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.
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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 047X–Wasatch and Uinta Mountains
MLRA 47 occurs in Utah (86 percent), Wyoming (8 percent), Colorado (4 percent), and Idaho (2 percent). It encompasses approximately 23,825 square miles (61,740 square kilometers). The northern half of this area is in the Middle Rocky Mountains Province of the Rocky Mountain System. Parts of the western edge of this MLRA are in the Great Basin Section of the Basin and Range Province of the Intermontane Plateaus. The MLRA includes the Wasatch Mountains, which trend north and south. The steeply sloping, precipitous Wasatch Mountains have narrow crests and deep valleys. Active faulting and erosion are a dominant force in controlling the geomorphology of the area.
The mountains in this area are primarily fault blocks that have been tilted up. Alluvial fans at the base of the mountains are recharge zones for the basin fill aquifers. An ancient shoreline of historic Bonneville Lake is evident on the footslopes along the western edge of the area. Rocks exposed in the mountains are mostly Mesozoic and Paleozoic sediments.
The average precipitation is from 12 to 16 inches in the valleys and can range up to 73 inches in the mountains. Peak precipitation occurs in the winter months. The average annual temperature is 30 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 to 15 C). The freeze-free period averages 140 days and ranges from 60 to 220 days, generally decreasing in length with elevation.
The dominant soil orders in this MLRA are Entisols, Inceptisols, and Mollisols. The lower elevations are dominated by a frigid temperature regime, while the higher elevations experience cryic temperature regimes. The soil moisture regime is typically xeric. The minerology is generally mixed and the soils are very shallow to very deep, generally well drained, and loamy or loamy –skeletal.
LRU notes
This LRU includes the Wasatch Mountains which tend to run north and south. These steeply sloping, precipitous mountains have narrow crests and deep valleys. They are primarily fault blocks that have been tilted up. The alluvial fans located at the base of these mountains are important recharge zones for valley aquifers.
Ecological site concept
The soils in this site are deep, poorly drained and affected by a high water table. They formed in alluvium derived from various rock types. Surface soils are very dark grayish-brown loams or clay loams. Permeability is slow to moderate and drainage class is poorly- to very poorly-drained. These soils can be moderately acidic to moderately alkaline, and, they can be noncalcareous to strongly calcareous. Redoxomorphic features, particularly iron concentrations, are found as little as 4 inches below the soil surface, indicating a seasonally high water table. The water table is typically less than 24 inches below the soil surface from February to June. Water holding capacity ranges from 4.9 to 7.9 inches of water in the upper 40 inches of soil. This site exists in various ecological zones and may have a frigid or cryic soil temperature regime. It may has an aquic soil moisture regime.
This site occurs at elevations between 5,500 and 9,000 feet. It is found on stream terraces, flood plains, and valley bottoms at lower elevations, and at elevations greater than 8,500 feet it is usually associated with kettles. It is characterized by gentle slopes and a high water table, which is at or near the soil surface for extended periods from February to June. Flooding may occur if the site is near a stream, and flood duration may be brief to very long. Ponding can also occur on this site but is usually brief. Runoff is typically low from this site as it is the recipient of extra (run-on/run-in) water.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms
(1) Flood plain (2) Valley floor (3) Stream terrace
Runoff class
Negligible to low
Flooding duration
Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days)
Flooding frequency
None to frequent
Ponding duration
Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days)
Ponding frequency
None to occasional
Elevation
5,500–9,000 ft
Slope
3%
Ponding depth
10 in
Water table depth
12–24 in
Aspect
Aspect is not a significant factor
Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)
Runoff class
Not specified
Flooding duration
Not specified
Flooding frequency
Not specified
Ponding duration
Not specified
Ponding frequency
Not specified
Elevation
5,200–10,800 ft
Slope
Not specified
Ponding depth
Not specified
Water table depth
10–40 in
Climatic features
The climate of this site is characterized by cold snowy winters and cool dry summers. Average annual precipitation is 17 to 25 inches. However, most of the moisture for plant production on this site is obtained from a water table near the ground surface. This site differs from the semi-wet meadow in that water is near the surface during much of the plant growth period. During late summer and fall, the soil surface may become dry, but usually moisture is within the root zone of the plants.
