Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R070BC008NM
Draw
Accessed: 11/13/2024
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.
Figure 1. Mapped extent
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.
Associated sites
R070BC017NM |
Bottomland Bottomland |
---|
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
Not specified |
---|---|
Shrub |
Not specified |
Herbaceous |
Not specified |
Physiographic features
This site occurs as desert drainageways, stream terrace, flood plain or draws which disect plains or hills. This site receives and transports runoff water from both remote higher elevations and adjacent sites to closed basins or larger water courses. Slopes range from 0 to 3 percent, averages about 1 percent. Elevation range from 3,300 to 4,500 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms |
(1)
Drainageway
(2) Draw (3) Flood plain |
---|---|
Flooding duration | Extremely brief (0.1 to 4 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) |
Flooding frequency | Rare to occasional |
Ponding frequency | None |
Elevation | 1,006 – 1,372 m |
Slope | 0 – 3% |
Aspect | E, S, W |
Climatic features
The average annual precipitation ranges from 8 to 13 inches. Variations of 5 inches, more or less, are common. Over 80 percent of the precipitation falls from April through October. Most of the summer precipitation comes in the form of high intensity - short duration thunderstorms.
Temperatures are characterized by distinct seasonal changes and large annual and diurnal temperature changes. The average annual temperature is 61 degrees with extremes of 25 degrees below zero tin the winter to 112 degrees in the summer.
The average frost-free season is 207 to 220 days. The last killing frost is in late March or early April, and the first killing frost is in late October or early November.
Both temperatures and precipitation favor warm season perennial growth. However, this site is cooler and more moist than adjacent sites due to the cold air drainage, a higher rate of evapotranspiration and the increased moisture opportunity from adjacent area runoff results in a greater potential for trees, shrubs and cool season grasses.
Climate data was obtained from http://www.wrcc.sage.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html web site using 50% probability for freeze-free and frost-free seasons using 28.5 degrees F and 32.5 degrees F respectively.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) | 221 days |
---|---|
Freeze-free period (average) | 240 days |
Precipitation total (average) | 330 mm |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
Soil features
Soils are deep or very deep, and may be. occasionally flooded. Surface textures are clay loam, silty clay loam, silty clay or clay. Substratum textures are silty clay loam, silty clay or clay and may be stratified with very fine sand or fine loamy sands. The profile may have gravelly or cobbly textures in some areas. Calcium sulfate and other salts in the form of films, masses, threads and crystals range from few to many.
Minimum and maximum values listed below represent the characteristic soils for this site.
Characteristic Soils:
Pecos
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture |
(1) Loam (2) Silt loam (3) Clay loam |
---|---|
Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
Drainage class | Well drained |
Permeability class | Slow to moderate |
Soil depth | 104 – 183 cm |
Surface fragment cover <=3" | 0 – 5% |
Surface fragment cover >3" | 0 – 1% |
Available water capacity (0-101.6cm) |
17.78 – 30.48 cm |
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
2 – 15% |
Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 2 mmhos/cm |
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 2 |
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
7.9 – 8.4 |
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
0 – 5% |
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
0 – 1% |
Ecological dynamics
Overview
The Draw site occurs in two distinct forms, The Arroyo/Floodplain, and the Swale. The arroyo form has a channel, typically loams or gravelly/cobbly loams and an associated floodplain with loam, silt loam, or clay loam soils. It occurs as desert drainageways that dissects hills and transports run-off water from remote higher elevations and adjacent sites to larger watercourses or closed basins. Woody vegetation, such as mesquite, Apache plume, brickellbush, and desert willow dominate the edge of the arroyo, with alkali sacaton and giant sacaton dominating the adjacent floodplain.
The swale form occurs in slightly concave positions dissecting low hills and uplands from which it receives and transports run-in water to bottomlands. Soils are loams, silt loams, and clay loams. Grasses such as tobosa, giant sacaton, and alkali sacaton typically dominate this form, with a few woody species scattered across the site.
Information on landscape positions and vegetation dynamics stated in this model are in part taken from personal communications recorded at (SD-3) State & Transition model meeting, Carlsbad, NM. 2003.
