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Ecological site R078CY006OK

Clayey Breaks

Last updated: 9/15/2023
Accessed: 11/13/2024

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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.

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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): 078C–Central Rolling Red Plains, Eastern Part

MLRA 78C is characterized by moderately dissected, rolling plains with prominent ridges and valleys and numerous terraces adjacent to dissecting streams. Loamy and clayey soils are generally deep, well drained, and developed in soft, calcareous sandstones, siltstones, and shales in red beds of Permian age. Characteristic red soils have formed in most of the area because of the underlying Permian red-bed sedimentary rocks.

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 is composed of steep, shallow soils on breaks and escarpments. Vegetation can vary depending on slope, aspect, and precipitation but is generally dominated by short and midgrass species. Perennial forbs and some tallgrass species persist in some areas and shrubs have historically been limited to 10% canopy cover by periodic fires. This site is often browsed by wildlife species and not typically subject to grazing by cattle, however, some instances may occur. As fire is removed from the lanscape, brush canopy may increase. This site is quite sensitive to periods of drought due to the shallow clay soils.

Associated sites

R078CY038OK	Gyp Some sites with steep slopes but Gypsum visible at surface. Cornick, Cottonwood soils.

R078CY038OK

Gyp

Some sites with steep slopes but Gypsum visible at surface. Cornick, Cottonwood soils.

Similar sites

R078CY005OK	Loamy Breaks Burson, Deepwood, Quinlan, Spikebox, and Woodward soils. Deeper soils support a tallgrass dominated HPC.
R078BY094TX	Clayey Breaks Similar site in MLRA 78B.

R078CY005OK

Loamy Breaks

Burson, Deepwood, Quinlan, Spikebox, and Woodward soils. Deeper soils support a tallgrass dominated HPC.

R078BY094TX

Clayey Breaks

Similar site in MLRA 78B.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	(1) Rhus aromatica
Herbaceous	(1) Bouteloua curtipendula (2) Yucca glauca

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Physiographic features

These sites are located along clayey ridges and escarpments with slopes ranging from 12-40%. With slopes in this range, land use and management practices are quite limited when compared to adjacent sites.

Figure 2. cbp

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Plains > Hill (2) Plains > Escarpment
Runoff class	Very high
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	305 – 701 m
Slope	12 – 40%
Water table depth	191 – 203 cm
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The extent of this ecological site is confined to northwestern Oklahoma and Southwestern Kansas. Specifically form Barber County, KS south to Blain County, OK. The weather is alternately influenced by cold dry air from the Arctic Circle in the winter, and warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico in spring and early summer. Seasonal changes are gradual with spring being a season of variable weather. Large precipitation events are commonly brought on by thunderstorms that may contain hail and high winds. Approximately 75 percent of the rainfall occurs during the warm season, and much of it comes in storms of high intensity and short duration in May and June. These rains can be particularly erosive on sites where vegetation is sparse. Summers are generally hot with low humidity and typically last longer than the winters. Occasional droughts are to be expected and are a reoccurring part of the ecosystem. Lack of rainfall along with hot dry winds often curtails forage production during July and August. Fall has periods of temperate weather interspersed with moderate to heavy rains, along with cooler temperatures that can dip below freezing especially towards the end of fall. Winter is typically moderate with cold winds from the north and infrequent storms can bring bitterly cold temperatures and snow to the area, but are commonly short lived.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	163-195 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	192-217 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	660-686 mm
Frost-free period (actual range)	161-199 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	191-219 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	660-711 mm
Frost-free period (average)	182 days
Freeze-free period (average)	204 days
Precipitation total (average)	686 mm

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 4. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 5. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 6. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 7. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 8. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) ANSON 3ESE [USC00410268], Anson, TX
(2) VERNON [USC00419346], Vernon, TX
(3) CLINTON SHERMAN AP [USW00003932], Dill City, OK
(4) MUTUAL [USC00346139], Mutual, OK
(5) COLDWATER [USC00141704], Coldwater, KS

Soil features

The soils associated with this ecological site consist of very shallow and shallow, well drained, very slowly permeable soils that formed in residuum over dense non-cemented claystone bedrock of Permian age. These soils are on very steep ridges, sideslopes, and erosional footslopes on uplands of the Central Rolling Red Plains (MLRA 78C). Slopes range from 12 to 40 percent.

