Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R070BD003NM
Loamy Sand
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
| R070BD004NM |
Sandy Sandy |
|---|---|
| R070BD005NM |
Deep Sand Deep Sand |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
Not specified |
| Herbaceous |
Not specified |
Physiographic features
This site is on uplands, plains, dunes, fan piedmonts and in inter dunal areas. The parent material consists of mixed alluvium and or eolian sands derived from sedimentary rock. Slope range on this site range from 0 to 9 percent with the average of 5 percent.
Low stabilized dunes may occur occasionally on this site. Elevations range from 2,800 to 5,000 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Fan piedmont
(2) Alluvial fan (3) Dune |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 2,800 – 5,000 ft |
| Slope | 9% |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
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 in the winter to 112 degrees in the summer.
The average frost-free season is 207 to 220 days. The last killing frost being late March or early April and the first killing frost being in later October or early November.
Temperature and rainfall both favor warm season perennial plant growth. In years of abundant spring moisture, annual forbs and cool season grasses can make up an important component of this site. Strong winds blow from the southwest from January through June, which accelerates soil drying during a critical period for cool season plant growth.
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) | 13 in |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
This site is not influenced from water from wetlands or streams.
Soil features
Soils are moderately deep or very deep. Surface textures are loamy fine sand, fine sandy loam, loamy very fine sand or gravelly sandy loam.
Subsurface is a loamy fine sand, coarse sandy loam, fine sandy loam or loam that averages less than 18 percent clay and less than 15 percent carbonates.
Substratum is a fine sandy loam or gravelly fine sandy loam with less than 15 percent gravel and with less than 40 percent calcium carbonate. Some layers high in lime or with caliche fragments may occur at depths of 20 to 30 inches.
These soils, if unprotected by plant cover and organic residue, become wind blown and low hummocks are formed.
Minimum and maximum values listed below represent the characteristic soils for this site.
Characteristic soils are:
Maljamar
Berino
Parjarito
Palomas
Wink
Pyote
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Fine sand (2) Fine sandy loam (3) Loamy fine sand |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Sandy |
| Drainage class | Well drained to somewhat excessively drained |
| Permeability class | Moderate to moderately rapid |
| Soil depth | 40 – 72 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 10% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
5 – 7 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
3 – 40% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 – 4 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
2 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
6.6 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
4 – 12% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
Not specified |
Ecological dynamics
Overview
The Loamy Sand site intergrades with the Deep Sand and Sandy sites (SD-3). These sites can be differentiated by surface soil texture and depth to a textural change. Loamy Sand and Deep Sand sites have coarse textured (sands and loamy sand) surface soils while Sandy sites have moderately coarse textured (sandy loam and fine sandy loam) surfaces. Although Loamy Sand and Deep Sand sites have similar surface textures, the depth to a textural change is different—Loamy Sand sub-surface textures typically increase in clay at approximately 20 to 30 inches, and Deep Sand sites not until around 40 inches.
The historic plant community of Loamy Sand sites is dominated by black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda), dropseeds (Sporobolus flexuosus, S. contractus, S. cryptandrus), and bluestems (Schizachyrium scoparium and Andropogon hallii), with scattered shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) and sand sage (Artemisia filifolia). Perennial and annual forb abundance and distribution are dependent on precipitation. Litter and to a lesser extent, bare ground, are a significant proportion of ground cover while grasses compose the remainder. Decreases in black grama indicate a transition to either a grass/shrub or shrub-dominated state. The grass/shrub state is composed of grasses/honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), grasses/broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), or grasses/sand sage. The shrub-dominated state occurs after a severe loss of grass cover and a prevalence of sand sage with secondary shinnery oak and mesquite. Heavy grazing intensity and/or drought are influential drivers in decreasing black grama and bluestems and subsequently increasing shrub cover, erosion, and bare patches. Historical fire suppression also encourages shrub pervasiveness and a competitive advantage over grass species (McPherson 1995). Brush and grazing management, however, may reverse grass/shrub and shrub-dominated states toward the grassland-dominated historic plant community.
