Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R070BY063NM
Deep Sand
Last updated: 9/12/2023
Accessed: 11/21/2024
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.
Ecological site concept
The central concept of this site is very deep soils with textures of fine sand or loamy fine sand throughout the upper 30 inches. Slopes range from 0 to 5 percent. Parent material is eolian and/or alluvial.
This ecological site is often associated with the Sandy Loam, Sandy Plains, and Sandhill sites. Deep Sand site has coarser soil textures than Sandy Loam. Sandy Plains and Deep Sands have similar soil surface textures, but are differentiated by depth to a soil textural change. Sandy Plains exhibits an increase in clay content that can occur from 8 to 36 inches. Textural changes on Deep Sand do not occur until 40 inches or greater. Soils on Deep Sand sites are gently undulating sand sheets with slopes usually less than five percent, while sand hills with slopes ranging up to 25 percent define the Sandhill site.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Quercus havardii |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Andropogon hallii |
Physiographic features
This site occurs as the coarse-textured eolian and alluvial sediments on nearly level to undulating and hummocky upland plains, alluvial fans, and valley side slopes. Slopes are nearly level to gently undulating, generally ranging from 0 to 5 percent. Low stabilized hummocks or dunes frequently occur. Exposure varies, but is not ecologically significant. Elevation ranges from 3,500 to 4,200 feet.
Values listed below represent the characteristic soils for this site.
Characteristic soils:
Roswell
Jalmar
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Dune
(2) Sand sheet (3) Plain |
|---|---|
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 3,500 – 4,200 ft |
| Slope | 5% |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
The climate of this area can be classified as “semi-arid continental”.
Annual average precipitation ranges from 11 to 16 inches. Roughly 78 percent of the moisture falls during the 6-month period of May through October. Most of this summer precipitation falls in the form of brief and heavy afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Hail may accompany the more severe summer storms. In the winter, there is normally only one day a month when as much as one-tenth inch of moisture falls, usually in the form of snow. Snow seldom lies on the ground for more than a few days.
Temperatures are characterized by a distinct seasonal change and large annual and diurnal temperature ranges. Summers are moderately warm. Maximum temperature average above 90 degrees F from July to August, and an average summer includes about 80 days with high readings exceeding 90 degrees F and 10 days with readings above 100 degrees F. Temperatures usually fall rapidly after sundown and lows average 60 degrees F on most summer nights. Winters are mild, sunny, and dry. Daytime shade temperatures in midwinter usually rise to the 50’s. However, freezing temperatures normally occur at night from mid-November to mid-March.
The freeze-free season ranges from 196 to 218 days. Dates of the last freeze range from April 11th to April 17th and the first freeze ranges from October 20th to October 25th.
Both temperature and rainfall distribution favor warm-season, perennial plant communities in the area. However, sufficient late winter and early spring moisture allows cool-season species to occupy a minor component within the plant community.
Climate data was obtained from http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html web site. Data were interpreted utilizing NM Climate Summarizer spreadsheet.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 192 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 218 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 16 in |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Influencing water features
This site is not influenced by water from a wetland or stream.
Soil features
Soils are deep and excessively drained. Surface and subsurface textures are fine sand and loamy fine sand and extend to a depth of 30 to 40 inches. Textures of the underlying material include fine sandy loam, loamy fine sand, and sandy clay loam; clay content ranges from 10 to 35 percent (an argillic horizon may occur at depths from 30 to 80 inches). In some pedons, a horizon containing 2 to 25 percent calcium carbonate occurs at a depths between 60 and 80 inches. Permeability is rapid and available water-holding capacity is low. The plant-soil-air-water relationship is fair. Because of the coarse textures and rapid drying of the surface, the soil, if unprotected by plant cover and organic residue, becomes wind-blown, and hummocks or dunes appear around shrubs.
Values listed below represent the characteristic soils for this site.