Table 4. Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range)
46-50 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)
105 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)
17-25 in
Frost-free period (actual range)
44-52 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)
105 days
Precipitation total (actual range)
17-25 in
Frost-free period (average)
48 days
Freeze-free period (average)
105 days
Precipitation total (average)
17 in
Characteristic range
Actual range
Bar
Line
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic range
Actual range
Bar
Line
Figure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic range
Actual range
Bar
Line
Figure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range
Bar
Line
Figure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 7. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
(1) COALVILLE [USW00024120], Coalville, UT
(2) KAMAS [USC00424467], Kamas, UT
Influencing water features
This site occurs at elevations between 5,500 and 9,000 feet. It is found on stream terraces, flood plains, and valley bottoms at lower elevations, and at elevations greater than 8,500 feet it is usually associated with kettles. It is characterized by gentle slopes and a high water table, which is at or near the soil surface for extended periods from February to June. Flooding may occur if the site is near a stream, and flood duration may be brief to very long. Ponding can also occur on this site but is usually brief. Runoff is typically low from this site as it is the recipient of extra (run-on/run-in) water.
Wetland description
Further review is required.
Soil features
The soils in this site are deep, poorly drained and affected by a high water table. They formed in alluvium derived from various rock types. Surface soils are very dark grayish-brown loams or clay loams. Permeability is slow to moderate and drainage class is poorly- to very poorly-drained. These soils can be moderately acidic to moderately alkaline, and, they can be noncalcareous to strongly calcareous. Redoxomorphic features, particularly iron concentrations, are found as little as 4 inches below the soil surface, indicating a seasonally high water table. The water table is typically less than 24 inches below the soil surface from February to June. Water holding capacity ranges from 4.9 to 7.9 inches of water in the upper 40 inches of soil. This site exists in various ecological zones and may has a frigid or cryic soil temperature regime. It may has an aquic soil moisture regime.
Soil Survey Area / Soil Components (Map Units in parentheses)
Morgan Area (UT609) Canburn (Cb), Crooked Creek (Ct);
Heber Valley Area (UT622) Crooked Creek (CrA, CrC), Cudahy (Cv, Cw), Kovich (Kc, Kd, Kh, Kp, Kr, Ks), Logan (Lr);
Loa-Marysvale Area (UT627) Canburn (Cb);
Sanpete Valley Area (UT629) Haulings (HaA);
Table 5. Representative soil features
Parent material
(1) Alluvium–metamorphic and sedimentary rock
Surface texture
(1) Loam
(2) Clay loam
(3) Silty clay loam
Family particle size
(1) Fine-loamy
Drainage class
Poorly drained to very poorly drained
Permeability class
Slow to moderate
Surface fragment cover <=3"
5%
Available water capacity (0-40in)
4.9–7.9 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)
10%
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)
2 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in)
5
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)
6.1–7.3
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-40in)
5–25%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-40in)
15%
Table 6. Representative soil features (actual values)
Drainage class
Not specified
Permeability class
Not specified
Surface fragment cover <=3"
11%
Available water capacity (0-40in)
3.2–12.6 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)
60%
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)
4 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in)
10
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)
5.6–9
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-40in)
45%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-40in)
30%
Ecological dynamics
It is impossible to determine in any quantitative detail the Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC) for this ecological site because of the lack of direct historical documentation preceding all human influence. In some areas, the earliest reports of dominant plants include the cadastral survey conducted by the General Land Office, which began in the late 19th century for this area (Galatowitsch 1990). However, up to the 1870s the Shoshone Indians, prevalent in northern Utah and neighboring states, grazed horses and set fires to alter the vegetation for their needs (Parson 1996). In the 1860s, Europeans brought cattle and horses to the area, grazing large numbers of them on unfenced parcels year-long (Parson 1996). Itinerant and local sheep flocks followed, largely replacing cattle as the browse component increased.
Below is a State and Transition Model diagram to illustrate the “phases” (common plant communities), and “states” (aggregations of those plant communities) that can occur on the site. Differences between phases and states depend primarily upon observations of a range of disturbance histories in areas where this ESD is represented. These situations include grazing gradients to water sources, fence-line contrasts, patches with differing dates of fire, herbicide treatment, tillage, etc. Reference State 1 illustrates the common plant communities that probably existed just prior to European settlement.
