Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R077BY722TX
High Lime 12-17" PZ
Last updated: 9/11/2023
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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 077B–Southern High Plains, Northwestern Part
MLRA 77B is characterized by nearly level to gently sloping plains with a minimal number of playa depressions and moderately sloping breaks along drainageways. Loamy and sandy soils are generally deep and occur in a mesic soil temperature regime and ustic soil moisture regime bordering on aridic. Current land use is dominantly rangeland with minor cropland.
Classification relationships
This ecological site is correlated to soil components at the Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) level which is further described in USDA Ag Handbook 296.
Ecological site concept
This site occurs on calcareous, loam and clay loam soils on uplands. Production is limited due to the calcium carbonate content as well as some locally salty areas. Reference vegetation consists of midgrasses, shortgrasses and forbs. Few shrubs occur in the reference plant community. Abusive grazing practices can lead to a change in the plant community. Also, without periodic fires or other brush management, woody species may increase.
Associated sites
| R077BY021TX |
Sandy Loam 12-17" PZ The Sandy Loam site is often adjacent to the High Lime site. The Sandy Loam is either found on similar landforms, downslope or upslope of the High Lime site. Dominated by midgrasses although some tallgrasses are found on this site. More production than the High Lime site. |
|---|---|
| R077BY016TX |
Limy Upland 12-17" PZ The Limy Upland site is often adjacent to and in association with the High Lime site. The Limy Upland site is found on similar landforms, downslope or upslope. Dominated by shortgrasses, but a good mixture of midgrasses are found on this site. More production than the High Lime site. |
| R077BY014TX |
Deep Hardland 12-17" PZ The Deep Hardland site is often adjacent to the High Lime site. The Deep Hardland site is either on similar landforms, downslope or upslope of the High Lime site. Dominated by shortgrasses, but a good mixture of midgrasses are found on this site. More production than the High Lime site. |
| R077BY725TX |
Draw 12-17" PZ Ocassionally the High Lime site may be found along the side slopes of major draws. Dominated by midgrasses but some tallgrasses is found on this site. Production is much less than the Draw site. |
Similar sites
| R077AY006TX |
Limy Upland 16-22" PZ Limey Upland is similar to High Lime sites in the respect they both have calcareous loamy soils with High Lime sites having a much higher lime content. They both are dominated by shortgrasses with production much lower on the High Lime sites. This Limey Upland site is also more productive because of it's higher annual precipitation (16 to 22 inches). Limey Upland sites are preferred sites whereas High Lime sites are not. This Limey Upland site is more productive |
|---|---|
| R077BY016TX |
Limy Upland 12-17" PZ Limey Upland is similar to High Lime sites in the respect they both have calcareous loamy soils with High Lime sites having a much higher lime content. They both are dominated by midgrasses with production much lower on the High Lime sites. Limey Upland sites are preferred sites whereas High Lime sites are not. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
Not specified |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Bouteloua gracilis |
Physiographic features
The High Lime ecological site consists of deep, gently sloping to moderately sloping calcareous loamy to clayey soils with light colored surfaces and moderately permeable loam to clay subsoils. They are limey throughout, take water readily with high available plant water. The water holding capacity is moderate to low. These sites usually occur on the eastern side of ancient playa lakes, large basins and on the side slopes of some of the major draws. These sites formed in loamy to clayey, calcareous, moderately alkaline water and wind deposited sediments as low benches surrounding large enclosed basins or playas. The high lime content limits the plant community to tolerant plant species. The elevation ranges from 2,600 feet to 5,600 feet above sea level. Slopes range from 0 to 9 percent. The site is used almost entirely as a rangeland.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Plateau
> Plain
(2) Plateau > Playa dune (3) Plateau > Playa floor |
|---|---|
| Runoff class | Negligible to low |
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding duration | Brief (2 to 7 days) |
| Ponding frequency | None to occasional |
| Elevation | 792 – 1,707 m |
| Slope | 0 – 9% |
| Ponding depth | 0 cm |
| Water table depth | 0 – 203 cm |
| Aspect | W, NW, N, NE, E, SE, S, SW |
Climatic features
Climate is semi-arid dry steppe. Summers are hot with winters being generally mild with numerous cold fronts that drop temperatures into the single digits for 24 to 48 hours. Temperature extremes are the rule rather than the exception. Humidity is generally low and evaporation high. Wind speeds are highest in the spring and are generally southwesterly. Canadian and Pacific cold fronts come through the region in fall, winter and spring with predictability and temperature changes can be rapid. Most of the precipitation comes in the form of rain and during the period from May through October. Snowfall averages around 15 inches but may be as little as 8 inches or as much as 36 inches. Rainfall in the growing season often comes as intense showers of relatively short duration. Long-term droughts occur on the average of once every 20 years and may last as long as five to six years (during these drought years, moisture during the growing season is from 50 to 60 percent of the mean). Based on long-term records, approximately 60 percent of the years are below the mean rainfall and approximately 40 percent are above the mean. May, June and July are the main growth months for perennial warm-season grasses. Forbs make their growth somewhat earlier.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (characteristic range) | 140-145 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 169-170 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 432-457 mm |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 139-147 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 168-170 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 406-457 mm |
