Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XB223AZ
Basalt Hills 8-12" p.z.
Accessed: 12/22/2024
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 041X–Madrean Archipelago
AZ 41.2 – Chihuahuan – Sonoran Desert Shrubs
Elevations range from 2600 to 4000 feet and precipitation ranges from 8 to 12 inches per year. Vegetation includes mesquite, palo verde, catclaw acacia, soaptree yucca, creosotebush, whitethorn, staghorn cholla, desert saltbush, Mormon tea, burroweed, snakeweed, tobosa, black grama, threeawns, bush muhly, dropseed, and burrograss. The soil temperature regime is thermic and the soil moisture regime is typic aridic. This unit occurs within the Basin and Range Physiographic Province and is characterized by numerous mountain ranges that rise abruptly from broad, plain-like valleys and basins. Igneous and metamorphic rock classes dominate the mountain ranges and sediments filling the basins represent combinations of fluvial, lacustrine, colluvial and alluvial deposits.
Associated sites
| R041XB203AZ |
Clayey Upland 8-12" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XB208AZ |
Limy Upland 8-12" p.z. |
| R041XB220AZ |
Limestone Hills 8-12" p.z. |
| R041XC330AZ |
Volcanic Hills 12-16" p.z. Clayey |
Similar sites
| R040XA101AZ |
Basalt Hills 10"-13" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XC323AZ |
Volcanic Hills 12-16" p.z. Loamy |
| R038XA133AZ |
Volcanic/Metamorphic Hills 12-16" p.z. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) larrea tridentata |
| Herbaceous |
(1) bouteloua eriopoda |
Physiographic features
This site occurs in the lowest elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona. It occurs on hill-slopes, ridge-tops and mesas.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Hill
(2) Ridge (3) Mesa |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 792 – 1,219 m |
| Slope | 15 – 65% |
| Aspect | N, E, S |
Climatic features
Precipitation ranges from 8-12 inches annually. More than half falls during July-Sep in brief, but often heavy, thunderstorms. The rest of the moisture comes as light rain or snow that falls slowly for a day or more, but rarely lasts more than a day. May and June are normally the driest months. Humidity is generally very low.
Temperatures are mild throughout most of the year. Freezing temperatures are common at night Dec-Feb; brief 0 F may be observed some nights. During June, July & August, some days may exceed 100 F.
In years of average or greater winter precipitation, annual grasses and forbs occur abundantly in the interspaces.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 240 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 0 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 0 mm |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
There are no water features associated with this site.
Soil features
These are shallow, calcareous, loamy soils on basic igneous bedrock like basalt, andesite and related tuffs, agglomerates and welded ash. Bedrock is hard and un-weathered. Soils are very gravelly and cobbly in the profile. They have well developed covers of gravels and cobbles. Plant soil-moisture relationships are fair.
Soils mapped to date on this site include: SSA-662 Safford area MU's GuE Graham and Rk rockland; SSA-663 Gila-Duncan area MU 1 Akela & Lehmans.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Colluvium
–
andesite
|
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Very cobbly sandy loam (2) Very gravelly sandy loam (3) Cobbly loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately rapid to moderate |
| Soil depth | 13 – 51 cm |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 40 – 60% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 20 – 40% |
| Available water capacity (0-101.6cm) |
1.52 – 5.84 cm |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
3 – 15% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 2 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
7.4 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
35 – 65% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
5 – 30% |
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 community found on relict or relatively undisturbed areas of this site. Other plant communities described here represent plant communities that are known to occur when the site is disturbed by factors such as fire, grazing and drought.
Production data provided in this site description is standardized to air dry weight at the end of the summer growing season. The plant communities described in this site description are based on near normal rainfall years.
NRCS uses a Similarity Index to compare existing plant communities to the plant communities described here. Similarity index is determined by comparing the production and composition of a plant community to the production and composition 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, count no more than the maximum amount shown for the species, and for each group, count no more than the 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 the field data is not collected at the end of the summer growing season, then the field data must be corrected to the end of 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.
