Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Ecological site R042CY155NM

Draw

Last updated: 10/21/2024
Accessed: 11/23/2024

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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.

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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.

Ecological site concept

This site occurs in a thin line bordering the large drainageways that dissect limestone hills. This site receives and transports water from both remote higher elevations and adjacent sites. Slopes range from 1 to 4 percent.
The soils on this site are deep and well drained. Surface textures are loams, silty clay loams, and clay loams. The soil profile is often interrupted with cobble or stones.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Chilopsis
Shrub	(1) Fallugia paradoxa
Herbaceous	(1) Sporobolus wrightii

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Physiographic features

This site occurs in a thin line bordering the large drainageways that dissect limestone hills. This site receives and transports water from both remote higher elevations and adjacent sites. Slopes range from 1 to 4 percent. Direction of slope is generally east to southeast, but is not significant. Elevations range from 4,000 to 7,000 feet.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) V-shaped valley (2) Flood plain
Flooding duration	Extremely brief (0.1 to 4 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days)
Flooding frequency	None to occasional
Elevation	1,219 – 2,134 m
Slope	1 – 4%

Climatic features

The climate of this area is “semi-arid continental.”

Annual average precipitation ranges from 11 to 19 inches. Variations of 5 inches, more or less, are not uncommon. Approximately 70 percent of the precipitation occurs from May through October. Most of the summer rain comes in the form of high-intensity, short- uration thunderstorms. Winter moisture is usually negligible.

Temperatures are characterized by distinct seasonal changes and large annual diurnal temperature changes. The average annual temperature ranges from 55 degrees F to 60 degrees F, with extremes of 20 degrees F below zero in the winter to 110 degrees F in the summer not uncommon.

The average frost-free season is 170 to 189 days. The last killing frost is in early April and the first killing frost is in mid October.

Both temperature and precipitation favor a warm-season perennial plant community. However, because of the position of this site, there is enough moisture in the late winter and early spring to allow for cool season species to make up an important component of this site. Runoff plus cold air drainage from higher elevations make this site favorable for cool season plant growth.

Climate data was obtained from http://www.wrcc.sage.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html web site.
Data interpreted utilizing NM NRCS Climate Summarizer spreadsheet.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (average)	189 days
Freeze-free period (average)	211 days
Precipitation total (average)	483 mm

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Line

Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range

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Line

Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Soil features

The soils on this site are deep and well drained. Surface textures are loams, silty clay loams, and clay loams. Permeability is moderate and water holding capacity is high. The soil profile is often interrupted with cobble or stones.

Characteristic soils are:
Pecos silty clay loam

Table 4. Representative soil features

Surface texture	(1) Loam (2) Silty clay loam (3) Clay loam
Family particle size	(1) Clayey
Drainage class	Somewhat poorly drained to well drained

Surface texture

(1) Loam

(2) Silty clay loam

(3) Clay loam

Family particle size

(1) Clayey

Drainage class

Somewhat poorly drained to well drained

Ecological dynamics

MLRA-70, CP-4: Draw

Overview
The Draw site is associated with Limestone Hills. Draw sites typically occur as elongated narrow areas along valley drainages dissecting Limestone Hills. The aspect of this site is dominated by riparian type vegetation, with an understory of mid and tall perennial grasses. Because of the constant flooding of this site, there is a potential for many annual species to occur. The cold air drainage this site receives helps to maintain a cool season grass component. Pinyon, juniper and ponderosa pine can also occur at higher elevations. The production and composition may vary greatly with elevation. Loss of grass cover makes this site susceptible to erosion, and may facilitate the transition to the Gullied State.

State and transition model

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Standard diagram

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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

State 1
Grass/Tree/Shrub-Mix

This state represents the most ecologically stable conditions in terms of resistance to erosion. Moreover, this state has the highest potential for productivity and plant diversity.

Community 1.1
Grass/Tree/Shrub-Mix

Grass/Tree/Shrub-Mix: The reference plant community of the Draw site is a mix of grasses, trees, and shrubs with forbs as the minor component. Giant sacaton is the dominant grass species in the historic plant community, with blue grama, and sideoats grama occurring as sub-dominants. Other grasses that occur in significant numbers include western wheatgrass, vine mesquite, Indiangrass, bluestem species, plains bristlegrass and bottlebrush squirreltail. Giant sacaton has the capability to produce large amounts of aboveground biomass, which provides important forage for livestock and helps to slow runoff, increase infiltration, and protect the site from erosion. Grazing in the spring, deferring grazing in the fall, or during dry summers, can help maximize giant sacaton forage production.1 This site produces a wide variety of trees and shrubs. New Mexico walnut, desert willow and Apacheplume are typically the dominant trees/shrubs. Vegetation communities are largely determined by patterns of periodic overflows. A community dominated by sideoats grama, with blue grama and vine mesquite as sub-dominants, and reduced amounts of giant sacaton, may result from natural fluctuations in the amount of run-in water. Continuous heavy grazing initially causes a decline in the cool season grasses, more desirable warm season grasses, and the palatable shrubs. Continued loss of grass cover makes this site susceptible to erosion and can facilitate the transition to the Gullied State. Diagnosis: Grass and litter cover is high, with minimal amount of bare ground. Giant sacaton is present. Trees and shrubs, especially New Mexico walnut, desert willow , and Apacheplume are aspect dominants.

Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 5. Ground cover

Tree foliar cover	1-3%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover	15-20%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover	35-40%
Forb foliar cover	5-15%
Non-vascular plants	0%
Biological crusts	0%
Litter	25-35%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"	0%
Surface fragments >3"	0-20%
Bedrock	0%
Water	0%
Bare ground	10-15%

Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM4605, R070DY155NM Draw Reference State. R070DY155NM Draw Reference State.

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	3	5	7	10	25	25	15	8	2	0

State 2
Gullied State

This state includes gullies.

Community 2.1
Gullied State

Additional States: Gullied State: Loss of grass cover, accelerated erosion, and gully formation characterize this state. Blue grama and sideoats grama are typically the dominant grass species. Giant sacaton may or may not be present. If present it usually exists as small-scattered patches. Diagnosis: Grass cover is typically patchy with large bare areas present. Erosion is evident by the presence of water flow patterns, litter dams, rills, and gullies. Transition to Gullied State (1a) Transitions to the gullied state may occur in response to loss of grass cover, flood events, and subsequent erosion. As grass cover decreases, organic matter and surface soil stability decrease. 2,3 Erosion occurs due to increased water flow volume, decreased soil surface stability, and reduced infiltration. Key indicators of approach to transition: Reduction in grass cover and increase in size and frequency of bare patches. Decreased vigor and cover of giant sacaton Presence of litter dams, water flow patterns, rills and gullies. Transition back to Grass/Shrub -Mix (1b) Erosion control structures or shaping and filling gullies may help regain natural flow patterns and allow natural revegetation to take place. Prescribed grazing will help ensure proper forage utilization and reduce grass loss due to overgrazing.

Additional community tables

Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1				213–628
	big sacaton	SPWR2	Sporobolus wrightii	211–631	–
2				213–415
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	211–420	–
3				101–213
	vine mesquite	PAOB	Panicum obtusum	105–211	–
4				101–213
	Indiangrass	SONU2	Sorghastrum nutans	105–211	–
5				101–213
	western wheatgrass	PASM	Pascopyrum smithii	105–211	–
6				45–101
	squirreltail	ELELE	Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides	43–105	–
7				101–314
	cane bluestem	BOBA3	Bothriochloa barbinodis	105–315	–
	silver bluestem	BOSA	Bothriochloa saccharoides	105–315	–
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	105–315	–
8				101–213
	plains bristlegrass	SEVU2	Setaria vulpiseta	105–211	–
9				213–527
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	211–526	–
10	Other Grasses			101–213
	littleawn needlegrass	ACLO7	Achnatherum lobatum	105–211	–
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	105–211	–
	threeawn	ARIST	Aristida	105–211	–
	hairy grama	BOHI2	Bouteloua hirsuta	105–211	–
	sedge	CAREX	Carex	105–211	–
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	105–211	–
	plains lovegrass	ERIN	Eragrostis intermedia	105–211	–
	New Mexico feathergrass	HENE5	Hesperostipa neomexicana	105–211	–
	green sprangletop	LEDU	Leptochloa dubia	105–211	–
	common wolfstail	LYPH	Lycurus phleoides	105–211	–
	bullgrass	MUEM	Muhlenbergia emersleyi	105–211	–
	deergrass	MURI2	Muhlenbergia rigens	105–211	–
	Hall's panicgrass	PAHA	Panicum hallii	105–211	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	105–211	–
	dropseed	SPORO	Sporobolus	105–211	–
	tridens	TRIDE	Tridens	105–211	–
Tree
11				101–314
	little walnut	JUMI	Juglans microcarpa	105–316	–
	little walnut	JUMI	Juglans microcarpa	105–315	–
12				22–67
	hackberry	CELTI	Celtis	21–63	–
24	Other Trees			22–101
	juniper	JUNIP	Juniperus	21–105	–
	twoneedle pinyon	PIED	Pinus edulis	21–105	–
	ponderosa pine	PIPO	Pinus ponderosa	21–105	–
Shrub/Vine
12				101–213
	desert willow	CHLI2	Chilopsis linearis	105–211	–
13				45–78
	fourwing saltbush	ATCA2	Atriplex canescens	38–84	–
14				101–213
	Apache plume	FAPA	Fallugia paradoxa	105–211	–
15				45–101
	catclaw acacia	ACGR	Acacia greggii	43–105	–
16				22–67
	littleleaf sumac	RHMI3	Rhus microphylla	21–63	–
	skunkbush sumac	RHTR	Rhus trilobata	21–63	–
17				22–45
	broom snakeweed	GUSA2	Gutierrezia sarothrae	21–43	–
18				22–78
	desertbroom	BASA2	Baccharis sarothroides	21–84	–
19	Other Shrubs			101–213
	manzanita	ARCTO3	Arctostaphylos	105–211	–
	yerba de pasmo	BAPT	Baccharis pteronioides	105–211	–
	brickellbush	BRICK	Brickellia	105–211	–
	mountain mahogany	CERCO	Cercocarpus	105–211	–
	western white clematis	CLLI2	Clematis ligusticifolia	105–211	–
	jointfir	EPHED	Ephedra	105–211	–
	winterfat	KRLA2	Krascheninnikovia lanata	105–211	–
	algerita	MATR3	Mahonia trifoliolata	105–211	–
	mariola	PAIN2	Parthenium incanum	105–211	–
	mock orange	PHILA	Philadelphus	105–211	–
	oak	QUERC	Quercus	105–211	–
	willow	SALIX	Salix	105–211	–
	western poison ivy	TORY	Toxicodendron rydbergii	105–211	–
	canyon grape	VIAR2	Vitis arizonica	105–211	–
	yucca	YUCCA	Yucca	105–211	–
Forb
20				22–78
	globemallow	SPHAE	Sphaeralcea	21–84	–
21				22–67
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	21–63	–
22				22–67
	common sunflower	HEAN3	Helianthus annuus	21–63	–
23	Other forbs			45–101
	dwarf desertpeony	ACNA2	Acourtia nana	43–105	–
	pricklypoppy	ARGEM	Argemone	43–105	–
	woolly locoweed	ASMO7	Astragalus mollissimus	43–105	–
	whorled milkweed	ASVE	Asclepias verticillata	43–105	–
	Indian paintbrush	CASTI2	Castilleja	43–105	–
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	43–105	–
	blanketflower	GAILL	Gaillardia	43–105	–
	cudweed	GNAPH	Gnaphalium	43–105	–
	lacy tansyaster	MAPIP4	Machaeranthera pinnatifida ssp. pinnatifida var. pinnatifida	43–105	–
	woolly plantain	PLPA2	Plantago patagonica	43–105	–
	threadleaf ragwort	SEFLF	Senecio flaccidus var. flaccidus	43–105	–
	pricklyleaf dogweed	THAC	Thymophylla acerosa	43–105	–
	vervain	VERBE	Verbena	43–105	–
	common mullein	VETH	Verbascum thapsus	43–105	–

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Data collection for this site was done in
conjunction with the progressive soil surveys
within the Pecos-Canadian Plains and Valleys Major Land Resource Area of New Mexico (MLRA 70).

This site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys:
Otero, Eddy, Chaves, Lincoln

Other references

Other References:

1. Cox, J.R., R.L.Gillen, and G.B. Ruyle. 1989. Big sacaton riparian grassland management: Seasonal grazing effects on plant and animal production. Applied Agricultural
Research. 4(2): 127-134

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2001. Soil Quality Information Sheet. Rangeland Soil Quality—Aggregate Stability. Rangeland Sheet 3, [Online]. Available: http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/survey/SQI/range.html

3. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2001. Soil Quality Information Sheet. Rangeland Soil Quality—Organic Matter. Rangeland Sheet 6, [Online]. Available: http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/survey/SQI/range.html

Contributors

David Trujillo
Don Sylvester
John Tunberg

Approval

Kendra Moseley, 10/21/2024

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	11/23/2024
Approved by	Kendra Moseley
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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Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ecological site R042CY155NM

Draw

Last updated: 10/21/2024 Accessed: 11/23/2024

General information

Figure 1. Mapped extent

Ecological site concept

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Ecosystem states

State 1 submodel, plant communities

State 2 submodel, plant communities

Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Last updated: 10/21/2024
Accessed: 11/23/2024