| Frost-free period (average) | 143 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 169 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 432 mm |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range
Figure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range
Figure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 7. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) CLAYTON 1 N [USC00291883], Clayton, NM
-
(2) DALHART 6 SW [USC00412235], Hartley, TX
-
(3) AMISTAD 5 SSW [USC00290377], Amistad, NM
-
(4) ROSEBUD 7NW [USC00297585], Mosquero, NM
-
(5) MCCARTY RCH [USC00295516], Nara Visa, NM
Influencing water features
Water features are intermittent ponding on playa floors. These are closed basins with no outlet. This site receives runoff from surrounding areas. Runoff collects and may pond for several days or months.
Wetland description
None.
Soil features
The soils formed in clayey to very fine sandy material that is quite uniformly high in calcium carbonate with local areas high in soluble salts as well. The regolith consists of fine textured, calcareous, moderately alkaline water-deposited sediments. Moderate to well drained. Permeability is very slow to moderate. Runoff is negligible on slopes less than 1 percent and very low to moderate on 1 to 3 percent slopes.
Major Soil Taxonomic Units correlated to this site include: Karde loam, Church clay loam and Spurlock soils.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Alluvium
–
igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock
(2) Eolian deposits – igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock (3) Lacustrine deposits – igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Fine sandy loam (2) Loam (3) Clay loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Fine (2) Fine-silty (3) Coarse-loamy |
| Drainage class | Somewhat poorly drained to well drained |
| Permeability class | Slow to rapid |
| Soil depth | 203 cm |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 0 – 10% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 0% |
| Available water capacity (0-101.6cm) |
5.08 – 20.32 cm |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
2 – 65% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 16 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 1 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
7.9 – 9 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 18% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-101.6cm) |
0% |
Ecological dynamics
The reference plant community as found by European settlers developed under the prevailing climate and conditions over time. This site is not generally a preferred site for grazing by livestock or wildlife due to lower palatability which is influenced by the limey nature of the soil. The high lime content limits the plant community to tolerant plant species. There are only minimal acres of the High Lime site in MLRA-77B of the Texas Panhandle and is considered a minor component of this MLRA. This site served as temporary watering sites for large numbers of bison and resident pronghorn antelope. It is generally located on the east side of these playas and large basins. Periodic droughts, fire and grazing by resident wildlife prevalent in the area as well as nomadic creatures such as bison did influence the plant community. The resulting Shortgrass/Midgrass Community (1.1) is a mixture of short and midgrass species with a few tallgrass species present along with a small amount of forbs and woody plants. The dominant grasses were sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides). Typical associated forbs included plains blackfoot (Melampodium leucanthum), curlycup gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa) and dotted gayfeather (Liatris punctata) as well as numerous other annual and perennial forbs. Yucca (Yucca glauca), cholla cactus (Cylindropuntia imbricata) and fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) were often present in lesser amounts.
The periodic overgrazing and trampling by migrating herds of bison and resident herds of pronghorn antelope probably occurred only during wet periods when the playas and basins had water. This provided ideal watering and loafing areas for large numbers of herbivores. As the playas dried up, the herds would move out of the area, until the next big rainfall event. The resulting long rest periods allowed the vegetation to re-establish and maintain the reference plant community structure.
Natural fire also played a part in the ecology of this site, as with all plains sites, in the nutrient cycle. The main effect of fire was to reduce old decadent plant cover from previous years, stimulated new shoots, and break down accumulated plant material. Fire may have also favored the perennials over the annual species.
The major forces driving transition from the reference plant community is continued overgrazing by livestock and the decrease in the frequency and intensity of fire. As livestock and wildlife numbers increase and grazing use exceeds a plants ability to sustain defoliation, the more palatable species decline in stature, productivity and density.
