Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XC330AZ
Volcanic Hills 12-16" p.z. Clayey
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
| R041XC304AZ |
Clayey Upland 12-16" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XC305AZ |
Clay Loam Upland 12-16" p.z. |
| R041XC323AZ |
Volcanic Hills 12-16" p.z. Loamy |
Similar sites
| R041XA111AZ |
Volcanic Hills 16-20" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R038XA117AZ |
Volcanic Hills 12-16" p.z. Clayey |
| R041XB223AZ |
Basalt Hills 8-12" p.z. |
| R038XB215AZ |
Clayey Hills 16-20" p.z. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) eriogonum wrightii |
| 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, ridge-tops and mesas. Slope aspect is site differentiating at elevations near land resource area boundaries.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Hill
(2) Ridge (3) Mesa |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 3,500 – 5,500 ft |
| Slope | 15 – 70% |
| Aspect | N, E, S |
Climatic features
Precipitation in this common resource area ranges from 12-16 inches yearly in the eastern part with elevations from 3600-5000 feet, and 13-17 inches in the western part where elevations are 3300-4500 feet. Winter-Summer rainfall ratios are 40-60% in the west and 30-70% in the east. Summer rains fall July-September, originate in the Gulf of Mexico and are convective, usually brief, intense thunderstorms. Cool season moisture tends to be frontal, originates in the Pacific and Gulf of California, and falls in widespread storms with long duration and low intensity. Snow rarely lasts more than one day. May and June are the driest months of the year. Humidity is generally very low.
Temperatures are mild. Freezing temperatures are common at night from December-April; however temperatures during the day are frequently above 50 F. Occasionally in December-February, brief 0 F temperatures may be experienced some nights. During June, July and August, some days may exceed 100 F.
Cool season plants start growth in early spring and mature in early summer. Warm season plants take advantage of summer rains and are growing and nutritious July-September. Warm season grasses may remain green throughout the year.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 220 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 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 shallow soils formed on basic to intermediate igneous rocks like basalt and andesite. They are non-calcareous, clayey in texture and very dark colored. Some carbonates may be present at the bedrock contact. Bedrock is hard and un-weathered. Soil surfaces have well developed covers of dark colored gravels, stones and cobbles. Numerous areas of rock outcrop occur intermingled with soil areas. Plant - soil moisture relationships are good.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-661 E Pinal and S Gila counties MU's 19 Chiricahua & Delero, 37 38 & 39 Eskimizen; SSA-666 Cochise NW part MU 45 Graham.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Slope alluvium
–
quartzite
|
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Clayey |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately slow to slow |
| Soil depth | 10 – 20 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 25 – 50% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 5 – 12% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
1 – 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) |
6.6 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
15 – 45% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
1 – 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 community found on relict or relatively undisturbed areas of this site. Other plant communities described here represent plant communities that are known to occur when the site is disturbed by factors such as fire, grazing and 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 described in the 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 amount shown for that group. Divide the resulting total by the total, normal year, production shown in the plant community description. If the rainfall has been significantly above or below normal, use the total production shown for above or below normal years. If the field data is not collected at the end of the summer growing season, then the field data must be corrected to the end of year production before comparing it to the site description. The growth curve can be used as a guide for estimating production at the end of the summer growing season.
The historic native state includes the native plant communities that occur on the site, including the historic climax plant community. This state includes other plant communities that naturally occupy the site following fire, drought, flooding, herbivores and other natural disturbances. The historic climax plant community represents the natural climax community that eventually reoccupies the site with proper management and a return to near normal conditions and/or equilibrium.
State and transition model
Figure 4. State and Transition, Volcanic Hills 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 1
Historic Climax Plant Community
Community 1.1
Historic Climax Plant Community
Figure 5. Volcanic Hills 12-16" pz, clayey, HCPC
The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses and a variety of perennial forbs and half shrubs. Several species of shrubs and succulents are well represented on the site. Larger species of shrubs and low trees are concentrated along drainage ways and rock outcrops. In the absence of wildfire and/or with over grazing, shrubs increase to dominate the plant community. Well developed covers of gravels, stones and cobbles protect the soil from erosion and help protect forage species from overuse. Natural fires, with a frequency of about once in ten years, were important in shaping the potential plant community. Fire helps maintain a balance between grasses, forbs and shrubs. With continuous heavy grazing palatable forage species can diminish in the plant community and will be replaced by increases in shrubs, succulents and annuals. Areas of rock outcrop hold remnant perennial forage species that can reseed down slope as needed.