The major successional pathways within states, (“community pathways”) are indicated by arrows between phases. “Transitions” are indicated by arrows between states. The drivers of these changes are indicated in codes decipherable by referring to the legend at the bottom of the page and by reading the detailed narratives that follow the diagram. The transition between Reference State 1 and State 2 is considered irreversible because of the naturalization of exotic species of both flora and fauna, possible extinction of native species, and climate change. There may have also been accelerated soil erosion.
When available, data (of various types) were employed to validate more subjective inferences made in this diagram. See the complete files in the office of the State Range Conservationist for more details.
The plant communities shown in this State and Transition Model may not represent every possibility, but are probably the most prevalent and recurring plant communities. As more monitoring data are collected, some phases or states may be revised, removed, and/or new ones may be added. None of these plant communities should necessarily be thought of as “Desired Plant Communities.” According to the USDA NRCS National Range & Pasture Handbook (USDA-NRCS 2003), Desired Plant Communities (DPC’s) will be determined by the decision-makers and will meet minimum quality criteria established by the NRCS. The main purpose for including descriptions of a plant community is to capture the current knowledge at the time of this revision.
The Reference State is a description of this ecological site just prior to Euro-American settlement but long after the arrival of Native Americans. The description of the Reference State was determined by NRCS Soil Survey Type Site Location information and familiarity with rangeland relict areas where they exist. The pre-settlement climax plant community (1.1) would have been a grassland (meadow) dominated by a rich mixture of native grasses and grass-likes such as meadow sedge (Carex praticola), tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa), timothy (Phleum pratense), slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), mountain brome (Bromus marginatus), and muttongrass (Poa fendleriana). Minor amounts (less than 15 pecent) of forage production was due to native perennial forbs. Mesic shrubs such as silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula) and Woods’ rose (Rosa woodsii) were only minor components in the Reference State. A more complete list of species by lifeform for the Reference State is available in accompanying tables in the “Plant Community Composition by Weight and Percentage” section of this document.
Community 1.1 Meadow sedge and tufted hairgrass
The Reference State would have been dominated by assorted grasses and grass-likes with a very minor component of mesic shrubs. Grasses and grass-likes would have included meadow sedge, tufted hairgrass, timothy, slender wheatgrass, mountain brome, and muttongrass.
Figure 9. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 7. Annual production by plant type
Plant type
Low (lb/acre)
Representative value (lb/acre)
High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike
3105
4455
5805
Forb
173
248
323
Shrub/Vine
173
248
323
Total
3451
4951
6451
Table 8. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover
0%
Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover
0-2%
Grass/grasslike foliar cover
80-90%
Forb foliar cover
4-6%
Non-vascular plants
0%
Biological crusts
0%
Litter
0%
Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3"
0%
Surface fragments >3"
0%
Bedrock
0%
Water
0%
Bare ground
0%
Table 9. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft)
Tree
Shrub/Vine
Grass/ Grasslike
Forb
<0.5
–
–
–
–
>0.5 <= 1
–
–
–
4-6%
>1 <= 2
–
0-2%
80-90%
–
>2 <= 4.5
–
–
–
–
>4.5 <= 13
–
–
–
–
>13 <= 40
–
–
–
–
>40 <= 80
–
–
–
–
>80 <= 120
–
–
–
–
>120
–
–
–
–
State 2 Meadow Sedge & Tufted Hairgrass/ Introduced Non-natives State
State 2 is identical to State 1 in form and function, with the exception of the presence of non-native plants and animals, possible extinctions of native species, and a different climate. State 2 is a description of the ecological site shortly following Euro-American settlement. This state can be regarded as the current potential. Grasses and grass-likes would have included meadow sedge, tufted hairgrass, timothy, slender wheatgrass, mountain brome, and muttongrass. These meadows were key in the agricultural development of the lowlands. A very high percentage of these sites were homesteaded and altered by having livestock pasturage, haying, leveling, and irrigation. Native species more tolerant of disturbance (e.g. curlycup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa), foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum), Rocky Mountain iris (Iris missouriensis), bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), sedges (Carex spp.), and timothy increased relative to the less grazing tolerant and palatable grasses and grass-likes such as meadow sedge and tufted hairgrass. Additionally, exotics such as common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), timothy, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), and meadow fescue (Schedonorus pratensis) increased. In general, species richness declined and species equitability became more concentrated in fewer dominants. The single most important impact was whether irrigation took place to supplement the hydrologic input. In the cold temperatures of Rich County, where crop maturation has been a problem (Parson 1996), haying and pasturing have been the more sustainable pattern. Early flooding at the time of peak snowmelt in the watersheds above (May-June) has been the usual pattern.