State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 6 submodel, plant communities
State 7 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Historic Climax Plant Community 1
Community 1.1
Historic Climax Plant Community 1
The Arroyo/Floodplain type consists of two separate elements, the arroyo channel and its associated floodplain. This site is an ephemeral stream floodplain with a gently sloping surface, broad enough that the channel covers only a part of the surface. Vegetation on the site varies dynamically with parent material, distance away from the channel, and amount of gravel and cobble in the soil profile. Trees and shrubs are typically dominant along the channel border, but grasses dominate the floodplain. A wide variety of woody species can occur on this site including, Apache plume, brickellbush, desert willow, mesquite, catclaw mimosa, viscid acacia, and New Mexico walnut. Dominant grass species tend to vary somewhat moving East to West across the resource unit. Cane bluestem and silver bluestem are typical dominants on the western side of the resource unit. Alkali sacaton and giant sacaton tend to dominate more on the eastern side. Other important grasses common to both areas include vine mesquite, sideoats grama, tobosa, Arizona cottontop, and twoflower trichloris. Total annual production on this site is high averaging up to 3500 pounds per acre during years with favorable rainfall. Overgrazing may cause an increase in tobosa, and a decrease in vine mesquite, sideoats grams, Arizona cottontop, and twoflower trichloris. Diagnosis: Trees and shrubs tend to dominate along the channel border, with patches of grass supported by silt accumulation around cobbles, stones, shrubs and trees. Across the floodplain, bluestems, or alkali sacaton and giant sacaton are typically the dominant grasses. Grass and litter cover is high. Trees and shrubs are infrequent and scattered. Bare patches are small, typically less than 1-2 meters across
Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike | 968 | 1896 | 2825 |
Shrub/Vine | 269 | 527 | 785 |
Forb | 108 | 211 | 314 |
Total | 1345 | 2634 | 3924 |
Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM2808, R042XC008NM Draw HCPC. R042XC008NM Draw HCPC .
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 18 | 28 | 25 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
State 2
Tobosa Grassland
Community 2.1
Tobosa Grassland
Additional States: Tobosa Grassland: This state is characterized by decreased available soil moisture and the dominance of tobosa. Burrograss is typically a component of this state and depending on the degree of soil moisture loss, may become sub-dominant to tobosa. Diagnosis: Grass cover is variable ranging from uniform and continuous to patchy, with increased bare areas. Tobosa is the dominant grass. Tall grasses such as giant sacaton, and bluestems may occur in small patches occupying small, moister micro-sites, or are absent. Burrograss is found at increased densities relative to the HCPC. Shrubs are infrequent and scattered. Transition to the Tobosa Grassland (1a): Decreased available soil moisture due to deepening of the channel may cause the loss of more mesic grasses such as bluestems, giant sacaton, and alkali sacaton, resulting in a tobosa-dominated grassland. Key indicators of approach to transition: Indicators prior to this transition are few and not readily observable. By the time changes in the channel width or steepness or height of channel banks is observable the transition has already begun. Decreases in overall grass heights throughout the water shed. Increases in sediment loading. Transition back to HCPC Grassland (1b) The natural hydrology of the site must be restored to enable the transition back to the HCPC Grassland. Filling or reshaping of the channel may help to restore natural overland flow patterns on to the floodplain, providing the additional run-on water necessary for the establishment and survival of the more mesic grass species.
State 3
Burrograss Grassland
Community 3.1
Burrograss Grassland
Burrograss Grassland: This state is characterized by the dominance of burrograss and increased soil surface sealing. Burrograss favors calcareous fine textured soils and spreads by seed and stolons. It produces large amounts of seed with wiry awns that help in dissemination, and in auguring the hardened callus (tip of the seed) into the soil. The ability of burrograss to auger into soils enables it to establish and expand on bare soils prone to crust over with physical and biological crusts. Diagnosis: Grass cover is patchy with large bare areas present. Burrograss is the dominant grass species. Tobosa may be present in scattered patches. Soil surface sealing is evident on most of the exposed bare ground. Erosion is apparent by the presence of water flow patterns, rills, litter dams, and pedestalling of plants. Transition to the Burrograss Grassland (2a) Loss of deep-rooted grasses and overall grass cover due to overgrazing or extended periods of drought may initiate this transition. As grass cover declines, resistance to water flow decreases and erosion increases, causing surface soils to seal. As surface soils seal, infiltration and permeability decrease. This transition may be soil determined. 3 Key indicators of approach to transition: Decrease in cover of tobosa. Increased amount of bare ground. Increased evidence of physical and biological crusts. Transition back to Tobosa Grassland (2b) Erosion control structures or shaping and filling gullies may help regain natural flow patterns and establish vegetation if the flow has been channeled. Prescribed grazing will help establish proper forage utilization and maintain grass cover and litter necessary to protect the site from accelerated erosion.