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 1
Historic Climax Plant Community
Community 1.1
Historic Climax Plant Community
Grassland: The historic plant community is a uniformly distributed grassland dominated by black grama, dropseeds, and bluestems. Sand sage and shinnery oak are evenly dispersed throughout the grassland due to the coarse soil surface texture. Perennial and annual forbs are common but their abundance and distribution are reflective of precipitation. Bluestems initially, followed by black grama, decrease with drought and heavy grazing intensity. Historical fire frequency is unknown but likely occurred enough to remove small shrubs to the competitive advantage of grass species. Fire suppression, drought conditions, and excessive grazing drive most grass species out of competition with shrub species. Diagnosis: Grassland dominated by black grama, dropseeds, and bluestems. Shrubs, such as sand sage, shinnery oak, and mesquite are dispersed throughout the grassland. Forbs are present and populations fluctuate with precipitation variability.
Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 442 | 833 | 1224 |
| Forb | 110 | 208 | 306 |
| Shrub/Vine | 98 | 184 | 270 |
| Total | 650 | 1225 | 1800 |
Table 6. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 0% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 0% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 28% |
| Forb foliar cover | 0% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 50% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 22% |
Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM2803, R042XC003NM-Loamy Sand-HCPC. SD-3 Loamy Sand - Warm season plant community .
| 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 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 25 | 30 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
State 2
Grass/Shrub
Community 2.1
Grass/Shrub
Grass/Shrub State: The grass/shrub state is dominated by communities of grasses/mesquite, grasses/snakeweed, or grasses/sand sage. Decreases in black grama and bluestem species lead to an increase in bare patches and mesquite which further competes with grass species. An increase of dropseeds and threeawns occurs. Grass distribution becomes more patchy with an absence or severe decrease in black grama and bluestems. Mesquite provides nitrogen and soil organic matter to co-dominant grasses (Ansley and Jacoby 1998, Ansley et al. 1998). Mesquite mortality when exposed to fire is low due to aggressive resprouting abilities. Herbicide application combined with subsequent prescribed fire may be more effective in mesquite reduction (Britton and Wright 1971). Diagnosis: This state is dominated by an increased abundance of communities including grass/mesquite, grass/snakeweed, or grass/sand sage. Dropseeds and threeawns have a patchy distribution. Transition to Grass/Shrub State (1a): The historic plant community begins to shift toward the grass/shrub state as drivers such as drought, fire suppression, interspecific competition, and excessive grazing contribute to alterations in soil properties and herbaceous cover. Cover loss and surface soil erosion are initial indicators of transition followed by a decrease in black grama with a subsequent increase of dropseeds, threeawns, mesquite, and snakeweed. Snakeweed has been documented to outcompete black grama especially under conditions of fire suppression and drought (McDaniel et al. 1984). Key indicators of approach to transition: • Loss of black grama cover • Surface soil erosion • Bare patch expansion • Increased dropseed/threeawn and mesquite, snakeweed, or sand sage abundances Transition to Historic Plant Community (1b): Brush and grazing management may restore the grassland component and reverse shrub or grass/shrub dominated states back toward the historic plant community.
