Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R041XC333AZ
Limy Slopes 12-16" p.z. Gypsum
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.
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.
Ecological site concept
Limy Slopes, Gypsum, 12-16" p.z. ecological site is found on an upland landscape position, generally on side-slopes of fan terraces, hillslopes and ridgetops. All moisture for the plant community is received from precipitation. Terrain is steeply sloping (6-40%). Soils are moderately deep to deep, calcareous with gypsum. Gyspum (calcium sulfate) is highly soluble making soil extremely vulnerable to accelerated erosion; It can be found either throughout the soil profile or within sub-surface horizons. Representative soil series representative are: Contention and Whitecliff.
Associated sites
| R041XC309AZ |
Limy Upland 12-16" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XC313AZ |
Loamy Upland 12"-16" p.z. |
| R041XC314AZ |
Loamy Slopes 12-16" p.z. |
| R041XC319AZ |
Sandy Loam Upland 12-16" p.z. |
Similar sites
| R040XA110AZ |
Limy Slopes 10"-13" p.z. |
|---|---|
| R041XB207AZ |
Limy Slopes 8-12" p.z. |
| R041XA104AZ |
Limy Slopes 16-20" p.z. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) calliandra eriophylla |
| Herbaceous |
(1) bouteloua eriopoda |
Physiographic features
This site occurs in the middle elevations of the Madrean Basin and Range province in southeastern Arizona. It occurs on the side slopes of fan terraces and on hill slopes and ridge-tops. Slopes range from 6-40%. Direction of slope is not site differentiating except where east-west trending ridges of the site occur near MLRA boundaries.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Fan piedmont
(2) Ballena (3) Hill |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 3,200 – 5,000 ft |
| Slope | 6 – 40% |
| 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 1. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
There are no water features associated with this site.
Soil features
These soils have developed on very calcareous, gravelly, loamy alluvium. They are moderately deep to deep and calcareous throughout. The surface 6-10 inches are dark colored. The soils have calcic horizons at shallow depths. Soil surfaces are well covered with gravels and rocks. Plant-soil moisture relationships are fair.
Soils mapped on this site include: SSA-661 Eastern Pinal & Southern Gila counties MU's 77 Powerline & 91 Tombstone; SSA-663 Gila-Duncan area MU 11 Alsco; SSA-666 Cochise county Northwest part MU's 36 Andrada, 61 Mule, 64 tombstone & 79 Stronghold; SSA-667 Santa Cruz area MU's BhD & WtF Hathaway, CvE2 & RlE2 Rillino eroded, HhE2 Hathaway eroded; SSA-669 Pima county Eastern part MU's 6, 51 & 79 Tombstone, 23 Andrada & 65 Powerline; SSA-671 Cochise county Douglas-Tombstone part MU's 56, 58 108 & 134 Stronghold and 133 Stronghold GrFSL.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Gravelly sandy loam (2) Very gravelly sandy loam (3) Very gravelly loam |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Sandy |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately rapid to moderate |
| Soil depth | 30 – 60 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 25 – 50% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 8% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
2.8 – 6 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
10 – 30% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
8 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
2 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
7.9 – 8.6 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
15 – 45% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
5% |
Ecological dynamics
The potential plant community of Limy Slopes, Gypsum, is dominated by warm season perennial grasses. Perennial forbs are well represented on the site, as well as a few species of half shrubs. Most of the major perennial grasses on the site are well dispersed throughout the plant community. Black grama occurs in patches of various sizes and these patches appear to be well dispersed over larger areas of the site. The aspect is open grassland. With continuous heavy grazing, the potential dominant grasses are replaced by increases in species like red threeawn, blue threeawn, slim tridens and fluffgrass. Low shrubs that can increase on the site include paperflower, snakeweed, ratear coldenia, and desert zinnia. Large shrubs such as creosotebush, whitethorn, paloverde, little leaf sumac and tarbush can invade this site from adjacent areas of Limy Upland or Limestone Hills. Natural fire may have been a factor in the development of the potential plant community. Gravel size cover may be inadequate on steep slopes in preventing water erosion. Loss of dark colored surface soil (A horizon) can reduce site productivity. Lehmann lovegrass can invade and become dominant on areas of this site where perennial grass cover has been lost due the interactions of drought, fire and continuous grazing.
When the native perennial grass cover is depleted due the combination of continuous grazing and drought and / or fire, Lehmann lovegrass can invade areas of this site as long as a seed source is present. Over time Lehmann can dominate the grass and forb component of the plant community. The dominant half shrubs, false mesquite and range ratany, seem to be able to persist under these circumstances.
