Thin Claypan

Description

This state represents what is believed to show the natural range of variability that dominated the dynamics in this ecological site prior to European settlement. This site, in Reference, is dominated by a mix of cool-season rhizomatous wheatgrasses and warm-season short grasses. Heavy grazing will cause the plant community to transition to a community dominated by warm-season short grasses and a minor amount of cool-season rhizomatous wheatgrasses and needle grasses. Cactus can increase dramatically and in the western portion of the MLRA, greasewood can also establish. Erosion of the surface horizon is a potential outcome with heavy grazing. In pre-European times the primary disturbances included grazing by large ungulates and small mammals, and drought. Favorable growing conditions occurred during the spring and the warm months of June through August. Today a similar state can be found in areas where proper livestock use has occurred.

Submodel