Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XC322AZ
Shallow Upland 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
| R041XC306AZ |
Shallow Hills 12-16" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XC316AZ |
Sandy Wash 12-16" p.z. |
| R041XC318AZ |
Sandy Loam 12-16" p.z. Deep |
Similar sites
| R041XA117AZ |
Shallow Upland 16-20" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R040XA121AZ |
Granitic Upland 10"-13" p.z. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) calliandra eriophylla |
| Herbaceous |
(1) bouteloua repens |
Physiographic features
This site occurs in the middle elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico and Chihuahua and Sonora, Mexico. It occurs on gently sloping to moderately steep pediments which flank mountain areas. Numerous small areas of rock out-crop occur throughout areas of this site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Mountain valley
(2) Pediment |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 3,200 – 5,200 ft |
| Slope | 1 – 15% |
| 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 soils have developed in place on various types of acid igneous to sedimentary parent material. They are shallow to very shallow and non-calcareous. The underlying bedrock is fractured and weathered and may be calcareous in places. Soil surfaces are well covered by small gravels. Plant-soil moisture relationships range from fair to poor for shallow and very shallow soils respectively.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-661 Eastern Pinal and Southern Gila counties MU's 8 Chiricahua, 71 Oracle & Romero, 83 Lampshire, 86 Surge; SSA-665 Gila-Duncan area MU LuD Luzena; SSA-666 Cochise county NW part MU's 11 Brunkcow & Chiricahua, 70 Romero & Oracle; SSA-667 Santa Cruz area MU's CrD Chiricahua, GhD Graham, LaE Lampshire GrVSL, ScD Schrap very shaly CL; SSA-669 Pima county E part MU's 17 Chiricahua & Lampshire, 25 Deloro & Schrap, 31 Pantak and 52 Oracle; SSA-671 Cochise county Douglas-Tombstone part MU's 18 Brunkcow & Chiricahua, 101 Chiricahua and 132 Schiefflin StVLS; SSA-703 Tohono O'odham Nation MU 46 Oracle & Romero.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Gravelly sandy loam (2) Very gravelly sandy loam (3) Very gravelly loam |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately rapid to moderately slow |
| Soil depth | 10 – 20 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 25 – 65% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 10% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
0.5 – 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 – 8 |
| 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 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, Granitic Upland 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. Shallow upland 12-16" pz. HCPC
This site includes plant communities that naturally occupy the site following fire, drought, flooding, herbivores, and other natural disturbances. The historic climax plant community represents the natural climax community that eventually reoccupies the site with proper management. The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses and several species of low shrubs. Perennial forbs and annuals are of minor importance on this site. The aspect is shrub dotted grassland. All of the major perennial grasses and shrubs on the site are well dispersed throughout the plant community. Drought and or fire can open up the grass community for a few years, but the major species of short gramas will quickly recover. The dominant half shrubs on the site are vigorous sprouters after fire. Shrubby buckwheat can diminish in severe drought.
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 | 250 | 450 | 660 |
| Shrub/Vine | 100 | 135 | 200 |
| Forb | 6 | 10 | 45 |
| Tree | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| Total | 356 | 596 | 915 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 0-1% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 3-5% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 3-10% |
| Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0-1% |
| Biological crusts | 0-1% |
| Litter | 15-50% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 25-65% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-10% |
| Bedrock | 1-10% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 5-50% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | 0-5% | 5-10% | 0-1% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | 5-10% | 10-25% | 0-1% |
| >1 <= 2 | – | 5-10% | 5-10% | 0-2% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 0-5% | 0-2% | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 0-2% | 0-1% | – | – |
| >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 lovegrass invaded
Community 2.1
Lehmann lovegrass invaded
Figure 8. Granitic Upland 12-16" pz. Lehmann lovegrass
This state occurs where Lehmann lovegrass has invaded from existing stands along roads, trails and rights of ways through areas of the site. Lehmann is especially prone to form monotypic stands on Chiricahua soil series. As Lehmann lovegrass increases in dominance the amounts of native grasses and herbs diminish both in diversity and density. The dominant half shrubs seem to be able to persist in the plant community with Lehmann lovegrass. Above ground biomass production is higher on sites dominated by Lehmann lovegrass. As fires and droughts cause openings in the plant community, Lehmann quickly assumes dominance.