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 | 400 | 800 | 1050 |
| Shrub/Vine | 60 | 150 | 255 |
| Forb | 20 | 60 | 250 |
| Tree | 0 | 10 | 30 |
| Total | 480 | 1020 | 1585 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 0% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 0-1% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 4-10% |
| Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0-1% |
| Biological crusts | 0-1% |
| Litter | 25-55% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 25-60% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 1-15% |
| Bedrock | 0-10% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 5-25% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | 0-5% | 1-10% | 0-1% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | 5-10% | 5-15% | 1-5% |
| >1 <= 2 | – | 5-10% | 15-30% | 1-15% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 0-5% | 5-10% | 0-5% |
| >4.5 <= 13 | 0-2% | 0-5% | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | 0-1% | – | – | – |
| >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
Exotic annual forbs and grasses
Community 2.1
Exotic annual forbs and grasses
Non-native annual forbs and grasses like red brome, wild oats and filaree can dominate the herbaceous layer of the plant community. The interactions of fire, drought and continuous grazing cause the loss of perennial grasses and forbs. These exotic species may, over time, reduce the seed-bank of native species of grasses and forbs. Their presence may increase the frequency of man-made fires, especially where roads and urban areas are adjacent to the site.
State 3
Shrub increased
Community 3.1
Shrub increased
Figure 8. Volcanic Hills 12-16" pz, clayey, Shrub increase
Perennial grass cover is reduced due to the interactions of drought, fire and continuous grazing. Native shrubs like mesquite, whitethorn, mimosa, ocotillo and succulents like prickly pear and cholla have increased in the absence of fire for long periods of tome to dominate the plant community. Many of these species are vigorous sprouters after fire once they are well established. Climatic warming seems to be, at least part of the reason for increases in species like the mimosas and prickly pear.
State 4
Shrubby and eroded
Community 4.1
Shrubby and eroded
Figure 9. Volcanic Hills 12-16" pz., clayey, eroded
Native shrubs like mesquite, whitethorn, juniper and mimosa with succulents like prickly pear and cholla dominate the plant community. Continuous heavy livestock grazing and trailing have caused severe soil compaction in accessible areas. The resulting increase and concentration in runoff has caused rills to form on the hill-slopes.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Dominant Perennial Mid Grasses | 300–550 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 150–300 | – | ||
| plains lovegrass | ERIN | Eragrostis intermedia | 50–150 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 20–150 | – | ||
| green sprangletop | LEDU | Leptochloa dubia | 15–100 | – | ||
| tobosagrass | PLMU3 | Pleuraphis mutica | 10–100 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 10–50 | – | ||
| 2 | Dominant Perennial Short Grasses | 80–250 | ||||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 15–100 | – | ||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 15–75 | – | ||
| purple grama | BORA | Bouteloua radicosa | 10–50 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 10–50 | – | ||
| curly-mesquite | HIBE | Hilaria belangeri | 15–50 | – | ||
| slender grama | BORE2 | Bouteloua repens | 5–25 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 5–25 | – | ||
| common wolfstail | LYPH | Lycurus phleoides | 0–20 | – | ||
| sprucetop grama | BOCH | Bouteloua chondrosioides | 0–15 | – | ||
| fall witchgrass | DICO6 | Digitaria cognata | 1–10 | – | ||
| 3 | Perennial threeawns | 10–45 | ||||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 5–30 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTEG | Aristida ternipes var. gentilis | 0–15 | – | ||
| Orcutt's threeawn | ARSCO | Aristida schiedeana var. orcuttiana | 0–15 | – | ||
