Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XC311AZ
Loamy Swale 12-16" p.z.
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
| R041XC308AZ |
Limy Slopes 12-16" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XC313AZ |
Loamy Upland 12"-16" p.z. |
| R041XC319AZ |
Sandy Loam Upland 12-16" p.z. |
Similar sites
| R041XC302AZ |
Clayey Swale 12-16" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XC312AZ |
Loamy Bottom 12-16" p.z. |
| R040XA112AZ |
Loamy Swale 10"-13" p.z. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
(1) bouteloua gracilis |
Physiographic features
This site occurs in the middle elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona. It occurs in headwater areas; on floodplains of minor tributaries and in swales. It benefits on a regular basis from extra moisture received as runoff from adjacent upland sites. It does not benefit from any kind of water table.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Flood plain
(2) Alluvial fan (3) Swale |
|---|---|
| Flooding duration | Extremely brief (0.1 to 4 hours) to very brief (4 to 48 hours) |
| Flooding frequency | Occasional to frequent |
| Ponding duration | Very brief (4 to 48 hours) |
| Ponding frequency | None to rare |
| Elevation | 3,200 – 5,000 ft |
| Slope | 2% |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
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) | 0 days |
| 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 young soils on loamy to clayey alluvium of mixed origin. They are deep and dark colored. They do not have vertic properties. Soil churning and cracking are not features of this site. Plant-soil moisture relationships are excellent.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-665 Willcox area Gr & Gs Grabe, Pm Pima; SSA-666 Cochise county Northwest part MU 81 Tenneco; SSA-667 Santa Cruz area MU's Pn Pima CL SCL subsoil, Th haplustolls & torrifluvents, GbD Grabe; SSA-671 Cochise county Douglas-Tombstone part MU's 65 Forrest CL, 67 Forrest SL, 68 Forrest SL, 70 Forrest, 125 Ubik, 129 Sasabe SiL frequently flooded, 139 Tenneco FSL, 144 Ubic FSL, 147 Ubic SL, 148 Ubic SL saline-sodic.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
|---|---|
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderate to moderately slow |
| Soil depth | 60 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 5% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 1% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
10.2 – 12.6 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
20% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
2 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
7.4 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
5% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
1% |
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.
The site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses. Occasional clumps of trees and shrubs occur in the plant community. Fire was very important in the development of this plant community. The site is very susceptible to gully erosion. Base level changes in large watersheds can lead to erosion of these minor tributaries over time. Woody species like mesquite can invade and increase to dominate the site in the absence of fire for long periods. Johnson grass and bermuda grass are exotic species that occur on many areas of the site and may become dominant.
State and transition model
Figure 4. State and Transition, Loamy Swale 12-16" p.z.
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Historical Climax Plant Community
Community 1.1
Historical Climax Plant Community
Figure 5. Loamy Swale 12-16" pz. HCPC
The historical 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 is dominated by warm season perennial grasses. Occasional trees and shrubs occur in the plant community. The major perennial grasses like blue grama, sideoats grama, tobosa, creeping muhly and vine mesquite, occur in large patches throughout the plant community. Giant sacaton can occur at about 10% cover in the plant community. Annual forbs and grasses can produce heavy stands in wet seasons following drought and/or fire. With continuous grazing, tall and mid grasses are replaced by short grasses like blue grama and creeping muhly. With grazing management the mid to tall species can resume dominance in the plant community. The aspect is grassland.
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 | 730 | 1600 | 2600 |
| Forb | 15 | 50 | 250 |
| Shrub/Vine | 10 | 25 | 100 |
| Tree | 0 | 10 | 100 |
| Total | 755 | 1685 | 3050 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 0-1% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 0-1% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 10-20% |
| Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0-1% |
| Biological crusts | 0-5% |
| Litter | 20-65% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0-5% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-1% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 10-25% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | 1-10% | 0-5% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | 0-1% | 10-20% | 0-5% |
| >1 <= 2 | – | 0-1% | 30-60% | 0-10% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 0-1% | 0-10% | 0-10% |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 0-2% | 0-1% | 0-5% | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ4134, 41.3 12-16" p.z. other sites. Growth begins in the spring, semi-dormancy occurs during the May through June drought, most growth occurs during the summer rains..
| 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 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 35 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
State 2
Exotic grasses
Community 2.1
Exotic grasses
This state occurs where the native plant community has been replaced by non-native warm season perennial grasses like Lehmann, Boers, Wilman and Cochise lovegrass; and / or Johnson and bermuda grass. These species either were directly seeded or invaded areas of this site. Many small areas of this state were cultivated in the past and have come back to exotics. In other areas the natural flooding regime has been altered by diversions, ROWs, and drainage ditches, leaving the native plant community open to invasion by exotics.