State 4
Shrub-Dominated
Community 4.1
Shrub-Dominated
Shrub Dominated: Increased cover of shrubs characterizes this state. Mesquite, catclaw mimosa, viscid acacia or creosotebush are typically the dominant shrub species. Grass cover is typically patchy with large bare areas present, however in some instances grass cover may remain relatively high for extended periods when associated with light to moderate infestations of mesquite, catclaw mimosa, or viscid acacia. Variations in soil characteristics may determine which shrub species increase. Mesquite is well adapted to a wide range of soil types, but increases more often on draw sites that exhibit fine textured, deep soils low in carbonates. Catclaw mimosa and viscid acacia prefer gravelly soils and tend to form thickets along the edges of the channel. Creosotebush is less tolerant of fine textured soils, perhaps due to its high oxygen demand, and tends to occur more often on limestone derived calcareous soils that have some rock fragments in the soil profile. Diagnosis: Mesquite, catclaw mimosa, viscid acacia, or creosotebush are the dominant shrubs. Cover of bluestems, alkali sacaton, and giant sacaton is low or absent. Tobosa or burrograss are the dominant grasses. Typically grass cover is patchy with large interconnected bare areas present. Physical soil crusts are present, especially on silt loam surface soils. Transition to Shrub-Dominated (3a, 4a) Reduction of fire, due to either fire suppression policy or loss of adequate fine fuels may increase the probability of shrub encroachment.6 Flood events, livestock and wildlife can transport and disperse shrub seed. Persistent loss of grass cover due to overgrazing or drought can cause large bare patches, providing competition free areas for shrub seedling establishment. As shrub cover increases, competition for soil resources, especially water, becomes a major factor in further reducing grass cover. Key indicators of approach to transition: Decreased grass and litter cover. Increased bare patch size. Increase in amount of shrub seedlings. Transition back Grassland (3b, 4b) Brush control will be necessary to remove shrubs and eliminate competition for resources necessary for grass establishment or reproduction. Range seeding may be necessary if inadequate desired grass species remain in the system. Prescribed grazing will help ensure adequate time is elapsed before grazing is allowed, and proper forage utilization following grass establishment.
State 5
Succulent-Invaded
Community 5.1
Succulent-Invaded
Succulent-Invaded: Succulents, especially tasajillo and cholla may invade the Draw site. Dense stands of tasajillo or cholla are recognized as a management concern, but their impact on grass production is unclear. Light to medium infestations of these succulents does not seem to greatly reduce grass production, however they can reduce access to available forage and interfere with livestock movement and handling. Diagnosis: Cholla and/or tasajillo are present. Grass cover is variable, typically relatively uniform with light infestations of succulents, and becoming patchier with increased amounts of bare ground as succulent densities increase. Tobosa is the dominant grass if from transition 3a. Bluestems or alkali sacaton and giant sacaton are the dominant grasses, if from transition 4a. Transition to Succulent-Invaded (3a, 4a) Succulents may invade and increase on Draw sites due to dispersal of seed and stem parts by flood events, livestock and wildlife. If fire was historically a part of desert grassland ecosystem and played a role in suppressing seedlings of shrubs and succulents, then fire suppression may favor the increase of succulents.1 Key indicators of approach to transition: Decrease or change in distribution of grass cover. Presence of succulents on site. Transition back to Grassland (3b, 4b) Fire is an effective means of controlling cholla and tasajillo if adequate grass cover remains to carry fire.2 Chemical control is effective in controlling cholla and tasajillo; apply when growth starts in May. For light infestations, hand grubbing is also effective if cholla or tasajillo is severed 2-4 inches below ground and care is taken not to let broken joints take root. Stacking and burning piles and grubbing during winter or drought help keeps broken joints and pads from rooting.
State 6
Historic Climax Plant Community 2
Community 6.1
Historic Climax Plant Community 2
1.State Containing Historic Plant Community Swale Type Grass Swale: The historic plant community has a grassland aspect with a few shrubs scattered across the site. This site is associated with the Bottomland ecological site. It occurs as narrow to broad areas, with a sinuous linear slightly concave shape, dissecting adjacent upland, and transporting run-in water to lower Bottomland sites. The draw site stands out in relation to the adjacent uplands, due to the extra water and high production. Tobosa is the dominant grass species, with alkali sacaton and giant sacaton as sub-dominants. Other important species include vine mesquite, blue grama, cane bluestem, and sideoats grama. Mesquite, catclaw mimosa, and fourwing saltbush are common shrubs. This site is resistant to state change unless grass cover on site or surrounding uplands is reduced to the point that accelerated erosion takes place. Severe loss of grass cover due to extended periods of drought or overgrazing may initiate the transition to a gullied state and an increase in shrubs. Diagnosis: Tobosa is the dominant grass species. Grass cover is continuous and uniform. Bare ground is minimal. Shrubs are sparse and evenly distributed. Slopes are nearly level; usually less than three percent, and usually display limited evidence of active rill or gully formation if grass cover remains intact. Litter movement associated with overland flow is limited to smaller size class litter and short distances.
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM2808, R042XC008NM Draw HCPC. R042XC008NM Draw HCPC .
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 18 | 28 | 25 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
State 7
Gullied State
Community 7.1
Gullied State
Additional States: Gullied State: Loss of grass cover, accelerated erosion, and gully formation characterize this state. Tobosa is the dominant grass species. Vine mesquite, blue grama, cane bluestem, sideoats grama, giant sacaton and alkali sacaton decrease or are extirpated. Burrograss increases and may become sub-dominant to tobosa. Shrub densities may increase especially mesquite, facilitated by increased bare patches. Diagnosis: Tobosa is dominant. Burrograss may be the sub-dominant grass species. Mesquite and other shrubs may be found at increased densities relative to the historic plant community. Grass cover is no longer uniformly distributed, instead tending to be patchy with large areas of bare ground present. Erosion is evident by the presence of water flow patterns, litter dams, rills, and gullies. Transition to the Gullied State (1a): Transitions to the gullied state may occur in response to a loss of grass cover (on or off site), erosion, and changes in hydrology. As grass cover decreases, organic matter and surface soil stability decrease.4, 5 Erosion ensues due to increased flow rates and decreased soil stability. The formation of gullies effectively changes the hydrology, and the site dries. Bare patch size increases providing competition free areas for shrub expansion. Key indicators of approach to transition: Reduction in grass cover (on site, or on surrounding uplands) and increase in size and frequency of bare patches. Evidence of litter movement—indicating loss or redistribution of organic matter, and decreased surface soil stability. Presence of litter dams, water flow patterns, rills and gullies. Transition back to Grass Swale (1b) Erosion control structures or shaping and filling gullies may help regain natural flow patterns and allow natural revegetation to take place. Prescribed grazing will help ensure proper forage utilization and reduce grass loss due to grazing.
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
1 | Warm Season | 263–395 | ||||
cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 263–395 | – | ||
silver bluestem | BOSA | Bothriochloa saccharoides | 263–395 | – | ||
2 | Warm Season | 263–395 | ||||
Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 263–395 | – | ||
3 | Warm Season | 80–132 | ||||
alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 80–132 | – | ||
4 | Warm Season | 263–395 | ||||
sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 263–395 | – | ||
vine mesquite | PAOB | Panicum obtusum | 263–395 | – | ||
5 | Warm Season | 132–263 | ||||
blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 132–263 | – | ||
plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 132–263 | – | ||
6 | Warm Season | 80–132 | ||||
hooded windmill grass | CHCU2 | Chloris cucullata | 80–132 | – | ||
7 | Warm Season | 80–132 | ||||
bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 80–132 | – | ||
8 | Warm Season | 132–263 | ||||
green sprangletop | LEDU | Leptochloa dubia | 132–263 | – | ||
9 | Other Perennial Grasses | 0–132 | ||||
Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 0–132 | – | ||
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
10 | Shrub/Tree | 263–396 | ||||
viscid acacia | ACNE4 | Acacia neovernicosa | 263–396 | – | ||
fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 263–396 | – | ||
catclaw mimosa | MIACB | Mimosa aculeaticarpa var. biuncifera | 263–396 | – | ||
honey mesquite | PRGL2 | Prosopis glandulosa | 263–396 | – | ||
screwbean mesquite | PRPU | Prosopis pubescens | 263–396 | – | ||
