Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XC303AZ
Clayey Slopes 12-16" p.z.
Last updated: 8/06/2020
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
AZ 41.3 – Chihuahuan – Sonoran Semidesert Grasslands
Elevations range from 3200 to 5000 feet and precipitation ranges from 12 to 16 inches per year. Vegetation includes mesquite, catclaw acacia, netleaf hackberry, palo verde, false mesquite, range ratany, fourwing saltbush, tarbush, littleleaf sumac, sideoats grama, black grama, plains lovegrass, cane beardgrass, tobosa, vine mesquite, threeawns, Arizona cottontop and bush muhly. The soil temperature regime is thermic and the soil moisture regime is ustic 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
| R041XC304AZ |
Clayey Upland 12-16" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XC305AZ |
Clay Loam Upland 12-16" p.z. |
| R041XC312AZ |
Loamy Bottom 12-16" p.z. |
| R041XC313AZ |
Loamy Upland 12"-16" p.z. |
Similar sites
| R041XB216AZ |
Clayey Slopes 8-12" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XA118AZ |
Clayey Slopes 16"-20" p.z. |
| R040XA103AZ |
Clayey Slopes 10"-13" p.z. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) bouteloua curtipendula |
Physiographic features
This site occurs in the middle elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in Southeastern Arizona. It occurs on hill-slopes and ridge-tops. Slope aspect is site differentiating at elevations near land resource area boundaries.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Hill
(2) Ridge (3) Scarp slope |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 3,300 – 5,000 ft |
| Slope | 15 – 45% |
| Aspect | N, E, S |
Climatic features
Precipitation in this common resource area ranges from 12-16 inches yearly in the eastern part with elevations from 3600-5000 feet, and 13-17 inches in the western part where elevations are 3300-4500 feet. Winter-Summer rainfall ratios are 40-60% in the west and 30-70% in the east. Summer rains fall July-September, originate in the Gulf of Mexico and are convective, usually brief, intense thunderstorms. Cool season moisture tends to be frontal, originate in the Pacific and Gulf of California, and falls in widespread storms with long duration and low intensity. Snow rarely lasts more than one day. May and June are the driest months of the year. Humidity is generally very low.
Temperatures are mild. Freezing temperatures are common at night from December-April; however temperatures during the day are frequently above 50 F. Occasionally in December-February, brief 0 F temperatures may be experienced some nights. During June, July and August, some days may exceed 100 F.
Cool season plants start growth in early spring and mature in early summer. Warm season plants take advantage of summer rains and are growing and nutritious July-September. Warm season grasses may remain green throughout the year.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 220 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | |
| Precipitation total (average) | 16 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 moderately deep to deep soils formed on old lakebed sediments or dissected alluvium of mixed origin. They are non-calcareous in the surface 10 inches. They may have calcic horizons at moderate depths. They have thin (1-2 inch) loamy textured surfaces over clayey subsoil. Surfaces can have well-developed covers of gravels and/or cobbles. Soil surfaces are dark colored. Plant-soil moisture relationships are fair to good.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-661 Eastern Pinal & southern Gila counties MU 38 Sontag; SSA-663 Gila-Duncan area MU's 23 Limpia & 38 Signal.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Very gravelly loam (2) Very gravelly clay loam (3) Gravelly clay |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Slow |
| Soil depth | 60 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 10 – 45% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 8% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
4.2 – 6 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
10 – 25% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
2 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
6.6 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
10 – 50% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
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 and composition of a plant community described in this site description. To determine Similarity index, compare the production (air dry weight) of each species to that shown in the plant community description. For each species, count no more than the maximum amount shown for the species, and for each group, count no more than the maximum amount shown for each group. Divide the resulting total by the total normal year production shown in the plant community description. If the rainfall has been significantly above or below normal, use the total production shown for above or below normal years. If field data is not collected at the end of the summer growing season, then the field data must be corrected to the end of the year production before comparing it to the site description. The growth curve can be used as a guide for estimating production at the end of the summer growing season.
