Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XC306AZ
Shallow Hills 12-16" p.z.
Last updated: 4/12/2021
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 41.3 – 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
| R041XC307AZ |
Limestone Hills 12-16" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XC322AZ |
Shallow Upland 12-16" p.z. |
| R041XC323AZ |
Volcanic Hills 12-16" p.z. Loamy |
Similar sites
| R041XB205AZ |
Shallow Hills 8-12" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XA102AZ |
Shallow Hills 16-20" p.z. |
| R040XA105AZ |
Shallow Hills 10"-13" p.z. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) eriogonum wrightii |
| Herbaceous |
(1) bouteloua curtipendula |
Physiographic features
This site is in the middle elevations of the Southeastern Arizona Basin and Range province. 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) Mountain slope |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 3,500 – 5,500 ft |
| Slope | 15 – 70% |
| 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, originates 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 shallow soils formed on acid igneous rocks (granite and rhyolite) and related metamorphic rocks like gneiss, schist and quartzite. They are non-calcareous, sandy loam to loamy textured with well developed covers of gravels and cobbles. They are dark colored in the surface. Numerous areas of rock outcrop occur intermingled with soil areas. Plant-soil moisture relationships are fair.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-661 Eastern Pinal & Southern Gila counties MU's 19 Lampshire, 87 Romero & Oracle, 89 Schiefflin, 90 Schrap; SSA-663 Gila-Duncan area MU's 32 Chiricahua variant & 33 Lampshire; SSA-664 San Simon area MU 4 Atascosa & Chiricahua; SSA-666 Cochise county Northwest part MU's 69 Romero & Nodman, 71 Romero & 74 Schrap; SSA-667 Santa Cruz area MU's CoE Chiricahua CbSL, CrD & LdF Lampshire, LcF Chiricahua & Lampshire, McF Chiricahua; SSA-669 Pima county Eastern part MU's 12 Cellar & Lampshire, 39 Lampshire & Pantak, 40 Lampshire & Romero, 52 Romero, 69 Lampshire & Romero, 70 Oracle & Romero, 74 Schrap; SSA-671 Cochise county Douglas-Tombstone part MU 19 Brunkcow, Chiricahua & Lampshire; SSA-703 Tohono O'odham Nation MU's 10 Cellar & Lampshire, 11 Chiricahua & Lampshire, 52 Lampshire & Romero, 53 Romero.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Slope alluvium
–
granite
(2) Residuum – diorite |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately rapid to moderate |
| Soil depth | 10 – 20 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 25 – 50% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 10% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
0.6 – 2.4 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
5% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
2 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
6.1 – 7.9 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
15 – 65% |
| 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 teh 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 that group. Divide the resulting total by the total normal year production shown in the plant community description. If the rainfall has been significantly above or below normal, use the total production shown for above or below normal years. If field data is not collected at the end of the summer growing season, then the field data must be corrected to the end of the year production before comparing it to the site description. The growth curve can be used as a guide for estimating production at the end of the summer growing season.
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 re-occupies the site with proper management.
State and transition model
Figure 4. State and Transition, Granitic Hills 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 1
Historic Climax Plant Community
Community 1.1
Historic Climax Plant Community
Figure 5. Granitic hills 12-16" pz. HCPC
The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses. Several species of low shrubs are well represented on the site, but the aspect is grassland dotted with shrubs and cacti. Larger species of shrubs are concentrated at the edges of rock outcrop areas and in canyon bottoms. Most of the grass and low shrub species are well dispersed throughout the plant community. In the absence of wildfire and/or with overgrazing, shrubs increase to dominate the plant community. Well developed gravel and cobble covers protect the soil from erosion and protect forage species from heavy use. Natural fire was an important factor in development of the potential plant community. Natural fire frequencies were about once every ten years. Fires helped maintain a balance between grasses, forbs and shrubs. With continuous heavy grazing palatable forage species diminish in the plant community and can be replaced by shrubs and succulents. Areas of rock outcrop are little grazed and hold remnant perennial forage species to help reseed the slopes below once grazing is managed. The plant community described for the HCPC is at a midpoint in its fire free interval (5 to 7 years after fire).