State 3
Shrub Dominated
Community 3.1
Shrub Dominated
Shrub-Dominated State: The shrub-dominated state results from a severe loss of grass cover. This state’s primary species is sand sage. Shinnery oak and mesquite also occur; however, grass cover is limited to intershrub distribution. Sand sage stabilizes light sandy soils from wind erosion, which enhances protected grass/forb cover (Davis and Bonham 1979). However, shinnery oak also responds to the sandy soils with dense stands due to an aggressive rhizome system. Shinnery oak’s extensive root system promotes competitive exclusion of grasses and forbs. Sand sage, shinnery oak, and mesquite can be controlled with herbicide (Herbel et al. 1979, Pettit 1986). Transition to Shrub-Dominated (2a): Severe loss of grass species with increased erosion and fire suppression will result in a transition to a shrub-dominated state with sand sage, Shin oak, and honey mesquite directly from the grassland-dominated state. Key indicators of approach to transition: • Severe loss of grass species cover • Surface soil erosion • Bare patch expansion • Increased sand sage, shinnery oak, and mesquite abundance Transition to Historic Plant Community (2b): Brush and grazing management may restore the grassland component and reverse shrub or grass/shrub dominated states back toward the historic plant community. In addition, seeding with native grass species will augment the transition to a grassland-dominated state. Transition to Shrub-Dominated (3): If the grass/shrub site continues to lose grass cover with soil erosion, the site will transition to a shrub-dominated state with sand sage, shinnery oak, and honey mesquite. Key indicators of approach to transition: • Continual loss of dropseeds/threeawns cover • Surface soil erosion • Bare patch expansion • Increased sand sage, shinnery oak, and mesquite/dropseed/threeawn and mesquite/snakeweed abundance
Additional community tables
Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Warm Season | 61–123 | ||||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 61–123 | – | ||
| 2 | Warm Season | 37–61 | ||||
| sand bluestem | ANHA | Andropogon hallii | 37–61 | – | ||
| 3 | Warm Season | 37–61 | ||||
| cane bluestem | BOBA3 | Bothriochloa barbinodis | 37–61 | – | ||
| silver bluestem | BOSA | Bothriochloa saccharoides | 37–61 | – | ||
| 4 | Warm Season | 123–184 | ||||
| black grama | BOER4 | Bouteloua eriopoda | 123–184 | – | ||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 123–184 | – | ||
| 5 | Warm Season | 123–184 | ||||
| thin paspalum | PASE5 | Paspalum setaceum | 123–184 | – | ||
| plains bristlegrass | SEVU2 | Setaria vulpiseta | 123–184 | – | ||
| fringed signalgrass | URCI | Urochloa ciliatissima | 123–184 | – | ||
| 6 | Warm Season | 123–184 | ||||
| spike dropseed | SPCO4 | Sporobolus contractus | 123–184 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 123–184 | – | ||
| mesa dropseed | SPFL2 | Sporobolus flexuosus | 123–184 | – | ||
| 7 | Warm Season | 61–123 | ||||
| hooded windmill grass | CHCU2 | Chloris cucullata | 61–123 | – | ||
| Arizona cottontop | DICA8 | Digitaria californica | 61–123 | – | ||
| 9 | Other Perennial Grasses | 37–61 | ||||
| Grass, perennial | 2GP | Grass, perennial | 37–61 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Warm Season | 37–61 | ||||
| New Mexico feathergrass | HENE5 | Hesperostipa neomexicana | 37–61 | – | ||
| giant dropseed | SPGI | Sporobolus giganteus | 37–61 | – | ||
| 10 | Shrub | 61–123 | ||||
| sand sagebrush | ARFI2 | Artemisia filifolia | 61–123 | – | ||
| Havard oak | QUHA3 | Quercus havardii | 61–123 | – | ||
| 11 | Shrub | 34–61 | ||||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 37–61 | – | ||
| featherplume | DAFO | Dalea formosa | 37–61 | – | ||
| 12 | Shrub | 37–61 | ||||
| jointfir | EPHED | Ephedra | 37–61 | – | ||
| littleleaf ratany | KRER | Krameria erecta | 37–61 | – | ||
| 13 | Other Shrubs | 37–61 | ||||
| Shrub (>.5m) | 2SHRUB | Shrub (>.5m) | 37–61 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 14 | Forb | 61–123 | ||||
| leatherweed | CRPOP | Croton pottsii var. pottsii | 61–123 | – | ||
| Indian blanket | GAPU | Gaillardia pulchella | 61–123 | – | ||
| globemallow | SPHAE | Sphaeralcea | 61–123 | – | ||
| 15 | Forb | 12–37 | ||||
| woolly groundsel | PACA15 | Packera cana | 12–37 | – | ||
| 16 | Forb | 61–123 | ||||
| touristplant | DIWI2 | Dimorphocarpa wislizeni | 61–123 | – | ||
| woolly plantain | PLPA2 | Plantago patagonica | 61–123 | – | ||
| 17 | Other Forbs | 37–61 | ||||
| Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 2FORB | Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) | 37–61 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
This Ecological Site provides habitat which supports a resident animal community that is characterized by pronghorn antelope, desert cottontail, spotted ground squirrel, black-tailed prairie dog, yellow faced pocket gopher, Ord’s kangaroo rat, northern grasshopper mouse, southern plains woodrat, badger, roadrunner, meadowlark, burrowing owl, white necked raven, lesser prairie chicken, morning dove, scaled quail, Harris hawk, side blotched lizard, marbled whiptail, Texas horned lizard, western diamondback rattlesnake, dusty hognose snake and ornate box turtle.