11 | Shrub | 80–132 | ||||
knifeleaf condalia | COSP3 | Condalia spathulata | 80–132 | – | ||
Apache plume | FAPA | Fallugia paradoxa | 80–132 | – | ||
12 | Tree/Vine | 132–211 | ||||
desert willow | CHLI2 | Chilopsis linearis | 132–211 | – | ||
western white clematis | CLLI2 | Clematis ligusticifolia | 132–211 | – | ||
Arizona walnut | JUMA | Juglans major | 132–211 | – | ||
13 | Other Shrubs | 0–132 | ||||
Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 0–132 | – | ||
Forb
|
||||||
14 | Forb | 0–80 | ||||
Indian blanket | GAPU | Gaillardia pulchella | 0–80 | – | ||
globemallow | SPHAE | Sphaeralcea | 0–80 | – | ||
15 | Forb | 0–80 | ||||
littleleaf sensitive-briar | MIMI22 | Mimosa microphylla | 0–80 | – | ||
coyote tobacco | NIAT | Nicotiana attenuata | 0–80 | – | ||
16 | Forb | 132–211 | ||||
stork's bill | ERODI | Erodium | 132–211 | – | ||
common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 132–211 | – | ||
17 | Other Forbs | 0–80 | ||||
Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 2FORB | Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 0–80 | – |
Interpretations
Animal community
This site provides habitats which support a resident animal community that is characterized by pronghorn antelope, black-tailed jackrabbit, black tailed prairie dog, yellow-faced pocket gopher, banner-tailed kangaroo rat, hispid cotton rat, swift fox, burrowing owl, horned lark, mockingbird, meadowlark, mourning dove, scaled quail, Great Plains toad, plains spadefoot toad, collard lizard, western diamondback rattlesnake,and western coachwhip snake.
Hydrological functions
Runoff curve numbers are determined by field investigations using hydrologic cover conditions and hydrologic soil groups
Soils Hydrologic Group
Pecos D
Recreational uses
This site offers recreation potential for hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, camping, outdoor classrooms, nature observation, photography, upland gamebird hunting and trapping for fur bearing animals. Colorful wildflowers bloom in spring. Because of extra water received, this site has an “oasis” aspect.
Wood products
This site has a fairly abundant supply of driftwood. Wood is also available from willow, walnut and mesquite for use as curiosities and furniture, and for fence material and fuelwood.
Other products
This site is suitable for grazing by all kinds and classes of livestock during all seasons of the year. It is especially suited for winter and early spring grazing, due to the high protein levels in the forage. Under retrogression, reproduction of many of the tree species will stop and species like Arizona cottontop, vine-mesquite, sideoats grama, and plains bristlegrass will decrease. An increase in mesquite, catclaw mimosa and viscid acacia will follow. This site responds well to a system of grazing that utilizes the protein source and allows for alternate rest.
Other information
Guide to Suggested Initial Stocking Rate Acres per Animal Unit Month
Similarity Index Ac/AUM
100 - 76 2.0 – 3.7
75 – 51 3.0 – 5.0
50 – 26 4.8 – 6.8
25 – 0 6.9 +
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Data collection for this site was done in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the Southern Desertic Basins, Plains and Mountains Major Land Resource Area of New Mexico. This site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys: Lea, Chavez, and Eddy Counties.
Other references
Literature References:
1. Brooks, M.L., and D.A. Pyke. 2001. Invasive plants and fire in the deserts of North America. Pages 1–14 in K.E.M. Galley and T.P. Wilson (eds.). Proceedings of the Invasive Species Workshop: the Role of Fire in the Control and Spread of Invasive Species.
2. Bunting, S.C., H.A. Wright, and L.F. Neuenschwander. 1980. Long-term effects of fire on cactus in the Southern Mixed Prairie of Texas. J. Range. Manage. 33: 85-88.
3. Gibbens, R.P. and R.F. Beck. 1987. Increase in number of dominant plants and dominance-classes on a grassland in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. Journal of Range Management 40:136-139.
4. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2001. Soil Quality Information Sheet. Rangeland Soil Quality—Aggregate Stability. Rangeland Sheet 3, [Online]. Available: http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/survey/SQI/range.html
5. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2001. Soil Quality Information Sheet. Rangeland Soil Quality—Organic Matter. Rangeland Sheet 6, [Online]. Available: http://www.statlab.iastate.edu/survey/SQI/range.html
6. Wright, H.A., and A.W. Bailey. 1982. Fire ecology: United States and southern Canada. New York: John Wiley and Sons. 501p.
Contributors
David Trujillo
Don Sylvester
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) | |
---|---|
Contact for lead author | |
Date | |
Approved by | |
Approval date | |
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
-
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
-
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
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:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
-
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:
-
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Print Options
Sections
Font
Other
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.
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.