Physiographic features

This site occurs on shoulders or summits of hills, crests or side slopes of ridges, and escarpments on upland breaks. The slopes on these landforms range from 6 to 30 percent, and some areas can range as high as 60 percent.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

Wide fluctuations in precipitation may occur from year to year, as well as occasional periods of drought (longer than one year in duration). Two-thirds of the annual precipitation occurs during the growing season from April to September. The mean annual air temperature (MAAT) ranges from 47 degrees Fahrenheit in the western part to 52 degrees Fahrenheit in the eastern part. Cold air outbreaks from Canada in winter move rapidly from northwest to southeast and account for extreme minimum temperatures. Chinook winds may also occur in winter and bring rapid rises in temperature. Extreme storms may occur during the winter, but most severely affect ranch operations during the late winter and spring months. High-intensity afternoon thunderstorms may arise in summer. Wind speed averages about 8 miles per hour, ranging from 10 during the spring to 7 during late summer. Daytime winds are generally stronger than nighttime and occasional strong storms may bring brief periods of high winds with gusts to more than 75 mph. The average length of the freeze-free period (28 degrees Fahrenheit) is 150 days from May 4 to October 1. The average frost-free period (32 degrees Fahrenheit) is 128 days from May 16 to September 21. Growing season increases from west to east (Wyoming to Nebraska). Growth of native cool-season plants begins about April 1 and continues to mid-June. Native warm-season plants begin growth about May 15 and continue to about August 15. Regrowth of cool-season plants occur in September in most years, depending upon moisture.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Climate stations used

• (1) OLD FT LARAMIE [USC00486852], Yoder, WY

• (2) PHILLIPS [USC00487200], LaGrange, WY

• (3) WHEATLAND 4 N [USC00489615], Wheatland, WY

• (4) SCOTTSBLUFF HEILIG AP [USW00024028], Scottsbluff, NE

• (5) CHEYENNE [USW00024018], Cheyenne, WY

• (6) BRIDGEPORT [USC00251145], Bridgeport, NE

• (7) KIMBALL 2NE [USC00254440], Kimball, NE

• (8) OSHKOSH [USC00256385], Oshkosh, NE

• (9) HARRISBURG 12WNW [USC00253605], Harrisburg, NE

• (10) CHUGWATER [USC00481730], Chugwater, WY

Influencing water features

There are no water features associated with this ecological site that influence the vegetation or management of the site.

Soil features

The soils on this site are shallow, well to somewhat excessively drained soils that formed from residuum derived from sandstone or siltstone. They typically have a moderate to moderately rapid permeability class, but range to moderately slow in some soils. The available water capacity is very low to low. Available water is the portion of water in a soil that can be readily absorbed by plant roots. The soil moisture regime is typically aridic ustic. The soil temperature regime is mesic.

The surface layer of the soils in this site are typically fine sandy loam, loam, or silt loam, but may include very fine sandy loam or loamy fine sand. The surface layer ranges from a depth of 4 to 8 inches thick. The subsoil is typically fine sandy loam, silt loam, or loam, but may include very fine sandy loam, loamy very fine sand, or clay loam that may contain rock fragments. Soils in this site typically have carbonates throughout and to the soil surface, but some soils may be leached 3 to 6 inches. These soils are susceptible to erosion by water and wind. The potential for water erosion accelerates with increasing slope. Exposed areas of sandstone or siltstone bedrock are inherent to this site.

Surface soil structure is fine to medium granular, and structure below the surface is massive or subangular blocky. Soil structure describes the manner in which soil particles are aggregated and defines the nature of the system of pores and channels in a soil.

Major soil series correlated to this ecological site include: Blazon, Brownson, Canyon, Epping, Taluce, Tassel, and Treon.

Other soil series that have been correlated to this site include: Brownrigg, Lambman, Shingle, Tieside, and Wendover.

The attributes listed below represent 0-40 inches in depth or to the first restrictive layer.

Note: Revisions to soil surveys are on-going. For the most recent updates, visit the Web Soil Survey, the official site for soils information: http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Animal community

Wildlife Interpretations:

Reference Plant Community - Needle and Thread, Little Bluestem, Blue Grama, Rhizomatous Wheatgrasses:

The predominance of grasses plus high forb diversity in this community favors large grazers such as pronghorn and elk. Suitable thermal and escape cover for mule deer is limited due to low shrub cover. White-tailed and black-tailed jackrabbit, badger, and coyote commonly use this community. This community also provides habitat for a wide array of smaller mammals, so diverse prey populations are available for raptors such as ferruginous and Swainson’s hawks. Birds such as western kingbird, western meadowlark, lark bunting, and grasshopper sparrow utilize this community for nesting and foraging.

1.2 Community - Blue Grama, Threadleaf Sedge with Remnant Mid-grasses:
The reduction in taller grasses in this community results in decreased use by lark buntings and western meadowlarks. Use by long-billed curlew increases, provided there is standing water within ¼ mile. Killdeer, horned larks, and McCown’s longspurs also make significant use of this community. Pronghorn may forage in this community.

2.1 Community - Blue Grama, Threadleaf Sedge:

This community provides limited foraging for antelope and other grazers. Ground-nesting birds favoring sparse vegetation may use this community. Long-billed curlews use this community if standing water is present within ¼ mile. Generally, this is not a target vegetative community for wildlife habitat management.

1.3 Community - Low Plant Density, Increased Litter, and Standing Dead Canopy:

This community has low habitat value for most wildlife species. Horned larks may nest in this community.

3.1 Community - Threadleaf Sedge, Annuals, Cheatgrass, And Bare Ground:

Sparse vegetation and greater amounts of bare ground provide suitable habitat for prairie dogs, horned larks and McCown’s longspurs. However, a lack of complex vegetation structure and residual cover makes this community poor habitat in general for most ground-nesting birds and big game species.

Grazing Interpretations:

The following table is a guide to stocking rates for the plant communities described in the Shallow 12-17 inch PZ site. These are conservative estimates for initial planning. On-site conditions will vary, and stocking rates should be adjusted based on range inventories, animal kind/class, forage availability (adjusted for slope, distance to water), and the type of grazing system (number of pastures, planned moves, etc.), all of which is determined in the conservation planning process.

The following stocking rates are based on the total annual forage production in a normal year multiplied by 25 percent harvest efficiency of preferred and desirable forage species, divided by 912 pounds of ingested air-dry vegetation for an animal unit per month (Natl. Range and Pasture Handbook, 1997). An animal unit month (AUM) is defined as the amount of forage required by one mature cow, for one month.

Example:

Plant Community (PC) Production (total lbs. /acre in a normal year) and Stocking Rate (AUMs/acre) are listed below: Example: Reference PC – (900) (.25)

900 lbs. per acre X 25% Harvest Efficiency = 225 lbs. forage demand for one month.
225 lbs. per acre/912 demand per AUM =.25 AUM’s/ac

Plant Community (PC) Production (lbs.ac), and Stocking Rate (AUM/Acre)

12-14 Inch PZ:

Reference PC - (900) (.25)
1.2 PC - (700) (.19)
2.1 PC - (550) (.15)

15-17 Inch PZ

Reference PC – (1100) (.30)

1.2 PC – (850) (0.23)
2.1 PC – (650) (.18)

Grazing by domestic livestock is one of the major income-producing industries in the area. Rangelands in this area provide year-long forage under prescribed grazing for cattle, sheep, horses, and other herbivores. During the dormant period, livestock may need supplementation based on reliable forage analysis.

An on-site inventory is required prior to developing a grazing plan.

Hydrological functions

Water is the principal factor limiting forage production on this site. This site is dominated by soils in hydrologic group B and C, with localized areas in Hydrologic Group D. Infiltration ranges from moderately slow to moderate. Runoff potential for this site varies from low to moderate depending on soil hydrologic group and ground cover. In many cases, areas with greater than 75 percent ground cover have the greatest potential for high infiltration and lower runoff. An example of an exception would be where shortgrasses form a strong sod and dominate the site. Areas where ground cover is less than 50 percent have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to NRCS Section 4, National Engineering Handbook (USDA–NRCS, 1972–2012) for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves).