Representative Soils:

These soils associated with site generally include components of Knoco, Badlands, and/or Rock Outcrop.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Residuum – claystone
Surface texture	(1) Clay (2) Silty clay loam (3) Clay loam
Drainage class	Well drained
Permeability class	Slow to very slow
Depth to restrictive layer	10 – 25 cm
Soil depth	10 – 51 cm
Surface fragment cover <=3"	0%
Surface fragment cover >3"	0%
Available water capacity (0-101.6cm)	1.52 – 4.06 cm
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm)	1 – 15%
Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm)	0 – 4 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm)	0 – 8
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm)	6.6 – 8.4
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	0 – 9%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified)	0 – 1%

Ecological dynamics

The reference plant community is a mixture of grasses, forbs, shrubs, and a few trees. They percent of bare ground can sometimes be fairly high in comparison to adjacent sites. Aspect, climate, soil depth, percent slope, and disturbance factors are all important determinants in the overall species composition and production of the plant community. This is especially true for a Clayey Breaks site. Generally the north and east facing exposures have a greater variety of plants present and slightly higher production due to more mesic conditions. Forage production is generally less than sites with deeper soil resources. Accessibility is limited due to steep slopes.

Midgrass, tallgrass, and shortgrass species are found on the site along with several species of forbs and shrubs. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), and are often the most common grasses; however, other grasses such as hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), perennial three-awn (Aristida purpurea) and are also found on the shallower areas. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), and dropseed species (Sporobolus spp.) are usually found in crevices and deeper soil areas. Common shrubs are feather dalea (Dalea spp.), skunkbush sumac (Rhus tribolata), and eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana). Areas occur within the site where the shrubs may be quite prominent and make up a fairly large percent of the total biomass; and there will be areas where grasses and forbs dominate. This site is not a preferred grazing area for most domestic livestock due to accessibility (steep slopes) and shallow soils. Therefore, this site is seldom heavily grazed. Browsing wildlife species such as white tailed deer frequent this site because of the good variety of forbs and shrubs providing food and cover in the canyons. A considerable amount of geologic erosion usually takes place on this site; therefore, any amount of native plant cover that can be supported is desirable.

Both natural and anthropogenic fire played a role in the ecology of this site as is true for most Central Rolling Red Plains sites. The general effects of these fires were woody plant suppression and increased vigor of herbaceous plants. However, some of the steeper slopes and canyon walls escaped fire altogether. In general, the rocky soils and steep terrain of this site have much more influence on the plant community than does any external ecological influence. The sparse vegetation and lower production affects fine fuel continuity, and the heat generated by natural fire may have limited the degree of damage to woody plants. It is important to note that it might take this site longer to recover from a burn than most associated sites due to sparse plant density and droughty soils.

Since the site is not normally heavily grazed, the overall ecological condition will not be affected as much due to animal use. There are places where on the most accessible part of the site, there is evidence of grazing by cattle. The grazing tends to be somewhat seasonal and for shorter duration than more productive less sloping terrain. However, if the site were grazed by goats instead of cattle, then overgrazing and browsing could be more of a potential problem. Most species of deer utilize the site readily, but in most places in MLRA 78C, deer populations are not dense enough to place a lot of pressure on primary browse. In most cases, this site is more important for wildlife habitat than for livestock grazing.

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

1. Grassland State

2. Shrubland/Woody Invasion State

T1A	-	Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time, may be coupled with excessive grazing pressure
R2A	-	Adequate rest from defoliation, followed by reintroduction of historic disturbance regimes

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Midgrass/Tallgrass/Shortgrass (Reference Community)

1.2. Midgrass/Shortgrass Dominant Community with remnant Tallgrasses and a few Trees and Shrubs

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Shrubland/Shortgrass Community

State 1
Grassland State

Dominant plant species

little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass

Community 1.1
Midgrass/Tallgrass/Shortgrass (Reference Community)

Figure 9. 1.1 Midgrass/Tallgrass/Shortgrass Comunity HPC

This is the reference plant community for this site. It is difficult to predict and describe a definite plant community for this site because the amounts of actual soil material present, the degree of slope, and site aspect are highly variable; and all of these factors can have a significant influence on each site's plant community developement. In the HPC, midgrasses were usually the dominant species. However, tallgrasses can also be the dominant species if soil depth allows. Occassionally, the site can have a good percentage of bare ground. Sideoats grama can sometimes be the dominant grass; but when sideoats grama is present in significant amounts, the soils are usually deep enough for tallgrasses such as big bluestem and Indiangrass to thrive enough in crevices, pockets, and swales of greater soil depth to be co-dominant. On sites where there are no deep soils, tallgrasses may not be found, forbs may be prominent, and shortgrasses such as buffalograss, blue grama, and hairy grama will be dominant. Moderate amounts of forbs are usually present and are usually will distributed. Shrubs make up approximately 5-10% of the production, but may be localized in occurrence. This plant community is relatively stable and shifts very little from year to year barring anthropogenic disturbence.However, active erosion can also have a significant effect on the plant community.