In the absence of fire for long periods and with the interaction of drought, fire and continuous grazing, shrubs like creosotebush and whitethorn acacia can invade and increase to dominate the site. In some areas other shrubs like mesquite, mimosa, sandpaper bush, ocotillo, paloverde and succulents like prickly pear, soaptree yucca and banana yucca can also increase. As woody plants increase the herbaceous component diminishes until there is no longer enough fine fuel produced to carry fire.
Eroded State: The gypsum in the soil is highly soluble making this ecological site vulnerable to any mechanical disturbance that removes soil surface protection. Thus, soil disturbance can trigger unstoppable erosion. Mechanical soil disturbances can include brush management, mechanical land treatments (ie, ripping), cultivation, road cuts, construction, heavy use zone by cattle (ie, trailing, supplement or water trough site), trenching, recreational vehicle use. The interaction of continuous heavy grazing with drought and / or fire and livestock trails removing surface gravel cover, can lead to accelerated sheet and rill erosion and loss of the entire A horizon. This state has heavy shrub covers, deep continuous rills and the calcic horizon is exposed at the soil surface. It's potential to grow perennial grasses is largely eliminated making shrub control with herbicides pointless. Shrubs like creosote, sandpaper bush and whitethorn dominate the plant community.
State and transition model
Figure 3. State and Transition, Limy Slopes, Gypsum, 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 4. Limy Slopes 12-16" pz. half shrubs dominant
The potential plant community on this site is dominated by warm season perennial grasses. Perennial forbs are well represented on the site, as well as a few species of half shrubs. Most of the major perennial grasses on the site are well dispersed throughout the plant community. Black grama occurs in patches of various sizes and these patches appear to be well dispersed over larger areas of the site. The aspect is open grassland. With continuous heavy grazing, the potential dominant grasses are replaced by increases in species like red threeawn, blue threeawn, slim tridens and fluffgrass. Low shrubs that can increase on the site include paperflower, snakeweed, ratear coldenia, and desert zinnia. Large shrubs such as creosotebush, whitethorn, paloverde, little leaf sumac and tarbush can invade this site from adjacent areas of Limy Upland or Limestone Hills. Natural fire may have been a factor in the development of the potential plant community. Gravel size cover may be inadequate on steep slopes in preventing water erosion. Loss of dark colored surface soil (A horizon) can reduce site productivity. Lehmann lovegrass can invade and become dominant on areas of this site where perennial grass cover has been lost due the interactions of drought, fire and continuous grazing.
Figure 5. 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 | 450 | 825 | 1300 |
| Shrub/Vine | 65 | 125 | 245 |
| Forb | 40 | 50 | 200 |
| Tree | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Total | 555 | 1000 | 1765 |
Table 6. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 0% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 2-10% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 6-20% |
| Forb basal cover | 0-1% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0-1% |
| Litter | 10-50% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 25-50% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0-8% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 5-25% |
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | 1-10% | 2-20% | 0-5% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | 5-15% | 10-25% | 1-2% |
| >1 <= 2 | – | 1-10% | 10-20% | 0-2% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | 0-5% | 0-5% | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | – | 0-2% | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | – | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AZ4134, 41.3 12-16" p.z. other sites. Growth begins in the spring, semi-dormancy occurs during the May through June drought, most growth occurs during the summer rains..
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| 0 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 35 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
State 2
Exotic perennial grass
Community 2.1
Exotic perennial grass
Figure 7. Limy Slopes 12-16" pz. Lehmann invades from ROW
When the native perennial grass cover is depleted due the combination of continuous grazing and drought and / or fire, Lehmann lovegrass can invade areas of this site as long as a seed source is present. Over time Lehmann can dominate the grass and forb component of the plant community. The dominant half shrubs, false mesquite and range ratany, seem to be able to persist under these circumstances.
State 3
Shrub invaded state
Community 3.1
Shrub invaded state
Figure 8. Limy slope 12-16" pz. creosote invasion, ocotillo
In the absence of fire for long periods and with the interaction of drought, fire and continuous grazing, shrubs like creosotebush and whitethorn acacia can invade and increase to dominate the site. In some areas other shrubs like mesquite, mimosa, sandpaper bush, ocotillo, paloverde and succulents like prickly pear, soaptree yucca and banana yucca can also increase. As woody plants increase the herbaceous part of the plant community diminishes until there is no longer enough fine fuel produced to carry fire.