The historic native state includes the native 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 reoccupies the site with proper management and a return to near normal conditions and/or equilibrium.
State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
Ecosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
HCPC
Community 1.1
HCPC
Figure 4. Basalt Hills 8-12" pz., HCPC
The native potential plant community on this site is a mixture of desert trees, shrubs, succulents and perennial and annual forbs and grasses. Shrubs like creosote bush dominate the plant community. Annuals, of both winter and summer types, are very important in their respective seasons in wet years. Perennial grasses fluctuate from 1-2% after prolonged drought to 20% of the plant community during favorable rainfall years.
Figure 5. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 80 | 224 | 353 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 19 | 56 | 269 |
| Forb | 4 | 22 | 202 |
| Tree | – | 1 | 22 |
| Total | 103 | 303 | 846 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 0% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 1-2% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 0-1% |
| Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0-5% |
| Litter | 10-55% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 40-60% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 20-40% |
| Bedrock | 0-5% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 5-30% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (m) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.15 | – | 0-1% | 1-20% | 0-15% |
| >0.15 <= 0.3 | – | 1-5% | 1-10% | 1-10% |
| >0.3 <= 0.6 | – | 1-10% | 2-5% | 1-10% |
| >0.6 <= 1.4 | – | 5-15% | 0-1% | 0-1% |
| >1.4 <= 4 | 0-1% | 1-5% | – | – |
| >4 <= 12 | 0-1% | – | – | – |
| >12 <= 24 | – | – | – | – |
| >24 <= 37 | – | – | – | – |
| >37 | – | – | – | – |
State 2
Shrubs, exotic annuals
Community 2.1
Shrubs, exotic annuals
Figure 6. Basalt Hills 8-12" pz., red brome
This state occurs where non-native annual grasses and forbs have increased to dominate the herbaceous layer of the plant community. The native tree and shrub cover is intact. Annual species like red brome, cheatgrass, filaree, purslane and tumble mustard dominate the under-story. Native annuals and perennial grasses and forbs still exist in the plant community but are diminished in cover and diversity.
State 3
Annuals
Community 3.1
Annuals
Figure 7. Basalt Hills 8-12" pz., repeated fires
This state occurs where repeated fires have removed the tree and shrub component of the plant community. It occurs near residential areas and along heavily traveled roads where the incidence of fire is high. Native and non-native annual forbs and grasses dominate the plant community.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Dominant perennial grasses | 17–112 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 6–56 | – | ||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 6–56 | – | ||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 6–56 | – | ||
| tobosagrass | PLMU3 | Pleuraphis mutica | 6–34 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMU | Tridens muticus | 0–34 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–22 | – | ||
| blue threeawn | ARPUN | Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi | 0–22 | – | ||
| Parish's threeawn | ARPUP5 | Aristida purpurea var. parishii | 0–22 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 0–17 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTEG | Aristida ternipes var. gentilis | 0–11 | – | ||
| 2 | Misc. perennial grasses | 1–34 | ||||
| low woollygrass | DAPU7 | Dasyochloa pulchella | 1–11 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 0–11 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 0–11 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 0–11 | – | ||
| plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 0–11 | – | ||
| nineawn pappusgrass | ENDE | Enneapogon desvauxii | 1–6 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–6 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMUE | Tridens muticus var. elongatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| burrograss | SCBR2 | Scleropogon brevifolius | 0–1 | – | ||
