Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R042CY125TX
Loamy
Accessed: 12/22/2024
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.
Associated sites
| F042CY020TX |
Limestone Mountain (North Aspect) 20-26" PZ Limestone Mountain (North Aspect) is on steep north facing slopes mostly above 2,286 m in elevation. Soils are mostly shallow to limestone bedrock and clayey. The reference plant community is a mixed conifer forest. |
|---|---|
| F042CY021TX |
Limestone Mountain (South Aspect) 20-26" PZ The Limestone Mountain (South Aspect) occurs on mountain slopes and ridgetops, at elevations generally above 2,286 m. Aspects are predominantly south facing or neutral. Soils are mostly shallow to limestone bedrock, gravelly, and loamy. The reference plant community is a ponderosa pine savanna. |
| R070CY102NM |
Shallow Limestone Shallow Limestone occurs on limestone hills with 10 to 50 percent slope gradient. Soils are shallow to limestone bedrock. HCPC is mixed prairie grassland with scattered forbs, shrubs, and trees. |
| R070CY115NM |
Breaks Breaks are escarpments with slopes ranging 40-95 percent gradient. Soils are shallow to bedrock. HCPC is a mountain shrubland with few scattered trees. |
| R042CY745TX |
Limestone Canyon Bottomland Limestone Canyon is a flood plain, stream terrace, arroyo, or basin floor with very gravelly or cobbly soils. HCPC is mainly riparian woodlands but vegetation is variable due to different soil conditions. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Atriplex canescens |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Pascopyrum smithii |
Physiographic features
This site occurs on level to strongly sloping piedmont slopes or plains. Slopes average 5 percent or less, although they may range as high as 15 percent. Aspect varies but is not significant. Elevation ranges from 5,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Fan piedmont
(2) Plain (3) Drainageway |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 1,524 – 2,134 m |
| Slope | 0 – 3% |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
The climate of the area is "semi-arid continental."
The average annual precipitation ranges from 13 to 16 inches. Variations of 5 inches, more or less, are not uncommon. Seventy-five percent of the precipitation falls from April to October. Most of the summer precipitation comes in the form of high intensity-short duration thunderstorms.
Temperatures are characterized by distinct seasonal changes and large annual and diurnal temperature changes. The average annual temperature is about 50 degrees F with extremes of -29 degrees F in the winter and 103 degrees F in the summer.
The average frost-free season is 130 to 160 days. The last killing frost falling in early May and the first killing frost in early October.
Both temperature and precipitation favor warm-season perennial species. However, about 40 percent of the annual precipitation falls at a time favorable to cool-season plant growth. The soils of this site can store water from winter and early spring moisture for use by cool-season species. This allows the cool-season species to occupy an important component of this site. Strong wind from the west and southwest that blow from February to June can rapidly dry the soil profile during a critical period for cool-season plant growth.
Climate data was obtained from http://www.wrcc.sage.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html web site using 50% probability for freeze-free and frost-free seasons using 28.5 degrees F and 32.5 degrees F respectively.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 173 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 187 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 406 mm |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
This site is not influenced by water from a wetland or a stream.
Soil features
The soils of this site are well drained, moderately deep to deep. The surface texture varies form fine sandy loam to silty clay loam and clay loam. Soil permeability is moderate to moderately slow. Available water-holding capacity is moderately high to high. As vegetative cover decreases, the intake rate and water-holding capacity also decreases. If the soil is not adequately covered, wind and water erosion can be severe.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Alluvium
–
limestone
(2) Alluvium – sandstone (3) Alluvium – shale |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Silt loam (2) Cobbly sandy clay loam (3) Clay loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Well drained |
| Permeability class | Very slow to moderately slow |
| Soil depth | 20 – 183 cm |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 15 – 35% |
| Available water capacity (0-101.6cm) |
5.08 – 20.32 cm |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
0% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 8 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 4 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
6.1 – 7.3 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
15 – 35% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
15 – 35% |
Ecological dynamics
The potential plant community of this site is a mixed grassland of warm and cool-season, mid and short perennial grasses. Woody species occupy a minor, but important part of this plant community. Few scattered oneseed junipers and pinyon pine may occur within some portions of the site’s geographic range (documented at Guadalupe Mountains National Park [GUMO]). Forbs are a minor component of this site. However, during years of abundant spring and fall moisture, a large variety of forbs occur throughout this site.