State 3
Annual Grasses and Forbs
Community 3.1
Annual Grasses and Forbs
In some areas the interaction of continuous heavy grazing with drought, flood and fire has removed native perennial grass species from the plant community. Some areas of this state have been created by cultivation for irrigated farming and subsequent abandonment. Other areas have been created by diversion of normal patterns of runoff that provides extra water to the site. Native and non-native annual forbs and grasses dominate the site. Perennial grasses are limited to threeawns and short lived natives like Rothrock grama.
State 4
Mesquite, native grasses
Community 4.1
Mesquite, native grasses
Mesquite has invaded the site in the absence of fire for long periods of time. Mesquite canopy ranges from 2 to 15%. Native perennial grasses dominate the under-story. Annuals fluctuate with climate (drought / El Nino). Sediment accumulation around the base of trees protects them from the heat of fires. Non-native perennial grasses like bermuda and Johnson grass can exist in minor amounts.
State 5
Eroded with or w/o mesquite
Community 5.1
Eroded with or w/o mesquite
The interaction of continuous heavy grazing with drought, flood and fire; with or without mesquite invasion, can lead to gully formation. Other areas of this state are caused by head-ward gully erosion coming from the down-cutting of major stream systems. The site no longer holds the flood water it receives from adjacent upland areas. The under-story deteriorates to annual forbs and grasses. Other shrubs and cacti can grow in the understory. Mesquite canopy ranges from 1 to 35%.
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 | 500–1000 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 400–800 | – | ||
| creeping muhly | MURE | Muhlenbergia repens | 10–300 | – | ||
| tobosagrass | PLMU3 | Pleuraphis mutica | 0–300 | – | ||
| vine mesquite | PAOB | Panicum obtusum | 50–200 | – | ||
| 2 | Dominant tall grasses | 200–1000 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 100–600 | – | ||
| big sacaton | SPWR2 | Sporobolus wrightii | 0–400 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 50–300 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 10–200 | – | ||
| 3 | Miscellaneous perennial grasses | 20–200 | ||||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 10–200 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 10–100 | – | ||
| green sprangletop | LEDU | Leptochloa dubia | 0–50 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–50 | – | ||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 0–50 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 10–50 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTEG | Aristida ternipes var. gentilis | 0–50 | – | ||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 0–50 | – | ||
| whiplash pappusgrass | PAVA2 | Pappophorum vaginatum | 0–50 | – | ||
| plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 0–50 | – | ||
| burrograss | SCBR2 | Scleropogon brevifolius | 0–25 | – | ||
| plains lovegrass | ERIN | Eragrostis intermedia | 0–25 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 0–25 | – | ||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 0–25 | – | ||
| curly-mesquite | HIBE | Hilaria belangeri | 0–20 | – | ||
| common wolfstail | LYPH | Lycurus phleoides | 0–20 | – | ||
| fall witchgrass | DICO6 | Digitaria cognata | 0–20 | – | ||
| sprucetop grama | BOCH | Bouteloua chondrosioides | 0–20 | – | ||
| spike dropseed | SPCO4 | Sporobolus contractus | 0–20 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–20 | – | ||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 0–15 | – | ||
| Parish's threeawn | ARPUP5 | Aristida purpurea var. parishii | 0–10 | – | ||
| slender grama | BORE2 | Bouteloua repens | 0–10 | – | ||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 0–10 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–10 | – | ||
| poverty threeawn | ARDI5 | Aristida divaricata | 0–10 | – | ||
| Havard's threeawn | ARHA3 | Aristida havardii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 0–5 | – | ||
| Wooton's threeawn | ARPA9 | Aristida pansa | 0–5 | – | ||
| 4 | Annual grasses | 10–400 | ||||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 1–100 | – | ||
| feather fingergrass | CHVI4 | Chloris virgata | 1–100 | – | ||