State 3
Shrub increased
Community 3.1
Shrub increased
Figure 9. Shallow Upland 12-16" pz. shrub increase
In the absence of fires for long periods of time shrubs like mesquite, mimosa, ocotillo and succulents like prickly pear and amole can increase to dominate the plant community. Climatic warming may be driving the increase in wait-a-bit and velvetpod mimosas. Mature shrubs are fire tolerant and sprout back vigorously after being top killed. As canopy levels approach 25% the site can no longer support much in the herbaceous layer; further limiting the effect and incidence of fire on the plant community.
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 Short Grasses | 210–400 | ||||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 65–150 | – | ||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 50–150 | – | ||
| slender grama | BORE2 | Bouteloua repens | 45–150 | – | ||
| purple grama | BORA | Bouteloua radicosa | 0–100 | – | ||
| sprucetop grama | BOCH | Bouteloua chondrosioides | 45–100 | – | ||
| Santa Rita Mountain grama | BOEL | Bouteloua eludens | 0–100 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–50 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 0–50 | – | ||
| common wolfstail | LYPH | Lycurus phleoides | 5–40 | – | ||
| 2 | Occasional Perennial Short Grasses | 10–50 | ||||
| curly-mesquite | HIBE | Hilaria belangeri | 5–30 | – | ||
| Arizona muhly | MUAR3 | Muhlenbergia arizonica | 0–30 | – | ||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 0–20 | – | ||
| fall witchgrass | DICO6 | Digitaria cognata | 0–15 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMU | Tridens muticus | 0–15 | – | ||
| nineawn pappusgrass | ENDE | Enneapogon desvauxii | 0–10 | – | ||
| Kunth's smallgrass | MIKU | Microchloa kunthii | 0–10 | – | ||
| 3 | Native Common Perennial Mid Grasses | 25–120 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 20–50 | – | ||
| plains lovegrass | ERIN | Eragrostis intermedia | 1–30 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 0–30 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 0–20 | – | ||
| green sprangletop | LEDU | Leptochloa dubia | 0–15 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 0–10 | – | ||
| 4 | Occasional Perennial Mid Grasses | 1–30 | ||||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–10 | – | ||
| tobosagrass | PLMU3 | Pleuraphis mutica | 0–10 | – | ||
| plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 0–5 | – | ||
| spiked crinkleawn | TRSP12 | Trachypogon spicatus | 0–5 | – | ||
| low woollygrass | DAPU7 | Dasyochloa pulchella | 0–5 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 0–5 | – | ||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 0–5 | – | ||
| vine mesquite | PAOB | Panicum obtusum | 0–5 | – | ||
| woolyspike balsamscale | ELBA | Elionurus barbiculmis | 0–2 | – | ||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 0–1 | – | ||
| 5 | Perennial Threeawns | 5–30 | ||||
| Santa Rita threeawn | ARCAG | Aristida californica var. glabrata | 0–15 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 2–15 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTEG | Aristida ternipes var. gentilis | 1–15 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–10 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 0–5 | – | ||
| blue threeawn | ARPUN | Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi | 0–5 | – | ||
| Parish's threeawn | ARPUP5 | Aristida purpurea var. parishii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Wright's threeawn | ARPUW | Aristida purpurea var. wrightii | 0–5 | – | ||
| poverty threeawn | ARDI5 | Aristida divaricata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Havard's threeawn | ARHA3 | Aristida havardii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Wooton's threeawn | ARPA9 | Aristida pansa | 0–2 | – | ||
| Orcutt's threeawn | ARSCO | Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana | 0–2 | – | ||