| fall witchgrass | DICO6 | Digitaria cognata | 0–1 | – | ||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 0–1 | – | ||
| spike dropseed | SPCO4 | Sporobolus contractus | 0–1 | – | ||
| poverty threeawn | ARDI5 | Aristida divaricata | 0–1 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 0–1 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 0–1 | – | ||
| 3 | Cool season grasses | 0–11 | ||||
| desert needlegrass | ACSP12 | Achnatherum speciosum | 0–11 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–6 | – | ||
| 4 | Annual grasses | 1–112 | ||||
| mucronate sprangeltop | LEPAB | Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata | 0–28 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 0–22 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–22 | – | ||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 0–22 | – | ||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 0–22 | – | ||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 0–11 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 0–11 | – | ||
| Eastwood fescue | VUMIC | Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata | 0–11 | – | ||
| desert fescue | VUMIM | Vulpia microstachys var. microstachys | 0–11 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 1–11 | – | ||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 0–6 | – | ||
| witchgrass | PACA6 | Panicum capillare | 0–6 | – | ||
| Bigelow's bluegrass | POBI | Poa bigelovii | 0–2 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 0–2 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona brome | BRAR4 | Bromus arizonicus | 0–2 | – | ||
| feather fingergrass | CHVI4 | Chloris virgata | 0–2 | – | ||
| canyon cupgrass | ERLE7 | Eriochloa lemmonii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Mexican lovegrass | ERME | Eragrostis mexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert lovegrass | ERPEM | Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima | 0–2 | – | ||
| tufted lovegrass | ERPEP2 | Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea | 0–2 | – | ||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 5 | Perennial forbs | 3–34 | ||||
| desert globemallow | SPAM2 | Sphaeralcea ambigua | 1–11 | – | ||
| slender poreleaf | POGR5 | Porophyllum gracile | 0–6 | – | ||
| Coues' cassia | SECO10 | Senna covesii | 0–6 | – | ||
| slender janusia | JAGR | Janusia gracilis | 0–6 | – | ||
| Parry's false prairie-clover | MAPA7 | Marina parryi | 1–6 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPIP4 | Machaeranthera pinnatifida ssp. pinnatifida var. pinnatifida | 1–6 | – | ||
| dwarf desertpeony | ACNA2 | Acourtia nana | 0–6 | – | ||
| trailing windmills | ALIN | Allionia incarnata | 0–6 | – | ||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 1–6 | – | ||
| bluedicks | DICA14 | Dichelostemma capitatum | 0–6 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–2 | – | ||
| leatherweed | CRPO5 | Croton pottsii | 0–2 | – | ||
| bigseed alfalfa dodder | CUIN | Cuscuta indecora | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert larkspur | DEPA | Delphinium parishii | 0–1 | – | ||
| ragged nettlespurge | JAMA | Jatropha macrorhiza | 0–1 | – | ||
| Fendler's bladderpod | LEFE | Lesquerella fendleri | 0–1 | – | ||
| plains blackfoot | MELE2 | Melampodium leucanthum | 0–1 | – | ||
| wishbone-bush | MILAV | Mirabilis laevis var. villosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert tobacco | NIOB | Nicotiana obtusifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| Parry's beardtongue | PEPA24 | Penstemon parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| silverleaf nightshade | SOEL | Solanum elaeagnifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| glandleaf milkwort | POMA7 | Polygala macradenia | 0–1 | – | ||
| slimflower scurfpea | PSTE5 | Psoralidium tenuiflorum | 0–1 | – | ||
| brownplume wirelettuce | STPA4 | Stephanomeria pauciflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| pricklyleaf dogweed | THAC | Thymophylla acerosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| rue of the mountains | THTE2 | Thamnosma texana | 0–1 | – | ||