Characteristic Soils:
Roswell
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Surface texture |
(1) Fine sand (2) Loamy fine sand |
|---|---|
| Family particle size |
(1) Sandy |
| Drainage class | Well drained to excessively drained |
| Permeability class | Moderately rapid to very rapid |
| Soil depth | 60 – 80 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 5% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | Not specified |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
3 – 6 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
5% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
4 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
1 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
6.6 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
5% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
Not specified |
Ecological dynamics
The reference plant community of the Deep Sand site is believed to be a Shinnery oak/Grass-mix composed predominantly of warm-season tall and mid grasses and sand shinnery oak. Continuous heavy grazing, especially in conjunction with drought, can result in a decrease or loss of tallgrasses and initiate a transition to a state dominated by sand shinnery oak. Light application rates of herbicide or long term grazing by goats may decrease shinnery oak and allow grasses to re-colonize, approximating reference plant community composition. Alternatively, heavier application rates of herbicide can dramatically reduce or kill sand shinnery oak, allowing grasses to dominate (Grassland state). This transition to grass dominance may be aided by decreased competition and a flush of nutrients from the decomposing oak. This transition requires the presence of perennial grasses prior to treatment, adequate rainfall, and proper management. If drought and/or mismanagement follow sand shinnery oak control, grasses may not establish and sparsely vegetated dunes and severe erosion (Active Dunes state) may result. Over a period of years, sand sagebrush may encroach on the Grassland state, perhaps due to proximity to a seed source, or because of reduced competition conferred by the loss of shinnery oak (Sand Sagebrush state).
State and transition model
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View Interactive Models
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State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Shinnery oak/Grass-Mix
This state contains a mix of shinnery oak and grasses.
Community 1.1
Shinnery oak/Grass-Mix
The reference plant community is believed to be a shinnery oak/grass mix where tall and mid-grasses are co-dominant with shinnery oak. Sand bluestem, little bluestem, and dropseeds (sand, spike, and mesa) are the dominant grasses. In the southeastern portion of Chaves County, giant dropseed may become the dominant grass with little bluestem and sand bluestem occurring as the sub-dominants. Other common grasses throughout the Deep Sand site include threeawns, fall witchgrass, plains bristlegrass, hairy grama, sand paspalum, red lovegrass, and sand lovegrass. Shinnery oak is the dominant shrub. Other shrubs that occur on this site include yucca, mesquite, sand sagebrush, and broom snakeweed. Forbs fluctuate from year to year being the most abundant in years of early spring moisture. Annual sunflower, annual buckwheat, and western ragweed are a few of the common forbs. Continuous heavy grazing, especially in conjunction with drought, can result in a decrease of tall grasses and a community with threeawns or dropseeds occurring as the dominant grass species, with bluestems sub-dominant. Application of foliar absorbed (phenoxy) herbicides or perhaps prescribed fire may temporarily suppress shinnery oak, reducing resource competition and accelerating a community shift back towards the reference community. Diagnosis: Shinnery oak and grasses are co-dominant. Tallgrasses such as sand bluestem or giant dropseed are present in substantial amounts. Threeawns, sand dropseed, spike dropseed, or mesa dropseed may be dominant in some instances. Grass cover is variable; shifting sands and irregular dunes produce considerable variation in the spatial distribution and composition of the plant community. While grass cover is not continuous, it is fairly uniform across the more stable areas. Shinnery oak and grasses limit erosion.
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 | 1020 | 1530 | 2380 |
| Forb | 120 | 180 | 280 |
| Shrub/Vine | 60 | 90 | 140 |
| Total | 1200 | 1800 | 2800 |
Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM4063, R070BY063NM Deep Sand Reference State. R070BY063NM Deep Sand Reference State.
| 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 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
State 2
Shinnery oak
This state is dominated by shinnery oak.