Rills and gullies should not typically be present. Water flow patterns should be barely distinguishable if at all present. Pedestals are only slightly present in association with bunchgrasses. Litter typically falls in place, and signs of movement are not common. Chemical and physical crusts are rare to non-existent. Cryptogamic crusts are present, but only cover 1 to 2 percent of the soil surface.

Recreational uses

This site provides hunting, hiking, photography, bird watching, and other opportunities. The wide varieties of plants that bloom from spring until fall have an aesthetic value that appeals to visitors.

Wood products

No appreciable wood products are present on the site.

Other products

Site Development & Testing Plan

General Data (MLRA and Revision Notes, Hierarchical Classification, Ecological Site Concept, Physiographic, Climate, and Water Features, and Soils Data):

Updated. All “Required” items complete to Provisional level.

Soils narrative and table updated to show combined Shallow Loamy (SwLy)/Shallow Sandy (SwSy) sites, and to increase the calcium carbonate equivalent and pH to reflect “limy” soils.


Community Phase Data (Ecological Dynamics, STM, Transition & Recovery Pathways, Reference Plant Community, Species Composition List, Annual Production Table):

Updated. All “Required” items complete to Provisional “+” level.

Annual Production Table is from the “Previously Approved” ESD (2008).

The 2008 Shallow Loamy and Shallow Sandy species composition lists were combined.
Note: Used Lowest and Highest values in low and high range (Annual Production lbs./acre table by species), to capture the range of variability between both sites.
Addition of new species to update species list will be done at the next Approved level.

The Annual Production Table and Species Composition List will be reviewed for future updates at Approved level.

Each Alternative State/Community:

Complete to Provisional level.

Supporting Information (Site Interpretations, Assoc. & Similar Sites, Inventory Data References, Agency/State Correlation, References):

Updated. All “Required” items complete to Provisional level.

Livestock Interpretations: Plant community names updated. (Provisional “+”).
Stocking Rate table is from the “Previously Approved” ESD (2008). Discussion needed to clarify which forage balance formula was used in the “legacy”. Also, whether “Take-half/leave-half” or Harvest Efficiency forage balance method is preferred in future update.

Wildlife Interpretations: Plant community names updated (Provisional “+”). Narrative is from “Previously Approved” ESD (2008). Hydrology, Recreational Uses, Wood Products, Other Products, and Plant Preferences table, are carried over from previously “Approved” ESD (2008).

Existing NRI or 417 Inventory Data References updated. More field data collection is needed to support this site concept.

Reference Sheet:
Rangeland Health Reference Sheet carried over from previously “Approved” ESD (2008).
It will be updated at the next “Approved” level.

“Future work, as described in a project plan, to validate the information in this provisional ecological site description is needed. This will include field activities to collect low and medium intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of that data. Annual field reviews should be done by soil scientists and vegetation specialists. A final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews of the ESD will be needed to produce the final document.” (NI 430_306 ESI and ESD, April, 2015)

Inventory data references

Date Source: NRI
Number of Records: 14
Sample Period: 2004-2013
States: NE, WY
Counties: Morrill, Scotts Bluff (NE);
Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara, Platte (WY)

Date Source: 417s
Number of Records: 15
Sample Period: 1968-1983
States: NE, WY, CO
Counties: Cheyenne, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sioux (NE):
Laramie (WY);
Weld (CO)

Information presented here has been derived from data collection on private and federal lands using:
• Double Sampling (clipped 2 of 5 plots)*
• Rangeland Health (Pellant et al., 2005)
• Soil Stability (Pellant et al., 2005)
• Line Point Intercept : Foliar canopy, basal cover (Forb, Graminoid, Shrub, subshrub, Lichen, Moss, Rock fragments, bare ground, % Litter) (Herrick et al., 2005)
• Soil pedon descriptions collected on site (Schoeneberger et al., 2012)

*NRCS double-sampling method, CO NRCS Similarity Index Worksheet 528(1).
Additional reconnaissance data collection using numerous ocular estimates and other inventory data; NRCS clipping data for USDA program support; Field observations from experienced range trained personnel. Specific data information is contained in individual landowner/user case files and other files located in county NRCS field offices.

References

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Davis, S.K., R.J. Fisher, S.L. Skinner, T.L. Shaffer, and R.M. Brigham. 2013. Songbird abundance in native and planted grassland varies with type and amount of grassland in the surrounding landscape. Journal of Wildlife Management 77:908–919.