| branched noseburn | TRRA5 | Tragia ramosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| perennial rockcress | ARPE2 | Arabis perennans | 0–1 | – | ||
| dense ayenia | AYMI | Ayenia microphylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairyseed bahia | BAAB | Bahia absinthifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert marigold | BAMU | Baileya multiradiata | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert mariposa lily | CAKE | Calochortus kennedyi | 0–1 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 0–1 | – | ||
| whitemargin sandmat | CHAL11 | Chamaesyce albomarginata | 0–1 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert trumpet | ERIN4 | Eriogonum inflatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| wild dwarf morning-glory | EVAR | Evolvulus arizonicus | 0–1 | – | ||
| paleface | HIDE | Hibiscus denudatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| tuber anemone | ANTU | Anemone tuberosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| brownfoot | ACWR5 | Acourtia wrightii | 0–1 | – | ||
| poreleaf dogweed | ADPO2 | Adenophyllum porophyllum | 0–1 | – | ||
| 6 | Annual forbs | 1–168 | ||||
| bristly fiddleneck | AMTE3 | Amsinckia tessellata | 1–22 | – | ||
| Coulter's spiderling | BOCO2 | Boerhavia coulteri | 0–17 | – | ||
| California poppy | ESCAM | Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | 0–17 | – | ||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOA2 | Heliomeris longifolia var. annua | 0–17 | – | ||
| tanseyleaf tansyaster | MATA2 | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | 0–17 | – | ||
| Coulter's lupine | LUSP2 | Lupinus sparsiflorus | 0–17 | – | ||
| combseed | PECTO | Pectocarya | 0–17 | – | ||
| phacelia | PHACE | Phacelia | 0–17 | – | ||
| desert Indianwheat | PLOV | Plantago ovata | 0–11 | – | ||
| thelypody | THELY | Thelypodium | 0–11 | – | ||
| woolly tidestromia | TILA2 | Tidestromia lanuginosa | 0–11 | – | ||
| flatcrown buckwheat | ERDE6 | Eriogonum deflexum | 0–11 | – | ||
| carelessweed | AMPA | Amaranthus palmeri | 0–11 | – | ||
| pitseed goosefoot | CHBE4 | Chenopodium berlandieri | 0–11 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 0–11 | – | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–6 | – | ||
| brittle spineflower | CHBR | Chorizanthe brevicornu | 0–6 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–6 | – | ||
| miniature woollystar | ERDI2 | Eriastrum diffusum | 0–6 | – | ||
| American wild carrot | DAPU3 | Daucus pusillus | 0–6 | – | ||
| crestrib morning-glory | IPCO2 | Ipomoea costellata | 0–6 | – | ||
| intermediate pepperweed | LEVIM | Lepidium virginicum var. medium | 0–6 | – | ||
| foothill deervetch | LOHU2 | Lotus humistratus | 0–6 | – | ||
| coastal bird's-foot trefoil | LOSAB | Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus | 0–6 | – | ||
| Arizona lupine | LUAR4 | Lupinus arizonicus | 0–6 | – | ||
| slender goldenweed | MAGR10 | Machaeranthera gracilis | 0–6 | – | ||
| Arizona popcornflower | PLAR | Plagiobothrys arizonicus | 0–6 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–6 | – | ||
| Goodding's bladderpod | LEGO2 | Lesquerella gooddingii | 0–2 | – | ||
| shaggyfruit pepperweed | LELA | Lepidium lasiocarpum | 0–2 | – | ||
| manybristle chinchweed | PEPA2 | Pectis papposa | 0–2 | – | ||
| whitestem blazingstar | MEAL6 | Mentzelia albicaulis | 0–2 | – | ||
| woollyhead neststraw | STMI2 | Stylocline micropoides | 0–2 | – | ||
| New Mexico plumeseed | RANE | Rafinesquia neomexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| chia | SACO6 | Salvia columbariae | 0–2 | – | ||
| sawtooth sage | SASU7 | Salvia subincisa | 0–2 | – | ||
| spreading fanpetals | SIAB | Sida abutifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| sleepy silene | SIAN2 | Silene antirrhina | 0–2 | – | ||
| Coulter's globemallow | SPCO2 | Sphaeralcea coulteri | 0–2 | – | ||
| sorrel buckwheat | ERPO4 | Eriogonum polycladon | 0–2 | – | ||
| white tackstem | CAWR | Calycoseris wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| hyssopleaf sandmat | CHHY3 | Chamaesyce hyssopifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| Esteve's pincushion | CHST | Chaenactis stevioides | 0–2 | – | ||