| 6 | Common Annual Grasses | 1–30 | ||||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 0–15 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–15 | – | ||
| sweet tanglehead | HEME | Heteropogon melanocarpus | 0–10 | – | ||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 0–10 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 0–10 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Parry's grama | BOPA2 | Bouteloua parryi | 0–5 | – | ||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 0–5 | – | ||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 0–5 | – | ||
| mucronate sprangeltop | LEPAB | Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata | 0–5 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 0–5 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–5 | – | ||
| witchgrass | PACA6 | Panicum capillare | 0–5 | – | ||
| Eastwood fescue | VUMIC | Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert fescue | VUMIM | Vulpia microstachys var. microstachys | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 0–2 | – | ||
| feather fingergrass | CHVI4 | Chloris virgata | 0–2 | – | ||
| Mexican lovegrass | ERME | Eragrostis mexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| tufted lovegrass | ERPEP2 | Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea | 0–2 | – | ||
| tapertip cupgrass | ERACA | Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 7 | Common Perennial Forbs | 5–20 | ||||
| slender janusia | JAGR | Janusia gracilis | 0–10 | – | ||
| shrubby deervetch | LORI3 | Lotus rigidus | 0–10 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–5 | – | ||
| cliffbrake | PELLA | Pellaea | 0–5 | – | ||
| slender poreleaf | POGR5 | Porophyllum gracile | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert globemallow | SPAM2 | Sphaeralcea ambigua | 0–5 | – | ||
| brownplume wirelettuce | STPA4 | Stephanomeria pauciflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| rockloving spikemoss | SERU2 | Selaginella rupincola | 0–5 | – | ||
| Thurber's morning-glory | IPTH | Ipomoea thurberi | 0–5 | – | ||
| lipfern | CHEIL | Cheilanthes | 0–5 | – | ||
| wild dwarf morning-glory | EVAR | Evolvulus arizonicus | 0–5 | – | ||
| trailing windmills | ALIN | Allionia incarnata | 0–5 | – | ||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 0–5 | – | ||
| perennial rockcress | ARPE2 | Arabis perennans | 0–5 | – | ||
| dense ayenia | AYMI | Ayenia microphylla | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert marigold | BAMU | Baileya multiradiata | 0–5 | – | ||
| scarlet spiderling | BOCO | Boerhavia coccinea | 0–2 | – | ||
| climbing wartclub | BOSC | Boerhavia scandens | 0–2 | – | ||
| Palmer's Indian mallow | ABPA | Abutilon palmeri | 0–2 | – | ||
| Lewis flax | LILE3 | Linum lewisii | 0–2 | – | ||
| longflower tube tongue | JULO3 | Justicia longii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Cooley's bundleflower | DECO2 | Desmanthus cooleyi | 0–2 | – | ||
| Thurber's cotton | GOTH | Gossypium thurberi | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert rosemallow | HICO | Hibiscus coulteri | 0–2 | – | ||
| Rocky Mountain zinnia | ZIGR | Zinnia grandiflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona cudweed | PSAR12 | Pseudognaphalium arizonicum | 0–2 | – | ||
| Coues' cassia | SECO10 | Senna covesii | 0–2 | – | ||
| cloak fern | NOTHO | Notholaena | 0–2 | – | ||
| tufted evening primrose | OECA10 | Oenothera caespitosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| Oak Creek ragwort | PAQU8 | Packera quercetorum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Wright's deervetch | LOWR | Lotus wrightii | 0–1 | – | ||
| plains blackfoot | MELE2 | Melampodium leucanthum | 0–1 | – | ||
| wishbone-bush | MILAV | Mirabilis laevis var. villosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert tobacco | NIOB | Nicotiana obtusifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| Schott's yellowhood | NISC | Nissolia schottii | 0–1 | – | ||
| velvet leaf senna | SELI4 | Senna lindheimeriana | 0–1 | – | ||