Fire plays an important role natural disturbance within this site. Lack of fire may not necessarily allow trees to encroach on this site throughout the site’s range. An available seed source and suitable conditions (possibly areas of lower soil moisture) are necessary. In areas where encroachment has occurred, fire can successfully return the community to more open grassland. There is no evidence a state change where there is a complete loss of grass cover or where a fire threshold has been crossed, perhaps due to the site’s resiliency and/or climate. All communities seem to occur in one state.
Finestem needlegrass is documented to occur only within the southern most portion of the site’s range (at Guadalupe Mountains National Park). It is considered to be unpalatable to livestock and wildlife and it also seems to act as an increaser since it can be the dominant grass in historically disturbed sites (old homesteads and corrals). It will not dominate all historically disturbed areas. Possible reasons for its dominance in certain disturbed areas are the presence of finer textured soils and higher available soil moisture. Blue grama, wolftail, and western wheatgrass can be found associated but in very low percentages. The finestem needlegrass community does warrant further investigation. This community was not included in the state and transition model.
Some erosion occurring in disturbed areas has been documented to occur. Loss of herbaceous cover can trigger the formation of rill and possibly gullies on this site.
State and transition model
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Ecosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Grassland State
Mixed-bunchgrass Grassland Community (1.1) is considered to be the reference plant community. The community is dominated by a diverse mix of bunch, stoloniferous, and rhizomatous grasses. Common grasses include blue grama, vine mesquite, cane bluestem, sacaton, and in some locations finestem needlegrass. Blue grama/Annual forbs Community (1.2) is composed of palatable grasses such as western wheatgrass and vine mesquite have been reduced. Blue grama has transitioned to a sod-bound turfgrass and dominated the grass component. Many annual and perennial forbs have increased. Oneseed Juniper/Pinyon Pine Woodland Community (1.3) is thought to have occurred due to past disturbances or they if the community was a part of the natural variability of the site.
Community 1.1
Mixed-bunchgrass Grassland Community
Figure 4. 1.1 Mixed-bunchgrass Grassland Community
The potential plant community of this site is a mixed grassland of warm and cool-season, bunch, stoloniferous, and rhizomatous perennial grasses. Woody species occupy a minor, but more important, part of this plant community. Forbs are a minor component of this site. However, during years of abundant spring and fall moisture, a large variety of forbs occur throughout this site. Common grasses include blue grama, vine mesquite, cane bluestem, sacaton, and in some locations finestem needlegrass. Prescribed grazing or periodic fire will provide the necessary disturbances needed to maintain the ecological integrity.
Figure 5. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 785 | 1121 | 1681 |
| Shrub/Vine | 112 | 224 | 336 |
| Forb | 56 | 84 | 112 |
| Tree | – | – | – |
| Total | 953 | 1429 | 2129 |
Table 6. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 0-2% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 2-5% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 0% |
| Forb foliar cover | 0% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 8-10% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 45-55% |
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM4309, R070CY109NM Loamy HCPC. R070CY109NM Loamy HCPC Mixed warm/cool-season short/mid perennial grasses with a minor shrub and forb component. .
| 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 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 25 | 25 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Community 1.2
Blue grama/Annual Forbs Community
Figure 7. 1.2 Blue grama/Annual Forbs Community
This plant community is the result of heavy continuous grazing. Palatable grasses such as western wheatgrass and vine mesquite have been reduced. Blue grama has transitioned to a sod-bound turfgrass and dominated the grass component. Many annual and perennial forbs have increased. Prescribed grazing or no grazing will help the community return to the reference community.
Community 1.3
Oneseed Juniper/Pinyon Pine Woodland Community
Figure 8. 1.3 Juniper/Pine Woodland Community
In some areas where possibly there is lower soil moisture, different soil texture, and/or there is an available seed source, a oneseed juniper-pinyon pine community exists. It is unclear if they exist due to past disturbance or they are a part of the natural variability of the site. High densities of oneseed juniper did occur near an old stock tank at GUMO, indicating encroachment due to past disturbances. Prescribed fire can be used to reopen the woodland community into a more open grassland. No evidence a state change where there is a complete loss of grass cover or where a fire threshold has been crossed, perhaps due to the site’s resiliency and/or climate.
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
With Heavy Continuous Grazing, the Mixed-bunchgrass Grassland Community will shift to the Blue grama/Annual forbs Community.
Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.3
With Heavy Continuous Grazing, Fire Suppression, and Brush Seed Dispersal, the Mixed-bunchgrass Grassland Community will shift to the Oneseed Juniper/Pinyon Pine Woodland Community.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
With Prescribed or No Grazing, the Blue grama/Annual Forbs Community can be reverted to the Mixed-bunchgrass Grassland Community.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Grazing |
Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.1
With Prescribed Burning and Prescribed or No Grazing conservation practices, the Oneseed Juniper/Pinyon Pine Woodland Common can revert back to the Mixed-bunchgrass Grassland Community.
Conservation practices
| Prescribed Burning | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Grazing |
Additional community tables
Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Warm-season shortgrass | 196–420 | ||||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 196–420 | – | ||
| 2 | Warm-season grasses | 118–252 | ||||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 56–168 | – | ||
| spike dropseed | SPCO4 | Sporobolus contractus | 22–84 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 22–84 | – | ||
| plains lovegrass | ERIN | Eragrostis intermedia | 11–56 | – | ||
| 3 | Warm-season grasses | 112–235 | ||||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 56–224 | – | ||
| big sacaton | SPWR2 | Sporobolus wrightii | 56–224 | – | ||
| 4 | Warm-season stoloniferous | 118–252 | ||||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 39–95 | – | ||
| vine mesquite | PAOB | Panicum obtusum | 39–95 | – | ||
| James' galleta | PLJA | Pleuraphis jamesii | 39–95 | – | ||
| 5 | Warm-season mid/shortgrasses | 118–252 | ||||
| threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 39–95 | – | ||
| common wolfstail | LYPH | Lycurus phleoides | 39–95 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 39–95 | – | ||
| streambed bristlegrass | SELE6 | Setaria leucopila | 39–95 | – | ||
| 6 | Cool-season grasses | 118–252 | ||||
| squirreltail | ELEL5 | Elymus elymoides | 39–95 | – | ||
| New Mexico feathergrass | HENE5 | Hesperostipa neomexicana | 39–95 | – | ||
| finestem needlegrass | NATE3 | Nassella tenuissima | 39–95 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 39–95 | – | ||
| 7 | Perennial Grasses | 11–28 | ||||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 11–28 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 8 | Perennial Forbs | 56–112 | ||||
| spike dropseed | SPCO4 | Sporobolus contractus | 54–85 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 54–85 | – | ||
| Forb, perennial | 2FP | Forb, perennial | 6–22 | – | ||
| Drummond's milkvetch | ASDR3 | Astragalus drummondii | 3–8 | – | ||
| buckwheat | ERIOG | Eriogonum | 3–8 | – | ||
| white milkwort | POAL4 | Polygala alba | 3–8 | – | ||
| silverleaf nightshade | SOEL | Solanum elaeagnifolium | 3–8 | – | ||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 3–8 | – | ||
| vetch | VICIA | Vicia | 3–8 | – | ||
| 9 | Annual Forbs | 0–11 | ||||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 33–54 | – | ||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 0–11 | – | ||
| bladderpod | LESQU | Lesquerella | 0–3 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 10 | Shrubs | 56–168 | ||||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 11–56 | – | ||
| algerita | MATR3 | Mahonia trifoliolata | 11–56 | – | ||
| threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 21–54 | – | ||
| jointfir | EPHED | Ephedra | 11–39 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 6–34 | – | ||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 11–28 | – | ||
| 11 | Fibrous/Succulents | 45–112 | ||||
| plains lovegrass | ERIN | Eragrostis intermedia | 54–106 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 54–106 | – | ||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 54–106 | – | ||
| pricklypear | OPUNT | Opuntia | 11–45 | – | ||
| soaptree yucca | YUEL | Yucca elata | 11–34 | – | ||
| tree cholla | CYIMI | Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata | 11–34 | – | ||
| 12 | Trees | 11–56 | ||||
| Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 2GRAM | Graminoid (grass or grass-like) | 54–106 | – | ||
| oneseed juniper | JUMO | Juniperus monosperma | 11–45 | – | ||
| twoneedle pinyon | PIED | Pinus edulis | 0–11 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
This site produces a habitat which supports a resident animal community characterized by pronghorn antelope, blacktailed jackrabbit, badger, Gunnison's prairie dog, banner-tailed kangaroo rat, Botta's pocket gopher, burrowing owl, mourning dove, chipping sparrow, sparrow hawk, meadow lark, western spadefoot toad, leopard lizard, short-horned lizard, prairie rattlesnake, coyote, common raven, and prairie falcon hunt over this site.