Figure 6. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 360 | 700 | 985 |
| Shrub/Vine | 130 | 150 | 300 |
| Forb | 25 | 50 | 220 |
| Tree | 10 | 15 | 40 |
| Total | 525 | 915 | 1545 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 0% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 2-4% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 3-7% |
| Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0-1% |
| Biological crusts | 0-1% |
| Litter | 25-45% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 25-50% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-10% |
| Bedrock | 0-10% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 5-40% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | 0-5% | 1-10% | 0-1% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | 5-10% | 10-20% | 1-5% |
| >1 <= 2 | – | 5-10% | 10-20% | 1-10% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 1-5% | 5-10% | 0-2% |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 0-2% | 0-5% | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 7. 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
Lehmann invaded state
Community 2.1
Lehmann invaded state
Figure 8. Granitic Hills 12-16" pz. Lehmann lovegrass invasi
This state occurs where Lehmann lovegrass has invaded, usually from a seed source associated with roads and jeep trails running though the site. The invasion is slow until the area burns; then Lehmann lovegrass can rapidly assume dominance of the plant community. There will always be some diversity of native species left on the site due to diverse habitats in areas of rock outcrop and canyon bottoms.
State 3
Shrub and mimosa increase state
Community 3.1
Shrub and mimosa increase state
This state occurs where wait-a-bit mimosa, velvet pod mimosa and other shrubs like mesquite, ocotillo and succulents like prickly pear have increased to dominate the site. All three species are vigorous sprouters after fire and quickly re-assume dominance after burning. Climatic warming seems to be driving the increases of the mimosa species. Periodic fire will not return this state to a grassy condition once shrubs are well established.
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 Mid Grasses | 250–350 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 150–200 | – | ||
| plains lovegrass | ERIN | Eragrostis intermedia | 10–150 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 20–150 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 10–100 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 20–100 | – | ||
| 2 | Suffrutescent Grasses | 30–250 | ||||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 25–200 | – | ||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 5–50 | – | ||
| 3 | Dominant Perennial Short Grasses | 55–150 | ||||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 25–80 | – | ||
| slender grama | BORE2 | Bouteloua repens | 15–80 | – | ||
| Santa Rita Mountain grama | BOEL | Bouteloua eludens | 0–35 | – | ||
| curly-mesquite | HIBE | Hilaria belangeri | 5–35 | – | ||
| common wolfstail | LYPH | Lycurus phleoides | 5–30 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–20 | – | ||
| sprucetop grama | BOCH | Bouteloua chondrosioides | 0–20 | – | ||
| fall witchgrass | DICO6 | Digitaria cognata | 1–20 | – | ||
| Arizona muhly | MUAR3 | Muhlenbergia arizonica | 0–10 | – | ||
| 4 | Annual Grasses | 10–100 | ||||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 1–30 | – | ||
| mucronate sprangeltop | LEPAB | Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata | 1–30 | – | ||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 1–30 | – | ||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 1–30 | – | ||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 1–20 | – | ||
| Eastwood fescue | VUMIC | Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata | 1–20 | – | ||
| desert fescue | VUMIM | Vulpia microstachys var. microstachys | 1–20 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 1–20 | – | ||
| sweet tanglehead | HEME | Heteropogon melanocarpus | 0–20 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 1–15 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–5 | – | ||
| witchgrass | PACA6 | Panicum capillare | 0–5 | – | ||
| Bigelow's bluegrass | POBI | Poa bigelovii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona brome | BRAR4 | Bromus arizonicus | 0–2 | – | ||
