Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XC314AZ
Loamy Slopes 12-16" p.z.
Last updated: 8/06/2020
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
| R041XC305AZ |
Clay Loam Upland 12-16" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XC308AZ |
Limy Slopes 12-16" p.z. |
| R041XC313AZ |
Loamy Upland 12"-16" p.z. |
Similar sites
| R041XA107AZ |
Loamy Slopes 16-20" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R040XA113AZ |
Loamy Slopes 10"-13" p.z. |
| R041XB217AZ |
Loamy Slopes 8"-12" p.z. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) calliandra eriophylla |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 1,006 – 1,524 m |
| 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, 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) | 406 mm |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
There are no water features associated with this site.
Soil features
These soils are moderately deep to deep soils which have formed on old, deeply dissected, gravelly alluvium of mixed origin. They are non-calcareous in the surface 10 inches and loamy textured. Some soils have calcic horizons at moderate (20-40 inches) depths. Soil surfaces have well developed covers of gravels and stones. Surface soils are dark colored. Plant-soil moisture relationships are good.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-661 Eastern Pinal & Southern Gila counties MU 91 Selevin; SSA-663 Gila-Duncan area MU's 11 Eloma and 12 Eloma & Whitehouse; SSA-667 Santa Cruz area MU's Ca haplargids, CgE Caralampi GrSL, CgF2 Caralampi GrSL eroded, WgE Whitehouse GrL, WoE Caralampi; SSA-669 Pima county Eastern part MU 10 Caralampi; SSA-671 Cochise county Douglas-Tombstone part MU 134 Bernardino; SSA-703 Tohono O'odham Nation MU 7 Caralampi.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Very gravelly sandy loam (2) Gravelly loam (3) Very gravelly loam |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Slow to moderate |
| Soil depth | 152 cm |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 15 – 45% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 0 – 8% |
| Available water capacity (0-101.6cm) |
12.19 – 21.34 cm |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
1 – 25% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 2 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
6.6 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
5 – 45% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
0 – 5% |
Ecological dynamics
The plant communities found on an ecological site are naturally variable. Composition and production will vary with yearly conditions, location, aspect, and the natural variability of the soils. The Historical Climax Plant Community represents the natural potential plant communities found on relict or relatively undisturbed sites. Other plant communities described here represent plant communities that are known to occur when the site is disturbed by factors such as fire, grazing, or drought.
Production data provided in this site description is standardized to air dry weight at the end of the summer growing season. The plant communities described in this site description are based on near normal rainfall years.
NRCS uses a Similarity Index to compare existing plant communities to the plant communities described here. Similarity index is determined by comparing the production and composition of a plant community to the production of a plant community described in this site description. To determine Similarity Index, compare the production (air dry weight) of each species to that shown in the plant community description. For each species, count no more than the maximum amount shown for the species, and for each group, count no more than the maximum amount shown for the group. Divide the resulting total by the total normal year production shown in the plant community description. If rainfall has been significantly above or below normal, use the total production shown for above or below normal years. If field data is not collected at the end of the summer growing season, then the field data must be corrected to the end of the year production before comparing it to the site description. The growth curve can be used as a guide for estimating production at the end of the summer growing season.
State and transition model
Figure 4. State and Transition, Loamy Slopes 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
Ecosystem states
States 2 and 5 (additional transitions)
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
Historic Climax Plant Community
Community 1.1
Historic Climax Plant Community
Figure 5. Loamy Slopes 12-16" pz. HCPC
The potential plant community of this site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses with a variety of shrubs, succulents and forbs being well represented. The major perennial grasses are well dispersed throughout the plant community. The aspect is shrub dotted grassland. With continuous heavy grazing, palatable perennial grasses are removed and species like mesquite, catclaw acacia, mimosa, ocotillo, snakeweed, burroweed and prickly pear increase to dominate. Natural fire may have been an important part in the development of the potential plant community. With steep slopes and heavy textured horizons near the soil surface, this site becomes an ineffective user of intense summer rainfall if the perennial grass cover is depleted. The potential of the site to produce grass is reduced as tree canopy increases. The site can produce effective herbaceous covers with up to 5-10% tree canopy. Fire and drought interactions can deplete the perennial grass cover. When this is followed by a wet spring tremendous stands of annual forbs like goldeneye, poppy and lupine can result.