| twinleaf senna | SEBA3 | Senna bauhinioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| velvetseed milkwort | POOB | Polygala obscura | 0–1 | – | ||
| shrubby purslane | POSU3 | Portulaca suffrutescens | 0–1 | – | ||
| Parry's beardtongue | PEPA24 | Penstemon parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| orange fameflower | PHAU13 | Phemeranthus aurantiacus | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairy fournwort | TENE | Tetramerium nervosum | 0–1 | – | ||
| branched noseburn | TRRA5 | Tragia ramosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico fanpetals | SINE | Sida neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| silverleaf nightshade | SOEL | Solanum elaeagnifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| bluedicks | DICA14 | Dichelostemma capitatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–1 | – | ||
| narrowleaf stoneseed | LIIN2 | Lithospermum incisum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona snakecotton | FRAR2 | Froelichia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| fringed twinevine | FUCYC | Funastrum cynanchoides ssp. cynanchoides | 0–1 | – | ||
| southwestern mock vervain | GLGO | Glandularia gooddingii | 0–1 | – | ||
| pearly globe amaranth | GONI | Gomphrena nitida | 0–1 | – | ||
| rose heath | CHER2 | Chaetopappa ericoides | 0–1 | – | ||
| whitemouth dayflower | COER | Commelina erecta | 0–1 | – | ||
| leatherweed | CRPO5 | Croton pottsii | 0–1 | – | ||
| dwarf desertpeony | ACNA2 | Acourtia nana | 0–1 | – | ||
| brownfoot | ACWR5 | Acourtia wrightii | 0–1 | – | ||
| San Felipe dogweed | ADPO | Adenophyllum porophylloides | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico silverbush | ARNE2 | Argythamnia neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona wrightwort | CAAR7 | Carlowrightia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| Indian paintbrush | CASTI2 | Castilleja | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairyseed bahia | BAAB | Bahia absinthifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| Watson's dutchman's pipe | ARWA | Aristolochia watsonii | 0–1 | – | ||
| 8 | Common Annual Forbs | 1–25 | ||||
| sensitive partridge pea | CHNI2 | Chamaecrista nictitans | 1–15 | – | ||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOA2 | Heliomeris longifolia var. annua | 0–10 | – | ||
| flatcrown buckwheat | ERDE6 | Eriogonum deflexum | 0–5 | – | ||
| spreading fanpetals | SIAB | Sida abutifolia | 1–5 | – | ||
| exserted Indian paintbrush | CAEXE | Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta | 0–5 | – | ||
| goosefoot | CHENO | Chenopodium | 0–5 | – | ||
| cryptantha | CRYPT | Cryptantha | 0–2 | – | ||
| New Mexico copperleaf | ACNE | Acalypha neomexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| carelessweed | AMPA | Amaranthus palmeri | 0–2 | – | ||
| bristly fiddleneck | AMTE3 | Amsinckia tessellata | 0–2 | – | ||
| fewflower beggarticks | BILE | Bidens leptocephala | 0–2 | – | ||
| Coulter's spiderling | BOCO2 | Boerhavia coulteri | 0–2 | – | ||
| fringed redmaids | CACI2 | Calandrinia ciliata | 0–2 | – | ||
| sleepy silene | SIAN2 | Silene antirrhina | 0–2 | – | ||
| miniature woollystar | ERDI2 | Eriastrum diffusum | 0–2 | – | ||
| sorrel buckwheat | ERPO4 | Eriogonum polycladon | 0–2 | – | ||
| California poppy | ESCAM | Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| spurge | EUPHO | Euphorbia | 0–2 | – | ||
| sacred thorn-apple | DAWR2 | Datura wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| wedgeleaf draba | DRCU | Draba cuneifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| crestrib morning-glory | IPCO2 | Ipomoea costellata | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| shaggyfruit pepperweed | LELA | Lepidium lasiocarpum | 0–2 | – | ||
| intermediate pepperweed | LEVIM | Lepidium virginicum var. medium | 0–2 | – | ||
| sawtooth sage | SASU7 | Salvia subincisa | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona lupine | LUAR4 | Lupinus arizonicus | 0–2 | – | ||