State 4
Eroded
Community 4.1
Eroded
The interaction of continuous heavy grazing with drought and / or fire can lead to accelerated sheet and rill erosion and loss of the entire A (mollic) horizon. This state has heavy shrub covers and the calcic horizon is exposed at the soil surface. It's potential to grow perennial grasses is greatly reduced. Shrub control with herbicides will be short lived as the new site potential is shrub-land. Shrubs like creosote, sandpaper bush and whitethorn dominate the plant community.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
Continuous Heavy Grazing, introduction of a seed source, or direct seeding of Lehmann lovegrass.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
Continuous Heavy Grazing with drought, fire interaction. Invasion by creosote bush and/or whitethorn acacia. Other shrubs and succulents can increase also. Lack of fine fuel for fire. Remnant perennial grasses cannot re-colonize areas with shrub competition.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
Unknown.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
Continuous Heavy Grazing with drought, fire interaction. Invasion by creosote bush and/or whitethorn acacia. Other shrubs and succulents can increase also. Lack of fine fuel for fire. Remnant perennial grasses cannot re-colonize areas with shrub competition.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1
Prescribed Grazing/No Grazing with herbicide shrub control. Possible seeding of native grasses, maintenance treatments for shrubs (fire, herbicide). State 2, Exotic Grasses, is likely outcome.
Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 2
Prescribed Grazing/No Grazing with herbicide shrub control. Possible seeding of native grasses, maintenance treatments for shrubs (fire, herbicide). Non-native perennial grass soil seed bank and/or aggressive invasion makes non-native seeding unnecessary.
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4
Continuous Heavy Grazing, trailing and soil surface disturbance, accelerated sheet and rill erosion.
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 grasses | 310–800 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 100–400 | – | ||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 200–400 | – | ||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 10–150 | – | ||
| 2 | Sub-dominant grasses | 100–200 | ||||
| slim tridens | TRMU | Tridens muticus | 50–100 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 25–100 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 10–50 | – | ||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 0–50 | – | ||
| fall witchgrass | DICO6 | Digitaria cognata | 0–25 | – | ||
| 3 | Perennial threeawns | 40–100 | ||||
| blue threeawn | ARPUN | Aristida purpurea var. nealleyi | 25–100 | – | ||
| purple threeawn | ARPU9 | Aristida purpurea | 0–50 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTE3 | Aristida ternipes | 1–25 | – | ||
| spidergrass | ARTEG | Aristida ternipes var. gentilis | 0–20 | – | ||
| Wright's threeawn | ARPUW | Aristida purpurea var. wrightii | 0–20 | – | ||
| Fendler threeawn | ARPUL | Aristida purpurea var. longiseta | 5–20 | – | ||
| poverty threeawn | ARDI5 | Aristida divaricata | 5–10 | – | ||
| Parish's threeawn | ARPUP5 | Aristida purpurea var. parishii | 0–10 | – | ||
| Havard's threeawn | ARHA3 | Aristida havardii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Wooton's threeawn | ARPA9 | Aristida pansa | 0–5 | – | ||
| 4 | Misc. peren. grasses | 10–100 | ||||
| New Mexico feathergrass | HENE5 | Hesperostipa neomexicana | 0–45 | – | ||
| tanglehead | HECO10 | Heteropogon contortus | 1–25 | – | ||
| red grama | BOTR2 | Bouteloua trifida | 0–25 | – | ||
| low woollygrass | DAPU7 | Dasyochloa pulchella | 5–25 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 0–25 | – | ||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 0–25 | – | ||
| plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 0–25 | – | ||
| Rothrock's grama | BORO2 | Bouteloua rothrockii | 0–20 | – | ||
| nineawn pappusgrass | ENDE | Enneapogon desvauxii | 5–20 | – | ||
| shortleaf woollygrass | ERAV | Erioneuron avenaceum | 0–20 | – | ||
| squirreltail | ELELE | Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides | 0–15 | – | ||
| slender grama | BORE2 | Bouteloua repens | 0–15 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 0–15 | – | ||
| plains muhly | MUCU3 | Muhlenbergia cuspidata | 0–15 | – | ||
| slender muhly | MUTE4 | Muhlenbergia tenuifolia | 0–15 | – | ||
| woolyspike balsamscale | ELBA | Elionurus barbiculmis | 0–10 | – | ||
| plains lovegrass | ERIN | Eragrostis intermedia | 0–10 | – | ||
| curly-mesquite | HIBE | Hilaria belangeri | 0–10 | – | ||
| common wolfstail | LYPH | Lycurus phleoides | 0–10 | – | ||
| Arizona muhly | MUAR3 | Muhlenbergia arizonica | 0–10 | – | ||
| sprucetop grama | BOCH | Bouteloua chondrosioides | 0–10 | – | ||
| southwestern needlegrass | ACEM4 | Achnatherum eminens | 0–10 | – | ||
| green sprangletop | LEDU | Leptochloa dubia | 0–5 | – | ||
| tobosagrass | PLMU3 | Pleuraphis mutica | 0–5 | – | ||
| purple muhly | MURI3 | Muhlenbergia rigida | 0–5 | – | ||
| slim tridens | TRMUE | Tridens muticus var. elongatus | 0–5 | – | ||
| spiked crinkleawn | TRSP12 | Trachypogon spicatus | 0–5 | – | ||
| purple grama | BORA | Bouteloua radicosa | 0–2 | – | ||
| 5 | Annual grasses | 1–100 | ||||
| sixweeks threeawn | ARAD | Aristida adscensionis | 0–40 | – | ||
| sixweeks fescue | VUOC | Vulpia octoflora | 0–40 | – | ||
| Mexican panicgrass | PAHI5 | Panicum hirticaule | 0–35 | – | ||
| Arizona signalgrass | URAR | Urochloa arizonica | 0–20 | – | ||
| prairie threeawn | AROL | Aristida oligantha | 1–20 | – | ||
| Mexican sprangletop | LEFUU | Leptochloa fusca ssp. uninervia | 0–20 | – | ||
| mucronate sprangeltop | LEPAB | Leptochloa panicea ssp. brachiata | 0–15 | – | ||
| needle grama | BOAR | Bouteloua aristidoides | 0–10 | – | ||
| sixweeks grama | BOBA2 | Bouteloua barbata | 0–10 | – | ||
| Parry's grama | BOPA2 | Bouteloua parryi | 0–10 | – | ||
| feather fingergrass | CHVI4 | Chloris virgata | 0–5 | – | ||
| witchgrass | PACA6 | Panicum capillare | 0–5 | – | ||
| Bigelow's bluegrass | POBI | Poa bigelovii | 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 | – | ||
| delicate muhly | MUFR | Muhlenbergia fragilis | 0–2 | – | ||
| littleseed muhly | MUMI | Muhlenbergia microsperma | 0–2 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 6 | Perennial Forb | 30–100 | ||||
| weakleaf bur ragweed | AMCO3 | Ambrosia confertiflora | 1–20 | – | ||
| leatherweed | CRPO5 | Croton pottsii | 2–20 | – | ||
| desert globemallow | SPAM2 | Sphaeralcea ambigua | 1–20 | – | ||
| brownplume wirelettuce | STPA4 | Stephanomeria pauciflora | 1–15 | – | ||
| lacy tansyaster | MAPI | Machaeranthera pinnatifida | 1–15 | – | ||
| hairyseed bahia | BAAB | Bahia absinthifolia | 1–15 | – | ||
| desert marigold | BAMU | Baileya multiradiata | 0–10 | – | ||
| desert mariposa lily | CAKE | Calochortus kennedyi | 1–10 | – | ||
| sego lily | CANU3 | Calochortus nuttallii | 1–10 | – | ||
| trailing windmills | ALIN | Allionia incarnata | 1–10 | – | ||
| Cochise beardtongue | PEDA | Penstemon dasyphyllus | 0–10 | – | ||
| Parry's false prairie-clover | MAPA7 | Marina parryi | 0–10 | – | ||
| slender poreleaf | POGR5 | Porophyllum gracile | 0–10 | – | ||
| slimflower scurfpea | PSTE5 | Psoralidium tenuiflorum | 1–10 | – | ||
| pricklyleaf dogweed | THAC | Thymophylla acerosa | 1–5 | – | ||
| rue of the mountains | THTE2 | Thamnosma texana | 0–5 | – | ||
| ivyleaf groundcherry | PHHEH2 | Physalis hederifolia var. hederifolia | 1–5 | – | ||
| tufted evening primrose | OECA10 | Oenothera caespitosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| Parry's beardtongue | PEPA24 | Penstemon parryi | 0–5 | – | ||