| Parish's threeawn | ARPUP5 | Aristida purpurea var. parishii | 0–10 | – | ||
| Wright's threeawn | ARPUW | Aristida purpurea var. wrightii | 0–10 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–10 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 0–10 | – | ||
| blue threeawn | ARPUN | Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi | 0–5 | – | ||
| poverty threeawn | ARDI5 | Aristida divaricata | 0–2 | – | ||
| Havard's threeawn | ARHA3 | Aristida havardii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Wooton's threeawn | ARPA9 | Aristida pansa | 0–2 | – | ||
| 4 | Miscellaneous Perennial grasses | 5–50 | ||||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 1–20 | – | ||
| prairie Junegrass | KOMA | Koeleria macrantha | 0–15 | – | ||
| bullgrass | MUEM | Muhlenbergia emersleyi | 1–15 | – | ||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 0–15 | – | ||
| vine mesquite | PAOB | Panicum obtusum | 1–15 | – | ||
| southwestern bristlegrass | SESC2 | Setaria scheelei | 1–15 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–10 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMU | Tridens muticus | 0–10 | – | ||
| spiked crinkleawn | TRSP12 | Trachypogon spicatus | 0–10 | – | ||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 0–10 | – | ||
| silver bluestem | BOSA | Bothriochloa saccharoides | 0–5 | – | ||
| Mexican gamagrass | TRLA11 | Tripsacum lanceolatum | 0–5 | – | ||
| plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 0–5 | – | ||
| Texas bluestem | SCCI2 | Schizachyrium cirratum | 0–5 | – | ||
| deergrass | MURI2 | Muhlenbergia rigens | 0–2 | – | ||
| bulb panicgrass | PABU | Panicum bulbosum | 0–2 | – | ||
| nineawn pappusgrass | ENDE | Enneapogon desvauxii | 0–2 | – | ||
| sedge | CAREX | Carex | 0–2 | – | ||
| low woollygrass | DAPU7 | Dasyochloa pulchella | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 0–2 | – | ||
| sourgrass | DIIN2 | Digitaria insularis | 0–2 | – | ||
| woolyspike balsamscale | ELBA | Elionurus barbiculmis | 0–2 | – | ||
| 5 | Annual Grasses | 10–150 | ||||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 1–50 | – | ||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 1–30 | – | ||
| mucronate sprangeltop | LEPAB | Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata | 1–30 | – | ||
| little barley | HOPU | Hordeum pusillum | 1–25 | – | ||
| Eastwood fescue | VUMIC | Vulpia microstachys var. ciliata | 1–20 | – | ||
| desert fescue | VUMIM | Vulpia microstachys var. microstachys | 1–20 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 1–20 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 1–15 | – | ||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 1–10 | – | ||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 1–10 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 0–5 | – | ||
| Bigelow's bluegrass | POBI | Poa bigelovii | 0–5 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 0–5 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–5 | – | ||
| witchgrass | PACA6 | Panicum capillare | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona brome | BRAR4 | Bromus arizonicus | 0–2 | – | ||
| feather fingergrass | CHVI4 | Chloris virgata | 0–2 | – | ||
| tapertip cupgrass | ERACA | Eriochloa acuminata var. acuminata | 0–2 | – | ||
| Mexican lovegrass | ERME | Eragrostis mexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert lovegrass | ERPEM | Eragrostis pectinacea var. miserrima | 0–2 | – | ||
| tufted lovegrass | ERPEP2 | Eragrostis pectinacea var. pectinacea | 0–2 | – | ||
| fragilegrass | AETE | Aegopogon tenellus | 0–2 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Perennial Forbs | 10–100 | ||||
| largeflower onion | ALMA4 | Allium macropetalum | 0–25 | – | ||
| white sagebrush | ARLU | Artemisia ludoviciana | 1–15 | – | ||
| slender janusia | JAGR | Janusia gracilis | 1–15 | – | ||
| desert globemallow | SPAM2 | Sphaeralcea ambigua | 1–15 | – | ||
| brownplume wirelettuce | STPA4 | Stephanomeria pauciflora | 1–10 | – | ||
| American vetch | VIAM | Vicia americana | 1–10 | – | ||
| Louisiana vetch | VILUL2 | Vicia ludoviciana ssp. ludoviciana | 0–10 | – | ||