| feather fingergrass | CHVI4 | Chloris virgata | 0–2 | – | ||
| tapertip cupgrass | ERACA | Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata | 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 | – | ||
| fragilegrass | AETE | Aegopogon tenellus | 0–2 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–1 | – | ||
| 5 | Perennial threeawns | 10–45 | ||||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 5–30 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTEG | Aristida ternipes var. gentilis | 0–15 | – | ||
| Orcutt's threeawn | ARSCO | Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana | 0–15 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–10 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 0–10 | – | ||
| Parish's threeawn | ARPUP5 | Aristida purpurea var. parishii | 0–10 | – | ||
| Wright's threeawn | ARPUW | Aristida purpurea var. wrightii | 0–10 | – | ||
| blue threeawn | ARPUN | Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi | 0–5 | – | ||
| poverty threeawn | ARDI5 | Aristida divaricata | 0–2 | – | ||
| Havard's threeawn | ARHA3 | Aristida havardii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Wooton's threeawn | ARPA9 | Aristida pansa | 0–2 | – | ||
| 6 | Miscellaneous Perennial grasses | 10–60 | ||||
| cliff muhly | MUPO | Muhlenbergia polycaulis | 0–27 | – | ||
| green sprangletop | LEDU | Leptochloa dubia | 1–20 | – | ||
| bullgrass | MUEM | Muhlenbergia emersleyi | 1–15 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 0–10 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–10 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMU | Tridens muticus | 0–10 | – | ||
| spiked crinkleawn | TRSP12 | Trachypogon spicatus | 0–10 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 1–10 | – | ||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 0–5 | – | ||
| silver bluestem | BOSA | Bothriochloa saccharoides | 0–5 | – | ||
| Mexican gamagrass | TRLA11 | Tripsacum lanceolatum | 0–5 | – | ||
| Texas bluestem | SCCI2 | Schizachyrium cirratum | 0–5 | – | ||
| southwestern bristlegrass | SESC2 | Setaria scheelei | 1–5 | – | ||
| plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 0–5 | – | ||
| vine mesquite | PAOB | Panicum obtusum | 0–5 | – | ||
| Kunth's smallgrass | MIKU | Microchloa kunthii | 0–5 | – | ||
| bamboo muhly | MUDU3 | Muhlenbergia dumosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–5 | – | ||
| nineawn pappusgrass | ENDE | Enneapogon desvauxii | 0–2 | – | ||
| tobosagrass | PLMU3 | Pleuraphis mutica | 0–2 | – | ||
| deergrass | MURI2 | Muhlenbergia rigens | 0–2 | – | ||
| slender muhly | MUTE4 | Muhlenbergia tenuifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| bulb panicgrass | PABU | Panicum bulbosum | 0–2 | – | ||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 0–2 | – | ||
| low woollygrass | DAPU7 | Dasyochloa pulchella | 0–2 | – | ||
| sourgrass | DIIN2 | Digitaria insularis | 0–2 | – | ||
| woolyspike balsamscale | ELBA | Elionurus barbiculmis | 0–2 | – | ||
| purple grama | BORA | Bouteloua radicosa | 0–2 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 7 | Perennial Forbs | 10–100 | ||||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 1–15 | – | ||
| slender janusia | JAGR | Janusia gracilis | 1–15 | – | ||
| shrubby deervetch | LORI3 | Lotus rigidus | 0–15 | – | ||
| desert globemallow | SPAM2 | Sphaeralcea ambigua | 0–15 | – | ||
| brownplume wirelettuce | STPA4 | Stephanomeria pauciflora | 0–15 | – | ||
| Trans-Pecos thimblehead | HYWI | Hymenothrix wislizeni | 0–10 | – | ||
| Schott's yellowhood | NISC | Nissolia schottii | 0–10 | – | ||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 1–10 | – | ||
| climbing wartclub | BOSC | Boerhavia scandens | 1–10 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–10 | – | ||
| trailing fleabane | ERFL | Erigeron flagellaris | 0–10 | – | ||
| Thurber's cotton | GOTH | Gossypium thurberi | 1–10 | – | ||
| hairy false goldenaster | HEVIM3 | Heterotheca villosa var. minor | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert rosemallow | HICO | Hibiscus coulteri | 0–5 | – | ||
| fineleaf hymenopappus | HYFIL | Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens | 0–5 | – | ||
| bluedicks | DICA14 | Dichelostemma capitatum | 1–5 | – | ||
| scarlet spiderling | BOCO | Boerhavia coccinea | 0–5 | – | ||