Community 2.1
Shinnery oak
Shinnery oak dominates this phase. Other shrubs that typically occur include yucca, mesquite, broom snakeweed, sand sagebrush, and pricklypear. Two communities have been recognized in this state. In the first community, shinnery oak is dominant with threeawns and other subordinate grasses occurring as the sub-dominant. There are few or no tall grasses. Subordinate grasses typically present in this community include dropseeds, hairy grama, fall witchgrass, lovegrass species, and field sandbur. Shinnery oak is the sole dominant in the second community with only sparse grass cover. This second community is believed to develop during extended periods of drought, which may cause a large-scale reduction in threeawns and other grasses. Favorable rainfall conditions and a persistent seed bank of threeawns in the soil may cause a shift back to a shinnery oak/threeawn community. When shinnery oak is the main source of forage, livestock should not be allowed to graze pastures during the spring when shinnery oak is in the late bud and early leaf stage. During this period (normally six weeks) tannin concentrations are highest and livestock poisoning can occur. During the fall, care must be taken during years of high acorn production. The acorns are also poisonous and are relished by livestock. Diagnosis: Shinnery oak is dominant with threeawns occurring as the sub-dominant, or shinnery oak is the sole dominant with few grasses present. Tallgrasses are sparsely scattered across the site or are absent. The cover of shinnery oak helps to limit erosion. Key indicators of approach to transition: A decrease in tallgrass and more palatable mid-grass species. Increase in threeawns. Transition to Shinnery oak (1a) Transitions to this state are believed to occur in response to grazing pressure, especially in conjunction with drought, or in response to long term severe drought. Shinnery oak has low palatability for cattle and is primarily used as emergency food during droughts. The extensive root system of shinnery oak and its ability to store water enable it to better withstand drought than associated grasses. Low palatability and high drought resistance enable shinnery oak to remain relatively stable. Transition back to Shinnery oak/Grass-Mix (1b) Light application rates of root-absorbed herbicides can reduce shinnery oak and under favorable rainfall conditions initiate the transition back to the Shinnery oak/Grass-Mix. Long-term browsing by goats has shown promise in reducing shinnery oak and helping to reestablish co-dominance between shinnery oak and grass.
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM4063, R070BY063NM Deep Sand Reference State. R070BY063NM Deep Sand Reference State.
| 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 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
State 3
Grassland
This state is dominated by grasses.
Community 3.1
Grassland
This phase is dominated by herbaceous vegetation with little to no shinnery oak present. There are various communities that can express themselves depending on the grass component prior to treatment and amount of precipitation following treatment. Generally there is an initial increase in threeawns, dropseeds, annual grasses, and forbs. Over time and with proper management, the community may shift to dominance by bluestems and dropseeds with gramas, threeawns, and other subordinate grasses as sub-dominants. Proper management is essential to maintain grass cover and limit erosion. Diagnosis: Shinnery oak occurs as scattered plants or is not present. Grasses are dominant. Typically, bluestems, dropseeds, or threeawns are the main species. Litter cover is less than in either the Shinnery oak or Shinnery oak/Grass-Mix states. Transition to Grassland (2, 3): Transitions to the Grassland state from either the Shinnery oak/Grass-Mix or Shinnery oak state can occur with the use of root-absorbed herbicides such as tebuthiuron. The results are dependent on the initial vegetation, herbicide application rate, adequate rainfall, and proper management following treatment. Control of shinnery oak should be limited to those sites with adequate perennial grasses present and during years exhibiting favorable climatic conditions. Control of shinnery oak on Deep Sand sites should be carefully evaluated due to the extreme erosion hazard associated with cover loss. Transition to Grassland (5b?) Theoretically this transition is accomplished by utilizing pelleted seed to reestablish vegetation and stabilize the dunes. The seed is designed to germinate only after receiving rainfall in amounts necessary to ensure a greater chance of survival. Abundant summer rain following germination would be necessary to enable the plants to establish. The chance of seedling survival is limited by erosion potential.
Figure 7. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM4063, R070BY063NM Deep Sand Reference State. R070BY063NM Deep Sand Reference State.
| 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 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
State 4
Sand sagebrush
This state contains abundant sand sagebrush.