Figure 10. 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	583	841	1104
Forb	78	106	135
Shrub/Vine	34	50	67
Tree	22	34	45
Microbiotic Crusts	11	17	17
Total	728	1048	1368

Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OK0002, Native Warm Season - North Oklahoma. This is the estimated growth curve for the northern half of Oklahoma where mean annual air temperatures are less than 60 degrees F. Plant growth can vary from year to year dependening on air temperature and timing and amount of precipitation. These figures are merely a representative example for warm season native plants in the geographic area..

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	15	20	30	10	6	10	6	0	0

Community 1.2
Midgrass/Shortgrass Dominant Community with remnant Tallgrasses and a few Trees and Shrubs

Figure 12. 1.2 Midgrass/Shortgrass Community

Midgrasses and shortgrasses with little bluestem and a few other tallgrasses remaining. Bare ground is increased and active erosion is evident. Yucca, skunkbush, and other shrub species will increase. More of a barren looking site than the reference community.

Figure 13. 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	336	560	785
Forb	84	112	224
Shrub/Vine	56	73	90
Tree	45	56	67
Total	521	801	1166

Figure 14. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OK0002, Native Warm Season - North Oklahoma. This is the estimated growth curve for the northern half of Oklahoma where mean annual air temperatures are less than 60 degrees F. Plant growth can vary from year to year dependening on air temperature and timing and amount of precipitation. These figures are merely a representative example for warm season native plants in the geographic area..

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	15	20	30	10	6	10	6	0	0

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Midgrass/Tallgrass/Shortgrass (Reference Community)

Midgrass/Shortgrass Dominant Community with remnant Tallgrasses and a few Trees and Shrubs

Increased soil erosion, coupled with the abscence of fire and proper grazing management(if applicable) can cause the reference community to shift to a midgrass/shortgrass dominated plant community.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Midgrass/Shortgrass Dominant Community with remnant Tallgrasses and a few Trees and Shrubs

Midgrass/Tallgrass/Shortgrass (Reference Community)

Through development and implementation of a prescribed burning and prescribed grazing program, the Midgrass/Shortgrass dominated community can be reverted to the Reference Community. This community shift may take a many years in order to produce the fuel loads that are required to successfully implement a prescribed burn. It is important to properly manage fine fuel load as part of the planning of the prescribed burn to ensure the objectives are met.

Conservation practices

Prescribed Burning
Prescribed Grazing

State 2
Shrubland/Woody Invasion State

The following narrative describes the plant community within the Shrubland/Woody State. This state has 25% or greater canopy cover by invasive woody species with a decreasing herbaceous component.

Dominant plant species

eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), tree

Community 2.1
Shrubland/Shortgrass Community

Figure 15. 2.1 Woody Invasion

The plant community for the Clayey Breaks ecological site is now in a state of shrub and tree dominance. It has been invaded by eastern redcedar, mesquite, and other woody plants. Invasive woody species dominate the midgrasses, shortgrasses, yucca, and skunkbush sumac. There are fewer forbs in this plant community. It has reached 25% or more woody species canopy cover. The common woody species is eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana).

Figure 16. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OK0002, Native Warm Season - North Oklahoma. This is the estimated growth curve for the northern half of Oklahoma where mean annual air temperatures are less than 60 degrees F. Plant growth can vary from year to year dependening on air temperature and timing and amount of precipitation. These figures are merely a representative example for warm season native plants in the geographic area..

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	15	20	30	10	6	10	6	0	0

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

With continous disturbances through heavy grazing (if applicable), erosion, fire suppression, long term drought, and/or encroachment by Juniper and/or Mesquite; the Grassland state will transition to a Shrubland/Woody Invasion state.

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

Through development and initiation of a prescribed fire and brush management program, the Shrubland/Invasion state may be restored to a Grassland state. It is important to remember that fine fuel management is an very important when planning a prescribed burn on these sites due to the sparse grasses that occur in the Shrubland/Invasion state. Depending on precipitation patterns, this restoration can can take many years.