If abusive grazing continues, ecological retrogression occurs. As retrogression proceeds, this will bring about a new Shortgrass/Midgrass/Annuals Community (1.2) with decreased amounts of low vigor sideoats grama and blue grama. Less palatable species such as alkali sacaton will increase along with inland saltgrass (Distichlis spicata), dropseed species (Sporobolus spp.) and perennial threeawn species (Aristida spp.). The better quality perennial forbs will be replaced with less desirable annual and perennial forbs.
The Shortgrass/Midgrass/Annuals Community (1.2) is reversible to the reference community with proper grazing management and prescribed burning. The primary benefit from prescribed burning would be to reduce the excessive biomass of alkali sacaton and inland saltgrass and promote new sideoats grama and blue grama seedlings. In phase 1.2, woody shrub canopies have generally not increased to the point brush management is needed. There will be an increase in the percent bare ground scattered throughout the site.
If long-term heavy grazing continues, a threshold will be crossed to a Shrubs/Annuals Community (2.1). This site will develop bare areas (>30%) and an increase in annuals and broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) with pricklypear (Opuntia spp.) scattered throughout the site. Western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya) and sagewort (Artemesia spp.) may increase in some areas. The short and midgrass species that do remain will be in low vigor. In phase 2.1, the plant community is so degraded that it cannot reverse retrogression without extensive energy and management inputs. Restoration will require prescribed grazing with rest periods during the growing season, re-seeding bare areas with adapted native species, chemical brush control and pest management. Full recovery and maintenance of the reference plant community requires continued proper grazing management as well as maintenance brush and pest management.
As mentioned earlier, this site is not preferred by livestock for grazing due to the low palatability of the forage, which is influenced by the limey nature of the soil. Therefore, if livestock are being forced to overgraze this undesirable site, then there is obviously a grazing management problem on the surrounding associated sites. Livestock generally will not frequent this site unless all other available forage in the pasture has been removed.
NOTE: Rangeland Health Reference Worksheets have been posted for this site on the Texas NRCS website (www.tx.nrcs.usda.gov) in Section II of the eFOTG under (F) Ecological Site Descriptions.
STATE AND TRANSITIONAL PATHWAYS: (DIAGRAM)
The following diagram suggests some pathways that the vegetation on this site might take. There may be other states not shown on the diagram. This information is intended to show what might happen in a given set of circumstances; it does not mean that this would happen the same way in every instance. Local professional guidance should always be sought before pursuing a treatment scenario.
Changes in the structure and composition of the plant community may be due to management, natural occurrences or both. At some point in time thresholds are crossed as indicated by the dashed lined box on the State and Transition Diagram. This suggest that once changes have progressed to a certain point, the plant community has been altered to the extent that a return to the former state is not possible, that is, not possible unless some form of energy is applied to make it happen. These changes take place on all ecological sites, but some sites support communities that are more resistant to change than other sites. Also, some sites are more resilient, that is, they tend to be able to heal or restore themselves more easily. Usually, changes in management practices alone, such as grazing techniques, will not be sufficient to restore former plant communities. An example of energy input might be the implementation of chemical brush management to decrease the amount of woody/cacti shrubs and increase the amount of grasses and forbs. This shift in community balance could not be brought about with grazing alone. The amount of energy required to bring about a change in plant community balance may vary a great deal depending on the present state and upon the desired result.
State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available.
View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
Ecosystem states
| T1A | - | Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure |
|---|---|---|
| R2A | - | Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes |
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Grassland State
The resulting Shortgrass/Midgrass Community (1.1) is a mixture of short and midgrass species with a few tallgrass species present along with a small amount of forbs and woody plants. The dominant grasses were sideoats grama, blue grama, little bluestem and alkali sacaton. Typical associated forbs included plains blackfoot, curlycup gumweed and dotted gayfeather as well as numerous other annual and perennial forbs. Shrubs such as yucca, cholla cactus and fourwing saltbush were often present in lesser amounts. If excessive grazing continues, ecological retrogression occurs. As retrogression proceeds, this will bring about a new Shortgrass/Midgrass/Annuals Community (1.2) with decreased amounts of low vigor sideoats grama and blue grama. Less palatable species such as alkali sacaton will increase along with inland saltgrass, dropseed species and perennial three-awn species. The better quality perennial forbs will be replaced with less desirable annual and perennial forbs.