When a single hay crop is taken in August and the subsequent crop aftermath is grazed by livestock in the fall (T2a), the resulting vegetation becomes dominated by creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and timothy (State 3). If the land use pattern is a single spring flood irrigation followed by heavy growing season livestock grazing (T2b), this results in a sward more dominated by sedges (State 4). If these areas become fenced and heavily grazed season long (T2c), the more palatable herbs are lost, and mesic shrubs such as silver sagebrush and white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana), and the less palatable grass-likes, especially rushes (Juncus spp.), and forbs such as common dandelion and curlycup gumweed come to prevail (State 5). With subsequent intensified management (e.g. mowing, hay making, fertilization) State 5 can be turned into either State 3 (T5a) or State 4 (T5b). State 4, with deferred grazing during the growing season (T4a), can turn into State 3. Since there are now many exotics present and irrigation systems are unlikely to be dismantled (to restore the original hydrologic regime), a return to the Reference State is not thought possible. Although it would be possible to plow and reseed State 5 with improved exotic forage grasses without subsequent irrigation (T5c), this alternative (State 6) would probably stand up to economic scrutiny or social acceptability for public land.
Community 2.1 Meadow sedge & tufted hairgrass
This plant community is dominated by assorted grasses and grass-likes with a very minor component of mesic shrubs. Grasses and grass-likes include meadow sedge, tufted hairgrass, timothy, slender wheatgrass, mountain brome, and muttongrass.
State 3 Creeping Bentgrass/ Timothy State
The native grasses creeping bentgrass and timothy are the dominants of this plant community. This plant community is encouraged by fall livestock grazing.
Community 3.1 creeping bentgrass/ timothy
Creeping bentgrass and timothy are the dominant species in this plant community.
State 4 Sedge State
Sedges, particularly meadow sedge, will dominate this plant community. This plant community is encouraged by spring flooding (either naturally or by irrigation) followed by heavy growing season livestock grazing. Heavy growing season grazing following flooding encourages the stability of this State. Changes in season of use and/or levels of use will reduce the stability of this State (i.e. will encourage transition to another State).
Community 4.1 Sedge-dominated
A single spring flood irrigation followed by heavy growing season livestock grazing results in a sward more dominated by sedges.
State 5 Silver Sagebrush State
Mesic shrubs such as silver sagebrush and white sagebrush, and the less palatable grass-likes, especially rushes, and forbs such as common dandelion and curlycup gumweed will dominate this plant community. These plant communities are produced when these areas are fenced and heavily grazed season long. This stability of this State is maintained by continued season long utilization of the relatively palatable species, leaving the less palatable species. A reduction of growing season utilization or a switch to non-growing season use will reduce the stability of this State (i.e. will encourage transition to another State).
Community 5.1 Silver sagebrush/ rush/ gumweed & dandelion
This Phase is dominated by less palatable species such as silver sagebrush, rushes, common dandelion and curlycup gumweed.
State 6 Exotic Grass Monoculture State
Monocultures of exotic grasses such as meadow foxtail, tall oatgrass, colonial bentgrass, bluejoint, or slimstem reedgrass are found at sites where plowing and re-seeding has taken place to improve forage for livestock.
Community 6.1 Exotic grass monoculture
This plant community is a monoculture of an exotic grass such as foxtail, tall oatgrass, colonial bentgrass, bluejoint, or slimstem reedgrass.
Transition T1a State 1 to 2
The simultaneous introduction of exotic species, both plants and animals, possible extinctions of native flora and fauna, and climate change has caused State 1 to transition to State 2. Reversal of such historic changes (i.e. a return pathway) back to State 1 is not practical.
Transition T2a State 2 to 3
The Meadow Sedge & Tufted Hairgrass/ Introduced Non-natives State will transition to the Creeping Bentgrass/ Timothy State with haying and pasturing followed by prescribed grazing of cattle during fall months. The approach to this transition is indicated by changes in species composition (i.e. increases in creeping bentgrass and timothy, and decreases in meadow sedge and tufted hairgrass). The trigger causing this transition is fall livestock grazing.