Community 4.1
Sand sagebrush
Sand Sagebrush: This state is characterized by the predominance of sand sagebrush. Dropseeds and bluestems are typically the main grasses. Other subordinate grasses common on this site include threeawns, fall witchgrass, plains bristlegrass, hairy grama, sand paspalum, red lovegrass, and sand lovegrass. Diagnosis: Sand sagebrush is dominant. Grass cover is variable ranging from fairly evenly distributed to patchy. Blowouts and bare areas may be common. Litter cover is less than states with similar densities of shinnery oak. Transition to Sand Sagebrush (6) Transitions to this state are thought to occur as the result of seed dispersal by sand sagebrush from adjacent sites and decreased competition for soil moisture as a result of the loss of shinnery oak.
Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM4063, R070BY063NM Deep Sand Reference State. R070BY063NM Deep Sand Reference State.
| 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 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
State 5
Grasses
This state is dominated by grasses.
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | hairy grama | 80–240 | ||||
| hairy grama | BOHI2 | Bouteloua hirsuta | 82–238 | – | ||
| 2 | little bluestem | 120–360 | ||||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 122–357 | – | ||
| 3 | sand bluestem | 120–360 | ||||
| sand bluestem | ANHA | Andropogon hallii | 122–357 | – | ||
| 4 | threeawn | 50–170 | ||||
| threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 51–167 | – | ||
| 5 | dropseeds | 120–360 | ||||
| spike dropseed | SPCO4 | Sporobolus contractus | 0–357 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 0–357 | – | ||
| mesa dropseed | SPFL2 | Sporobolus flexuosus | 0–357 | – | ||
| 6 | sand paspalum | 40–140 | ||||
| thin paspalum | PASE5 | Paspalum setaceum | 41–143 | – | ||
| 7 | tallgrasses | 20–90 | ||||
| giant sandreed | CAGI3 | Calamovilfa gigantea | 0–95 | – | ||
| Indiangrass | SONU2 | Sorghastrum nutans | 0–95 | – | ||
| 8 | paniceae | 20–90 | ||||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 0–95 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 1 | annual buckwheat | 30–120 | ||||
| annual buckwheat | ERAN4 | Eriogonum annuum | 31–119 | – | ||
| 9 | annual buckwheat | 30–120 | ||||
| annual buckwheat | ERAN4 | Eriogonum annuum | 31–119 | – | ||
| 10 | beeblossom | 10–48 | ||||
| beeblossom | GAURA | Gaura | 10–48 | – | ||
| 11 | common sunflower | 20–90 | ||||
| common sunflower | HEAN3 | Helianthus annuus | 20–95 | – | ||
| 12 | scarlet globemallow | 20–70 | ||||
| scarlet globemallow | SPCO | Sphaeralcea coccinea | 20–71 | – | ||
| 13 | western ragweed | 20–70 | ||||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 20–71 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 14 | shinnery oak | 10–290 | ||||
| Havard oak | QUHA3 | Quercus havardii | 10–286 | – | ||
| 15 | sand sagebrush | 70–210 | ||||
| sand sagebrush | ARFI2 | Artemisia filifolia | 71–214 | – | ||
| 16 | broom snakeweed | 10–50 | ||||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 10–48 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
Habitat for Wildlife: This site provides habitat which supports a resident animal community characterized by pronghorn antelope, badger, desert cottontail, spotted ground squirrel, plains pocket mouse, Ord's kangaroo rat, prairie falcon, lesser prairie chicken, burrowing owl, bullsnake, and little striped whiptail.
Hydrological functions
The runoff curve numbers are determined by field investigations using hydrologic cover conditions and hydrologic soil groups.
Hydrologic Interpretations
Soil Series Hydrologic Group
Roswell ---------------------A
Jalmar ----------------------A
Recreational uses
Recreation potential is limited by the lack of access roads for two-wheel drive vehicles, loose sands, lack of surface water, and the lack of shade. The “wide open spaces” of the area enhance aesthetic appeal. Hunting for prairie chicken is good to excellent. Hunting for antelope is fair to good. Photography of prairie chickens during their “booming” season is excellent to good. The natural beauty is enhanced by the varying hues of bluestems and by the large variety of forbs that bloom from early spring to late fall.