Conservation practices

Brush Management
Prescribed Burning

Additional community tables

Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Tallgrasses			207–392
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	0–269	–
	Indiangrass	SONU2	Sorghastrum nutans	0–56	–
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	0–56	–
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	0–56	–
2	Mid/Shortgrasses			375–712
	sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	112–269	–
	blue grama	BOGR2	Bouteloua gracilis	56–106	–
	hairy grama	BOHI2	Bouteloua hirsuta	56–106	–
	silver beardgrass	BOLAL2	Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. laguroides	0–106	–
	fall witchgrass	DICO6	Digitaria cognata	0–106	–
	Texas bluegrass	POAR	Poa arachnifera	0–106	–
	dropseed	SPORO	Sporobolus	0–106	–
	slim tridens	TRMUE	Tridens muticus var. elongatus	0–106	–
	Wright's threeawn	ARPUW	Aristida purpurea var. wrightii	0–106	–
Forb
4	Forbs			78–135
	white sagebrush	ARLU	Artemisia ludoviciana	0–34	–
	yellow sundrops	CASE12	Calylophus serrulatus	0–34	–
	rose heath	CHER2	Chaetopappa ericoides	0–34	–
	blacksamson echinacea	ECAN2	Echinacea angustifolia	0–34	–
	longleaf buckwheat	ERLO5	Eriogonum longifolium	0–34	–
	stiffleaf false goldenaster	HESTS	Heterotheca stenophylla var. stenophylla	0–34	–
	trailing krameria	KRLA	Krameria lanceolata	0–34	–
	dotted blazing star	LIPU	Liatris punctata	0–34	–
	plains blackfoot	MELE2	Melampodium leucanthum	0–34	–
	evening primrose	OENOT	Oenothera	0–34	–
	pricklypear	OPUNT	Opuntia	0–34	–
	yellow nailwort	PAVI4	Paronychia virginica	0–34	–
	Fendler's penstemon	PEFE	Penstemon fendleri	0–34	–
	James' holdback	POJA5	Pomaria jamesii	0–34	–
	slimflower scurfpea	PSTE5	Psoralidium tenuiflorum	0–34	–
	diamond-flowers	STNI6	Stenaria nigricans	0–34	–
	alderleaf mountain mahogany	CEMO2	Cercocarpus montanus	0–17	–
	jointfir	EPHED	Ephedra	0–17	–
	broom snakeweed	GUSA2	Gutierrezia sarothrae	0–17	–
	twistspine pricklypear	OPMA2	Opuntia macrorhiza	0–17	–
	skunkbush sumac	RHTR	Rhus trilobata	0–17	–
	yucca	YUCCA	Yucca	0–17	–
Shrub/Vine
5	Shrub/Vine			34–67
	eastern redcedar	JUVI	Juniperus virginiana	0–22	–
	honey mesquite	PRGL2	Prosopis glandulosa	0–22	–
	featherplume	DAFO	Dalea formosa	0–17	–
	broom snakeweed	GUSA2	Gutierrezia sarothrae	0–17	–
	Nuttall's sensitive-briar	MINU6	Mimosa nuttallii	0–17	–
	fragrant sumac	RHAR4	Rhus aromatica	0–17	–
	smooth sumac	RHGL	Rhus glabra	0–17	–
	soapweed yucca	YUGL	Yucca glauca	0–17	–
Tree
6	Tree			22–45
	common hackberry	CEOC	Celtis occidentalis	0–22	–
	eastern redcedar	JUVI	Juniperus virginiana	0–22	–

Interpretations

Animal community

The Clayey Breaks site is used by deer for cover and browsing. Small mammals and predators also frequent the site. Many species of songbirds utilize this site, especially if a juniper community is present. Cattle seasonally graze the more accessible parts of this site, but because of slope, they graze Clayey Break areas less frequently than associated sites. Woody plant species may be desirable if the site is to be managed for deer habitat. White-tailed deer prefer interspersed mosaic shrub and tree cover.

Hydrological functions

Runoff is rapid from this site due to little infiltration and steep slopes. Runoff eventually reaches the drainages below.

Recreational uses

Hunting, Camping, Hiking, Birdwatching, Photography, Horseback Riding

Wood products

Eastern redcedar grows in sufficient amount in some locations to be a source for fence posts. Furniture, oils, lumber, mulch, cedar fiber, and many knick knack items are made from eastern redcedar. Mesquite can be used for cooking wood and charcoal.

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 developement of this site description. Vegetation inventories were made at several site locations for support documentation.

NRCS-FOTG Section II-Range Site Descriptions
NRCS-NRI 417 data
NRCS Clipping Data summaries over a 20 year period

Type locality

Location 1: Major County, OK
General legal description	Gloss Mountain Park, State of Oklahoma, West of Orienta, Oklahoma

Other references

USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service Range Site Descriptions

USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service Soil Survey Reports, Oklahoma

Technical Reviewers:
Harry Fritzler, Range Specialist, Norman, OK
Mark Moseley, Range Specialist, Boerne, TX
Brandon Reavis, Range Specialist, Stillwater, OK

Contributors

Colin Walden, Range Specialist(ESI), Stillwater, OK
Dr. Jack Eckroat, Grazing Lands Specialist, NRCS, Oklahoma
PES Edits by Tyson Morley, MLRA Soil Scientist, Altus, Oklahoma

Approval

Bryan Christensen, 9/15/2023

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.

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)	Mark Moseley, Colin Walden(Update)
Contact for lead author	NRCS, 100 USDA, Suite 206, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074
Date	06/12/2008
Approved by	Bryan Christensen
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production