| tapertip cupgrass | ERACA | Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata | 0–100 | – | ||
| bearded sprangletop | LEFUF | Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis | 1–100 | – | ||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 0–100 | – | ||
| mucronate sprangeltop | LEPAB | Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata | 0–100 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–100 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 0–50 | – | ||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 0–50 | – | ||
| sticky sprangletop | LEVI5 | Leptochloa viscida | 0–50 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 0–50 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–25 | – | ||
| Parry's grama | BOPA2 | Bouteloua parryi | 0–25 | – | ||
| Bigelow's bluegrass | POBI | Poa bigelovii | 0–25 | – | ||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 0–25 | – | ||
| witchgrass | PACA6 | Panicum capillare | 0–25 | – | ||
| Arizona brome | BRAR4 | Bromus arizonicus | 0–20 | – | ||
| Mexican lovegrass | ERME | Eragrostis mexicana | 0–20 | – | ||
| desert lovegrass | ERPEM | Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima | 0–20 | – | ||
| tufted lovegrass | ERPEP2 | Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea | 0–20 | – | ||
| Arizona barley | HOAR | Hordeum arizonicum | 0–10 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 0–10 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–10 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 5 | Perennial Forbs | 10–50 | ||||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 1–50 | – | ||
| fingerleaf gourd | CUDI | Cucurbita digitata | 0–25 | – | ||
| Missouri gourd | CUFO | Cucurbita foetidissima | 0–25 | – | ||
| coyote gourd | CUPA | Cucurbita palmata | 0–25 | – | ||
| Cooley's bundleflower | DECO2 | Desmanthus cooleyi | 0–25 | – | ||
| beeblossom | GAURA | Gaura | 0–25 | – | ||
| desert globemallow | SPAM2 | Sphaeralcea ambigua | 0–25 | – | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–25 | – | ||
| spear globemallow | SPHA | Sphaeralcea hastulata | 0–15 | – | ||
| brownplume wirelettuce | STPA4 | Stephanomeria pauciflora | 0–15 | – | ||
| Lemmon's ragwort | SELE8 | Senecio lemmonii | 0–15 | – | ||
| Louisiana vetch | VILUL2 | Vicia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana | 0–15 | – | ||
| variableleaf bushbean | MAGI2 | Macroptilium gibbosifolium | 0–15 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–15 | – | ||
| bean | PHASE | Phaseolus | 0–15 | – | ||
| Lewis flax | LILE3 | Linum lewisii | 0–15 | – | ||
| Texas bindweed | COEQ | Convolvulus equitans | 1–15 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–15 | – | ||
| small matweed | GUDED | Guilleminea densa var. densa | 0–15 | – | ||
| Indian rushpea | HOGL2 | Hoffmannseggia glauca | 0–15 | – | ||
| scarlet spiderling | BOCO | Boerhavia coccinea | 0–15 | – | ||
| rose heath | CHER2 | Chaetopappa ericoides | 0–10 | – | ||
| velvet leaf senna | SELI4 | Senna lindheimeriana | 0–10 | – | ||
| Wright's cudweed | PSCAC2 | Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens | 0–10 | – | ||
| canaigre dock | RUHY | Rumex hymenosepalus | 0–10 | – | ||
| silverleaf nightshade | SOEL | Solanum elaeagnifolium | 1–10 | – | ||
| New Mexico fanpetals | SINE | Sida neomexicana | 0–5 | – | ||
| white prairie aster | SYFAC | Symphyotrichum falcatum var. commutatum | 0–5 | – | ||
| Sonoita noseburn | TRLA | Tragia laciniata | 0–5 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 0–5 | – | ||
| Greene's bird's-foot trefoil | LOGR4 | Lotus greenei | 0–5 | – | ||
| Wright's deervetch | LOWR | Lotus wrightii | 0–5 | – | ||
| ivyleaf groundcherry | PHHE4 | Physalis hederifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| shrubby purslane | POSU3 | Portulaca suffrutescens | 0–5 | – | ||
| tufted evening primrose | OECA10 | Oenothera caespitosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| woodsorrel | OXALI | Oxalis | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert marigold | BAMU | Baileya multiradiata | 0–5 | – | ||
| lyreleaf greeneyes | BELY | Berlandiera lyrata | 0–5 | – | ||
| bluedicks | DICA14 | Dichelostemma capitatum | 0–5 | – | ||
| spreading snakeherb | DYSCD | Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens | 0–5 | – | ||
| southwestern pricklypoppy | ARPL3 | Argemone pleiacantha | 0–5 | – | ||