| whitemouth dayflower | COER | Commelina erecta | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona wrightwort | CAAR7 | Carlowrightia arizonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| perennial rockcress | ARPE2 | Arabis perennans | 1–5 | – | ||
| dense ayenia | AYMI | Ayenia microphylla | 1–5 | – | ||
| tuber anemone | ANTU | Anemone tuberosa | 1–5 | – | ||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–5 | – | ||
| Palmer's Indian mallow | ABPA | Abutilon palmeri | 0–5 | – | ||
| brownfoot | ACWR5 | Acourtia wrightii | 0–5 | – | ||
| trailing windmills | ALIN | Allionia incarnata | 1–5 | – | ||
| wishbone-bush | MILAV | Mirabilis laevis var. villosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert tobacco | NIOB | Nicotiana obtusifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| Parry's beardtongue | PEPA24 | Penstemon parryi | 1–5 | – | ||
| desert penstemon | PEPS | Penstemon pseudospectabilis | 0–5 | – | ||
| slender poreleaf | POGR5 | Porophyllum gracile | 0–5 | – | ||
| Wright's cudweed | PSCAC2 | Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens | 0–5 | – | ||
| Lemmon's ragwort | SELE8 | Senecio lemmonii | 0–5 | – | ||
| beeblossom | GAURA | Gaura | 0–5 | – | ||
| southwestern mock vervain | GLGO | Glandularia gooddingii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Wright's deervetch | LOWR | Lotus wrightii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Lewis flax | LILE3 | Linum lewisii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Parry's false prairie-clover | MAPA7 | Marina parryi | 0–5 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 1–5 | – | ||
| hairy fournwort | TENE | Tetramerium nervosum | 0–5 | – | ||
| branched noseburn | TRRA5 | Tragia ramosa | 1–5 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 0–5 | – | ||
| Louisiana vetch | VILU | Vicia ludoviciana | 0–5 | – | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| New Mexico fanpetals | SINE | Sida neomexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| plains blackfoot | MELE2 | Melampodium leucanthum | 0–2 | – | ||
| variableleaf bushbean | MAGI2 | Macroptilium gibbosifolium | 0–2 | – | ||
| roving sailor | MAAN9 | Maurandella antirrhiniflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona snakecotton | FRAR2 | Froelichia arizonica | 0–2 | – | ||
| longflower tube tongue | JULO3 | Justicia longii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Greene's bird's-foot trefoil | LOGR4 | Lotus greenei | 0–2 | – | ||
| Coues' cassia | SECO10 | Senna covesii | 0–2 | – | ||
| velvetseed milkwort | POOB | Polygala obscura | 0–2 | – | ||
| shrubby purslane | POSU3 | Portulaca suffrutescens | 0–2 | – | ||
| largeflower onion | ALMA4 | Allium macropetalum | 0–2 | – | ||
| San Felipe dogweed | ADPO | Adenophyllum porophylloides | 0–2 | – | ||
| Cooley's bundleflower | DECO2 | Desmanthus cooleyi | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert marigold | BAMU | Baileya multiradiata | 0–2 | – | ||
| Indian paintbrush | CASTI2 | Castilleja | 0–2 | – | ||
| rose heath | CHER2 | Chaetopappa ericoides | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert larkspur | DEPA | Delphinium parishii | 0–1 | – | ||
| leatherweed | CRPO5 | Croton pottsii | 0–1 | – | ||
| spreading snakeherb | DYSCD | Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens | 0–1 | – | ||
| wild dwarf morning-glory | EVAR | Evolvulus arizonicus | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico silverbush | ARNE2 | Argythamnia neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairyseed bahia | BAAB | Bahia absinthifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| Watson's dutchman's pipe | ARWA | Aristolochia watsonii | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert mariposa lily | CAKE | Calochortus kennedyi | 0–1 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 0–1 | – | ||
| twinleaf senna | SEBA3 | Senna bauhinioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| velvet leaf senna | SELI4 | Senna lindheimeriana | 0–1 | – | ||
| slimleaf bean | PHAN3 | Phaseolus angustissimus | 0–1 | – | ||
| orange fameflower | PHAU13 | Phemeranthus aurantiacus | 0–1 | – | ||
| ivyleaf groundcherry | PHHE4 | Physalis hederifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| tufted evening primrose | OECA10 | Oenothera caespitosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| fetid passionflower | PAFO2 | Passiflora foetida | 0–1 | – | ||
| San Pedro daisy | LAPO4 | Lasianthaea podocephala | 0–1 | – | ||