| longflower tube tongue | JULO3 | Justicia longii | 0–10 | – | ||
| Trans-Pecos thimblehead | HYWI | Hymenothrix wislizeni | 0–10 | – | ||
| Wright's deervetch | LOWR | Lotus wrightii | 1–10 | – | ||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 1–10 | – | ||
| climbing wartclub | BOSC | Boerhavia scandens | 0–10 | – | ||
| bluedicks | DICA14 | Dichelostemma capitatum | 1–10 | – | ||
| whitemouth dayflower | COER | Commelina erecta | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona wrightwort | CAAR7 | Carlowrightia arizonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| tuber anemone | ANTU | Anemone tuberosa | 1–5 | – | ||
| tarragon | ARDR4 | Artemisia dracunculus | 0–5 | – | ||
| Palmer's Indian mallow | ABPA | Abutilon palmeri | 0–5 | – | ||
| brownfoot | ACWR5 | Acourtia wrightii | 0–5 | – | ||
| trailing windmills | ALIN | Allionia incarnata | 1–5 | – | ||
| perennial rockcress | ARPE2 | Arabis perennans | 1–5 | – | ||
| plains blackfoot | MELE2 | Melampodium leucanthum | 1–5 | – | ||
| wishbone-bush | MILAV | Mirabilis laevis var. villosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| cliffbrake | PELLA | Pellaea | 1–5 | – | ||
| Parry's beardtongue | PEPA24 | Penstemon parryi | 1–5 | – | ||
| desert penstemon | PEPS | Penstemon pseudospectabilis | 0–5 | – | ||
| Lewis flax | LILE3 | Linum lewisii | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert rosemallow | HICO | Hibiscus coulteri | 0–5 | – | ||
| fineleaf hymenopappus | HYFIL | Hymenopappus filifolius var. lugens | 0–5 | – | ||
| beeblossom | GAURA | Gaura | 0–5 | – | ||
| southwestern mock vervain | GLGO | Glandularia gooddingii | 0–5 | – | ||
| scarlet spiderling | BOCO | Boerhavia coccinea | 0–5 | – | ||
| hairy false goldenaster | HEVIM3 | Heterotheca villosa var. minor | 0–5 | – | ||
| shrubby deervetch | LORI3 | Lotus rigidus | 0–5 | – | ||
| slender poreleaf | POGR5 | Porophyllum gracile | 0–2 | – | ||
| Wright's cudweed | PSCAC2 | Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona rosemallow | HIBI | Hibiscus biseptus | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona snakecotton | FRAR2 | Froelichia arizonica | 0–2 | – | ||
| pearly globe amaranth | GONI | Gomphrena nitida | 0–2 | – | ||
| Palmer's penstemon | PEPA8 | Penstemon palmeri | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert tobacco | NIOB | Nicotiana obtusifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| cloak fern | NOTHO | Notholaena | 0–2 | – | ||
| Greene's bird's-foot trefoil | LOGR4 | Lotus greenei | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert marigold | BAMU | Baileya multiradiata | 0–2 | – | ||
| San Felipe dogweed | ADPO | Adenophyllum porophylloides | 0–2 | – | ||
| Indian paintbrush | CASTI2 | Castilleja | 0–2 | – | ||
| lipfern | CHEIL | Cheilanthes | 0–2 | – | ||
| Cooley's bundleflower | DECO2 | Desmanthus cooleyi | 0–2 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–2 | – | ||
| trailing fleabane | ERFL | Erigeron flagellaris | 0–2 | – | ||
| wild dwarf morning-glory | EVAR | Evolvulus arizonicus | 0–1 | – | ||
| spreading snakeherb | DYSCD | Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert larkspur | DEPA | Delphinium parishii | 0–1 | – | ||
| leatherweed | CRPO5 | Croton pottsii | 0–1 | – | ||
| rose heath | CHER2 | Chaetopappa ericoides | 0–1 | – | ||
| mala mujer | CNAN | Cnidoscolus angustidens | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert mariposa lily | CAKE | Calochortus kennedyi | 0–1 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 0–1 | – | ||
| dwarf desertpeony | ACNA2 | Acourtia nana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Mexican yellowshow | AMPA3 | Amoreuxia palmatifida | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico silverbush | ARNE2 | Argythamnia neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| Watson's dutchman's pipe | ARWA | Aristolochia watsonii | 0–1 | – | ||
| chaparral asphead | ASHI3 | Aspicarpa hirtella | 0–1 | – | ||
| dense ayenia | AYMI | Ayenia microphylla | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairyseed bahia | BAAB | Bahia absinthifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| roving sailor | MAAN9 | Maurandella antirrhiniflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| tufted evening primrose | OECA10 | Oenothera caespitosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| firecracker penstemon | PEEA | Penstemon eatonii | 0–1 | – | ||
| variableleaf bushbean | MAGI2 | Macroptilium gibbosifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 0–1 | – | ||
| slimleaf bean | PHAN3 | Phaseolus angustissimus | 0–1 | – | ||
| orange fameflower | PHAU13 | Phemeranthus aurantiacus | 0–1 | – | ||
| ivyleaf groundcherry | PHHE4 | Physalis hederifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| Thurber's cotton | GOTH | Gossypium thurberi | 0–1 | – | ||
| ragged nettlespurge | JAMA | Jatropha macrorhiza | 0–1 | – | ||
| fernleaf biscuitroot | LODI | Lomatium dissectum | 0–1 | – | ||
| San Pedro daisy | LAPO4 | Lasianthaea podocephala | 0–1 | – | ||
| narrowleaf stoneseed | LIIN2 | Lithospermum incisum | 0–1 | – | ||
| slimflower scurfpea | PSTE5 | Psoralidium tenuiflorum | 0–1 | – | ||
| twinleaf senna | SEBA3 | Senna bauhinioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| Coues' cassia | SECO10 | Senna covesii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Lemmon's ragwort | SELE8 | Senecio lemmonii | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico fanpetals | SINE | Sida neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| silverleaf nightshade | SOEL | Solanum elaeagnifolium | 0–1 | – | ||
| velvetseed milkwort | POOB | Polygala obscura | 0–1 | – | ||
| shrubby purslane | POSU3 | Portulaca suffrutescens | 0–1 | – | ||
| gooseberryleaf globemallow | SPGR2 | Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| jewels of Opar | TAPA2 | Talinum paniculatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| hairy fournwort | TENE | Tetramerium nervosum | 0–1 | – | ||
| branched noseburn | TRRA5 | Tragia ramosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| 7 | Annual Forbs | 10–150 | ||||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOA2 | Heliomeris longifolia var. annua | 1–50 | – | ||
| California poppy | ESCAM | Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | 0–45 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–20 | – | ||
| goosefoot | CHENO | Chenopodium | 0–20 | – | ||
| sensitive partridge pea | CHNI2 | Chamaecrista nictitans | 1–15 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–15 | – | ||
| Coulter's lupine | LUSP2 | Lupinus sparsiflorus | 0–15 | – | ||
| minerslettuce | MONTI | Montia | 0–15 | – | ||
| slender goldenweed | MAGR10 | Machaeranthera gracilis | 1–10 | – | ||
| tanseyleaf tansyaster | MATA2 | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | 1–10 | – | ||
| phacelia | PHACE | Phacelia | 0–10 | – | ||
| foothill deervetch | LOHU2 | Lotus humistratus | 0–10 | – | ||
| coastal bird's-foot trefoil | LOSAB | Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus | 0–10 | – | ||
| fewflower beggarticks | BILE | Bidens leptocephala | 0–10 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 1–10 | – | ||
| carelessweed | AMPA | Amaranthus palmeri | 0–10 | – | ||
| bristly fiddleneck | AMTE3 | Amsinckia tessellata | 0–5 | – | ||
| New Mexico copperleaf | ACNE | Acalypha neomexicana | 0–5 | – | ||
| sorrel buckwheat | ERPO4 | Eriogonum polycladon | 0–5 | – | ||
| Coulter's spiderling | BOCO2 | Boerhavia coulteri | 0–5 | – | ||
| New Mexico thistle | CINE | Cirsium neomexicanum | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona lupine | LUAR4 | Lupinus arizonicus | 0–5 | – | ||
| Thurber's morning-glory | IPTH | Ipomoea thurberi | 0–5 | – | ||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOL | Heliomeris longifolia var. longifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| camphorweed | HESU3 | Heterotheca subaxillaris | 0–5 | – | ||
| crestrib morning-glory | IPCO2 | Ipomoea costellata | 0–5 | – | ||
| intermediate pepperweed | LEVIM | Lepidium virginicum var. medium | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert Indianwheat | PLOV | Plantago ovata | 0–5 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| whitestem blazingstar | MEAL6 | Mentzelia albicaulis | 0–5 | – | ||
| sweet four o'clock | MILO2 | Mirabilis longiflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| woolly tidestromia | TILA2 | Tidestromia lanuginosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| sawtooth sage | SASU7 | Salvia subincisa | 0–5 | – | ||
| spreading fanpetals | SIAB | Sida abutifolia | 1–5 | – | ||
| streamside bur cucumber | SIAM | Sicyos ampelophyllus | 0–5 | – | ||
| sleepy silene | SIAN2 | Silene antirrhina | 0–5 | – | ||
| cutleaf bur cucumber | SILA | Sicyos laciniatus | 0–5 | – | ||
| sand fringepod | THCU | Thysanocarpus curvipes | 0–2 | – | ||
| Florida pellitory | PAFL3 | Parietaria floridana | 0–2 | – | ||
| combseed | PECTO | Pectocarya | 0–2 | – | ||
| chia | SACO6 | Salvia columbariae | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona popcornflower | PLAR | Plagiobothrys arizonicus | 0–2 | – | ||
| redstar | IPCO3 | Ipomoea coccinea | 0–2 | – | ||
| star gilia | GIST | Gilia stellata | 0–2 | – | ||
| pearly globe amaranth | GONI | Gomphrena nitida | 0–2 | – | ||
| American wild carrot | DAPU3 | Daucus pusillus | 0–2 | – | ||
| warty caltrop | KAPA | Kallstroemia parviflora | 0–2 | – | ||
| shaggyfruit pepperweed | LELA | Lepidium lasiocarpum | 0–2 | – | ||
| Fendler's desertdandelion | MAFE | Malacothrix fendleri | 0–2 | – | ||
| fringed redmaids | CACI2 | Calandrinia ciliata | 0–2 | – | ||
| wedgeleaf draba | DRCU | Draba cuneifolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCA14 | Erysimum capitatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| miniature woollystar | ERDI2 | Eriastrum diffusum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Texas stork's bill | ERTE13 | Erodium texanum | 0–1 | – | ||
| scrambled eggs | COAU2 | Corydalis aurea | 0–1 | – | ||
| hoary bowlesia | BOIN3 | Bowlesia incana | 0–1 | – | ||
| wheelscale saltbush | ATEL | Atriplex elegans | 0–1 | – | ||
| spurge | EUPHO | Euphorbia | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert unicorn-plant | PRAL4 | Proboscidea althaeifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| doubleclaw | PRPA2 | Proboscidea parviflora | 0–1 | – | ||
| New Mexico plumeseed | RANE | Rafinesquia neomexicana | 0–1 | – | ||
| green carpetweed | MOVE | Mollugo verticillata | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert evening primrose | OEPR | Oenothera primiveris | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona monardella | MOAR | Monardella arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Dominant Half Shrubs | 40–150 | ||||
| bastardsage | ERWR | Eriogonum wrightii | 30–100 | – | ||
| rough menodora | MESC | Menodora scabra | 1–25 | – | ||
| Schott's stickpea | ZAFOS | Zapoteca formosa var. schottii | 1–25 | – | ||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 5–25 | – | ||
| yerba de pasmo | BAPT | Baccharis pteronioides | 0–10 | – | ||
| Coulter's brickellbush | BRCO | Brickellia coulteri | 0–10 | – | ||
| pelotazo | ABIN | Abutilon incanum | 0–10 | – | ||
| prairie acacia | ACAN | Acacia angustissima | 0–5 | – | ||
| American threefold | TRCA8 | Trixis californica | 0–5 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 0–5 | – | ||
| 9 | Succulents | 10–55 | ||||
| Tahitian kidneywood | EYOR | Eysenhardtia orthocarpa | 1–25 | – | ||
| ocotillo | FOSP2 | Fouquieria splendens | 1–25 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 1–20 | – | ||
| turpentine bush | ERLA12 | Ericameria laricifolia | 0–20 | – | ||
| desert lavender | HYEM | Hyptis emoryi | 1–15 | – | ||
| sacahuista | NOMI | Nolina microcarpa | 0–15 | – | ||
| jojoba | SICH | Simmondsia chinensis | 0–15 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCOC | Acacia constricta var. constricta | 0–15 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCOP9 | Acacia constricta var. paucispina | 0–15 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGRG3 | Acacia greggii var. greggii | 1–10 | – | ||
| Florida hopbush | DOVI | Dodonaea viscosa | 0–10 | – | ||
| blue paloverde | PAFL6 | Parkinsonia florida | 0–10 | – | ||
| Sonoran scrub oak | QUTU2 | Quercus turbinella | 0–10 | – | ||
| catclaw mimosa | MIACB | Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera | 1–10 | – | ||
| velvetpod mimosa | MIDY | Mimosa dysocarpa | 1–10 | – | ||
| winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert-thorn | LYCIU | Lycium | 0–5 | – | ||
| algerita | MATR3 | Mahonia trifoliolata | 0–5 | – | ||
| physicnut | JACU | Jatropha cuneata | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert olive | FOSH | Forestiera shrevei | 0–5 | – | ||
| Apache plume | FAPA | Fallugia paradoxa | 0–5 | – | ||
| gumhead | GYGL | Gymnosperma glutinosum | 0–5 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–5 | – | ||
| heartleaf goldeneye | VICO | Viguiera cordifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| Parish's goldeneye | VIPA14 | Viguiera parishii | 0–5 | – | ||
| button brittlebush | ENFR | Encelia frutescens | 0–5 | – | ||
| knifeleaf condalia | COSP3 | Condalia spathulata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Warnock's snakewood | COWA | Condalia warnockii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Wright's beebrush | ALWR | Aloysia wrightii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Thurber's desert honeysuckle | ANTH2 | Anisacanthus thurberi | 0–5 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–5 | – | ||
| yerba de pasmo | BAPT | Baccharis pteronioides | 0–5 | – | ||
| California brickellbush | BRCA3 | Brickellia californica | 0–5 | – | ||
| spiny hackberry | CEEH | Celtis ehrenbergiana | 0–5 | – | ||
| javelina bush | COER5 | Condalia ericoides | 0–2 | – | ||
| desertbroom | BASA2 | Baccharis sarothroides | 0–2 | – | ||
| pointleaf manzanita | ARPU5 | Arctostaphylos pungens | 0–2 | – | ||
| Kearney's snakewood | COWAK | Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana | 0–2 | – | ||
| ragged rockflower | CRBI2 | Crossosoma bigelovii | 0–2 | – | ||
| milfoil wattle | ACMI | Acacia millefolia | 0–2 | – | ||
| evergreen sumac | RHVIC | Rhus virens var. choriophylla | 0–2 | – | ||
| western soapberry | SASAD | Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii | 0–2 | – | ||
| yellow trumpetbush | TEST | Tecoma stans | 0–2 | – | ||
| cliff fendlerbush | FERU | Fendlera rupicola | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona water-willow | JUCA9 | Justicia candicans | 0–2 | – | ||
| burroweed | ISTE2 | Isocoma tenuisecta | 0–2 | – | ||
| Graham's mimosa | MIGR2 | Mimosa grahamii | 0–2 | – | ||
| starry bedstraw | GAST | Galium stellatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| whitestem paperflower | PSCO2 | Psilostrophe cooperi | 0–1 | – | ||
| lotebush | ZIOB | Ziziphus obtusifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| longleaf jointfir | EPTR | Ephedra trifurca | 0–1 | – | ||
| brittlebush | ENFA | Encelia farinosa | 0–1 | – | ||
| Gregg's prairie clover | DAGR2 | Dalea greggii | 0–1 | – | ||
| ambrosia leaf bur ragweed | AMAM2 | Ambrosia ambrosioides | 0–1 | – | ||
| 10 | Succulents | 10–55 | ||||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 1–30 | – | ||
| Schott's century plant | AGSC3 | Agave schottii | 5–25 | – | ||
| Palmer's century plant | AGPA3 | Agave palmeri | 1–10 | – | ||
| sacahuista | NOMI | Nolina microcarpa | 0–10 | – | ||
| candy barrelcactus | FEWI | Ferocactus wislizeni | 1–5 | – | ||
| buck-horn cholla | CYAC8 | Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa | 1–5 | – | ||
| walkingstick cactus | CYSP8 | Cylindropuntia spinosior | 1–5 | – | ||
| tulip pricklypear | OPPH | Opuntia phaeacantha | 0–5 | – | ||
| smallflower century plant | AGPA5 | Agave parviflora | 0–5 | – | ||
| Santa Rita pricklypear | OPSA | Opuntia santa-rita | 0–2 | – | ||
| banana yucca | YUBA | Yucca baccata | 0–2 | – | ||
| soaptree yucca | YUEL | Yucca elata | 0–2 | – | ||
| purple pricklypear | OPMAM | Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra | 0–2 | – | ||
| staghorn cholla | CYVE3 | Cylindropuntia versicolor | 0–2 | – | ||
| common sotol | DAWH2 | Dasylirion wheeleri | 0–2 | – | ||
| jumping cholla | CYFU10 | Cylindropuntia fulgida | 0–2 | – | ||
| rainbow cactus | ECPE | Echinocereus pectinatus | 1–2 | – | ||
| dollarjoint pricklypear | OPCH | Opuntia chlorotica | 0–2 | – | ||