Plant Preference by Animal Kind:
These preferences are somewhat general in nature as the preferences for plants is dependent upon grazing experience, time of year, availability of choices, and total forage supply.
Legend: P=Preferred D=Desirable U=Undesirable N=Not Consumed T=Toxic X=Used, but not degree of utilization unknown
Preferred – Percentage of plant in animal diet is greater than it occurs on the land
Desirable – Percentage of plant in animal diet is similar to the percentage composition on the land
Undesirable – Percentage of plant in animal diet is less than it occurs on the land
Not Consumed – Plant would not be eaten under normal conditions. Only consumed when other forages not available.
Toxic – Rare occurrence in diet and, if consumed in any tangible amounts results in death or severe illness in animal
Hydrological functions
The runoff curve numbers are determined by field investigations using hydrologic cover conditions and hydrologic soil groups.
Hydrologic Interpretations
Soil Series--------------Hydrologic Group
Ancho-----------------------------B
Alicia----------------------------B
Calabasas-------------------------B
Carnero---------------------------C
Cerrillos-------------------------B
Chupadero-------------------------C
Clovis----------------------------B
Darvey----------------------------B
Deacon----------------------------B
Dioxice---------------------------B
Hagerman--------------------------C
Hightower-------------------------C
Jarita----------------------------C
Kim-------------------------------B
La Fonda--------------------------B
Nogal-----------------------------C
Pastura---------------------------B
Pena------------------------------B
Penistaja-------------------------B
Purcella--------------------------B
Quintana--------------------------B
Rance-----------------------------C
Rednun----------------------------C
Remunda---------------------------C
Ribera----------------------------C
Rock Outcrop----------------------B
Scholle---------------------------B
Sharps----------------------------C
Silver----------------------------C
Tapia-----------------------------C
Teco------------------------------B
Threadgill------------------------B
Wilcoxson-------------------------C
Witt------------------------------B
Recreational uses
This site offers fair to good potential for hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Due to the lack of water and shade, it has limited potential for camping, and picnicking. Hunting for antelope, small game, and birds is good. Trapping for fur-bearing animals is fair. The natural beauty of this site is enhanced during years of abundant early spring and fall moisture by a wide variety of wildflowers that bloom throughout the landscape.
Wood products
There is no potential for wood products on this site. However, in areas where juniper and pinyon have invaded or have increased and are established, it is possible to harvest a limited amount of fencing material and fuelwood.
Other products
Grazing:
This site is suited for grazing by all kinds and classes of livestock during all times of the year. However, it is poorly suited to continuous yearlong grazing or grazing continuously during the growing season. Under such use, species such as western wheatgrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, sideoats grama, little bluestem, vine-mesquite, black grama, fourwing saltbush, and winterfat will decrease in composition. Typical site deterioration is characterized by low-vigor sod-like blue grama which will eventually become 80 to 95 percent of the plant community. This condition cuts the productivity of this site to almost nothing. Further deterioration is typified by an increase in bare ground, and an invasion of woody species such as juniper and pinyon, along with an increase in ring and may muhly and broom snakeweed. Predator control should be considered when using this site for calving or when running sheep or goats.
Other information
None.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Inventory Data was collected at various New Mexico counties including Chaves, DeBaca, Guadalupe, Lincoln, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Torrance. Data was also collected at the Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Other references
Data collection for this site was done in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the Pecos-Canadian Plains and Valleys 70 Major Land Resource Area of New Mexico. This site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys: Chaves, De Baca, Guadalupe, Lincoln, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Torrance.
Characteristic Soils Are:
Alicia, Ancho, Bernal, Calabasas, Carnero Cerrillos, Chupadera, Clovis, Darvey, Deacon Dioxice, Hagerman, Hightower, Jarita, Kim La Fonda, Lazarus, Nogal, Pastura, Pena, Penistaja Purcella, Quintana, Rance, Rednun, Remunda Ribera, Rock Outcrop, Scholle, Sharps, Silver Tapia, Teco, Threadgill, Wilcoxson, and Witt.
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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