| narrowleaf stoneseed | LIIN2 | Lithospermum incisum | 0–1 | – | ||
| ragged nettlespurge | JAMA | Jatropha macrorhiza | 0–1 | – | ||
| fernleaf biscuitroot | LODI | Lomatium dissectum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Thurber's checkerbloom | SINET | Sidalcea neomexicana ssp. thurberi | 0–1 | – | ||
| silverleaf nightshade | SOEL | Solanum elaeagnifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| jewels of Opar | TAPA2 | Talinum paniculatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Coulter's wrinklefruit | TECO | Tetraclea coulteri | 0–1 | – | ||
| 8 | Annual Forbs | 10–100 | ||||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOA2 | Heliomeris longifolia var. annua | 1–50 | – | ||
| California poppy | ESCAM | Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | 0–45 | – | ||
| goosefoot | CHENO | Chenopodium | 0–20 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–20 | – | ||
| sensitive partridge pea | CHNI2 | Chamaecrista nictitans | 1–15 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 1–10 | – | ||
| fewflower beggarticks | BILE | Bidens leptocephala | 0–10 | – | ||
| carelessweed | AMPA | Amaranthus palmeri | 0–10 | – | ||
| foothill deervetch | LOHU2 | Lotus humistratus | 0–10 | – | ||
| coastal bird's-foot trefoil | LOSAB | Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus | 0–10 | – | ||
| slender goldenweed | MAGR10 | Machaeranthera gracilis | 1–10 | – | ||
| tanseyleaf tansyaster | MATA2 | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | 1–10 | – | ||
| phacelia | PHACE | Phacelia | 0–10 | – | ||
| intermediate pepperweed | LEVIM | Lepidium virginicum var. medium | 0–5 | – | ||
| sawtooth sage | SASU7 | Salvia subincisa | 0–5 | – | ||
| spreading fanpetals | SIAB | Sida abutifolia | 1–5 | – | ||
| streamside bur cucumber | SIAM | Sicyos ampelophyllus | 0–5 | – | ||
| sleepy silene | SIAN2 | Silene antirrhina | 0–5 | – | ||
| cutleaf bur cucumber | SILA | Sicyos laciniatus | 0–5 | – | ||
| minerslettuce | MONTI | Montia | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert Indianwheat | PLOV | Plantago ovata | 0–5 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| whitestem blazingstar | MEAL6 | Mentzelia albicaulis | 0–5 | – | ||
| sweet four o'clock | MILO2 | Mirabilis longiflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona lupine | LUAR4 | Lupinus arizonicus | 0–5 | – | ||
| Coulter's lupine | LUSP2 | Lupinus sparsiflorus | 0–5 | – | ||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOL | Heliomeris longifolia var. longifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| camphorweed | HESU3 | Heterotheca subaxillaris | 0–5 | – | ||
| crestrib morning-glory | IPCO2 | Ipomoea costellata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Thurber's morning-glory | IPTH | Ipomoea thurberi | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| bristly fiddleneck | AMTE3 | Amsinckia tessellata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Coulter's spiderling | BOCO2 | Boerhavia coulteri | 0–5 | – | ||
| New Mexico copperleaf | ACNE | Acalypha neomexicana | 0–5 | – | ||
| New Mexico thistle | CINE | Cirsium neomexicanum | 0–5 | – | ||
| sorrel buckwheat | ERPO4 | Eriogonum polycladon | 0–5 | – | ||
| woolly tidestromia | TILA2 | Tidestromia lanuginosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| fringed redmaids | CACI2 | Calandrinia ciliata | 0–2 | – | ||
| American wild carrot | DAPU3 | Daucus pusillus | 0–2 | – | ||
| star gilia | GIST | Gilia stellata | 0–2 | – | ||
| pearly globe amaranth | GONI | Gomphrena nitida | 0–2 | – | ||
| wedgeleaf draba | DRCU | Draba cuneifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| warty caltrop | KAPA | Kallstroemia parviflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| shaggyfruit pepperweed | LELA | Lepidium lasiocarpum | 0–2 | – | ||
| redstar | IPCO3 | Ipomoea coccinea | 0–2 | – | ||
| Fendler's desertdandelion | MAFE | Malacothrix fendleri | 0–2 | – | ||
| Florida pellitory | PAFL3 | Parietaria floridana | 0–2 | – | ||
| combseed | PECTO | Pectocarya | 0–2 | – | ||
| sand fringepod | THCU | Thysanocarpus curvipes | 0–2 | – | ||
| chia | SACO6 | Salvia columbariae | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona popcornflower | PLAR | Plagiobothrys arizonicus | 0–2 | – | ||
