Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R044AP804MT
Saline-Sodic Shrubland Group
Last updated: 9/07/2023
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): 044A–Northern Rocky Mountain Valleys
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 044A–Northern Rocky Mountain Valleys
This MLRA includes the northern portion of the Northern Rocky Mountain Valleys Province of the Rocky Mountain System. The mountain valleys are deeply dissected and are typically bordered by mountains trending north to south. The nearly level broad flood plains are bordered by gently to strongly sloping terraces and alluvial fans. The surrounding mountains and in some areas the valleys experienced glaciation. The average precipitation is 12 to 16 inches generally, though can vary widely. The dominant soil orders are Inceptisols, Mollisols and Andisols. The valleys support coniferous forests, shrublands and grasslands.
Description of MLRAs can be found in: United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296.
Available electronically at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/ref/?cid=nrcs142p2_053624#handbook
Ecological site concept
• Site does not receive any additional water
• Site not located in a flood plain
• Dominant Cover: Shrubland;Western wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass, needle and thread, Basin wildrye dominant plants. Inland saltgrass and blue grama present as subordinate plants. Forbs are very low cover. Black greasewood dominant with Big sagebrush, Gardner’s saltbrush, yellow rabbitbrush less dominant shrubs. Saltbush and winterfat present. Bare ground is typically naturally high. Average production is 1000 dry pounds per acre.
• Soils are
o Soil saline or sodic (EC > 7 or SAR > 12 within surface 18cm)
o Not limy (Soil is not strongly or violently effervescent (CaCO3 > 14%) in surface mineral 18cm) – can have calcium carbonates in the subsurface.
o Moderately deep, deep or very deep
o Not ashy or medial textural family
o Typically less than 15% stone and boulder surface area (<15% max)
• Soil surface texture silty clay loam, silt loam in surface mineral 4”
• Parent material is alluvium, lacustrine deposits
• Drainage class is well drained; no flooding frequency
• Site Landform: lake plains, stream terraces, alluvial fans
• Moisture Regime: xeric
• Temperature Regime: frigid
• Elevation Range: 2500-3000 ft
• Slope: 2-15%
Associated sites
R044AP803MT |
Saline-Sodic Grassland Group This associated ecological site resides in areas with slightly drier or rockier soils than the ecological site. |
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Similar sites
R044AP803MT |
Saline-Sodic Grassland Group This ecological site is similar in its saline and/or sodic soil conditions to this ecological site. |
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Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
Not specified |
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Shrub |
(1) Sarcobatus vermiculatus |
Herbaceous |
(1) Leymus cinereus |
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