Community 1.1
Shortgrass/Midgrass Community
Figure 8. 1. Shortgrass/Midgrass Community
The interpretive or "reference" plant community for this site is shortgrass/midgrass plant community. This site usually occurs on the east side of ancient playa lakes and lakebed basins, as well as on the side slopes of some of the major draws. The natural plant community is a mixture of high vigor mid and shortgrasses with a few tallgrass species present along with small amounts of woody plants and forbs scattered throughout the site. The primary grass species were sideoats grama, blue grama, little bluestem, and alkali sacaton. Scattered shrubs throughout the site include yucca, cholla cactus, pricklypear, fourwing saltbush. Several forb species were often present in small amounts. There were several lesser grasses and many forbs found (see plant species composition and plant group annual production section below). The community’s ecological processes were in balance with the environment. Most energy and nutrient cycling was contained in the narrow grass/soil interface and evapo-transpiration was minimal.
Figure 9. 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 | 1345 | 1569 | 1793 |
| Forb | 78 | 90 | 101 |
| Shrub/Vine | 78 | 90 | 101 |
| Tree | – | – | – |
| Total | 1501 | 1749 | 1995 |
Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX0753, Shortgrass/Midgrass Community. Sideoats and blue grama are dominating the site alone with few forbs and relatively few woody shrubs..
| 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 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 23 | 25 | 12 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Community 1.2
Shortgrass/Midgrass/Annuals Community
Figure 11. 2. Shortgrass/Midgrass/Annuals Community
This community represents the first phase in the transition of the low vigor Shortgrass/Midgrass/Annual Community phase (1.2) toward the Broom Snakeweed/Annual Forbs Dominant Community phase (2.1). If livestock are continually forced to overgraze this site, sideoats grama and blue grama will decrease or at least show signs of low vigor. The alkali sacaton will increase along with inland saltgrass, dropseeds and perennial threeawn. Annual forbs and grasses are increasing. Some bare areas may appear throughout the site. The nutrient and energy cycling as well as evapo-transpiration have changed slightly. With proper grazing use and growing season deferment, the Shortgrass/Midgrass/Annuals Community can transition back to or near the reference plant community. Prescribed burning may be necessary if a large amount of biomass is present from the increase in alkali sacaton and inland saltgrass.
Figure 12. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 6. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 1009 | 1289 | 1345 |
| Forb | 101 | 112 | 135 |
| Shrub/Vine | 90 | 101 | 112 |
| Tree | – | – | – |
| Microbiotic Crusts | – | – | – |
| Total | 1200 | 1502 | 1592 |
Figure 13. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX0754, Shortgrass with Forbs Community. Low vigor shortgrasses encroached by broom snakeweed and annuals..
| 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 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 20 | 25 | 17 | 8 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
With heavy continuous grazing pressure by livestock and wildlife as well as brush invasion of cholla, pricklypear, and yucca, the Shortgrass/Midgrass Community shifts to the Shortgrass/Midgrass/Annuals Community.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
With the implementation of conservation practices such as Prescribed Grazing and Brush Management, the Shortgrass/Midgrass/Annuals Community can shift back to the community 1.1.
Conservation practices
| Brush Management | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Grazing |
State 2
Shrubland State
If long-term heavy grazing continues, a threshold will be crossed to a Shrubs/Annuals Community (2.1). This site will develop bare areas (>30%) and an increase in annuals and broom snakeweed with pricklypear and cholla scattered throughout the site. Western ragweed and sagewort may increase in some areas. The short and midgrass species that do remain will be in low vigor. In phase 2.1, the plant community is so degraded that it cannot reverse retrogression without extensive energy and management inputs.
Community 2.1
Shrubs/Annuals Dominant Community
Figure 14. 2.1 Shrubs/Annuals Dominant Community
The Shrubs/Annuals Dominant Community (2.1) with Bare Ground (>30%) has lesser amounts of all grass species. Broom snakeweed dominates. The vigor of the grasses is low. Few of the dominant reference community grasses and forbs are present. Annual grasses and forbs provide a large portion of the forage resource. Herbaceous forage production is less than half of the reference plant community. The hydrological cycle has been adversely affected. There is very little ground water recharge as overland flow and erosion has increased. This is a transitional phase that has crossed a threshold. Changes in management practices alone, such as grazing techniques, will not be sufficient to restore former plant communities. Major energy and economic inputs will be necessary to restore the plant community to near reference conditions. Energy inputs will include re-seeding the bare areas to adapted native grass species. Prescribed burning may be needed to remove excessive plant to allow new seedling establishment. Chemical brush and pest management will be needed to decrease the amount of undesirable forbs and woody/cacti species and increase the amount of desirable grasses and forbs. Prescribed grazing will be essential in maintaining the restored plant community. The amount of energy required to bring about a change in the plant community balance may vary a great deal depending on the present state and upon the desired results.