| green carpetweed | MOVE | Mollugo verticillata | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert evening primrose | OEPR | Oenothera primiveris | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert unicorn-plant | PRAL4 | Proboscidea althaeifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| doubleclaw | PRPA2 | Proboscidea parviflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico plumeseed | RANE | Rafinesquia neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona monardella | MOAR | Monardella arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCA14 | Erysimum capitatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| miniature woollystar | ERDI2 | Eriastrum diffusum | 0–1 | – | ||
| scrambled eggs | COAU2 | Corydalis aurea | 0–1 | – | ||
| spurge | EUPHO | Euphorbia | 0–1 | – | ||
| Texas stork's bill | ERTE13 | Erodium texanum | 0–1 | – | ||
| hoary bowlesia | BOIN3 | Bowlesia incana | 0–1 | – | ||
| wheelscale saltbush | ATEL | Atriplex elegans | 0–1 | – | ||
| 9 | Perennial ferns | 5–20 | ||||
| spikemoss | SELAG | Selaginella | 1–20 | – | ||
| cliffbrake | PELLA | Pellaea | 1–10 | – | ||
| lipfern | CHEIL | Cheilanthes | 1–5 | – | ||
| cloak fern | NOTHO | Notholaena | 0–5 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 10 | Dominant Half Shrubs | 100–150 | ||||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 10–80 | – | ||
| bastardsage | ERWR | Eriogonum wrightii | 20–70 | – | ||
| Gregg's prairie clover | DAGR2 | Dalea greggii | 10–40 | – | ||
| pelotazo | ABIN | Abutilon incanum | 0–30 | – | ||
| rough menodora | MESC | Menodora scabra | 0–25 | – | ||
| prairie acacia | ACAN | Acacia angustissima | 0–15 | – | ||
| yerba de pasmo | BAPT | Baccharis pteronioides | 0–10 | – | ||
| Coulter's brickellbush | BRCO | Brickellia coulteri | 0–10 | – | ||
| American threefold | TRCA8 | Trixis californica | 1–10 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 1–10 | – | ||
| trailing krameria | KRLA | Krameria lanceolata | 0–10 | – | ||
| 11 | Miscellaneous Shrubs | 10–50 | ||||
| Tahitian kidneywood | EYOR | Eysenhardtia orthocarpa | 1–25 | – | ||
| ocotillo | FOSP2 | Fouquieria splendens | 1–25 | – | ||
| desert lavender | HYEM | Hyptis emoryi | 1–15 | – | ||
| sacahuista | NOMI | Nolina microcarpa | 0–15 | – | ||
| jojoba | SICH | Simmondsia chinensis | 0–15 | – | ||
| common sotol | DAWH2 | Dasylirion wheeleri | 1–15 | – | ||
| rosary babybonnets | COGL8 | Coursetia glandulosa | 0–15 | – | ||
| Florida hopbush | DOVI | Dodonaea viscosa | 0–10 | – | ||
| coralbean | ERFL7 | Erythrina flabelliformis | 1–10 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGRG3 | Acacia greggii var. greggii | 1–10 | – | ||
| blue paloverde | PAFL6 | Parkinsonia florida | 0–10 | – | ||
| Sonoran scrub oak | QUTU2 | Quercus turbinella | 0–10 | – | ||
| catclaw mimosa | MIACB | Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera | 1–10 | – | ||
| velvetpod mimosa | MIDY | Mimosa dysocarpa | 1–10 | – | ||
| physicnut | JACU | Jatropha cuneata | 0–5 | – | ||
| beloperone | JUCA8 | Justicia californica | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona water-willow | JUCA9 | Justicia candicans | 0–5 | – | ||
| winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert-thorn | LYCIU | Lycium | 0–5 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–5 | – | ||
| heartleaf goldeneye | VICO | Viguiera cordifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| Parish's goldeneye | VIPA14 | Viguiera parishii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Schott's stickpea | ZAFOS | Zapoteca formosa var. schottii | 0–5 | – | ||
| algerita | MATR3 | Mahonia trifoliolata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Wright's beebrush | ALWR | Aloysia wrightii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Thurber's desert honeysuckle | ANTH2 | Anisacanthus thurberi | 0–5 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–5 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCOC | Acacia constricta var. constricta | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert olive | FOSH | Forestiera shrevei | 0–5 | – | ||
| Apache plume | FAPA | Fallugia paradoxa | 0–5 | – | ||
| button brittlebush | ENFR | Encelia frutescens | 0–5 | – | ||
| knifeleaf condalia | COSP3 | Condalia spathulata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Warnock's snakewood | COWA | Condalia warnockii | 0–5 | – | ||
| California brickellbush | BRCA3 | Brickellia californica | 0–5 | – | ||