| hairy prairie clover | DAMO | Dalea mollis | 0–2 | – | ||
| soft prairie clover | DAMO2 | Dalea mollissima | 0–1 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCA14 | Erysimum capitatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| miner's lettuce | CLPEP | Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata | 0–1 | – | ||
| scrambled eggs | COAU2 | Corydalis aurea | 0–1 | – | ||
| wheelscale saltbush | ATEL | Atriplex elegans | 0–1 | – | ||
| hoary bowlesia | BOIN3 | Bowlesia incana | 0–1 | – | ||
| fringed redmaids | CACI2 | Calandrinia ciliata | 0–1 | – | ||
| exserted Indian paintbrush | CAEXE | Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta | 0–1 | – | ||
| yellow tackstem | CAPA7 | Calycoseris parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| common woolly sunflower | ERLA6 | Eriophyllum lanatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Mexican fireplant | EUHE4 | Euphorbia heterophylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| star gilia | GIST | Gilia stellata | 0–1 | – | ||
| southwestern mock vervain | GLGO | Glandularia gooddingii | 0–1 | – | ||
| redstar | IPCO3 | Ipomoea coccinea | 0–1 | – | ||
| ivyleaf morning-glory | IPHE | Ipomoea hederacea | 0–1 | – | ||
| annual agoseris | AGHE2 | Agoseris heterophylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| lyreleaf jewelflower | STCAA | Streptanthus carinatus ssp. arizonicus | 0–1 | – | ||
| sand fringepod | THCU | Thysanocarpus curvipes | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert unicorn-plant | PRAL4 | Proboscidea althaeifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| doubleclaw | PRPA2 | Proboscidea parviflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| Nuttall's povertyweed | MONU | Monolepis nuttalliana | 0–1 | – | ||
| green carpetweed | MOVE | Mollugo verticillata | 0–1 | – | ||
| bristly nama | NAHI | Nama hispidum | 0–1 | – | ||
| glandular threadplant | NEGL | Nemacladus glanduliferus | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert evening primrose | OEPR | Oenothera primiveris | 0–1 | – | ||
| Florida pellitory | PAFL3 | Parietaria floridana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Fendler's desertdandelion | MAFE | Malacothrix fendleri | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 7 | Dominant shrubs | 56–224 | ||||
| creosote bush | LATR2 | Larrea tridentata | 22–112 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGR | Acacia greggii | 6–56 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCO2 | Acacia constricta | 1–28 | – | ||
| ocotillo | FOSP2 | Fouquieria splendens | 1–22 | – | ||
| Wright's beebrush | ALWR | Aloysia wrightii | 1–22 | – | ||
| blue paloverde | PAFL6 | Parkinsonia florida | 0–22 | – | ||
| western honey mesquite | PRGLT | Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana | 0–11 | – | ||
| longleaf jointfir | EPTR | Ephedra trifurca | 1–11 | – | ||
| viscid acacia | ACNE4 | Acacia neovernicosa | 0–11 | – | ||
| 8 | Miscellaneous shrubs | 6–56 | ||||
| shortleaf baccharis | BABR | Baccharis brachyphylla | 0–22 | – | ||
| mariola | PAIN2 | Parthenium incanum | 1–22 | – | ||
| water jacket | LYAN | Lycium andersonii | 1–11 | – | ||
| Berlandier's wolfberry | LYBE | Lycium berlandieri | 0–11 | – | ||
| pale desert-thorn | LYPA | Lycium pallidum | 0–11 | – | ||
| brittlebush | ENFA | Encelia farinosa | 0–11 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–6 | – | ||
| Florida hopbush | DOVI | Dodonaea viscosa | 0–6 | – | ||
| jojoba | SICH | Simmondsia chinensis | 0–6 | – | ||
| Parish's goldeneye | VIPA14 | Viguiera parishii | 0–1 | – | ||
| lotebush | ZIOB | Ziziphus obtusifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| cattle saltbush | ATPO | Atriplex polycarpa | 0–1 | – | ||
| button brittlebush | ENFR | Encelia frutescens | 0–1 | – | ||
| American tarwort | FLCE | Flourensia cernua | 0–1 | – | ||
| crown of thorns | KOSP | Koeberlinia spinosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| 9 | Half shrubs | 17–56 | ||||
| bastardsage | ERWR | Eriogonum wrightii | 1–22 | – | ||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 1–17 | – | ||
| rough menodora | MESC | Menodora scabra | 1–17 | – | ||
| desert zinnia | ZIAC | Zinnia acerosa | 1–11 | – | ||
| Eastern Mojave buckwheat | ERFA2 | Eriogonum fasciculatum | 0–11 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 1–11 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 1–11 | – | ||
| winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 0–6 | – | ||
| Coulter's brickellbush | BRCO | Brickellia coulteri | 0–6 | – | ||
| rayless goldenhead | ACSP | Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus | 0–6 | – | ||
| whitestem paperflower | PSCO2 | Psilostrophe cooperi | 0–2 | – | ||
| woody crinklemat | TICA3 | Tiquilia canescens | 0–1 | – | ||
| burrobush | AMDU2 | Ambrosia dumosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| featherplume | DAFO | Dalea formosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| starry bedstraw | GAST | Galium stellatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| threadleaf snakeweed | GUMI | Gutierrezia microcephala | 0–1 | – | ||
| 10 | Succulents | 1–17 | ||||
| walkingstick cactus | CYSP8 | Cylindropuntia spinosior | 0–11 | – | ||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 1–11 | – | ||
| banana yucca | YUBA | Yucca baccata | 1–11 | – | ||
| tulip pricklypear | OPPH | Opuntia phaeacantha | 1–6 | – | ||
| Schott's century plant | AGSC3 | Agave schottii | 0–6 | – | ||
| common sotol | DAWH2 | Dasylirion wheeleri | 0–2 | – | ||
| Engelmann's hedgehog cactus | ECEN | Echinocereus engelmannii | 0–1 | – | ||
| redspine fishhook cactus | ECER2 | Echinomastus erectocentrus | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECFA | Echinocereus fasciculatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| candy barrelcactus | FEWI | Ferocactus wislizeni | 0–1 | – | ||
| devil's cholla | GRKU | Grusonia kunzei | 0–1 | – | ||
| Graham's nipple cactus | MAGR9 | Mammillaria grahamii | 0–1 | – | ||
| saguaro | CAGI10 | Carnegiea gigantea | 0–1 | – | ||
| buck-horn cholla | CYAC8 | Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa | 0–1 | – | ||
| Christmas cactus | CYLE8 | Cylindropuntia leptocaulis | 0–1 | – | ||
| goldenflower century plant | AGCH2 | Agave chrysantha | 0–1 | – | ||
| nightblooming cereus | PEGR3 | Peniocereus greggii | 0–1 | – | ||
| purple pricklypear | OPMA8 | Opuntia macrocentra | 0–1 | – | ||
| soaptree yucca | YUEL | Yucca elata | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 11 | Trees | 0–22 | ||||
| crucifixion thorn | CAHO3 | Canotia holacantha | 0–22 | – | ||
| oneseed juniper | JUMO | Juniperus monosperma | 0–22 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
This site produces little perennial forage for livestock. In wet winters it produces an abundance of annual forage species. Very cobbly surfaces, slopes steeper than 45% and areas of rock out-crop limit livestock utilization of the site.
This site is home to a variety of small mammals and birds and their associated predators. It is mainly a foraging area for larger desert mammals like javalina and mule deer.
Water developments are very important for both livestock and wildlife on the site. Many areas of this site are adjacent to perennial streams like the Gila River and San Carlos Creek. In these situations areas of the site can often be overused, especially in the spring when perennial forage species green up early and south slopes warm up very early.
Hydrological functions
This site is a good producer of runoff due to shallow soils and steep slopes.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, rock hounding, bird watching, camping.
Wood products
Very limited wood from mesquite, catclaw acacia, etc, for campfires and branding fires.
Other products
Fire agate, malapai rock for building and landscaping, herbs like grass nuts, herbaceous sage and chia.
Supporting information
Type locality
| Location 1: Greenlee County, AZ | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T6S R31E S30 |
Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. Ellicott
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
| Author(s)/participant(s) | |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | |
| Date | |
| Approved by | |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
-
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.