Figure 15. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 7. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (kg/hectare) |
Representative value (kg/hectare) |
High (kg/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shrub/Vine | 336 | 392 | 448 |
| Grass/Grasslike | 224 | 336 | 448 |
| Forb | 168 | 224 | 336 |
| Microbiotic Crusts | – | – | – |
| Tree | – | – | – |
| Total | 728 | 952 | 1232 |
Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX0755, Shrubs/Shortgrass Community. Shrub/Shortgrass community in low production with broom snakeweed dominating the site over shortgrasses..
| 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 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 25 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 16 | 8 | 3 |
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
With Heavy Continuous Grazing, Brush Invasion, No Brush Management, No Fires, and No Pest Management, the Grassland State will transition itself to the Shrubland State.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
Restoration from the Shrubland State to the Grassland State will require prescribed grazing with rest periods during the growing season, re-seeding bare areas with adapted native species, chemical brush control and pest management.
Conservation practices
| Brush Management | |
|---|---|
| Prescribed Grazing | |
| Range Planting | |
| Integrated Pest Management (IPM) |
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (kg/hectare) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Midgrass | 269–359 | ||||
| alkali sacaton | SPAI | Sporobolus airoides | 269–359 | – | ||
| 2 | Midgrass/Shortgrasses | 807–1076 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 404–538 | – | ||
| blue grama | BOGR2 | Bouteloua gracilis | 404–538 | – | ||
| 3 | Midgrasses | 135–179 | ||||
| vine mesquite | PAOB | Panicum obtusum | 135–179 | – | ||
| western wheatgrass | PASM | Pascopyrum smithii | 135–179 | – | ||
| 4 | Shortgrasses | 67–90 | ||||
| threeawn | ARIST | Aristida | 67–90 | – | ||
| buffalograss | BODA2 | Bouteloua dactyloides | 67–90 | – | ||
| tumble windmill grass | CHVE2 | Chloris verticillata | 67–90 | – | ||
| saltgrass | DISP | Distichlis spicata | 67–90 | – | ||
| bush muhly | MUPO2 | Muhlenbergia porteri | 67–90 | – | ||
| creeping muhly | MURE | Muhlenbergia repens | 67–90 | – | ||
| sand dropseed | SPCR | Sporobolus cryptandrus | 67–90 | – | ||
| 5 | Tallgrasses | 40–54 | ||||
| sand bluestem | ANHA | Andropogon hallii | 40–54 | – | ||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 40–54 | – | ||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 40–54 | – | ||
| 6 | Cool-season Grasses | 27–36 | ||||
| Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | 27–36 | – | ||
| needle and thread | HECOC8 | Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata | 27–36 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 7 | Forbs | 78–101 | ||||
| Forb, annual | 2FA | Forb, annual | 78–101 | – | ||
| rose heath | CHER2 | Chaetopappa ericoides | 78–101 | – | ||
| golden prairie clover | DAAU | Dalea aurea | 78–101 | – | ||
| curlycup gumweed | GRSQ | Grindelia squarrosa | 78–101 | – | ||
| broom snakeweed | GUSA2 | Gutierrezia sarothrae | 78–101 | – | ||
| bush morning-glory | IPLE | Ipomoea leptophylla | 78–101 | – | ||
| trailing krameria | KRLA | Krameria lanceolata | 78–101 | – | ||
| dotted blazing star | LIPU | Liatris punctata | 78–101 | – | ||
| plains blackfoot | MELE2 | Melampodium leucanthum | 78–101 | – | ||
| blazingstar | MENTZ | Mentzelia | 78–101 | – | ||
| evening primrose | OENOT | Oenothera | 78–101 | – | ||
| slimflower scurfpea | PSTE5 | Psoralidium tenuiflorum | 78–101 | – | ||
| upright prairie coneflower | RACO3 | Ratibida columnifera | 78–101 | – | ||
| stiff greenthread | THFI | Thelesperma filifolium | 78–101 | – | ||
| Rocky Mountain zinnia | ZIGR | Zinnia grandiflora | 78–101 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 8 | Shrub | 78–101 | ||||
| fourwing saltbush | ATCA2 | Atriplex canescens | 78–101 | – | ||
| tree cholla | CYIMI | Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata | 78–101 | – | ||
| hairspine pricklypear | OPPOP | Opuntia polyacantha var. polyacantha | 78–101 | – | ||
| yucca | YUCCA | Yucca | 78–101 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
Native animals that occupy this site for at least a part of their habitat include scaled quail, pronghorn antelope, coyote, jackrabbit, swift fox, Texas horned lizard, prairie dogs and various small mammals and grassland birds. It is an open grassland site with very little woody cover, surrounding playas and large basins. Therefore, species that require cover will not be resident. For specific guidance on wildlife, Wildlife Habitat Appraisal Guides are available through NRCS for several species.