| spiny hackberry | CEEH | Celtis ehrenbergiana | 0–5 | – | ||
| javelina bush | COER5 | Condalia ericoides | 0–2 | – | ||
| sweetbush | BEJUA | Bebbia juncea var. aspera | 0–2 | – | ||
| Kearney's snakewood | COWAK | Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana | 0–2 | – | ||
| ragged rockflower | CRBI2 | Crossosoma bigelovii | 0–2 | – | ||
| cliff fendlerbush | FERU | Fendlera rupicola | 0–2 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCOP9 | Acacia constricta var. paucispina | 0–2 | – | ||
| pointleaf manzanita | ARPU5 | Arctostaphylos pungens | 0–2 | – | ||
| milfoil wattle | ACMI | Acacia millefolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| evergreen sumac | RHVIC | Rhus virens var. choriophylla | 0–2 | – | ||
| western soapberry | SASAD | Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii | 0–2 | – | ||
| yellow trumpetbush | TEST | Tecoma stans | 0–2 | – | ||
| littleleaf false tamarind | LYWA | Lysiloma watsonii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Graham's mimosa | MIGR2 | Mimosa grahamii | 0–2 | – | ||
| starry bedstraw | GAST | Galium stellatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| whitestem paperflower | PSCO2 | Psilostrophe cooperi | 0–1 | – | ||
| lotebush | ZIOB | Ziziphus obtusifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| ambrosia leaf bur ragweed | AMAM2 | Ambrosia ambrosioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| shortleaf baccharis | BABR | Baccharis brachyphylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| 12 | Increaser Shrubs | 10–45 | ||||
| turpentine bush | ERLA12 | Ericameria laricifolia | 0–20 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 1–20 | – | ||
| gumhead | GYGL | Gymnosperma glutinosum | 0–5 | – | ||
| burroweed | ISTE2 | Isocoma tenuisecta | 0–2 | – | ||
| desertbroom | BASA2 | Baccharis sarothroides | 0–2 | – | ||
| 13 | Succulents | 15–55 | ||||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 1–20 | – | ||
| Palmer's century plant | AGPA3 | Agave palmeri | 1–10 | – | ||
| Schott's century plant | AGSC3 | Agave schottii | 0–10 | – | ||
| saguaro | CAGI10 | Carnegiea gigantea | 0–5 | – | ||
| smallflower century plant | AGPA5 | Agave parviflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| walkingstick cactus | CYSP8 | Cylindropuntia spinosior | 0–5 | – | ||
| tulip pricklypear | OPPH | Opuntia phaeacantha | 0–5 | – | ||
| Santa Rita pricklypear | OPSA | Opuntia santa-rita | 0–2 | – | ||
| banana yucca | YUBA | Yucca baccata | 0–2 | – | ||
| soaptree yucca | YUEL | Yucca elata | 0–2 | – | ||
| purple pricklypear | OPMAM | Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra | 0–2 | – | ||
| candy barrelcactus | FEWI | Ferocactus wislizeni | 0–2 | – | ||
| dollarjoint pricklypear | OPCH | Opuntia chlorotica | 0–2 | – | ||
| staghorn cholla | CYVE3 | Cylindropuntia versicolor | 0–2 | – | ||
| jumping cholla | CYFU10 | Cylindropuntia fulgida | 0–2 | – | ||
| rainbow cactus | ECPE | Echinocereus pectinatus | 1–2 | – | ||
| desert agave | AGDE | Agave deserti | 0–2 | – | ||
| buck-horn cholla | CYAC8 | Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa | 0–1 | – | ||
| spinystar | ESVI2 | Escobaria vivipara | 0–1 | – | ||
| Christmas cactus | CYLE8 | Cylindropuntia leptocaulis | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECBO2 | Echinocereus bonkerae | 0–1 | – | ||
| scarlet hedgehog cactus | ECCO5 | Echinocereus coccineus | 0–1 | – | ||
| Engelmann's hedgehog cactus | ECEN | Echinocereus engelmannii | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECFEF3 | Echinocereus fendleri ssp. fendleri | 0–1 | – | ||
| Graham's nipple cactus | MAGR9 | Mammillaria grahamii | 0–1 | – | ||
| little nipple cactus | MAHE2 | Mammillaria heyderi | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 14 | Trees | 10–40 | ||||
| oneseed juniper | JUMO | Juniperus monosperma | 0–10 | – | ||
| Arizona rosewood | VACA5 | Vauquelinia californica | 0–10 | – | ||
| velvet mesquite | PRVE | Prosopis velutina | 0–10 | – | ||
| Arizona white oak | QUAR | Quercus arizonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| Emory oak | QUEM | Quercus emoryi | 0–5 | – | ||
| Mexican blue oak | QUOB | Quercus oblongifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| western honey mesquite | PRGLT | Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana | 0–5 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