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Derner, J.D., W.K. Lauenroth, P. Stapp, and D.J. Augustine. 2009. Livestock as ecosystem engineers for grassland bird habitat in the western Great Plains of North America. Rangeland Ecology and Management 62:111–118.

Dillehay, T.D. 1974. Late Quaternary bison population changes on the southern Plains. Plains Anthropologist 19:180–196.

Dormaar, J.F., and S. Smoliak. 1985. Recovery of vegetative cover and soil organic matter during revegetation of abandoned farmland in a semiarid climate. Journal of Range Management 38:487–491.

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Lauenroth, W.K., O.E. Sala, D.P. Coffin, and T.B. Kirchner. 1994. The importance of soil water in recruitment of Bouteloua gracilis in the shortgrass steppe. Ecological Applications 4:741–749.

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Smoliak, S., J.F. Dormaar, and A. Johnston. 1972. Long-term grazing effects on Stipa-Bouteloua prairie soils. Journal of Range Management 25:246–250.

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Data collection for this ecological site was done in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the 67A Central High Plains (Northern Part) of Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado. It has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys:

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.1994. Soil Survey of Banner County, Nebraska.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1997. Soil Survey of Cheyenne County, Nebraska.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1999. Soil Survey of Garden County, Nebraska.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 2005. Soil Survey of Kimball County, Nebraska.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1985. Soil Survey of Morrill County, Nebraska.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1968 Soil Survey of Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.2013. Soil Survey of Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1998. Soil Survey of Sioux County, Nebraska.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1981. Soil Survey of Goshen County, Northern Part, Wyoming.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1971. Soil Survey of Goshen County, Southern Part, Wyoming.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1983. Soil Survey of Laramie County, Eastern Part, Wyoming.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 2001. Soil Survey of Laramie County, Western Part, Wyoming.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 2003. Soil Survey of Platte County, Wyoming.

U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1982. Soil Survey of Weld County, Northern Part, Colorado.

For manuscripts of archived soil surveys, see: https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx

Contributors

Kimberly Diller, Ecological Site Specialist, NRCS MLRA SSO, Pueblo CO
Andy Steinert, MLRA Soil Survey Leader, NRCS MLRA SSO, Fort Morgan, CO
Doug Whisenhunt, Ecological Site Specialist, NRCS MLRA SSO, Pueblo CO

Approval

Kirt Walstad, 12/10/2024

Acknowledgments

Partners/Contributors:
David Cook, Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS, Oshkosh, NE
George Gamblin, Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS, Wheatland, WY
Cameron Clark, Resource Soil Scientist, NRCS, Douglas, WY
Angie Elg, Resource Soil Scientist, NRCS, Scottsbluff, NE
Tim Becket, Area Resource Conservationist, Douglas, WY
Mitchell Stephenson, Ph.D. Rangeland Management Specialist, UNL-Panhandle Research Station, Scottsbluff, NE
Kristin Dickinson, District Conservationist, NRCS, Sidney, NE
Rick Peterson, Ecological Site Inventory Specialist, SD-NRCS-MLRA SSO, Rapid City, SD

Program Support:
Nadine Bishop, NE State Rangeland Management Specialist/ QC, NRCS, Imperial, NE
John Hartung, WY State Rangeland Management Specialist/ QC, NRCS, Casper, WY
David Kraft, NRCS MLRA Ecological Site Specialist-QA, Emporia, KS
James Bauchert, WY State Soil Scientist, WY-NRCS, Casper, WY
Neil Dominy, NE State Soil Scientist, NRCS, Lincoln, NE
Britt Weiser, NE State Resource Conservationist, NRCS, Lincoln, NE
Clayton Schmitz, WY State Resource Conservationist, NRCS, Casper, WY
Carla Green-Adams, Editor, NRCS-SSR5, Denver, CO
Chad Remley, Regional Director, N. Great Plains Soil Survey, Salina, KS

Those involved in developing the 2008 version: Chuck Ring, Rangeland Management Specialist, WY-NRCS, Everett Bainter, WY State Rangeland Management Specialist, WY-NRCS

Non-discrimination statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email:
program.intake@usda.gov.