| dwarf desertpeony | ACNA2 | Acourtia nana | 0–5 | – | ||
| Trans-Pecos thimblehead | HYWI | Hymenothrix wislizeni | 0–5 | – | ||
| wild dwarf morning-glory | EVAR | Evolvulus arizonicus | 0–5 | – | ||
| whitemouth dayflower | COER | Commelina erecta | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona snakecotton | FRAR2 | Froelichia arizonica | 0–2 | – | ||
| ragged nettlespurge | JAMA | Jatropha macrorhiza | 0–2 | – | ||
| southwestern mock vervain | GLGO | Glandularia gooddingii | 0–2 | – | ||
| brownfoot | ACWR5 | Acourtia wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| trailing windmills | ALIN | Allionia incarnata | 0–2 | – | ||
| largeflower onion | ALMA4 | Allium macropetalum | 0–2 | – | ||
| Watson's dutchman's pipe | ARWA | Aristolochia watsonii | 0–2 | – | ||
| tuber anemone | ANTU | Anemone tuberosa | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert mariposa lily | CAKE | Calochortus kennedyi | 0–2 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 0–2 | – | ||
| velvetseed milkwort | POOB | Polygala obscura | 0–2 | – | ||
| orange fameflower | PHAU13 | Phemeranthus aurantiacus | 0–2 | – | ||
| jewels of Opar | TAPA2 | Talinum paniculatum | 0–2 | – | ||
| Coulter's wrinklefruit | TECO | Tetraclea coulteri | 0–2 | – | ||
| 6 | Annual forbs | 5–200 | ||||
| carelessweed | AMPA | Amaranthus palmeri | 1–100 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 1–50 | – | ||
| sensitive partridge pea | CHNI2 | Chamaecrista nictitans | 1–50 | – | ||
| common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 1–50 | – | ||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOA2 | Heliomeris longifolia var. annua | 1–50 | – | ||
| camphorweed | HESU3 | Heterotheca subaxillaris | 1–50 | – | ||
| intermediate pepperweed | LEVIM | Lepidium virginicum var. medium | 1–50 | – | ||
| shaggyfruit pepperweed | LELA | Lepidium lasiocarpum | 0–25 | – | ||
| morning-glory | IPOMO | Ipomoea | 0–25 | – | ||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOL | Heliomeris longifolia var. longifolia | 0–25 | – | ||
| New Mexico thistle | CINE | Cirsium neomexicanum | 1–25 | – | ||
| fewflower beggarticks | BILE | Bidens leptocephala | 0–25 | – | ||
| goosefoot | CHENO | Chenopodium | 0–25 | – | ||
| sorrel buckwheat | ERPO4 | Eriogonum polycladon | 1–25 | – | ||
| tanseyleaf tansyaster | MATA2 | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | 0–25 | – | ||
| Nuttall's povertyweed | MONU | Monolepis nuttalliana | 0–25 | – | ||
| desert Indianwheat | PLOV | Plantago ovata | 0–25 | – | ||
| bristly fiddleneck | AMTE3 | Amsinckia tessellata | 0–25 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–25 | – | ||
| New Mexico copperleaf | ACNE | Acalypha neomexicana | 0–25 | – | ||
| San Pedro matchweed | XAGY | Xanthocephalum gymnospermoides | 0–25 | – | ||
| woolly tidestromia | TILA2 | Tidestromia lanuginosa | 0–15 | – | ||
| spreading fanpetals | SIAB | Sida abutifolia | 0–15 | – | ||
| wheelscale saltbush | ATEL | Atriplex elegans | 0–15 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–15 | – | ||
| combseed | PECTO | Pectocarya | 0–15 | – | ||
| Arizona popcornflower | PLAR | Plagiobothrys arizonicus | 0–15 | – | ||
| California poppy | ESCAM | Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | 0–15 | – | ||
| Coulter's spiderling | BOCO2 | Boerhavia coulteri | 0–15 | – | ||
| scrambled eggs | COAU2 | Corydalis aurea | 0–15 | – | ||
| horseweed | CONYZ | Conyza | 0–15 | – | ||
| Arizona gumweed | GRAR2 | Grindelia arizonica | 0–15 | – | ||
| crestrib morning-glory | IPCO2 | Ipomoea costellata | 0–15 | – | ||
| coastal bird's-foot trefoil | LOSAB | Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus | 0–15 | – | ||
| Gordon's bladderpod | LEGO | Lesquerella gordonii | 0–10 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–10 | – | ||
| sacred thorn-apple | DAWR2 | Datura wrightii | 0–10 | – | ||
| hoary bowlesia | BOIN3 | Bowlesia incana | 0–10 | – | ||
| purslane | PORTU | Portulaca | 0–10 | – | ||
| foothill deervetch | LOHU2 | Lotus humistratus | 0–10 | – | ||
| doubleclaw | PRPA2 | Proboscidea parviflora | 0–10 | – | ||
| New Mexico plumeseed | RANE | Rafinesquia neomexicana | 0–5 | – | ||
| sawtooth sage | SASU7 | Salvia subincisa | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert unicorn-plant | PRAL4 | Proboscidea althaeifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| slender goldenweed | MAGR10 | Machaeranthera gracilis | 0–5 | – | ||