| Coulter's lupine | LUSP2 | Lupinus sparsiflorus | 0–2 | – | ||
| slender goldenweed | MAGR10 | Machaeranthera gracilis | 0–2 | – | ||
| tanseyleaf tansyaster | MATA2 | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| combseed | PECTO | Pectocarya | 0–2 | – | ||
| phacelia | PHACE | Phacelia | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona popcornflower | PLAR | Plagiobothrys arizonicus | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert Indianwheat | PLOV | Plantago ovata | 0–2 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–2 | – | ||
| woolly tidestromia | TILA2 | Tidestromia lanuginosa | 0–2 | – | ||
| purslane | PORTU | Portulaca | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert unicorn-plant | PRAL4 | Proboscidea althaeifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| doubleclaw | PRPA2 | Proboscidea parviflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| sweet four o'clock | MILO2 | Mirabilis longiflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| green carpetweed | MOVE | Mollugo verticillata | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert evening primrose | OEPR | Oenothera primiveris | 0–1 | – | ||
| Fendler's desertdandelion | MAFE | Malacothrix fendleri | 0–1 | – | ||
| foothill deervetch | LOHU2 | Lotus humistratus | 0–1 | – | ||
| coastal bird's-foot trefoil | LOSAB | Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus | 0–1 | – | ||
| warty caltrop | KAPA | Kallstroemia parviflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| Thurber's morning-glory | IPTH | Ipomoea thurberi | 0–1 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCA14 | Erysimum capitatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| camphorweed | HESU3 | Heterotheca subaxillaris | 0–1 | – | ||
| star gilia | GIST | Gilia stellata | 0–1 | – | ||
| sand fringepod | THCU | Thysanocarpus curvipes | 0–1 | – | ||
| American wild carrot | DAPU3 | Daucus pusillus | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico thistle | CINE | Cirsium neomexicanum | 0–1 | – | ||
| scrambled eggs | COAU2 | Corydalis aurea | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 9 | Dominant Half Shrubs | 75–120 | ||||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 45–75 | – | ||
| Gregg's prairie clover | DAGR2 | Dalea greggii | 5–25 | – | ||
| bastardsage | ERWR | Eriogonum wrightii | 5–25 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 15–25 | – | ||
| trailing krameria | KRLA | Krameria lanceolata | 0–25 | – | ||
| rough menodora | MESC | Menodora scabra | 0–15 | – | ||
| desert zinnia | ZIAC | Zinnia acerosa | 0–10 | – | ||
| prairie acacia | ACAN | Acacia angustissima | 0–10 | – | ||
| Coulter's brickellbush | BRCO | Brickellia coulteri | 0–5 | – | ||
| Schott's stickpea | ZAFOS | Zapoteca formosa var. schottii | 0–5 | – | ||
| 10 | Miscellaneous Shrubs | 30–65 | ||||
| pelotazo | ABIN | Abutilon incanum | 0–20 | – | ||
| Sonoran scrub oak | QUTU2 | Quercus turbinella | 0–15 | – | ||
| ocotillo | FOSP2 | Fouquieria splendens | 1–15 | – | ||
| algerita | MATR3 | Mahonia trifoliolata | 0–10 | – | ||
| catclaw mimosa | MIACB | Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera | 0–10 | – | ||
| velvetpod mimosa | MIDY | Mimosa dysocarpa | 0–10 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGR | Acacia greggii | 0–10 | – | ||
| knifeleaf condalia | COSP3 | Condalia spathulata | 0–10 | – | ||
| spiny hackberry | CEEH | Celtis ehrenbergiana | 0–10 | – | ||
| desert ceanothus | CEGR | Ceanothus greggii | 0–10 | – | ||
| longleaf jointfir | EPTR | Ephedra trifurca | 0–10 | – | ||
| Eastern Mojave buckwheat | ERFAP | Eriogonum fasciculatum var. polifolium | 0–5 | – | ||
| Warnock's snakewood | COWA | Condalia warnockii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Kearney's snakewood | COWAK | Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana | 0–5 | – | ||
| yerba de pasmo | BAPT | Baccharis pteronioides | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert-thorn | LYCIU | Lycium | 0–5 | – | ||
