | ||
| scrambled eggs | COAU2 | Corydalis aurea | 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 | – | ||
| El Paso gilia | GIME | Gilia mexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Dakota mock vervain | GLBIB | Glandularia bipinnatifida var. bipinnatifida | 0–1 | – | ||
| Abert's buckwheat | ERAB2 | Eriogonum abertianum | 0–1 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCA14 | Erysimum capitatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| hyssopleaf sandmat | CHHY3 | Chamaesyce hyssopifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| redstar | IPCO3 | Ipomoea coccinea | 0–1 | – | ||
| ivyleaf morning-glory | IPHE | Ipomoea hederacea | 0–1 | – | ||
| flaxflowered ipomopsis | IPLOL | Ipomopsis longiflora ssp. longiflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| Thurber's morning-glory | IPTH | Ipomoea thurberi | 0–1 | – | ||
| El Paso skyrocket | IPTH2 | Ipomopsis thurberi | 0–1 | – | ||
| warty caltrop | KAPA | Kallstroemia parviflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| shaggyfruit pepperweed | LELA | Lepidium lasiocarpum | 0–1 | – | ||
| camphorweed | HESU3 | Heterotheca subaxillaris | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Dominant Half Shrubs | 50–100 | ||||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 25–75 | – | ||
| Gregg's prairie clover | DAGR2 | Dalea greggii | 5–25 | – | ||
| bastardsage | ERWR | Eriogonum wrightii | 5–25 | – | ||
| trailing krameria | KRLA | Krameria lanceolata | 1–15 | – | ||
| Schott's stickpea | ZAFOS | Zapoteca formosa var. schottii | 0–10 | – | ||
| yerba de pasmo | BAPT | Baccharis pteronioides | 1–10 | – | ||
| prairie acacia | ACAN | Acacia angustissima | 1–10 | – | ||
| Bigelow's false willow | BABI | Baccharis bigelovii | 0–5 | – | ||
| shortleaf baccharis | BABR | Baccharis brachyphylla | 0–5 | – | ||
| Sonoran indigo | INSP | Indigofera sphaerocarpa | 0–5 | – | ||
| false boneset | BREU | Brickellia eupatorioides | 0–5 | – | ||
| Bigelow's bristlehead | CABI6 | Carphochaete bigelovii | 0–5 | – | ||
| cliff goldenbush | ERCUS | Ericameria cuneata var. spathulata | 0–5 | – | ||
| turpentine bush | ERLA12 | Ericameria laricifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| California brickellbush | BRCA3 | Brickellia californica | 0–2 | – | ||
| 9 | Miscellaneous Shrubs | 5–35 | ||||
| ocotillo | FOSP2 | Fouquieria splendens | 0–10 | – | ||
| catclaw mimosa | MIACB | Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera | 0–10 | – | ||
| Sonoran scrub oak | QUTU2 | Quercus turbinella | 0–10 | – | ||
| velvetpod mimosa | MIDY | Mimosa dysocarpa | 0–5 | – | ||
| littleleaf sumac | RHMI3 | Rhus microphylla | 0–5 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–5 | – | ||
| algerita | MATR3 | Mahonia trifoliolata | 0–5 | – | ||
| coralbean | ERFL7 | Erythrina flabelliformis | 0–5 | – | ||
| pointleaf manzanita | ARPU5 | Arctostaphylos pungens | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert ceanothus | CEGR | Ceanothus greggii | 0–5 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGR | Acacia greggii | 0–2 | – | ||
| evergreen sumac | RHVIC | Rhus virens var. choriophylla | 0–2 | – | ||
| toothleaf goldeneye | VIDE3 | Viguiera dentata | 0–2 | – | ||
| red barberry | MAHA4 | Mahonia haematocarpa | 0–2 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona water-willow | JUCA9 | Justicia candicans | 0–1 | – | ||
| redberry buckthorn | RHCR | Rhamnus crocea | 0–1 | – | ||
| threadleaf ragwort | SEFLF | Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus | 0–1 | – | ||
| yellow trumpetbush | TEST | Tecoma stans | 0–1 | – | ||
| heartleaf goldeneye | VICO | Viguiera cordifolia | 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 | – | ||
| Warnock's snakewood | COWA | Condalia warnockii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Kearney's snakewood | COWAK | Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Florida hopbush | DOVI | Dodonaea viscosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| longleaf jointfir | EPTR | Ephedra trifurca | 0–1 | – | ||
