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.

Indicators

1. Number and extent of rills:

   None.

2. Presence of water flow patterns:

   Typically none or barely visible. Evidence of water flow may be present after high overland flow events or flooding from adjacent streams, but vegetation normally remains intact.

3. Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:

   None.

4. Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):

   0 to 5 percent is typical.

5. Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:

   None typical, however limited headcutting may form after high runoff or flooding events. Existing gullies should be stabilized with good vegetative cover.

6. Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:

   None typical, but limited deposition may occur after major runoff or flooding events.

7. Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):

   Litter of small and medium size classes will move after average to high rainfall events. Litter does not travel far, typically being trapped in small bunches by the extensive vegetative cover. Litter movement may be fairly extensive after major runoff or flooding events.

8. Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):

   Soil aggregate stability ratings should typically be 5 to 6, normally 6. Surface organic matter adheres to the soil surface. Soil surface fragments will typically retain structure indefinitely when dipped in distilled water.

9. Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):

   A-horizon should be 8 to 15 inches thick or greater with mollic (dark) colors when moist. Structure typically is medium to fine granular in the upper A-horizon.

10. Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:

    Combination of shallow and deep rooted species (mid & tall rhizomatous and tufted perennial cool- and warm-season grasses) with fine and coarse roots positively influences infiltration.

11. Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):

    None – when dry, B horizons can be hard and appear to be compacted, but no platy structure will be present, or depth to these layers would not correspond to compaction by grazing animals.

12. 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:

    Tall, warm-season rhizomatous grasses >>

    Sub-dominant:

    Mid, cool-season rhizomatous grasses > mid, warm-season grasses = mid and tall, cool-season bunchgrasses >

    Other:

    Forbs > shrubs > grass-like species > trees > short, cool-season bunchgrasses

    Additional:

    In the woody draw areas, deciduous trees may dominate the site. In these areas, the tall, warm-season rhizomatous functional group may be the third most dominant in the herbaceous understory.

13. Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):

    Very little evidence of decadence or mortality. Bunch grasses have strong, healthy centers and shrubs are vigorous.

14. Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):

    Litter cover is typically 70 to 90 percent, and depth of litter ranges from 0.25 to 0.5 inches.

15. Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):

    Total annual production ranges from 2,500 to 4,300 pounds/acre, with the reference values being 3,400 pounds/acre (air-dry basis).

16. 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:

    State and local noxious weeds, Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass, snowberry.

17. Perennial plant reproductive capability:

    All species exhibit high vigor relative to climatic conditions. Do not rate based solely on seed production. Perennial grasses should have vigorous rhizomes or tillers.

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