Transition T2b State 2 to 4
The Meadow Sedge & Tufted Hairgrass/ Introduced Non-natives State will transition to the Sedge State where single spring flood irrigation is followed by heavy growing season livestock grazing. The approach to this transition is indicated by changes in species composition (i.e. an increase in sedges, and a decrease in tufted hairgrass. The trigger causing this transition is single spring flood irrigation followed by heavy growing season livestock grazing.
Transition T2c State 2 to 5
The Meadow Sedge & Tufted Hairgrass/ Introduced Non-natives State will transition to the Silver Sagebrush State when fencing is minimal and the area is heavily grazed season long. The approach to this transition is indicated by changes in species composition (i.e. an increase in unpalatable species such as silver sagebrush, rushes, curlycup gumweed, and common dandelion). The trigger causing this transition is heavy continuous growing season long grazing.
Transition T4a State 4 to 3
The Sedge State will transition to the Creeping Bentgrass/ Timothy State when growing season grazing is deferred. This takes place due to differences in the palatabilities of the species dominating each State. The approach to this transition is indicated by changes in species composition (i.e. an increase in creeping bentgrass and timothy, and a decrease in sedges). The trigger causing this transition is the change in grazing regime.
Transition T5a State 5 to 3
The Silver Sagebrush State transition to the Creeping Bentgrass/ Timothy State will be triggered when sites are inundated by flood or sprinkler irrigation followed by fall livestock utilization. The approach to this transition is indicated by a change in relative abundance of different species (i.e. an increase in creeping bentgrass and timothy and a decrease in unpalatable herbs and silver sagebrush).
Transition T5b State 5 to 4
The Silver Sagebrush State transition to the Sedge State will be triggered when sites are inundated by flood or sprinkler irrigation followed by growing season long livestock utilization. The approach to this transition is indicated by a change in relative abundance of different species (i.e. an increase in sedges and a decrease in unpalatable herbs and silver sagebrush).
This is one of Utah’s highest yielding range sites. The plants are predominantly grasses and grasslike plants with a few forbs and practically no shrubs. To control soil erosion and degradation of the plant community this site may be properly grazed early with animals being removed early to allow key plants to go ungrazed during the last part of the growing season. A stubble height of 4 to 6 inches should be adhered to.
The potential is poor to fair for openland habitat, good to fair for woodland habitat, good to fair for wetland habitat dependent on slope, and poor to fair for rangeland wildlife habitat.
It is good all around habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds, muskrats and beaver wherever it is adjacent to streams and ponds. It is fair for upland game birds and songbirds. It provides some feed for moose, elk and deer and brood rearing areas for sage grouse.
Hydrological functions
Soil series in this site are grouped mainly into d hydrologic group. These soils have high runoff potential. When the vegetation is in climax, the hydrologic curves are from 84 to 85. Refer to National Engineering Handbook, Section 4 (USDA - NRCS) to determine runoff quantities from these curves. When range condition has declined from the climax, field investigations are needed in order to determine hydrologic curve numbers.
Recreational uses
This site presents a view of lush, high producing vegetation primarily grasses and grass-like plants. It presents a pleasing view especially when livestock or big game are grazing it – one of a pleasant pastoral panorama. Fishing is opportune in adjacent lakes and streams.
Wood products
None
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping data and other inventory data. Field observations from range trained personnel were also used.
Other references
Alexander, R. R. 1985. Major habitat types, community types, and plant communities in the Rocky Mountains. USDA- Forest Service Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. General technical report RM-123. 105p.
Alexander 1988. Forest vegetation on National Forests in the Rocky Mountain and Intermountain Regions: Habitat types and community types. USDA- Forest Service Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. General technical report RM-162. 47p.
Galatowitsch, S.M. 1990. Using the original land survey notes to reconstruct pre-settlement landscapes in the American West. Great Basin Naturalist: 50(2): 181-191. Keywords: [Western U.S., conservation, history, human impact]
Parson, R. E. 1996. A History of Rich County. Utah State Historical Society, County Commission, Rich County, Utah. Keywords: [Rich County, Utah, Historic land use, European settlements]
USDA-NRCS. 2003. National Range and Pasture Handbook. in USDA, editor, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service-Grazing Lands Technology Institute. Keywords: [Western US, Federal guidelines, Range pasture management]
Darryl L. Trickler Tim Watson Dr. R. Douglas Ramsey, USU Dr. Neil E. West, USU Dr. Leila Shultz, USU John Lowry, USU Lisa Langs Stoner, USU Kate Peterson, USU Samuel Rivera, USU
Approval
Kendra Moseley, 2/05/2025
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)
V. Keith Wadman, NRCS Retired, Shane A. Green (NRCS)
Contact for lead author
shane.green@ut.usda.gov
Date
10/15/2012
Approved by
Kendra Moseley
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on
Annual Production
Indicators
Number and extent of rills:
None. A very slight amount of rill development may be observed following large storm events or spring runoff periods, but they should heal within the following growing season. Very slight rill development may also be observed where the site is adjacent to ecological sites that produce large amounts of runoff (i.e. steep sites, slickrock, etc.).