Figure 6. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 375 | 785 | 1110 |
| Shrub/Vine | 73 | 168 | 269 |
| Forb | 28 | 56 | 258 |
| Tree | 1 | 6 | 50 |
| Total | 477 | 1015 | 1687 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 0-1% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 0-2% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 6-15% |
| Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0-1% |
| Biological crusts | 0-5% |
| Litter | 10-50% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 15-55% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-8% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 15-25% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (m) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.15 | – | – | 2-15% | 1-5% |
| >0.15 <= 0.3 | – | 1-10% | 2-15% | 1-20% |
| >0.3 <= 0.6 | – | 1-10% | 15-30% | 0-5% |
| >0.6 <= 1.4 | – | 0-2% | 0-10% | 0-1% |
| >1.4 <= 4 | 0-1% | 0-1% | – | – |
| >4 <= 12 | – | – | – | – |
| >12 <= 24 | – | – | – | – |
| >24 <= 37 | – | – | – | – |
| >37 | – | – | – | – |
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
Mesquite, native grasses and forbs
Community 2.1
Mesquite, native grasses and forbs
Figure 8. Loamy Slopes 12-16" pz. shrubby state
Mesquite increases or invades in the absence of fire for long periods of time. Other shrubs like prickly pear, blue paloverde, ocotillo, cholla, snakeweed and brittlebush can increase to make the site appear shrubby. Native perennial grasses and forbs still dominate the herbaceous layer of the plant community.
State 3
Annual forbs and grasses
Community 3.1
Annual forbs and grasses
Figure 9. Loamy Slopes 12-16" pz. Selevin soil profile
The interactions of fire, drought and continuous grazing act to remove perennial grasses from the plant community. Annuals, both native and non-native dominate the herbaceous layer of the plant community. The shrubby component of the community remains unchanged. Some soil compaction has occurred and sheet erosion has accelerated.
State 4
Lehmann lovegrass invaded
Community 4.1
Lehmann lovegrass invaded
Lehmann lovegrass invades from seeded areas and roadsides, trails and right of ways. The interactions of fire, drought and continuous grazing cause openings in the native grass community which are filled by Lehmann. As Lehmann becomes dominant the diversity of native herbaceous species declines. The shrubby component of the site does not appear to be as affected as the herbaceous component by increases in Lehmann lovegrass.
State 5
Eroded w/wo mesquite.
Community 5.1
Eroded w/wo mesquite.
Severe soil compaction and trailing from heavy, continuous livestock grazing results in loss of plant cover, changes in hydrology and accelerated sheet and rill erosion. Gullies can form where runoff is concentrated from roadways or trails. Shrubs like mesquite and cacti may or may not have increased to dominate. Perennial grasses and forbs are present only in trace amounts.
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), persistent low perennial grass cover. Reduction of A Horizon, Organic Matter and litter, compaction, persistently reduced infiltration.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4
Continuous Heavy Grazing, introduction of seed source for non-native perennial grasses, usually from a road or right of way.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
Herbicide or mechanical means to remove mesquite, other shrubs, succulents. Prescribed Grazing/No Grazing. Implementing brush management (chemical or mechanical) puts site at risk to transition to State 2.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 4
Continuous Heavy Grazing coupled with drought (or fire), low perennial 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 limited recruitment of grass.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 5
Continuous Heavy Grazing coupled with drought (or fire), low perennial 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 limited recruitment of grass.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1
Prescribed Grazing/No Grazing, seeding or planting of natives like sideoats grama. Possible herbicide control of annuals (unknown).
Restoration pathway R3B
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
Introduction of seed source for non-native perennial grasses, usually from a road or right of way.