| littleleaf sumac | RHMI3 | Rhus microphylla | 0–5 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–5 | – | ||
| turpentine bush | ERLA12 | Ericameria laricifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| Tahitian kidneywood | EYOR | Eysenhardtia orthocarpa | 0–5 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–5 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCO2 | Acacia constricta | 0–5 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCOP9 | Acacia constricta var. paucispina | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert lavender | HYEM | Hyptis emoryi | 0–2 | – | ||
| burroweed | ISTE2 | Isocoma tenuisecta | 0–2 | – | ||
| physicnut | JACU | Jatropha cuneata | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert olive | FOSH | Forestiera shrevei | 0–2 | – | ||
| evergreen sumac | RHVIC | Rhus virens var. choriophylla | 0–2 | – | ||
| yellow trumpetbush | TEST | Tecoma stans | 0–2 | – | ||
| American threefold | TRCA8 | Trixis californica | 0–2 | – | ||
| California brickellbush | BRCA3 | Brickellia californica | 0–2 | – | ||
| milfoil wattle | ACMI | Acacia millefolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| Wright's beebrush | ALWR | Aloysia wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Thurber's desert honeysuckle | ANTH2 | Anisacanthus thurberi | 0–2 | – | ||
| pointleaf manzanita | ARPU5 | Arctostaphylos pungens | 0–2 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–2 | – | ||
| shortleaf baccharis | BABR | Baccharis brachyphylla | 0–2 | – | ||
| Florida hopbush | DOVI | Dodonaea viscosa | 0–2 | – | ||
| coralbean | ERFL7 | Erythrina flabelliformis | 0–2 | – | ||
| rosary babybonnets | COGL8 | Coursetia glandulosa | 0–2 | – | ||
| Parish's goldeneye | VIPA14 | Viguiera parishii | 0–2 | – | ||
| lotebush | ZIOB | Ziziphus obtusifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| heartleaf goldeneye | VICO | Viguiera cordifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| threadleaf snakeweed | GUMI | Gutierrezia microcephala | 0–1 | – | ||
| 11 | Succulents | 5–20 | ||||
| sacahuista | NOMI | Nolina microcarpa | 1–15 | – | ||
| banana yucca | YUBA | Yucca baccata | 0–15 | – | ||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 1–10 | – | ||
| common sotol | DAWH2 | Dasylirion wheeleri | 0–10 | – | ||
| walkingstick cactus | CYSP8 | Cylindropuntia spinosior | 0–5 | – | ||
| staghorn cholla | CYVE3 | Cylindropuntia versicolor | 0–5 | – | ||
| Engelmann's hedgehog cactus | ECEN | Echinocereus engelmannii | 0–5 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECFE | Echinocereus fendleri | 0–5 | – | ||
| smallflower century plant | AGPA5 | Agave parviflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| Schott's century plant | AGSC3 | Agave schottii | 0–5 | – | ||
| candy barrelcactus | FEWI | Ferocactus wislizeni | 0–5 | – | ||
| soaptree yucca | YUEL | Yucca elata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Graham's nipple cactus | MAGR9 | Mammillaria grahamii | 0–2 | – | ||
| purple pricklypear | OPMAM | Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert agave | AGDE | Agave deserti | 0–2 | – | ||
| rainbow cactus | ECPEP | Echinocereus pectinatus var. pectinatus | 0–2 | – | ||
| spinystar | ESVI2 | Escobaria vivipara | 0–1 | – | ||
| white fishhook cactus | ECIN2 | Echinomastus intertextus | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECBO2 | Echinocereus bonkerae | 0–1 | – | ||
| Palmer's century plant | AGPA3 | Agave palmeri | 0–1 | – | ||
| Parry's agave | AGPA4 | Agave parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
| saguaro | CAGI10 | Carnegiea gigantea | 0–1 | – | ||
| jumping cholla | CYFU10 | Cylindropuntia fulgida | 0–1 | – | ||
| Christmas cactus | CYLE8 | Cylindropuntia leptocaulis | 0–1 | – | ||
| little nipple cactus | MAHE2 | Mammillaria heyderi | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 12 | Trees | 0–10 | ||||