Presence of water flow patterns:
None to rvery are. Any flow patterns present should be sinuous and wind around perennial plant bases. They should be short (4 to 8 feet), < 6" wide, and spaced from 10 to 15 feet apart. They should be stable with only minor evidence of deposition. This site is periodically inundated with runoff water from adjacent sites. It also acts as a filter and trap sediment.
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None. Terracettes are not present.
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are
not bare ground):
0 to 5% bare ground. Any bare ground openings present should be < 1 foot in size and should not be connected.
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None at site level. Where landscape gullies are present, they should be inactive and stable, vegetated on both sides and bottoms, with no evidence of head-cutting. Some slight increase in disturbance may be evident following significant weather events or when gullies convey considerable runoff from higher elevation rocky or naturally eroding areas.
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
No evidence of wind generated soil movement. Wind scoured (blowouts) and depositional areas are not present.
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
The majority of litter accumulates in place at the base of plant canopies. Slight movement of the finest material (< 1/4 inch) may move 1 to 2 feet downslope when transported by water. Little accumulation is observed behind obstructions.
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range
of values):
This site should have a soil stability rating of 6. Surface textures typically vary from silt loams and silty clay loams to clay loams.
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
(Canburn) Soil surface is typically 0 to 8 inches deep. Surface texture is a silty clay loam which will often have a thin organic root-mat on the surface, and structure is weak fine subangular blocky. The A-horizon color is grayish brown, 10YR 5/2). Soils have an Mollic epipedon that extends 24 to 35 inches into the soil profile. Use the specific information for the soil you are assessing found in the published soil survey to supplement this description.
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial
distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Perennial vegetation breaks raindrop impact and reduces splash erosion. Dense distribution of plants slows runoff by obstructing surface flows, allowing time for increased infiltration. With the physiographic location of this site being in low lying areas, it often acts as a terminal accumulation site for runoff. The amount of sodium in the soil can affect infiltration and facilitate puddling on the surface.
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be
mistaken for compaction on this site):
None. This site will normally have textural changes within its' profile. These should not be mistaken for compaction layers.
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):
Functional/structural groups may appropriately contain non-native species if their ecological function is the same as the native species in the reference state. Biological soil crust is variable in its' expression where present on this site and is measured as a component of ground cover. Perennial and annual forbs can be expected to vary widely in their expression in the plant community based upon departures from average growing conditions.
Additional:
Disturbance regimes include insects, infrequent fire, and flooding. Temporal variability can be caused by fires, droughts, insects, etc. Spatial variability can be caused by runoff, soil pH, and topography.
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or
decadence):
During years with average to above average precipitation, there should be no mortality or decadence in either perennial grasses or grasslikes. During severe (multi-year) droughts that affect groundwater levels, up to 10% of the perennial plants may die. There may be partial mortality of individual grasses and grasslikes during less severe droughts.
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter cover ranges from 60 to 70%. Depth should be 1 inch thickness in any interspaces and from 2 to 3 inches under perennial plant canopies.
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Annual production in air-dry herbage should be approximately 4900 to 5000 pounds per acre on an average year. Production could vary from 3400 to 6500 pounds per acre during drought or above-average years.
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:
Phragmites, bullrush, smotherweed, whitetop, mustard species and other non-native forbs and grasses. Plant species not a part of the reference plant community that are most likely to invade the site if plant cover deteriorates are: cheatgrass, foxtail barley, annual weeds, cocklebur, curlycup gumweed, povertyweed, teasel, and rubber rabbitbrush. With heavy grazing use, baltic rush, sedges and arrowgrass will increase and may become the dominant plants.
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All perennial plants should have the ability to reproduce sexually or asexually in most years, except in drought years.
The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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