Transition T3C
State 3 to 5
Continuous Heavy Grazing coupled with drought (or fire), low perennial 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 limited recruitment of grass.
Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 1
Unknown, possible herbicide treatment of exotic grass and seeding of native species like sideoats grama.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Dominant mid grasses | 202–392 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 112–280 | – | ||
| green sprangletop | LEDU | Leptochloa dubia | 22–168 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 22–112 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 11–112 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 11–56 | – | ||
| plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 0–45 | – | ||
| 2 | Cool season grasses | 11–112 | ||||
| plains lovegrass | ERIN | Eragrostis intermedia | 6–112 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–28 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 1–28 | – | ||
| 3 | Dominant short grasses | 123–168 | ||||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 22–112 | – | ||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 11–112 | – | ||
| purple grama | BORA | Bouteloua radicosa | 0–28 | – | ||
| common wolfstail | LYPH | Lycurus phleoides | 1–28 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 0–28 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–28 | – | ||
| sprucetop grama | BOCH | Bouteloua chondrosioides | 0–28 | – | ||
| 4 | Short lived grasses | 11–224 | ||||
| curly-mesquite | HIBE | Hilaria belangeri | 6–112 | – | ||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 1–84 | – | ||
| slender grama | BORE2 | Bouteloua repens | 6–56 | – | ||
| 5 | Miscellaneous perennial grasses | 6–50 | ||||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 1–28 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–17 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMU | Tridens muticus | 0–17 | – | ||
| fall witchgrass | DICO6 | Digitaria cognata | 1–17 | – | ||
| red grama | BOTR2 | Bouteloua trifida | 0–11 | – | ||
| vine mesquite | PAOB | Panicum obtusum | 0–11 | – | ||
| tobosagrass | PLMU3 | Pleuraphis mutica | 0–11 | – | ||
| bullgrass | MUEM | Muhlenbergia emersleyi | 0–11 | – | ||
| Texas bluestem | SCCI2 | Schizachyrium cirratum | 0–6 | – | ||
| southwestern bristlegrass | SESC2 | Setaria scheelei | 0–6 | – | ||
| spike dropseed | SPCO4 | Sporobolus contractus | 0–6 | – | ||
| spiked crinkleawn | TRSP12 | Trachypogon spicatus | 0–6 | – | ||
| low woollygrass | DAPU7 | Dasyochloa pulchella | 0–6 | – | ||
| woolyspike balsamscale | ELBA | Elionurus barbiculmis | 0–6 | – | ||
| nineawn pappusgrass | ENDE | Enneapogon desvauxii | 0–6 | – | ||
| Arizona muhly | MUAR3 | Muhlenbergia arizonica | 0–6 | – | ||
| purple muhly | MURI3 | Muhlenbergia rigida | 0–2 | – | ||
| 6 | Perennial threeawns | 11–50 | ||||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 1–28 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 6–28 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTEG | Aristida ternipes var. gentilis | 1–17 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 1–17 | – | ||
| Parish's threeawn | ARPUP5 | Aristida purpurea var. parishii | 0–11 | – | ||
| Orcutt's threeawn | ARSCO | Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana | 0–11 | – | ||
| Wright's threeawn | ARPUW | Aristida purpurea var. wrightii | 0–6 | – | ||
| Santa Rita threeawn | ARCAG | Aristida californica var. glabrata | 0–6 | – | ||
| poverty threeawn | ARDI5 | Aristida divaricata | 0–6 | – | ||
| Havard's threeawn | ARHA3 | Aristida havardii | 0–6 | – | ||
| Wooton's threeawn | ARPA9 | Aristida pansa | 0–6 | – | ||
| blue threeawn | ARPUN | Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi | 0–1 | – | ||
| 7 | Annual grasses | 11–112 | ||||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 1–45 | – | ||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 1–28 | – | ||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 1–28 | – | ||
| mucronate sprangletop | LEPA6 | Leptochloa panicea | 1–28 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 0–28 | – | ||
| Eastwood fescue | VUMIC | Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata | 0–17 | – | ||
| desert fescue | VUMIM | Vulpia microstachys var. microstachys | 0–17 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–17 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 0–17 | – | ||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 1–17 | – | ||
| Bigelow's bluegrass | POBI | Poa bigelovii | 0–6 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–6 | – | ||
| feather fingergrass | CHVI4 | Chloris virgata | 0–6 | – | ||
| tapertip cupgrass | ERACA | Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata | 0–6 | – | ||
| Mexican lovegrass | ERME | Eragrostis mexicana | 0–6 | – | ||
| tufted lovegrass | ERPE | Eragrostis pectinacea | 0–6 | – | ||
| desert lovegrass | ERPEM | Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima | 0–6 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 0–6 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–6 | – | ||
| witchgrass | PACA6 | Panicum capillare | 0–6 | – | ||
| Arizona brome | BRAR4 | Bromus arizonicus | 0–2 | – | ||
| prairie false oat | TRIN5 | Trisetum interruptum | 0–2 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | Perennial Forbs | 17–90 | ||||
| slender janusia | JAGR | Janusia gracilis | 1–22 | – | ||
| slender poreleaf | POGR5 | Porophyllum gracile | 1–22 | – | ||
| desert globemallow | SPAM2 | Sphaeralcea ambigua | 6–22 | – | ||
| bluedicks | DICA14 | Dichelostemma capitatum | 1–17 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 1–11 | – | ||
| poreleaf dogweed | ADPO2 | Adenophyllum porophyllum | 0–11 | – | ||
| trailing windmills | ALIN | Allionia incarnata | 1–11 | – | ||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 1–11 | – | ||
| dense ayenia | AYMI | Ayenia microphylla | 0–11 | – | ||
| brownplume wirelettuce | STPA4 | Stephanomeria pauciflora | 2–11 | – | ||
| Lewis flax | LILE3 | Linum lewisii | 0–11 | – | ||
| plains blackfoot | MELE2 | Melampodium leucanthum | 1–11 | – | ||
| Indian rushpea | HOGL2 | Hoffmannseggia glauca | 0–6 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–6 | – | ||
| tufted evening primrose | OECA10 | Oenothera caespitosa | 0–6 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 0–6 | – | ||
| Louisiana vetch | VILUL2 | Vicia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana | 0–6 | – | ||
| perennial rockcress | ARPE2 | Arabis perennans | 1–6 | – | ||
| dwarf desertpeony | ACNA2 | Acourtia nana | 0–6 | – | ||
| tuber anemone | ANTU | Anemone tuberosa | 0–6 | – | ||
| narrowleaf silverbush | ARLA12 | Argythamnia lanceolata | 0–6 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–6 | – | ||
| wild dwarf morning-glory | EVAR | Evolvulus arizonicus | 0–6 | – | ||
| Cooley's bundleflower | DECO2 | Desmanthus cooleyi | 0–6 | – | ||
| desert trumpet | ERIN4 | Eriogonum inflatum | 0–2 | – | ||
| scarlet spiderling | BOCO | Boerhavia coccinea | 0–2 | – | ||
| climbing wartclub | BOSC | Boerhavia scandens | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona wrightwort | CAAR7 | Carlowrightia arizonica | 0–2 | – | ||
| Indian paintbrush | CASTI2 | Castilleja | 0–2 | – | ||
| Texas bindweed | COEQ | Convolvulus equitans | 0–2 | – | ||
| whitemouth dayflower | COER | Commelina erecta | 0–2 | – | ||
| leatherweed | CRPO5 | Croton pottsii | 0–2 | – | ||
| largeflower onion | ALMA4 | Allium macropetalum | 0–2 | – | ||
| Coues' cassia | SECO10 | Senna covesii | 0–2 | – | ||
| cudweed | PSEUD43 | Pseudognaphalium | 0–2 | – | ||
| Parry's beardtongue | PEPA24 | Penstemon parryi | 0–2 | – | ||
| Parry's false prairie-clover | MAPA7 | Marina parryi | 0–2 | – | ||
| southwestern mock vervain | GLGO | Glandularia gooddingii | 0–2 | – | ||
| pearly globe amaranth | GONI | Gomphrena nitida | 0–1 | – | ||
| small matweed | GUDE | Guilleminea densa | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona rosemallow | HIBI | Hibiscus biseptus | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert rosemallow | HICO | Hibiscus coulteri | 0–1 | – | ||
| ragged nettlespurge | JAMA | Jatropha macrorhiza | 0–1 | – | ||
| San Pedro daisy | LAPO4 | Lasianthaea podocephala | 0–1 | – | ||
| orange fameflower | PHAU13 | Phemeranthus aurantiacus | 0–1 | – | ||
| ivyleaf groundcherry | PHHE4 | Physalis hederifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| wishbone-bush | MILAV | Mirabilis laevis var. villosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert tobacco | NIOB | Nicotiana obtusifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| slimflower scurfpea | PSTE5 | Psoralidium tenuiflorum | 0–1 | – | ||
| twinleaf senna | SEBA3 | Senna bauhinioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| velvetseed milkwort | POOB | Polygala obscura | 0–1 | – | ||
| shrubby purslane | POSU3 | Portulaca suffrutescens | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico fanpetals | SINE | Sida neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| silverleaf nightshade | SOEL | Solanum elaeagnifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| Rocky Mountain zinnia | ZIGR | Zinnia grandiflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| jewels of Opar | TAPA2 | Talinum paniculatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairy fournwort | TENE | Tetramerium nervosum | 0–1 | – | ||
| spiderwort | TRADE | Tradescantia | 0–1 | – | ||
| branched noseburn | TRRA5 | Tragia ramosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| brownfoot | ACWR5 | Acourtia wrightii | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico silverbush | ARNE2 | Argythamnia neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Watson's dutchman's pipe | ARWA | Aristolochia watsonii | 0–1 | – | ||
| anoda | ANODA | Anoda | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairyseed bahia | BAAB | Bahia absinthifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert marigold | BAMU | Baileya multiradiata | 0–1 | – | ||
| lyreleaf greeneyes | BELY | Berlandiera lyrata | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert mariposa lily | CAKE | Calochortus kennedyi | 0–1 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona snakecotton | FRAR2 | Froelichia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| beeblossom | GAURA | Gaura | 0–1 | – | ||
| Palmer's Indian mallow | ABPA | Abutilon palmeri | 0–1 | – | ||
| spreading snakeherb | DYSCD | Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens | 0–1 | – | ||
| 9 | Annual forbs | 11–168 | ||||
| bristly fiddleneck | AMTE3 | Amsinckia tessellata | 0–56 | – | ||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOA2 | Heliomeris longifolia var. annua | 1–56 | – | ||
| goosefoot | CHENO | Chenopodium | 1–50 | – | ||
| sensitive partridge pea | CHNI2 | Chamaecrista nictitans | 1–28 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 1–28 | – | ||
| tanseyleaf tansyaster | MATA2 | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | 0–28 | – | ||
| carelessweed | AMPA | Amaranthus palmeri | 1–22 | – | ||
| Coulter's spiderling | BOCO2 | Boerhavia coulteri | 0–17 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–17 | – | ||
| New Mexico thistle | CINE | Cirsium neomexicanum | 1–17 | – | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–17 | – | ||
| California poppy | ESCAM | Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | 0–17 | – | ||
| crestrib morning-glory | IPCO2 | Ipomoea costellata | 0–17 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–17 | – | ||
| phacelia | PHACE | Phacelia | 0–17 | – | ||
| shaggyfruit pepperweed | LELA | Lepidium lasiocarpum | 0–17 | – | ||
| intermediate pepperweed | LEVIM | Lepidium virginicum var. medium | 0–17 | – | ||
| coastal bird's-foot trefoil | LOSAB | Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus | 0–17 | – | ||
| Coulter's lupine | LUSP2 | Lupinus sparsiflorus | 0–17 | – | ||
| slender goldenweed | MAGR10 | Machaeranthera gracilis | 0–17 | – | ||
| woolly tidestromia | TILA2 | Tidestromia lanuginosa | 0–17 | – | ||
| Arizona popcornflower | PLAR | Plagiobothrys arizonicus | 0–17 | – | ||
| desert Indianwheat | PLOV | Plantago ovata | 0–11 | – | ||
| combseed | PECTO | Pectocarya | 0–11 | – | ||
| miniature woollystar | ERDI2 | Eriastrum diffusum | 0–11 | – | ||
| sorrel buckwheat | ERPO4 | Eriogonum polycladon | 0–11 | – | ||
| exserted Indian paintbrush | CAEXE | Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta | 0–11 | – | ||
| fewflower beggarticks | BILE | Bidens leptocephala | 0–6 | – | ||
| American wild carrot | DAPU3 | Daucus pusillus | 0–6 | – | ||
| warty caltrop | KAPA | Kallstroemia parviflora | 0–6 | – | ||
| Thurber's morning-glory | IPTH | Ipomoea thurberi | 0–6 | – | ||
| camphorweed | HESU3 | Heterotheca subaxillaris | 0–6 | – | ||
| Arizona gumweed | GRAR2 | Grindelia arizonica | 0–6 | – | ||
| foothill deervetch | LOHU2 | Lotus humistratus | 0–6 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–6 | – | ||
| New Mexico plumeseed | RANE | Rafinesquia neomexicana | 0–6 | – | ||
| sawtooth sage | SASU7 | Salvia subincisa | 0–6 | – | ||
| spreading fanpetals | SIAB | Sida abutifolia | 1–6 | – | ||
| sleepy silene | SIAN2 | Silene antirrhina | 1–6 | – | ||
| New Mexico copperleaf | ACNE | Acalypha neomexicana | 0–6 | – | ||
| purslane | PORTU | Portulaca | 0–2 | – | ||
| manybristle chinchweed | PEPA2 | Pectis papposa | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona lupine | LUAR4 | Lupinus arizonicus | 0–2 | – | ||
| green carpetweed | MOVE | Mollugo verticillata | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert evening primrose | OEPR | Oenothera primiveris | 0–2 | – | ||
| star gilia | GIST | Gilia stellata | 0–2 | – | ||
| southwestern mock vervain | GLGO | Glandularia gooddingii | 0–2 | – | ||
| wedgeleaf draba | DRCU | Draba cuneifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| wheelscale saltbush | ATEL | Atriplex elegans | 0–2 | – | ||
| fringed redmaids | CACI2 | Calandrinia ciliata | 0–2 | – | ||
| scrambled eggs | COAU2 | Corydalis aurea | 0–2 | – | ||
| lipfern | CHEIL | Cheilanthes | 0–1 | – | ||
| miner's lettuce | CLPEP | Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata | 0–1 | – | ||
| southwestern pricklypoppy | ARPL3 | Argemone pleiacantha | 0–1 | – | ||
| hoary bowlesia | BOIN3 | Bowlesia incana | 0–1 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCA14 | Erysimum capitatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Texas stork's bill | ERTE13 | Erodium texanum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona blanketflower | GAAR2 | Gaillardia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| Goodding's bladderpod | LEGO2 | Lesquerella gooddingii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Florida pellitory | PAFL3 | Parietaria floridana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Nuttall's povertyweed | MONU | Monolepis nuttalliana | 0–1 | – | ||
| cliffbrake | PELLA | Pellaea | 0–1 | – | ||
| phlox | PHLOX | Phlox | 0–1 | – | ||
| plains flax | LIPU4 | Linum puberulum | 0–1 | – | ||
| golden crownbeard | VEEN | Verbesina encelioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert unicorn-plant | PRAL4 | Proboscidea althaeifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| doubleclaw | PRPA2 | Proboscidea parviflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| chia | SACO6 | Salvia columbariae | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 10 | Dominant half shrubs | 67–168 | ||||
| bastardsage | ERWR | Eriogonum wrightii | 11–112 | – | ||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 22–112 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 6–56 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 1–22 | – | ||
| brittlebush | ENFA | Encelia farinosa | 0–17 | – | ||
| button brittlebush | ENFR | Encelia frutescens | 0–11 | – | ||
| trailing krameria | KRLA | Krameria lanceolata | 0–11 | – | ||
| rough menodora | MESC | Menodora scabra | 0–11 | – | ||
| desert zinnia | ZIAC | Zinnia acerosa | 0–11 | – | ||
| 11 | Miscellaneous Shrubs | 0–45 | ||||
| pelotazo | ABIN | Abutilon incanum | 0–11 | – | ||
| Sonoran scrub oak | QUTU2 | Quercus turbinella | 0–11 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–6 | – | ||
| desert-thorn | LYCIU | Lycium | 0–6 | – | ||
| algerita | MATR3 | Mahonia trifoliolata | 0–6 | – | ||
| catclaw mimosa | MIACB | Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera | 0–6 | – | ||
| velvetpod mimosa | MIDY | Mimosa dysocarpa | 0–6 | – | ||
| ocotillo | FOSP2 | Fouquieria splendens | 0–6 | – | ||
| jojoba | SICH | Simmondsia chinensis | 0–6 | – | ||
| prairie acacia | ACAN | Acacia angustissima | 0–6 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–6 | – | ||
| shortleaf baccharis | BABR | Baccharis brachyphylla | 0–6 | – | ||
| yerba de pasmo | BAPT | Baccharis pteronioides | 0–6 | – | ||
| Coulter's brickellbush | BRCO | Brickellia coulteri | 0–6 | – | ||
| spiny hackberry | CEEH | Celtis ehrenbergiana | 0–6 | – | ||
| javelina bush | COER5 | Condalia ericoides | 0–6 | – | ||
| knifeleaf condalia | COSP3 | Condalia spathulata | 0–6 | – | ||
| Warnock's snakewood | COWA | Condalia warnockii | 0–6 | – | ||
| Kearney's snakewood | COWAK | Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana | 0–6 | – | ||
| longleaf jointfir | EPTR | Ephedra trifurca | 0–6 | – | ||
| Eastern Mojave buckwheat | ERFA2 | Eriogonum fasciculatum | 0–2 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCO2 | Acacia constricta | 0–2 | – | ||
| Wright's beebrush | ALWR | Aloysia wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| American threefold | TRCA8 | Trixis californica | 0–2 | – | ||
| Parish's goldeneye | VIPA14 | Viguiera parishii | 0–2 | – | ||
| winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 0–2 | – | ||
| yellow paloverde | PAMI5 | Parkinsonia microphylla | 0–2 | – | ||
| marvel dewberry | RUMI3 | Rubus mirus | 0–2 | – | ||
| mock buckthorn | SAGER | Sageretia | 0–2 | – | ||
| threadleaf ragwort | SEFLF | Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus | 0–1 | – | ||
| whitestem paperflower | PSCO2 | Psilostrophe cooperi | 0–1 | – | ||
| threadleaf snakeweed | GUMI | Gutierrezia microcephala | 0–1 | – | ||
| gumhead | GYGL | Gymnosperma glutinosum | 0–1 | – | ||
| burroweed | ISTE2 | Isocoma tenuisecta | 0–1 | – | ||
| lotebush | ZIOB | Ziziphus obtusifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| turpentine bush | ERLA12 | Ericameria laricifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| 12 | Succulents | 6–56 | ||||
| Palmer's century plant | AGPA3 | Agave palmeri | 0–17 | – | ||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 1–17 | – | ||
| purple pricklypear | OPMAM | Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra | 0–6 | – | ||
| tulip pricklypear | OPPH | Opuntia phaeacantha | 0–6 | – | ||
| banana yucca | YUBA | Yucca baccata | 0–6 | – | ||
| soaptree yucca | YUEL | Yucca elata | 0–6 | – | ||
| walkingstick cactus | CYSP8 | Cylindropuntia spinosior | 0–6 | – | ||
| candy barrelcactus | FEWI | Ferocactus wislizeni | 1–6 | – | ||
| sacahuista | NOMI | Nolina microcarpa | 0–6 | – | ||
| dollarjoint pricklypear | OPCH | Opuntia chlorotica | 0–6 | – | ||
| saguaro | CAGI10 | Carnegiea gigantea | 0–6 | – | ||
| hedgehog cactus | ECHIN3 | Echinocereus | 0–6 | – | ||
| jumping cholla | CYFU10 | Cylindropuntia fulgida | 0–2 | – | ||
| Christmas cactus | CYLE8 | Cylindropuntia leptocaulis | 0–2 | – | ||
| staghorn cholla | CYVE3 | Cylindropuntia versicolor | 0–2 | – | ||
| common sotol | DAWH2 | Dasylirion wheeleri | 0–2 | – | ||
| Graham's nipple cactus | MAGR9 | Mammillaria grahamii | 0–1 | – | ||
| little nipple cactus | MAHE2 | Mammillaria heyderi | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona pencil cholla | CYAR14 | Cylindropuntia arbuscula | 0–1 | – | ||
| white fishhook cactus | ECIN2 | Echinomastus intertextus | 0–1 | – | ||
| rainbow cactus | ECPE | Echinocereus pectinatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| spinystar | ESVI2 | Escobaria vivipara | 0–1 | – | ||
| Parry's agave | AGPA4 | Agave parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert agave | AGDE | Agave deserti | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 13 | Trees | 1–50 | ||||
| western honey mesquite | PRGLT | Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana | 0–28 | – | ||
| velvet mesquite | PRVE | Prosopis velutina | 0–28 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGR | Acacia greggii | 1–17 | – | ||
| oneseed juniper | JUMO | Juniperus monosperma | 0–17 | – | ||
| blue paloverde | PAFL6 | Parkinsonia florida | 0–17 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
The plant community on this site is suitable for grazing 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. Cool season use or fencing and grazing systems will be needed to overcome the grazing distribution problems. 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
Steep slopes and loamy textured soils make this site a producer of runoff.
Recreational uses
Hunting, horseback riding, hiking, photography, bird-watching, camping
Wood products
Limited fuel-wood available from shrubby mesquite, juniper and catclaw acacia; where these trees have increased on the site.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 1 in excellent condition, 5 in good condition and 2 in fair condition.
Type locality
| Location 1: Cochise County, AZ | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T21S R20E S28 |
| General legal description | Fort Huachuca, East Range |
| Location 2: Pinal County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T10S R14E S14 |
| General legal description | Sunspace Ranch |
| Location 3: Pinal County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T9S R18E S9 |
| General legal description | Rafter T Ranch |
| Location 4: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T17S R16E S36 |
| General legal description | Sonoita Hwy 83 ROW |
| Location 5: Cochise County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T13S R22E S7 |
| General legal description | Warbonnet Ranch |
| Location 6: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T19S R17E S36 |
| General legal description | Empire ranch KA 11 (south exposure), Hilton Pasture above Road Canyon well. |
| Location 7: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T19S R16E S11 |
| General legal description | Empire Ranch KA2 (south exposure), in North pasture near Oak Tree well. |
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, Emilio Carrillo |
|---|---|
| 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 -
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 -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
none -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
All litter size classes stay 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 granular; color is 10YR4/2 dry, 10YR3/2 moist; thickness to 2 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 -
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 > subshrubs > annual grasses & forbs > shrubs succulents = perennial forbsSub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
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):
600 lbs/ac unfavorable precipitation, 900 lbs/ac normal precipitation, 1300 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:
jojoba, whitethorn, mesquite, prickley pear, cane cholla & ocotillo may increast 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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