Wood products
This site produces no wood products.
Other products
Grazing: This site can be grazed any season of the year except during the spring when shinnery oak is in the late bud and early leaf stage. During this period (normally six weeks) domestic livestock should be removed from pastures containing this site because shinnery oak is toxic. Care must be taken in years of high production of acorns, which are both poisonous and relished by livestock. Immediately following this stage, shinnery oak provides forage for livestock for about six weeks before the leaves become tough and brittle. Due to the variety of grasses, forbs and shrubs; cattle, goats, and sheep can graze this site. However, cattle most efficiently utilize it.
Continuous, yearlong grazing by cattle results in a plant community of low forage value characterized by plants such as threeawns, field sandbur, shinnery oak, small soapweed, sand sagebrush, and forbs. Mesquite will easily invade where there is an available seed source. This condition is usually accompanied by reduced ground cover, causing wind erosion. A system of deferred grazing, which varies the season of grazing and rest, is needed to maintain or improve a healthy well-balanced plant community. Rest in different seasons benefits different plants. Winter rest will benefit all woody species. Spring rest will encourage forb production and benefit New Mexico feathergrass. Summer rest (July-September) allows species such as sand bluestem and little bluestem to grow and reproduce. Fall rest allows all warm-season species to complete their growth cycles and mature. Shinnery oak can be best utilized if cattle are concentrated into a small pasture immediately following the toxic state until leaves become tough and brittle.
Other information
Guide to Suggested Initial Stocking Rate Acres per Animal Unit Month
Similarity Index Ac/AUM
100 - 76 2.4 – 5.5
75 – 51 3.4 – 9.2
50 – 26 5.3 – 12.0
25 – 0 12.0+
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Data collection for this site was performed in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the Pecos-Canadian Plains and Valleys, Major Land Resource Area 70 of New Mexico. This site has been mapped and correlated to soils in the following counties: San Miguel, Quay, Guadalupe, De Baca, and Chaves.
Other references
References
1. Boyd. C. S. and T. G. Bidwell. 2002. Effects of prescribed fire on shinnery oak (Quercus
havardii) plant communities in western Oklahoma. Restoration Ecology 10: 324-333.
2. Harrell, W. C., S. D. Fuhlendorf, and T. G. Bidwell. 2001. Effects of prescribed fire on sand
shinnery oak communities. Journal of Range Management. 54: 685-690.
3. Jacoby, P. W., J. E. Slosser, and C. H. Meadors. 1983. Vegetational responses following
control of sand shinnery oak with tebuthiuron. Journal of Range Management.
36: 510-512.
4. Peterson, R. S. and C. S. Boyd. 1998. Ecology and management of sand shinnery
communities: a literature review. Gen Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-16. U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fort Collins, CO. 44 P.
5. Pettit, R. D. 1979. Effects of picloram and tebuthiuron pellets on sand shinnery oak
communities. Journal of Range Management. 32: 196-200.
6. Sears, W. E., C. M. Britton, D. B. Wester, and R. D. Pettit. 1986a. Herbicide conversion of
sand shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) community: Effects on biomass. Journal of
Range Management. 39: 399-403.
7. Vermeire, L. T. and D. B. Wester. 2001. Shinnery oak poisoning of rangeland cattle: causes,
effects, and solutions. Rangelands. 23: 19-21.
8. Villena, F. and J. A. Pfister. 1990. Sand shinnery oak as forage for Angora and Spanish
goats. Journal of Range Management. 43: 116-122.
Contributors
Christine Bishop
David Trujillo
Don Sylvester
John Tunberg
Approval
Kendra Moseley, 9/12/2023
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 | 09/12/2023 |
| Approved by | Kendra Moseley |
| 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:
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