| Tahitian kidneywood | EYOR | Eysenhardtia orthocarpa | 0–1 | – | ||
| cliff fendlerbush | FERU | Fendlera rupicola | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert olive | FOSH | Forestiera shrevei | 0–1 | – | ||
| Wright's silktassel | GAWR3 | Garrya wrightii | 0–1 | – | ||
| pelotazo | ABIN | Abutilon incanum | 0–1 | – | ||
| 10 | Succulents | 2–40 | ||||
| sacahuista | NOMI | Nolina microcarpa | 1–15 | – | ||
| Palmer's century plant | AGPA3 | Agave palmeri | 1–10 | – | ||
| smallflower century plant | AGPA5 | Agave parviflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| Schott's century plant | AGSC3 | Agave schottii | 0–5 | – | ||
| common sotol | DAWH2 | Dasylirion wheeleri | 0–5 | – | ||
| banana yucca | YUBA | Yucca baccata | 0–2 | – | ||
| Schott's yucca | YUSC | Yucca ×schottii | 0–2 | – | ||
| dollarjoint pricklypear | OPCH | Opuntia chlorotica | 0–1 | – | ||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECBO2 | Echinocereus bonkerae | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECFE | Echinocereus 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 | – | ||
| candy barrelcactus | FEWI | Ferocactus wislizeni | 0–1 | – | ||
| Graham's nipple cactus | MAGR9 | Mammillaria grahamii | 0–1 | – | ||
| little nipple cactus | MAHE2 | Mammillaria heyderi | 0–1 | – | ||
| walkingstick cactus | CYSP8 | Cylindropuntia spinosior | 0–1 | – | ||
| Parry's agave | AGPA4 | Agave parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 11 | Trees | 0–100 | ||||
| Emory oak | QUEM | Quercus emoryi | 0–50 | – | ||
| Mexican blue oak | QUOB | Quercus oblongifolia | 0–50 | – | ||
| Arizona white oak | QUAR | Quercus arizonica | 0–25 | – | ||
| alligator juniper | JUDE2 | Juniperus deppeana | 0–5 | – | ||
| oneseed juniper | JUMO | Juniperus monosperma | 0–5 | – | ||
| Mexican pinyon | PICE | Pinus cembroides | 0–5 | – | ||
| border pinyon | PIDI3 | Pinus discolor | 0–5 | – | ||
| velvet mesquite | PRVE | Prosopis velutina | 0–2 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
The site is useable for livestock grazing at any season of the year. Forage species are low in digestable protein in the winter months and phosphorous is lacking year-round except in the summer growing season. Water developments are very important to wildlife on the site. The site produces a diverse mixture of low shrubs and perennial grasses, with scattered trees. It is a poor producer of annual grasses and annual and perennial forbs. It is home to a variety of grassland wildlife species. Larger mammals like deer use the site mainly as a foraging area.
Hydrological functions
Shallow soil and bedrock outcrops with moderate slopes make this site a producer of runoff in large storm events.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, bird-watching, camping, photography, rock-hounding, prospecting.
Wood products
Limited oak, juniper, mesquite fire wood for campfires. Manzanita and algerita for hobby woods.
Other products
Gold, silver, turquoise, decomposed granite.
Acorns for food. Medicinal herbs like yerba de pasmo and herbaceous sage.
Supporting information
Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. Ellicott
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) | |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | |
| Date | 09/10/2022 |
| Approved by | Curtis Talbot |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
-
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
-
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
-
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
-
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Print Options
Sections
Font
Other
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.
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.