Where mesquite has invaded, most resident birds and scissor-tailed flycatcher, morning dove and Swainson’s hawk, nest. Vesper and grasshopper sparrows utilize the site during migration.
Hydrological functions
The runoff curve numbers are determined by field investigations using hydraulic cover conditions and hydrologic soil groups.
Hydrologic Interpretations
Soil Series Hydrologic Group
Berino B
Kinco A
Maljamar B
Pajarito B
Palomas B
Wink B
Pyote A
Recreational uses
This site offers recreation potential for hiking, borseback riding, nature observation, photography and hunting. During years of abundant spring moisture, this site displays a colorful array of wildflowers during May and June.
Wood products
This site has no potential for wood products.
Other products
This site is suitable for grazing by all kinds and classes of livestock at any time of year. In cases where this site has been invaded by brush species it is especially suited for goats. Mismanagement of this site will cause a decrease in species such as the bluestems, blsck grama, bush muhly, plains bristlegrass, New Mexico feathergrass, Arizona cottontop and fourwing saltbush. A corresponding increase in the dropseeds, windmill grass, fall witchgrass, silver bluestem, sand sagebrush, shinery oak and ephedra will occur. This will also cause an increase in bare ground which will increase soil erodibility. This site will respond well to a system of management that rotates the season of use.
Other information
Guide to Suggested Initial Stocking Rate Acres per Animal Unit Month
Similarity Index Ac/AUM
100 - 76 2.3 – 3.5
75 – 51 3.0 – 4.5
50 – 26 4.6 – 9.0
25 – 0 9.1 +
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 Areas of New Mexico. This site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys. Eddy County, Lea County, and Chaves County.
Other references
Literature Cited:
Ansley, R. J.; Jacoby, P. W. 1998. Manipulation of fire intensity to achieve mesquite
management goals in north Texas. In: Pruden, Teresa L.; Brennan, Leonard A., eds. Fire in ecosystem management: shifting the paradigm from suppression to prescription: Proceedings, Tall Timbers fire ecology conference; 1996 May 7-10; Boise, ID. No. 20. Tallahassee, FL: Tall Timbers Research Station: 195-204.
Ansley, R. J.; Jones, D. L.; Tunnell, T. R.; [and others]. 1998. Honey mesquite canopy
responses to single winter fires: relation to herbaceous fuel, weather and fire temperature. International Journal of Wildland Fire 8(4):241-252.
Britton, Carlton M.; Wright, Henry A. 1971. Correlation of weather and fuel variables to
mesquite damage by fire. Journal of Range Management 24:136-141.
Davis, Joseph H., III and Bonham, Charles D. 1979. Interference of sand sagebrush
canopy with needleandthread. Journal of Range Management 32(5):384-386.
Herbel, C. H, Steger, R, Gould, W. L. 1974. Managing semidesert ranges of the
Southwest Circular 456. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service. 48 p.
McDaniel, Kirk C.; Pieper, Rex D.; Loomis, Lyn E.; Osman, Abdelgader A. 1984.
Taxonomy and ecology of perennial snakeweeds in New Mexico. Bulletin 711. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Agricultural Experiment Station. 34 p.
McPherson, Guy R. 1995. The role of fire in the desert grasslands. In: McClaran, Mitchel
P.; Van Devender, Thomas R., eds. The desert grassland. Tucson, AZ: The University of Arizona Press: 130-151.
Pettit, Russell D. 1986. Sand shinnery oak: control and management. Management Note
8. Lubbock, TX: Texas Tech University, College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Range and Wildlife Management. 5 p.
Contributors
Don Sylvester
Quinn Hodgson
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.