This site is not well suited to summertime grazing by cows with calves. Mother cow-pairs will only use 300-400 feet up or down in elevation from a water in summer. Dry cows in the winter-spring season will use double the distance up or down the slope. Yearling cattle use areas of the site well in any season. Slope aspect affects both the intensity of use and seasonal use patterns. North-south trending ridges will be used fairly well even in summer as the west slope is shady in the morning and the east slope is shady in the afternoon. South facing slopes are extensively used in winter and spring due to warmth from cold weather and early green-up of warm season grasses. North slopes, being shady and cooler, are more used in summer, but never used nearly as much as warmer exposures. Canyon and seep water is available some years in winter (December-February).
Water developments are very important to wildlife on the site, especially whitetail deer. Due to extreme diversity in food, cover and edge, this site is home to a tremendous variety of wildlife species.
Hydrological functions
Shallow soils, hard bedrock and steep slopes make for lots of runoff. In wet winter - spring seasons, seeps and canyon stream-flow can last until May.
Recreational uses
Hunting, horseback riding, bird-watching, prospecting, camping, photography and hiking.
Wood products
Limited hobby woods like Arizona rosewood.
Other products
Limited harvest of beargrass for fibers and agaves for tequila and mescal. Gold, silver, turquoise and decomposed granite for decorative rock.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s, 18 in Excellent Condition,
22 in Good Condition, 11 in Fair Condition,
Type locality
| Location 1: Pima County, AZ | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T17S R8E S29 |
| General legal description | Anvil Ranch - Saucito Mountain |
| Location 2: Pinal County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T7S R14E S1 |
| General legal description | Flying W. Ranch - Antelope Peak |
| Location 3: Santa Cruz County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T23S R14E S28 |
| General legal description | Santa Fe Ranch - Mount Benedict |
| Location 4: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T18S R15E S20 |
| General legal description | Huerfano Butte on the Santa Rite Experimental Range. |
Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. Ellicott
Steve Barker
Unknown
Approval
Curtis Talbot, 4/12/2021
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) | Dave Womack, Emilio Carrillo, Tom Reis, Dan Robinett |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | NRCS Tucson Area Office |
| Date | 02/17/2005 |
| Approved by | Curtis Talbot |
| 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:
Occupy < 5% of area, broken by rock and gravel cover, <1 foot in length, highly discontinuous. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Erosional pedestals are very uncommon (1 per 20 plants observed); Terracettes are fairly uncommon, 10-20 feet apart with a 3-4 inch elevation difference from above to below the terracette -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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 are staying in place. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Expect ratings of 1-3 in plant, rock and gravel interspaces. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Weak granular; Color is 10YR6/2 Dry, 10YR4/2 Moist; thickness to 3 inches. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Cover estimated in 9.6ft2 frames as: Canopy 30%, Basal 6%, Litter 10%; 60-70% of canopy cover is perennial mid grasses, 20-30% sub shrubs, 5% is perennial forbs , 5-10% is annual forbs & grasses, and <1% trees & shrubs. 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 grass = sub shrubsSub-dominant:
annual forbs & grasses > perennial forbs > trees & shrubs > succulentsOther:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Very low; most basal area loss is masked by litter decomposition. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
600 lbs/acre unfavorable precipitation; 900 lbs/acre normal precipitation; 1,600 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:
Lehmann lovegrass -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Not affected even following several years of prolonged drought period for region.
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.