| whitestem blazingstar | MEAL6 | Mentzelia albicaulis | 0–5 | – | ||
| minerslettuce | MONTI | Montia | 0–5 | – | ||
| green carpetweed | MOVE | Mollugo verticillata | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert evening primrose | OEPR | Oenothera primiveris | 0–5 | – | ||
| Florida pellitory | PAFL3 | Parietaria floridana | 0–5 | – | ||
| Mexican passionflower | PAME2 | Passiflora mexicana | 0–5 | – | ||
| phlox | PHLOX | Phlox | 0–5 | – | ||
| fringed redmaids | CACI2 | Calandrinia ciliata | 0–5 | – | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–5 | – | ||
| spurge | EUPHO | Euphorbia | 0–5 | – | ||
| blanketflower | GAILL | Gaillardia | 0–5 | – | ||
| star gilia | GIST | Gilia stellata | 0–5 | – | ||
| pearly globe amaranth | GONI | Gomphrena nitida | 0–5 | – | ||
| wedgeleaf draba | DRCU | Draba cuneifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| miniature woollystar | ERDI2 | Eriastrum diffusum | 0–5 | – | ||
| warty caltrop | KAPA | Kallstroemia parviflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona lupine | LUAR4 | Lupinus arizonicus | 0–5 | – | ||
| Coulter's lupine | LUSP2 | Lupinus sparsiflorus | 0–5 | – | ||
| hollowleaf annual lupine | LUSU3 | Lupinus succulentus | 0–5 | – | ||
| plains flax | LIPU4 | Linum puberulum | 0–2 | – | ||
| American wild carrot | DAPU3 | Daucus pusillus | 0–2 | – | ||
| phacelia | PHACE | Phacelia | 0–2 | – | ||
| sleepy silene | SIAN2 | Silene antirrhina | 0–2 | – | ||
| golden crownbeard | VEEN | Verbesina encelioides | 0–2 | – | ||
| rough cocklebur | XAST | Xanthium strumarium | 0–2 | – | ||
| Fendler's desertdandelion | MAFE | Malacothrix fendleri | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 7 | Miscellaneous shrubs | 10–100 | ||||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 20–100 | – | ||
| gum bully | SILAL3 | Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. lanuginosum | 0–25 | – | ||
| Apache plume | FAPA | Fallugia paradoxa | 0–25 | – | ||
| bastardsage | ERWR | Eriogonum wrightii | 0–20 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–15 | – | ||
| catclaw mimosa | MIACB | Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera | 0–15 | – | ||
| winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 0–15 | – | ||
| woolly groundsel | PACA15 | Packera cana | 0–10 | – | ||
| littleleaf sumac | RHMI3 | Rhus microphylla | 0–10 | – | ||
| soaptree yucca | YUEL | Yucca elata | 0–10 | – | ||
| yerba de pasmo | BAPT | Baccharis pteronioides | 0–10 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCO2 | Acacia constricta | 0–10 | – | ||
| Thurber's desert honeysuckle | ANTH2 | Anisacanthus thurberi | 0–10 | – | ||
| spiny hackberry | CEEH | Celtis ehrenbergiana | 0–5 | – | ||
| Drummond's clematis | CLDR | Clematis drummondii | 0–5 | – | ||
| knifeleaf condalia | COSP3 | Condalia spathulata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Warnock's snakewood | COWA | Condalia warnockii | 0–5 | – | ||
| walkingstick cactus | CYSP8 | Cylindropuntia spinosior | 0–5 | – | ||
| longleaf jointfir | EPTR | Ephedra trifurca | 0–5 | – | ||
| fringed twinevine | FUCYC | Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. cynanchoides | 0–5 | – | ||
| lotebush | ZIOB | Ziziphus obtusifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| pale desert-thorn | LYPA | Lycium pallidum | 0–5 | – | ||
| velvetpod mimosa | MIDY | Mimosa dysocarpa | 0–5 | – | ||
| sacahuista | NOMI | Nolina microcarpa | 0–5 | – | ||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 0–5 | – | ||
| burroweed | ISTE2 | Isocoma tenuisecta | 0–2 | – | ||
| trailing krameria | KRLA | Krameria lanceolata | 0–2 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–2 | – | ||
| candy barrelcactus | FEWI | Ferocactus wislizeni | 0–2 | – | ||
| American tarwort | FLCE | Flourensia cernua | 0–2 | – | ||
| shortleaf baccharis | BABR | Baccharis brachyphylla | 0–2 | – | ||
| Christmas cactus | CYLE8 | Cylindropuntia leptocaulis | 0–2 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 8 | Trees | 0–100 | ||||
| mesquite | PROSO | Prosopis | 0–100 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGR | Acacia greggii | 0–25 | – | ||
| netleaf hackberry | CELAR | Celtis laevigata var. reticulata | 0–25 | – | ||