Hydrological functions
This site consists of deep, gently sloping to moderately sloping soils with moderately permeable loam to clay loam subsoils. Runoff from the site supplies the playa lakes and basins with water. With good cover, runoff contains low sediment. Infiltration is moderately slow and evaporation moderate. If cover is poor, very little water gets into the soil.
Recreational uses
Hunting, Camping, Hiking, Bird watching, Photography, Horseback Riding
Wood products
None.
Other products
None.
Other information
None.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
NRCS FOTG – Section II of the FOTG Range Site Descriptions and numerous historical accounts
of vegetative conditions at the time of early settlement in the area were used in the development of this site description. Vegetative inventories were made at several site locations for support documentation.
Inventory Data References (documents):
NRCS FOTG – Section II - Range Site Descriptions
NRCS Clipping Data summaries over a 20 year period
Other references
1. Archer S. 1994. Woody plant encroachment into southwestern grasslands and savannas: rates, patterns and proximate causes. In Ecological implications of livestock herbivory in the West, Ed M Vavra, W Laycock, R Pieper, pp13-68, Denver, CO: society for Range Management
2. Gould F. 1978. Common Texas Grasses: an illustrated guide. College Station, TX: Texas A & M Press.
3. Hatch, Brown and Ghandi, Vascular Plants of Texas ( An Ecological Checklist)
4. Heischmidt RK, Stuth, Eds. 1991 Grazing Management: an ecological perspective. Portland OR: Timberline Press
5. Scifres CJ, Hamilton WT. 1993. Prescribed burning for brushland management: the South Texas example. College Station, TX: Texas A & M Press.
6. Natural Resources Conservation Service - Range Site Descriptions
7. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service - Soil Surveys & Website soil database
The following individuals assisted with the development of this site description:
Clint Rollins, RMS, NRCS, Amarillo, Texas
Mark Moseley, RMS, NRCS, San Antonio, Texas
Kelly Attebury, Resource Soil Scientist, NRCS, Lubbock, Texas
Justin Clary, RMS, NRCS, Temple, Texas
Contributors
Clint Rolllins, NRCS-RMS, Amarillo
J.R. Bell
Todd Carr, SS, NRCS, Lubbock, Texas
Approval
Bryan Christensen, 9/11/2023
Acknowledgments
Site Development and Testing Plan:
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,
medium and high 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.
Annual reviews of the Project Plan are to be conducted by the Ecological Site Technical
Team.
Clint Rollins, RMS, NRCS, Amarillo, Texas
Mark Moseley, RMS, NRCS, San Antonio, Texas
Kelly Attebury, Resource Soil Scientist, NRCS, Lubbock, Texas
Justin Clary, RMS, NRCS, Temple, Texas
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) | Stan Bradbury, Zone RMS, NRCS, Lubbock, Texas |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | 806-791-0581 |
| Date | 09/04/2007 |
| Approved by | Bryan Christensen |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
Slight to moderate. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Slight to moderate. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Slight to moderate. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
30-40%. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Slight to moderate. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Slight to moderate. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Slight to moderate. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Moderate surface erosion, primarily wind erosion. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Calcareous loamy (limy) soils with low SOM. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Basal cover and density with large interspaces should make rainfall impact moderate. This site has moderate permeability, slow to medium runoff, and available water holding capacity is low to moderate. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None -
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:
Warm-season midgrasses >Sub-dominant:
Warm-season shortgrasses >Other:
Cool-season midgrasses > Warm-season tallgrasses > forbs = shrubsAdditional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Grasses due to their growth habit will exhibit some mortality and decadence, though minimal. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter is dominantly herbaceous. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
1,400 to 1,750 pounds per acre. -
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:
Yucca, cholla and pricklypear can be potentially invasive on this site. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All plant species should be capable of reproduction except during periods of prolonged drought conditions, heavy natural herbivory or intense wildfires.
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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.
Ecosystem states
| T1A | - | Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure |
|---|---|---|
| R2A | - | Adequate rest from defoliation and removal of woody canopy, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes |