Shallow Limestone

Description

The Short-Midgrass/Trees/Shrubs Community (1.1) has a variety of midgrasses and shortgrasses, both cool and warm-season dominates the site. Oneseed juniper and pinyon pine are more common at higher elevations. Wavyleaf oak can dominate areas with finer textured soils (Bunting 1978 and NRCS 2010 data). Cover of woody plants is less than 35 percent.

The Shortgrass/Trees/Shrubs Community (1.2) is the result of heavy continuous grazing by cattle. Palatable grasses such as muhlys, gramas, and bluestems have decreased. Threeawns and hairy grama have increased. Total herbaceous production declines thereby reducing the likelihood of natural fires. Woody plants seedlings have increased.

The Pinyon Pine/Juniper Woodland Community (1.3) occurs at higher elevations of the Shallow Limestone ecological site. Oneseed juniper and pinyon pine have increased due to fire suppression. The mixed-grass community is present with both mid and shortgrasses. Canopy cover ranges from 35 to 75 percent. The abundance of fine fuels present allows for natural or prescribed fires to occur kill oneseed junipers, depending on the severity of the burn.

Submodel