| desert willow | CHLI2 | Chilopsis linearis | 0–25 | – | ||
| velvet ash | FRVE2 | Fraxinus velutina | 0–10 | – | ||
| Arizona walnut | JUMA | Juglans major | 0–10 | – | ||
| Jerusalem thorn | PAAC3 | Parkinsonia aculeata | 0–10 | – | ||
| western soapberry | SASAD | Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii | 0–10 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
This site is suitable for grazing by domestic livestock at any time of the year. This site has a long green season, during and after the summer rainy season, has occasional free water in potholes and will often be overused before proper use is made of adjacent upland areas. Shade is lacking unless mesquite has increased on the site. The plant community is excellent habitat for a wide variety of native wildlife species of desert grasslands. Nesting cover for ground nesting birds is usually very good.
Hydrological functions
These small floodplains receive and hold flood water from adjacent upland areas for short periods of time (1-2 days). They are important in the hydrology of major streams by trapping sediment eroding from uplands and retaining flood waters for slower release to the larger stream system. Gullied swales pass large flood events in less than one day.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, bird-watching, photography.
Wood products
Swales that are invaded by mesquite furnish good quantities of fuel-wood and limited quantities of posts.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 2 in excellent condition, 6 in good condition and 3 in fair condition.
Type locality
| Location 1: Pima County, AZ | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T19S R17E S30 |
| General legal description | Empire Ranch |
| Location 2: Santa Cruz County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T21S R18E S23 |
| General legal description | Research Ranch |
| Location 3: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T19S R17E S33 |
| General legal description | Empire ranch at KA 10 in the Johnson Pasture. |
Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. Ellicott
Steve Barker
Unknown
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, Dan Robinett |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | NRCS Tucson Area Office |
| Date | 02/16/2005 |
| Approved by | S. Cassady |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Uncommon; probably cover no more than 3-5% of area; short, 2-4 feet in length. Discontinuous. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals are uncommon, only observed where basal area killed by recent fire 0.5-0.75 inches of soil loss at these spots. Terracettes are fairly common, 3-8 feet apart with a 1-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):
5-10%; areas dominated by blue grama have higher bare ground than areas dominated by sideoats grama, mat muhly and vie mesquite. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Very little litter movement occuring only in flow paths. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
No slake test done. Expect ratings of 5-6 across site. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Weak granular to subangular blocky; color is 10YR3/2 dry, 10YR2/2 moist; thickness to 10+ inches. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Cover estimated at: canopy 60%; Basal 15%; litter 30%: 60% of canopy cover is perennial mid grasses, 10% is short grasses, 25% is annual forbs, and 5% is perennial forbs and annual grasses. Cover is well dispersed throughout the site. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None -
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:
mid-grasses >> short grasses > annual forbs > annual grasses = perennial forbsSub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Very low basal area loss is masked by litter decomposition. Only a few plants lost by recent fire. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Some areas dominated by vine mesquite have litter 5-6 inches deep. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
1000 lbs/ac unfavorable precipitation; 2000 lbs/ac normal precipitation; 2500 lbs/ac 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:
wait-a-bit, Lehmann lovegrass, emsquite, bermuda grass, johnson grass, burroweed -
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.