State and transition model
Figure 4. State and Transition, Clayey Slopes 12-16" pz.
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
Historic Climax Plant Community
Community 1.1
Historic Climax Plant Community
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. The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses. Shrubs and perennial forbs are well represented on the site. The major perennial grasses, except tobosa and vine mesquite, are well dispersed throughout the plant community. These two species occur in patches of various sizes that may not be well dispersed over larger areas of the site. The aspect is shrub-dotted grassland. With continuous heavy grazing, the more palatable species are taken out of the plant community. Tobosa is left. Species like broom snakeweed, mesquite, and prickly pear and annual forbs and grasses will increase to dominate the plant community. Curly mesquite can increase under moderate yearlong use and form sod areas of considerable extent. Due to heavy surface textures and steep slopes, this site can become an inefficient user of intense summer rainfall when the perennial grass cover has been greatly reduced. Natural fire may have been important in the development of the potential 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 | 335 | 700 | 950 |
| Forb | 20 | 50 | 200 |
| Shrub/Vine | 40 | 100 | 175 |
| Total | 395 | 850 | 1325 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 0% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 0-1% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 6-15% |
| Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0-1% |
| Biological crusts | 0-5% |
| Litter | 20-40% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 10-45% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-8% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 20-30% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | 1-10% | 1-5% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | 1-5% | 5-10% | 1-20% |
| >1 <= 2 | – | 1-5% | 20-40% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 0-2% | 0-10% | 0-1% |
| >4.5 <= 13 | – | 0-1% | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ4131, 41.3 12-16" p.z. hill sites. 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 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 30 | 30 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
State 2
Mesquite, native grass
Community 2.1
Mesquite, native grass
Figure 7. Clayey Slopes 12-16" pz. mesquite, native grass
Mesquite invades or increases in the absence of fire for long periods of time. Other shrubs like prickly pear, snakeweed and burroweed can increase. Native perennial grasses still dominate the herbaceous layer; especially tobosa and curly mesquite.
State 3
Annual forbs and grasses
Community 3.1
Annual forbs and grasses
The interactions of fire, drought and continuous grazing act to remove perennial grasses from the community. Annuals, both native and non-native dominate the plant community. Some soil compaction has occurred and sheet erosion has accelerated.
State 4
Eroded, w/wo mesquite
Community 4.1
Eroded, w/wo mesquite
Severe soil compaction and trailing due to continuous livestock use has resulted in rill and gully erosion on steep slopes; especially where this site has formed on old lakebed sediments. Lakebed alluvium is usually high in gypsum and or salts and very erodible once the surface cover has been removed and compaction and trailing have altered the soil surface hydrology.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
Proximity to seed source, introduction of seeds, lack of fire for long periods of time.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
Continuous Heavy Grazing (managing for annuals), persistently low perennial grass cover with reduction of A Horizon, Organic Matter and litter, compaction, persistently reduced infiltration.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
Herbicide or mechanical means to remove mesquite, other shrubs, succulents. Prescribed Grazing/No Grazing.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 4
Continuous Heavy Grazing coupled with drought (or fire), low grass cover, reduction of A Horizon, Organic Matter and litter. Compaction and severe trailing leaving terracettes on hillslopes. Severe sheet, rill and gully erosion on steep hillslopes. Persistently reduced infiltration and very limited recruitment of grass.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 3 to 1
Prescribed Grazing/No Grazing, seeding or planting of tobosa and sideoats grama. Possible herbicide control of annuals (unknown).
Transition T2B
State 3 to 2
Proximity to seed source, introduction of seeds, lack of fire for long periods of time.
Transition T3B
State 3 to 4
Continuous Heavy Grazing coupled with drought (or fire), low grass cover, reduction of A Horizon, Organic Matter and litter. Compaction and severe trailing leaving terracettes on hillslopes. Severe sheet, rill and gully erosion on steep hillslopes. Persistently reduced infiltration and very limited recruitment of grass.
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 | 250–450 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 100–250 | – | ||
| tobosagrass | PLMU3 | Pleuraphis mutica | 100–200 | – | ||
| vine mesquite | PAOB | Panicum obtusum | 25–100 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 25–100 | – | ||
| 2 | Dominant short grasses | 75–250 | ||||
| curly-mesquite | HIBE | Hilaria belangeri | 25–100 | – | ||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 50–100 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–50 | – | ||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 0–50 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 0–50 | – | ||
| purple grama | BORA | Bouteloua radicosa | 0–25 | – | ||
| common wolfstail | LYPH | Lycurus phleoides | 0–25 | – | ||
| sprucetop grama | BOCH | Bouteloua chondrosioides | 0–25 | – | ||
| 3 | Perennial threeawns | 7–50 | ||||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 5–20 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTEG | Aristida ternipes var. gentilis | 1–15 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–15 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 1–15 | – | ||
| Parish's threeawn | ARPUP5 | Aristida purpurea var. parishii | 0–10 | – | ||
| blue threeawn | ARPUN | Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi | 0–5 | – | ||
| poverty threeawn | ARDI5 | Aristida divaricata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Havard's threeawn | ARHA3 | Aristida havardii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Wooton's threeawn | ARPA9 | Aristida pansa | 0–5 | – | ||
| 4 | Miscellaneous perennial grasses | 0–50 | ||||
| plains lovegrass | ERIN | Eragrostis intermedia | 0–25 | – | ||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 0–25 | – | ||
| plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 0–25 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 0–20 | – | ||
| green sprangletop | LEDU | Leptochloa dubia | 0–20 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–15 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–15 | – | ||
| big sacaton | SPWR2 | Sporobolus wrightii | 0–10 | – | ||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 0–10 | – | ||
| burrograss | SCBR2 | Scleropogon brevifolius | 0–10 | – | ||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 0–10 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 0–10 | – | ||
| fall witchgrass | DICO6 | Digitaria cognata | 0–10 | – | ||
| low woollygrass | DAPU7 | Dasyochloa pulchella | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona muhly | MUAR3 | Muhlenbergia arizonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMU | Tridens muticus | 0–5 | – | ||
| slender grama | BORE2 | Bouteloua repens | 0–5 | – | ||
| 5 | Annual grasses | 5–150 | ||||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 0–50 | – | ||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 1–50 | – | ||
| mucronate sprangeltop | LEPAB | Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata | 1–50 | – | ||
| little barley | HOPU | Hordeum pusillum | 0–25 | – | ||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 1–25 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–25 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 1–15 | – | ||
| feather fingergrass | CHVI4 | Chloris virgata | 0–15 | – | ||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 1–15 | – | ||
| desert lovegrass | ERPEM | Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima | 0–10 | – | ||
| tufted lovegrass | ERPEP2 | Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea | 0–10 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–10 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 0–10 | – | ||
| witchgrass | PACA6 | Panicum capillare | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona brome | BRAR4 | Bromus arizonicus | 0–5 | – | ||
| tapertip cupgrass | ERACA | Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata | 0–5 | – | ||
| tufted lovegrass | ERPE | Eragrostis pectinacea | 0–5 | – | ||
| sticky sprangletop | LEVI5 | Leptochloa viscida | 0–5 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 0–1 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–1 | – | ||
| Bigelow's bluegrass | POBI | Poa bigelovii | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Perennial Forbs | 10–50 | ||||
| desert globemallow | SPAM2 | Sphaeralcea ambigua | 1–15 | – | ||
| Louisiana vetch | VILUL2 | Vicia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana | 0–15 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–10 | – | ||
| Indian rushpea | HOGL2 | Hoffmannseggia glauca | 1–10 | – | ||
| dwarf desertpeony | ACNA2 | Acourtia nana | 1–10 | – | ||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 1–10 | – | ||
| bluedicks | DICA14 | Dichelostemma capitatum | 1–10 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 0–10 | – | ||
| small matweed | GUDED | Guilleminea densa var. densa | 0–5 | – | ||
| trailing windmills | ALIN | Allionia incarnata | 0–5 | – | ||
| largeflower onion | ALMA4 | Allium macropetalum | 0–5 | – | ||
| Lewis flax | LILE3 | Linum lewisii | 0–5 | – | ||
| plains blackfoot | MELE2 | Melampodium leucanthum | 0–5 | – | ||
| Wright's cudweed | PSCAC2 | Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens | 0–5 | – | ||
| tufted evening primrose | OECA10 | Oenothera caespitosa | 0–2 | – | ||
| brownplume wirelettuce | STPA4 | Stephanomeria pauciflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| brownfoot | ACWR5 | Acourtia wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| tuber anemone | ANTU | Anemone tuberosa | 0–2 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–2 | – | ||
| perennial rockcress | ARPE2 | Arabis perennans | 0–2 | – | ||
| dense ayenia | AYMI | Ayenia microphylla | 0–2 | – | ||
| southwestern mock vervain | GLGO | Glandularia gooddingii | 0–2 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–2 | – | ||
| Cooley's bundleflower | DECO2 | Desmanthus cooleyi | 0–2 | – | ||
| rose heath | CHER2 | Chaetopappa ericoides | 0–2 | – | ||
| whitemouth dayflower | COER | Commelina erecta | 0–2 | – | ||
| leatherweed | CRPO5 | Croton pottsii | 0–2 | – | ||
| James' prairie clover | DAJA | Dalea jamesii | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert larkspur | DEPA | Delphinium parishii | 0–1 | – | ||
| spreading snakeherb | DYSCD | Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens | 0–1 | – | ||
| wild dwarf morning-glory | EVAR | Evolvulus arizonicus | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona snakecotton | FRAR2 | Froelichia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| beeblossom | GAURA | Gaura | 0–1 | – | ||
| pearly globe amaranth | GONI | Gomphrena nitida | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona rosemallow | HIBI | Hibiscus biseptus | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert rosemallow | HICO | Hibiscus coulteri | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairyseed bahia | BAAB | Bahia absinthifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert marigold | BAMU | Baileya multiradiata | 0–1 | – | ||
| lyreleaf greeneyes | BELY | Berlandiera lyrata | 0–1 | – | ||
| scarlet spiderling | BOCO | Boerhavia coccinea | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona wrightwort | CAAR7 | Carlowrightia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert mariposa lily | CAKE | Calochortus kennedyi | 0–1 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Indian paintbrush | CASTI2 | Castilleja | 0–1 | – | ||
| Watson's dutchman's pipe | ARWA | Aristolochia watsonii | 0–1 | – | ||
| San Felipe dogweed | ADPO | Adenophyllum porophylloides | 0–1 | – | ||
| jewels of Opar | TAPA2 | Talinum paniculatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| branched noseburn | TRRA5 | Tragia ramosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| Rocky Mountain zinnia | ZIGR | Zinnia grandiflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| slimleaf bean | PHAN3 | Phaseolus angustissimus | 0–1 | – | ||
| orange fameflower | PHAU13 | Phemeranthus aurantiacus | 0–1 | – | ||
| ivyleaf groundcherry | PHHE4 | Physalis hederifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| slender poreleaf | POGR5 | Porophyllum gracile | 0–1 | – | ||
| velvetseed milkwort | POOB | Polygala obscura | 0–1 | – | ||
| shrubby purslane | POSU3 | Portulaca suffrutescens | 0–1 | – | ||
| Wright's deervetch | LOWR | Lotus wrightii | 0–1 | – | ||
| variableleaf bushbean | MAGI2 | Macroptilium gibbosifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| ragged nettlespurge | JAMA | Jatropha macrorhiza | 0–1 | – | ||
| twinleaf senna | SEBA3 | Senna bauhinioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico fanpetals | SINE | Sida neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| silverleaf nightshade | SOEL | Solanum elaeagnifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| wishbone-bush | MILAV | Mirabilis laevis var. villosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| 7 | Annual Forbs | 10–150 | ||||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOA2 | Heliomeris longifolia var. annua | 1–25 | – | ||
| tanseyleaf tansyaster | MATA2 | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | 0–20 | – | ||
| carelessweed | AMPA | Amaranthus palmeri | 1–20 | – | ||
| goosefoot | CHENO | Chenopodium | 1–20 | – | ||
| sensitive partridge pea | CHNI2 | Chamaecrista nictitans | 0–15 | – | ||
| Coulter's spiderling | BOCO2 | Boerhavia coulteri | 0–15 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–15 | – | ||
| wheelscale saltbush | ATEL | Atriplex elegans | 0–15 | – | ||
| phacelia | PHACE | Phacelia | 0–15 | – | ||
| intermediate pepperweed | LEVIM | Lepidium virginicum var. medium | 0–15 | – | ||
| coastal bird's-foot trefoil | LOSAB | Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus | 0–15 | – | ||
| Coulter's lupine | LUSP2 | Lupinus sparsiflorus | 0–15 | – | ||
| slender goldenweed | MAGR10 | Machaeranthera gracilis | 0–15 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 0–15 | – | ||
| flatcrown buckwheat | ERDE6 | Eriogonum deflexum | 0–15 | – | ||
| Arizona popcornflower | PLAR | Plagiobothrys arizonicus | 0–15 | – | ||
| foothill deervetch | LOHU2 | Lotus humistratus | 0–10 | – | ||
| woolly tidestromia | TILA2 | Tidestromia lanuginosa | 0–10 | – | ||
| California poppy | ESCAM | Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | 0–10 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–10 | – | ||
| curlytop gumweed | GRNUA | Grindelia nuda var. aphanactis | 0–10 | – | ||
| shaggyfruit pepperweed | LELA | Lepidium lasiocarpum | 0–10 | – | ||
| New Mexico thistle | CINE | Cirsium neomexicanum | 0–10 | – | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–5 | – | ||
| combseed | PECTO | Pectocarya | 0–5 | – | ||
| manybristle chinchweed | PEPA2 | Pectis papposa | 0–5 | – | ||
| Nuttall's povertyweed | MONU | Monolepis nuttalliana | 0–5 | – | ||
| sorrel buckwheat | ERPO4 | Eriogonum polycladon | 0–5 | – | ||
| camphorweed | HESU3 | Heterotheca subaxillaris | 0–5 | – | ||
| crestrib morning-glory | IPCO2 | Ipomoea costellata | 0–5 | – | ||
| spurge | EUPHO | Euphorbia | 0–5 | – | ||
| spreading fanpetals | SIAB | Sida abutifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert Indianwheat | PLOV | Plantago ovata | 0–5 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| purslane | PORTU | Portulaca | 0–5 | – | ||
| sawtooth sage | SASU7 | Salvia subincisa | 0–2 | – | ||
| New Mexico plumeseed | RANE | Rafinesquia neomexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| sleepy silene | SIAN2 | Silene antirrhina | 0–2 | – | ||
| miniature woollystar | ERDI2 | Eriastrum diffusum | 0–2 | – | ||
| warty caltrop | KAPA | Kallstroemia parviflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| green carpetweed | MOVE | Mollugo verticillata | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert evening primrose | OEPR | Oenothera primiveris | 0–2 | – | ||
| phlox | PHLOX | Phlox | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona lupine | LUAR4 | Lupinus arizonicus | 0–2 | – | ||
| New Mexico copperleaf | ACNE | Acalypha neomexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| fewflower beggarticks | BILE | Bidens leptocephala | 0–1 | – | ||
| southwestern pricklypoppy | ARPL3 | Argemone pleiacantha | 0–1 | – | ||
| American wild carrot | DAPU3 | Daucus pusillus | 0–1 | – | ||
| fringed redmaids | CACI2 | Calandrinia ciliata | 0–1 | – | ||
| miner's lettuce | CLPEP | Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata | 0–1 | – | ||
| scrambled eggs | COAU2 | Corydalis aurea | 0–1 | – | ||
| Lemmon's linanthus | LELE29 | Leptosiphon lemmonii | 0–1 | – | ||
| plains flax | LIPU4 | Linum puberulum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Texas stork's bill | ERTE13 | Erodium texanum | 0–1 | – | ||
| wedgeleaf draba | DRCU | Draba cuneifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCA14 | Erysimum capitatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona blanketflower | GAAR2 | Gaillardia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| star gilia | GIST | Gilia stellata | 0–1 | – | ||
| golden crownbeard | VEEN | Verbesina encelioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| chia | SACO6 | Salvia columbariae | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert unicorn-plant | PRAL4 | Proboscidea althaeifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| doubleclaw | PRPA2 | Proboscidea parviflora | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Dominant half shrubs | 25–85 | ||||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 5–55 | – | ||
| bastardsage | ERWR | Eriogonum wrightii | 5–50 | – | ||
| winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 0–25 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 1–15 | – | ||
| burroweed | ISTE2 | Isocoma tenuisecta | 0–5 | – | ||
| 9 | Miscellaneous Shrubs | 10–50 | ||||
| longleaf jointfir | EPTR | Ephedra trifurca | 0–10 | – | ||
| oneseed juniper | JUMO | Juniperus monosperma | 0–5 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCO2 | Acacia constricta | 0–5 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGR | Acacia greggii | 0–5 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–5 | – | ||
| ocotillo | FOSP2 | Fouquieria splendens | 0–5 | – | ||
| pale desert-thorn | LYPA | Lycium pallidum | 0–5 | – | ||
| catclaw mimosa | MIACB | Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera | 0–5 | – | ||
| velvetpod mimosa | MIDY | Mimosa dysocarpa | 0–5 | – | ||
| western honey mesquite | PRGLT | Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana | 0–5 | – | ||
| velvet mesquite | PRVE | Prosopis velutina | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert zinnia | ZIAC | Zinnia acerosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| jojoba | SICH | Simmondsia chinensis | 0–5 | – | ||
| algerita | MATR3 | Mahonia trifoliolata | 0–2 | – | ||
| yerba de pasmo | BAPT | Baccharis pteronioides | 0–2 | – | ||
| spiny hackberry | CEEH | Celtis ehrenbergiana | 0–2 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 0–2 | – | ||
| trailing krameria | KRLA | Krameria lanceolata | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert-thorn | LYCIU | Lycium | 0–2 | – | ||
| turpentine bush | ERLA12 | Ericameria laricifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| threadleaf snakeweed | GUMI | Gutierrezia microcephala | 0–1 | – | ||
| whitestem paperflower | PSCO2 | Psilostrophe cooperi | 0–1 | – | ||
| yellow trumpetbush | TEST | Tecoma stans | 0–1 | – | ||
| lotebush | ZIOB | Ziziphus obtusifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| 10 | Succulents | 5–40 | ||||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 1–20 | – | ||
| banana yucca | YUBA | Yucca baccata | 0–10 | – | ||
| soaptree yucca | YUEL | Yucca elata | 1–10 | – | ||
| Christmas cactus | CYLE8 | Cylindropuntia leptocaulis | 0–5 | – | ||
| walkingstick cactus | CYSP8 | Cylindropuntia spinosior | 0–5 | – | ||
| candy barrelcactus | FEWI | Ferocactus wislizeni | 1–5 | – | ||
| sacahuista | NOMI | Nolina microcarpa | 0–5 | – | ||
| Palmer's century plant | AGPA3 | Agave palmeri | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona pencil cholla | CYAR14 | Cylindropuntia arbuscula | 0–5 | – | ||
| Parry's agave | AGPA4 | Agave parryi | 0–2 | – | ||
| dollarjoint pricklypear | OPCH | Opuntia chlorotica | 0–2 | – | ||
| staghorn cholla | CYVE3 | Cylindropuntia versicolor | 0–2 | – | ||
| hedgehog cactus | ECHIN3 | Echinocereus | 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 | – | ||
| Graham's nipple cactus | MAGR9 | Mammillaria grahamii | 0–1 | – | ||
| little nipple cactus | MAHE2 | Mammillaria heyderi | 0–1 | – | ||
| purple pricklypear | OPMAM | Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra | 0–1 | – | ||
| tulip pricklypear | OPPH | Opuntia phaeacantha | 0–1 | – | ||
| buck-horn cholla | CYAC8 | Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa | 0–1 | – | ||
| jumping cholla | CYFU10 | Cylindropuntia fulgida | 0–1 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