| southwestern mock vervain | GLGO | Glandularia gooddingii | 0–5 | – | ||
| Fendler's bladderpod | LEFE | Lesquerella fendleri | 1–5 | – | ||
| Lewis flax | LILE3 | Linum lewisii | 0–5 | – | ||
| tuber anemone | ANTU | Anemone tuberosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| perennial rockcress | ARPE2 | Arabis perennans | 1–5 | – | ||
| rose heath | CHER2 | Chaetopappa ericoides | 1–5 | – | ||
| whitemouth dayflower | COER | Commelina erecta | 0–5 | – | ||
| dense ayenia | AYMI | Ayenia microphylla | 0–5 | – | ||
| purplenerve springparsley | CYMU2 | Cymopterus multinervatus | 1–5 | – | ||
| scarlet spiderling | BOCO | Boerhavia coccinea | 0–5 | – | ||
| spreading fleabane | ERDI4 | Erigeron divergens | 0–5 | – | ||
| wild dwarf morning-glory | EVAR | Evolvulus arizonicus | 1–5 | – | ||
| spreading snakeherb | DYSCD | Dyschoriste schiedeana var. decumbens | 0–2 | – | ||
| James' prairie clover | DAJA | Dalea jamesii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Cooley's bundleflower | DECO2 | Desmanthus cooleyi | 0–2 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–2 | – | ||
| lyreleaf greeneyes | BELY | Berlandiera lyrata | 0–2 | – | ||
| Indian paintbrush | CASTI2 | Castilleja | 0–2 | – | ||
| New Mexico silverbush | ARNE2 | Argythamnia neomexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| dwarf desertpeony | ACNA2 | Acourtia nana | 0–2 | – | ||
| brownfoot | ACWR5 | Acourtia wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| Wright's deervetch | LOWR | Lotus wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| variableleaf bushbean | MAGI2 | Macroptilium gibbosifolium | 0–2 | – | ||
| ragged nettlespurge | JAMA | Jatropha macrorhiza | 0–2 | – | ||
| San Pedro daisy | LAPO4 | Lasianthaea podocephala | 0–2 | – | ||
| plains blackfoot | MELE2 | Melampodium leucanthum | 0–2 | – | ||
| wishbone-bush | MILAV | Mirabilis laevis var. villosa | 0–2 | – | ||
| slimleaf bean | PHAN3 | Phaseolus angustissimus | 0–2 | – | ||
| orange fameflower | PHAU13 | Phemeranthus aurantiacus | 0–2 | – | ||
| clammy groundcherry | PHHE5 | Physalis heterophylla | 0–2 | – | ||
| locoweed | OXYTR | Oxytropis | 0–2 | – | ||
| twinleaf senna | SEBA3 | Senna bauhinioides | 1–2 | – | ||
| New Mexico fanpetals | SINE | Sida neomexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| silverleaf nightshade | SOEL | Solanum elaeagnifolium | 0–2 | – | ||
| velvetseed milkwort | POOB | Polygala obscura | 0–2 | – | ||
| shrubby purslane | POSU3 | Portulaca suffrutescens | 0–2 | – | ||
| Wright's cudweed | PSCAC2 | Pseudognaphalium canescens ssp. canescens | 0–2 | – | ||
| copper zephyrlily | ZELO | Zephyranthes longifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| jewels of Opar | TAPA2 | Talinum paniculatum | 0–1 | – | ||
| Watson's dutchman's pipe | ARWA | Aristolochia watsonii | 0–1 | – | ||
| clasping milkweed | ASAM | Asclepias amplexicaulis | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert larkspur | DEPA | Delphinium parishii | 0–1 | – | ||
| Arizona snakecotton | FRAR2 | Froelichia arizonica | 0–1 | – | ||
| 7 | Annual forbs | 10–100 | ||||
| longleaf false goldeneye | HELOA2 | Heliomeris longifolia var. annua | 1–50 | – | ||
| Gordon's bladderpod | LEGO | Lesquerella gordonii | 1–25 | – | ||
| intermediate pepperweed | LEVIM | Lepidium virginicum var. medium | 0–25 | – | ||
| sensitive partridge pea | CHNI2 | Chamaecrista nictitans | 1–25 | – | ||
| western tansymustard | DEPI | Descurainia pinnata | 1–25 | – | ||
| woolly tidestromia | TILA2 | Tidestromia lanuginosa | 0–25 | – | ||
| slender goldenweed | MAGR10 | Machaeranthera gracilis | 1–25 | – | ||
| tanseyleaf tansyaster | MATA2 | Machaeranthera tanacetifolia | 1–25 | – | ||
| phacelia | PHACE | Phacelia | 0–25 | – | ||
| desert Indianwheat | PLOV | Plantago ovata | 0–25 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 0–25 | – | ||
| milkvetch | ASTRA | Astragalus | 0–20 | – | ||
| Coulter's spiderling | BOCO2 | Boerhavia coulteri | 0–15 | – | ||
| New Mexico thistle | CINE | Cirsium neomexicanum | 1–15 | – | ||
| goosefoot | CHENO | Chenopodium | 0–15 | – | ||
| flatcrown buckwheat | ERDE6 | Eriogonum deflexum | 0–15 | – | ||
| miniature woollystar | ERDI2 | Eriastrum diffusum | 0–15 | – | ||
| sorrel buckwheat | ERPO4 | Eriogonum polycladon | 0–15 | – | ||
| foothill deervetch | LOHU2 | Lotus humistratus | 0–15 | – | ||
| coastal bird's-foot trefoil | LOSAB | Lotus salsuginosus var. brevivexillus | 0–15 | – | ||
| crestrib morning-glory | IPCO2 | Ipomoea costellata | 0–15 | – | ||
| Arizona poppy | KAGR | Kallstroemia grandiflora | 0–15 | – | ||
| warty caltrop | KAPA | Kallstroemia parviflora | 0–15 | – | ||
| California poppy | ESCAM | Eschscholzia californica ssp. mexicana | 0–15 | – | ||
| combseed | PECTO | Pectocarya | 0–15 | – | ||
| Coulter's lupine | LUSP2 | Lupinus sparsiflorus | 0–15 | – | ||
| sawtooth sage | SASU7 | Salvia subincisa | 0–15 | – | ||
| carelessweed | AMPA | Amaranthus palmeri | 0–15 | – | ||
| bristly fiddleneck | AMTE3 | Amsinckia tessellata | 0–15 | – | ||
| spreading fanpetals | SIAB | Sida abutifolia | 1–10 | – | ||
| spurge | EUPHO | Euphorbia | 1–10 | – | ||
| shaggyfruit pepperweed | LELA | Lepidium lasiocarpum | 0–10 | – | ||
| exserted Indian paintbrush | CAEXE | Castilleja exserta ssp. exserta | 0–10 | – | ||
| hoary bowlesia | BOIN3 | Bowlesia incana | 0–5 | – | ||
| fringed redmaids | CACI2 | Calandrinia ciliata | 0–5 | – | ||
| wheelscale saltbush | ATEL | Atriplex elegans | 0–5 | – | ||
| wedgeleaf draba | DRCU | Draba cuneifolia | 0–5 | – | ||
| hairy prairie clover | DAMO | Dalea mollis | 0–5 | – | ||
| American wild carrot | DAPU3 | Daucus pusillus | 0–5 | – | ||
| star gilia | GIST | Gilia stellata | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona lupine | LUAR4 | Lupinus arizonicus | 0–5 | – | ||
| sleepy silene | SIAN2 | Silene antirrhina | 0–5 | – | ||
| lyreleaf jewelflower | STCAA | Streptanthus carinatus ssp. arizonicus | 0–5 | – | ||
| chia | SACO6 | Salvia columbariae | 0–5 | – | ||
| bristly nama | NAHI | Nama hispidum | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert evening primrose | OEPR | Oenothera primiveris | 0–5 | – | ||
| manybristle chinchweed | PEPA2 | Pectis papposa | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona popcornflower | PLAR | Plagiobothrys arizonicus | 0–5 | – | ||
| New Mexico copperleaf | ACNE | Acalypha neomexicana | 0–5 | – | ||
| southwestern pricklypoppy | ARPL3 | Argemone pleiacantha | 0–2 | – | ||
| whitestem blazingstar | MEAL6 | Mentzelia albicaulis | 0–2 | – | ||
| green carpetweed | MOVE | Mollugo verticillata | 0–2 | – | ||
| New Mexico plumeseed | RANE | Rafinesquia neomexicana | 0–2 | – | ||
| plains flax | LIPU4 | Linum puberulum | 0–2 | – | ||
| pearly globe amaranth | GONI | Gomphrena nitida | 0–2 | – | ||
| Arizona blanketflower | GAAR2 | Gaillardia arizonica | 0–2 | – | ||
| blanketflower | GAILL | Gaillardia | 0–2 | – | ||
| sanddune wallflower | ERCA14 | Erysimum capitatum | 0–2 | – | ||
| Texas stork's bill | ERTE13 | Erodium texanum | 0–2 | – | ||
| manystem woolly sunflower | ERMU6 | Eriophyllum multicaule | 0–2 | – | ||
| scrambled eggs | COAU2 | Corydalis aurea | 0–2 | – | ||
| Fendler's desertdandelion | MAFE | Malacothrix fendleri | 0–1 | – | ||
| desert unicorn-plant | PRAL4 | Proboscidea althaeifolia | 0–1 | – | ||
| doubleclaw | PRPA2 | Proboscidea parviflora | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Dominant half shrubs | 45–100 | ||||
| fairyduster | CAER | Calliandra eriophylla | 20–90 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 5–40 | – | ||
| trailing krameria | KRLA | Krameria lanceolata | 0–25 | – | ||
| 9 | Sub-dom. half shrubs | 5–45 | ||||
| rough menodora | MESC | Menodora scabra | 5–40 | – | ||
| desert zinnia | ZIAC | Zinnia acerosa | 5–30 | – | ||
| featherplume | DAFO | Dalea formosa | 5–30 | – | ||
| paleface | HIDE | Hibiscus denudatus | 0–20 | – | ||
| slender janusia | JAGR | Janusia gracilis | 0–10 | – | ||
| woody crinklemat | TICAC | Tiquilia canescens var. canescens | 0–10 | – | ||
| 10 | Miscellaneous shrubs | 15–100 | ||||
| sacahuista | NOMI | Nolina microcarpa | 0–25 | – | ||
| catclaw mimosa | MIACB | Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera | 0–15 | – | ||
| ocotillo | FOSP2 | Fouquieria splendens | 1–15 | – | ||
| winterfat | KRLA2 | Krascheninnikovia lanata | 0–15 | – | ||
| banana yucca | YUBA | Yucca baccata | 1–15 | – | ||
| soaptree yucca | YUEL | Yucca elata | 0–15 | – | ||
| littleleaf sumac | RHMI3 | Rhus microphylla | 1–15 | – | ||
| longleaf jointfir | EPTR | Ephedra trifurca | 1–15 | – | ||
| desert ceanothus | CEGR | Ceanothus greggii | 0–15 | – | ||
| javelina bush | COER5 | Condalia ericoides | 0–15 | – | ||
| knifeleaf condalia | COSP3 | Condalia spathulata | 0–15 | – | ||
| Wright's beebrush | ALWR | Aloysia wrightii | 0–15 | – | ||
| common sotol | DAWH2 | Dasylirion wheeleri | 0–10 | – | ||
| Warnock's snakewood | COWA | Condalia warnockii | 0–10 | – | ||
| Kearney's snakewood | COWAK | Condalia warnockii var. kearneyana | 0–5 | – | ||
| walkingstick cactus | CYSP8 | Cylindropuntia spinosior | 0–5 | – | ||
| spiny hackberry | CEEH | Celtis ehrenbergiana | 0–5 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCOC | Acacia constricta var. constricta | 0–5 | – | ||
| whitethorn acacia | ACCOP9 | Acacia constricta var. paucispina | 0–5 | – | ||
| catclaw acacia | ACGR | Acacia greggii | 0–5 | – | ||
| brittlebush | ENFA | Encelia farinosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| skunkbush sumac | RHTR | Rhus trilobata | 0–5 | – | ||
| jojoba | SICH | Simmondsia chinensis | 0–5 | – | ||
| Arizona necklacepod | SOAR3 | Sophora arizonica | 0–5 | – | ||
| whitestem paperflower | PSCO2 | Psilostrophe cooperi | 0–5 | – | ||
| Mexican cliffrose | PUME | Purshia mexicana | 0–5 | – | ||
| Kearney's sumac | RHKE | Rhus kearneyi | 0–5 | – | ||
| creosote bush | LATRT | Larrea tridentata var. tridentata | 0–5 | – | ||
| desert-thorn | LYCIU | Lycium | 0–5 | – | ||
| threadleaf snakeweed | GUMI | Gutierrezia microcephala | 0–5 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 0–5 | – | ||
| velvetpod mimosa | MIDY | Mimosa dysocarpa | 0–5 | – | ||
| Rio Grande saddlebush | MOSC | Mortonia scabrella | 0–5 | – | ||
| Utah fendlerbush | FEUTC | Fendlerella utahensis var. cymosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| cactus apple | OPEN3 | Opuntia engelmannii | 1–5 | – | ||
| mariola | PAIN2 | Parthenium incanum | 0–5 | – | ||
| crown of thorns | KOSP | Koeberlinia spinosa | 0–5 | – | ||
| viscid acacia | ACNE4 | Acacia neovernicosa | 0–3 | – | ||
| Palmer's century plant | AGPA3 | Agave palmeri | 0–2 | – | ||
| prairie acacia | ACAN | Acacia angustissima | 0–2 | – | ||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 0–2 | – | ||
| yellow paloverde | PAMI5 | Parkinsonia microphylla | 0–2 | – | ||
| purple pricklypear | OPMAM | Opuntia macrocentra var. macrocentra | 0–2 | – | ||
| candy barrelcactus | FEWI | Ferocactus wislizeni | 0–2 | – | ||
| American tarwort | FLCE | Flourensia cernua | 0–2 | – | ||
| burroweed | ISTE2 | Isocoma tenuisecta | 0–2 | – | ||
| Eastern Mojave buckwheat | ERFAP | Eriogonum fasciculatum var. polifolium | 0–2 | – | ||
| bastardsage | ERWR | Eriogonum wrightii | 0–2 | – | ||
| spinystar | ESVI2 | Escobaria vivipara | 0–1 | – | ||
| rainbow cactus | ECPEP | Echinocereus pectinatus var. pectinatus | 0–1 | – | ||
| little nipple cactus | MAHE2 | Mammillaria heyderi | 0–1 | – | ||
| pinkflower hedgehog cactus | ECFE | Echinocereus fendleri | 0–1 | – | ||
| Parry's agave | AGPA4 | Agave parryi | 0–1 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 11 | Trees | 0–20 | ||||
| oneseed juniper | JUMO | Juniperus monosperma | 0–20 | – | ||
| blue paloverde | PAFL6 | Parkinsonia florida | 0–10 | – | ||
| mesquite | PROSO | Prosopis | 0–10 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
High soil pH is somewhat offset by organic matter in the soil surface and the site produces fair quality herbaceous forage. This site usually occurs as long ridges with moderate to steep side-slopes. Ridge-tops and canyon bottoms will be overused before the slopes are used. In addition, this site often occurs in complex with level areas of non-calcareous uplands. Due to the differences in the length of green season, forage quality and topography, these non-limy uplands will be overused before use is made of this range sites. Fencing and grazing systems are needed to overcome the problems associated with this range site. Black grama retains perennial culms and forms a thatch on this site which will regain green through the winter. In addition, several low, evergreen browse species occur on the site, which make it a valuable winter grazing source.
This is an important site for a variety of grassland birds and other wildlife species. It is also an important habitat for pronghorn.
Hydrological functions
Deep, coarse textured soils produce little runoff except in exceptionally wet seasons.
Recreational uses
Hunting, horseback riding, bird-watching, camping, hiking, photography.
Wood products
None
Other products
In places, especially on north exposures, beargrass (sacahuista) is found in sufficient quantities to provide harvest of leaves used as fibers in broom and mat making. Stands should not be harvested more than once every four or five years.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Range 417s include 18 in excellent condition, 23 in good condition and 7 in fair condition.
Type locality
| Location 1: Pima County, AZ | |
|---|---|
| Township/Range/Section | T22S R8E S15 |
| General legal description | Buenos Aires National Wildlife refuge |
| Location 2: Cochise County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T21S R19E S17 |
| General legal description | Fort Huachuca, west range |
| Location 3: Pima County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T18S R17E S29 |
| General legal description | Empire Ranch at KA #4, near fence between the North pasture and 49 pasture. Along gasline road. |
| Location 4: Pinal County, AZ | |
| Township/Range/Section | T10S R19E S17 |
| General legal description | YLE ranch |
Contributors
Wilma J Renken
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 | 03/04/2005 |
| 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:
10-20 feet long, discontinuous -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals common on perennial bunch grasses. Terracettes common on black grama plants. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
10-20% -
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):
Herbaceous litter in vicinity of flow paths moves in flow paths. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Expect values of 4-6 across site. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Weak granular; color is 7.5YR5/3 dry, 7.5YR3/2 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 5-10%, litter 15-40%; 75-80% of canopy cover is perennial grasses, 10-15% is subshrubs and 5% is trees & shrubs. Cover is well dispersed throughout site. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
none -
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 midgrasses >> annual forbs & grasses > subshrubs > large shrubs > succulentsSub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Approximately 50% of cnaopy and basal cover of midgrass species 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; 1500 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, creosote, whitethorn, mesquite, prickly pear, burroweed, wait-a-bit -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Not affected due regional prolonged drought.
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