| Parry's agave | AGPA4 | Agave parryi | 0–2 | – | ||
| saguaro | CAGI10 | Carnegiea gigantea | 0–2 | – | ||
| desert agave | AGDE | Agave deserti | 0–2 | – | ||
| Santa Cruz beehive cactus | CORE3 | Coryphantha recurvata | 0–1 | – | ||
| Graham's nipple cactus | MAGR9 | Mammillaria grahamii | 0–1 | – | ||
| little nipple cactus | MAHE2 | Mammillaria heyderi | 0–1 | – | ||
| spinystar | ESVI2 | Escobaria vivipara | 0–1 | – | ||
| Christmas cactus | CYLE8 | Cylindropuntia leptocaulis | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECBO2 | Echinocereus bonkerae | 0–1 | – | ||
| scarlet hedgehog cactus | ECCO5 | Echinocereus coccineus | 0–1 | – | ||
| Engelmann's hedgehog cactus | ECEN | Echinocereus engelmannii | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECFEF3 | Echinocereus fendleri ssp. fendleri | 0–1 | – | ||
| white fishhook cactus | ECIN2 | Echinomastus intertextus | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 11 | Trees | 0–30 | ||||
| oneseed juniper | JUMO | Juniperus monosperma | 0–10 | – | ||
| Arizona rosewood | VACA5 | Vauquelinia californica | 0–10 | – | ||
| velvet mesquite | PRVE | Prosopis velutina | 0–10 | – | ||
| Arizona white oak | QUAR | Quercus arizonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| Emory oak | QUEM | Quercus emoryi | 0–5 | – | ||
| western honey mesquite | PRGLT | Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana | 0–5 | – | ||
| netleaf hackberry | CELAR | Celtis laevigata var. reticulata | 0–5 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
This site produces good quality herbaceous forage due to fertile soils with high quantities of exchangeable bases. The site is not well suited to summertime grazing by cows with calves. Mother cow pairs will only use 300 or 400 feet in elevation, up or down slope from a water development in the summer. Dry cows will use double that distance in the winter. Yearling cattle make good use of the site in any season. Slopes above 50% and extremely cobbly areas may restrict livestock movement on the site. Slope and aspect affect both the intensity of use and seasonal use patterns. North aspects are little used throughout the year. South slopes are often overused in winter and spring due to warm temperatures and early green-up of forage species. Seep and canyon water are usually available in the winter and spring after snowfall.
Water developments are very important to wildlife on the site. The site is diverse in habitats and forage species for a great variety of wildlife species. This is an especially good site for Javalina.
Hydrological functions
Steep slopes and heavy textured soils make this site a good producer of runoff.
Recreational uses
Hunting, hiking, camping, horseback riding, photography, bird-watching, rock-hounding.
Wood products
Limited wood for campfires and branding fires from shrubby mesquite, juniper or catclaw acacia.
Other products
Malapais rock for building, cinders in a few locations.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 9 in excellent condition, 8 in good condition and 4 in fair condition.
Type locality
| Location 1: Cochise County, AZ | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T20S R24E S7 |
| General legal description | Cowan Ranch, Stockton Hill |
| Location 2: Cochise County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T23S R29E S29 |
| General legal description | Rocker M Ranch |
| Location 3: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T18S R10E S28 |
| General legal description | Batamote Ranch, Penitas Hills |
Contributors
Dan Robinett
Larry D. Ellicott
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) | |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | |
| Date | |
| Approved by | |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
-
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
-
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
-
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:
-
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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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.
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