The plant community on this site is suitable for grazing at any season by all classes of cattle. Steep slopes can hinder utilization. Ridge-tops, canyon bottoms, and adjacent areas of level uplands will be overused before appreciable use is made of this site. Care must be taken to avoid overuse of the palatable perennial grasses in attempts to utilize tobosa grass on the site. Because of these reasons, fencing and grazing systems are needed to adequately manage areas of this site. Herbaceous forage will be deficient in protein in the winter.
Water developments are very important to wildlife on this site. Even though the site is open grassland, it is topographically diverse and home to a variety of large and small wildlife species.
Hydrological functions
With moderate to steep slopes and clayey soils this site is a producer of runoff.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, photography, bird-watching.
Wood products
Mesquite, where it has increased on the site, is shrubby and there may be only enough fuel-wood for campfires and branding fires.
Other products
Grass nuts, wild onions and hog potatoes
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 2 in excellent condition, 6 in good condition and 2 in fair condition.
Type locality
| Location 1: Cochise County, AZ | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T21S R20E S7 |
| General legal description | Fort Huachuca, west range |
| Location 2: Cochise County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T11S R26E S33 |
| General legal description | Safford Hwy ROW |
| Location 3: Santa Cruz County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T21S R12E S11 |
| General legal description | Sopori Ranch |
| Location 4: Graham County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T9S R22E S28 |
| General legal description | Just outside of west boundary of Eureka Springs Ranch on south side of Aravaipa road. |
Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. Ellicott
Steve Barker
Unknown
Approval
Scott Woodall, 8/06/2020
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) | Dave Womack, Dan Robinett |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | NRCS Tucson Area Office |
| Date | 03/07/2005 |
| Approved by | Scott Woodall |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None present on this site. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Uncommon, probably cover no more than 10% of area; discontinuous; very short, usually less than 1-3 feet in length. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals are uncommon on perennial grass and shrubs; Terracettes uncommon. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
0-5% -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None present on this site. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None present on this site. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
All litter size classes staying in place. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Expect values of 1-3 in canopy interspaces and 4-6 under plant canopies. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Weak fine granular; Color is 5YR4/2 Dry, 5YR3/2 Moist; thickness 2 to 8 inches. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Canopy 30-40%, Basal 5%, Litter 45-55%; 60-70% of canopy cover is perennial grasses, 5% perennial forbs, 15-25% shrubs & subshrubs. Cover is well dispersed throughout site. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None present 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:
perennial grassSub-dominant:
subshrubsOther:
annual grasses & forbsAdditional:
perennial grass > subshrubs > annual grasses & forbs > shrubs succulents = perennial forbs -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
50% of basal cover of perennial grasses has likely been lost in recent prolonged drought. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
500 lbs/acre unfavorable precipitation, 850 lbs/acre normal precipitation, 1,200 lbs/acre favorable precipitation -
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:
jojoba, whitethorn, mesquite, prickley pear, cane cholla & ocotillo may increase to undesirable levels in the absence of natural fires; Red brome and wild oats. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Not affected even following several years of prolonged drought period for region
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