| oneseed juniper | JUMO | Juniperus monosperma | 0–10 | – | ||
| velvet mesquite | PRVE | Prosopis velutina | 0–10 | – | ||
| blue paloverde | PAFL6 | Parkinsonia florida | 0–5 | – | ||
| western honey mesquite | PRGLT | Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana | 0–5 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
With continuous heavy grazing, the short gramas are replaced by increases in false mesquite, shrubby buckwheat, and threeawns. With severe deterioration, shrubby species like snakeweed, turpentine bush, catclaw mimosa, ocotillos, and burroweed can increase to dominate the plant community. Mesquite can increase on the site, but due to shallow soils, individual plants are shrubby in nature. This site generally lacks the cobble and stone cover of adjacent hill sites. Gravel size cover is inadequate, on moderately steep slopes, in preventing water erosion. Natural fire was an important factor in the development of the potential plant community. Water developments are very important to wildlife on the site. The site produces a diverse mixture of low shrubs and perennial grasses. It is a poor producer of annual grasses and annual and perennial forbs.
Hydrological functions
Shallow soil and bedrock outcrops with moderate slopes make this site a producer of runoff in large storm events.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding, bird-watching, photography, rock-hounding, prospecting.
Wood products
Very limited firewood for campfires.
Other products
Gold, silver, turquoise, decomposed granite.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 2 in excellent condition, 5 in good condition and 4 in fair condition.
Type locality
| Location 1: Pima County, AZ | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T20s R7E S34 |
| General legal description | Santa Margarita Ranch-Las Moras Pas. |
| Location 2: Santa Cruz County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T23S R14E S20 |
| General legal description | Santa Fe Ranch-back pasture |
| Location 3: Pinal County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T10S R13E S9 |
| General legal description | Falcon Valley Ranch-Carpas Canyon |
| Location 4: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T8E R17S S7 |
| General legal description | Tohono Tribal Herd Ranch-Alhambre Unit |
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, Dan Robinett, Tom Reis |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | NRCS Tucson Area Office |
| Date | 03/07/2005 |
| Approved by | Curtis Talbot |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Occupy <5% of the area, broken by rock and gravel cover, highly discontinuous. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Erosional pedestals are very uncommon (1 per 20 plants observed); Terracettes are fairly uncommon. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
15-25% -
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 are staying in place. -
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 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 2.5-7.5 YR4/4 Dry; 2.5-7.5YR3/4 Moist; thickness to 3 inches. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Canopy 25-35%, Basal 5-10%; Litter 10-20%: 60-70% of canopy cover is perennial mid grasses, 15-20% sub shrubs, 5-10% trees & shrubs, 5-10% annual forbs and grasses. 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 > sub shrubs > annual forbs & grasses > perennial forbs > trees & shrubs > succulentsSub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
15% of basal cover of perennial grass species has been slost due to 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):
400 lbs/ac unfavorable precipitation; 650 lbs/ac normal precipitation; 900 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:
Lehmann lovegrass, mesquite, prickly pear, ocotillo -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Not affected even following several years of prolonged drought period for region.
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