Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R086BY003TX
Clay Loam
Last updated: 9/21/2023
Accessed: 04/19/2024
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): 086B–Texas Blackland Prairie, Southern Part
MLRA 86B, the Southern Part of the Texas Blackland Prairie is located in east-central Texas. It makes up about 2,925 square miles (7,585 square kilometers). The towns of Brenham, Caldwell, La Grange, Schulenberg, Hallettsville, and Navasota are in the eastern part while Lincoln, Benchley, and Normangee are in the western part. The area supports tall and mid-grass prairies, but improved pasture, croplands, and urban development account for the majority of the acreage.
Classification relationships
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2006.
-Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 86B
Ecological site concept
The Clay Loam ecological site is characterized by their shallow to very deep soils with clay loam textures.
Associated sites
| R086BY006TX |
Loamy Bottomland The Clay Loam site is usually adjacent to the Loamy Bottomland Site. Occupies large flats and provides runoff water to the Loamy Bottomland Site. |
|---|---|
| R086BY007TX |
Clayey Bottomland The Clay Loam site is usually adjacent to the Clayey Bottomland Site. Occupies large flats and provides runoff water to the Clayey Bottomland Site. |
| R086BY001TX |
Chalky Ridge The Chalky Ridge site is often upslope from the Clay Loam site. It differs from the Clay Loam site by having shallow soils and low soil fertility. |
| R086BY002TX |
Claypan Prairie The Claypan Prairie site is often adjacent to the Clay Loam site. It differs from the Clay Loam site by having a fine sandy loam soil surface layer. |
Similar sites
| R086AY006TX |
Northern Clay Loam Similar site but different MLRA. |
|---|---|
| R086AY007TX |
Southern Clay Loam Similar site but different MLRA. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Quercus stellata |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Symphoricarpos orbiculatus |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Schizachyrium scoparium |
Physiographic features
This site includes nearly level to gently sloping to rolling upland topography.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Plains
> Terrace
(2) Plains > Ridge |
|---|---|
| Runoff class | Low to high |
| Flooding frequency | None |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 100 – 800 ft |
| Slope | 12% |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
The climate for MLRA 86B is humid subtropical and is characterized by hot summers, especially in July and August, and relatively mild winters. Tropical maritime air controls the climate during spring, summer and fall. In winter and early spring, frequent surges of Polar Canadian air cause sudden drops in temperatures and add considerable variety to the daily weather. When these cold air masses stagnate and are overrun by moist air from the south, several days of cold, cloudy, and rainy weather follow. Generally, these occasional cold spells are of short duration with rapid clearing following cold frontal passages. The summer months have little variation in day-to-day weather except for occasional thunderstorms that dissipate the afternoon heat. The moderate temperatures in spring and fall are characterized by long periods of sunny skies, mild days, and cool nights. Rainfall during the spring and summer months generally falls during thunderstorms, and fairly large amounts of rain may fall in a short time. High intensity rains of short duration are likely to produce rapid runoff almost anytime during the year. The amount of rain that falls varies considerably from month-to-month and from year-to-year.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (average) | 254 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (average) | 280 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 42 in |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 4. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 5. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) LEXINGTON [USC00415193], Lexington, TX
-
(2) BRENHAM [USC00411048], Brenham, TX
-
(3) HALLETTSVILLE 2 N [USC00413873], Hallettsville, TX
-
(4) FLATONIA 4SE [USC00413183], Moulton, TX
-
(5) WASHINGTON SP [USC00419491], Navasota, TX
Influencing water features
The plant community of this site is not influenced by a stream.
Wetland description
Wetlands are not associated with this site.
Soil features
These upland soils are deep and dark brown to grayish brown in the surface. They are fertile and able to store large amounts of water to make this a productive site. Air, water, and plant roots move through these soils easily.
Soils correlated to this site include: Benchley, Brenham, Carbengle, Cuero, Flatonia, Klump, Knolle, Krum, Lamar, Luckenbach, Schulenburg, Sunev, and Zulch.
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Residuum
–
mudstone
|
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Clay loam (2) Loam (3) Sandy clay loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Loamy |
| Drainage class | Moderately well drained to well drained |
| Permeability class | Very slow to moderately slow |
| Soil depth | 24 – 80 in |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | Not specified |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 1% |
| Available water capacity (0-40in) |
3 – 7 in |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in) |
50% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-40in) |
2 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in) |
4 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in) |
5.6 – 8.4 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
7% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
3% |
Ecological dynamics
This tallgrass prairie site evolved and was maintained by the grazing and herding effects of native large ungulates, by rodents and rabbits, by insects and disease, and by the occurrence of periodic fire. Extreme climatic fluctuations over time may also have been important in the maintenance of the reference plant community. Continuous overgrazing by confined domestic livestock and the suppression of fire degrades the plant community. Heavy continuous grazing will remove big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and preferred forbs such as Engelmann's daisy (Engelmannia peristenia), Maximilian sunflower (Helianthus maximilliani), Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis), and compass plant (Silphium spp.) over time. These plants will be replaced by less productive perennial and annual grasses and forbs including silver bluestem (Bothriochloa saccharoides), Texas wintergrass (Nassella leucotricha), windmillgrass (Chloris spp.), white tridens (Tridens albescens), annual broomweed (Amphiachyris dracunculoides), and snow on the prairie (Euphorbia bicolor). With continued continuous grazing and the absence of periodic fire, a community dominated by woody species including post oak (Quercus stellata), mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), winged elm (Ulmus alata), netleaf hackberry (Celtis laevigata), and eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) will replace the grassland.
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 | - | No fire, no brush management, improper grazing management, drought |
|---|---|---|
| T1B | - | Brush management, crop cultivation, pasture planting, nutrient management, pest management |
| R2A | - | Fire, brush management, proper grazing, range planting |
| T2A | - | Brush management, crop cultivation, pasture planting, nutrient management, pest management |
| R3A | - | Fire, brush management, proper grazing, range planting |
| T3A | - | No fire, no brush management, heavy continuous grazing, no pest management |
State 1 submodel, plant communities
| 1.1A | - | No fire, no brush management, improper grazing management, drought |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2A | - | Fire, brush management, proper grazing |
State 2 submodel, plant communities
| 2.1A | - | No fire, no brush management, improper grazing management, drought |
|---|
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Prairie/Savannah
Two communities exist in the Prairie/Savannah State: the 1.1 Tallgrass Prairie Community and the 1.2 Oak/Mesquite/Midgrass Savannah Community. Community 1.1 is characterized by tallgrasses dominating the understory, with woody cover less than 10 percent. Community 1.2 is characterized by a decrease in tallgrasses and an increase in midgrasses and forbs. Woody cover increases to 10 to 20 percent.
Community 1.1
Tallgrass Prairie
The characteristic plant community of this site is the reference plant community. This site is a true prairie with a few large post oak, elm, and hackberry trees along the draws and in occasional mottes. Little bluestem dominates the plant community, making up 40 to 50 percent of the total annual yield. Indiangrass and big bluestem make up another 30 percent. Numerous other grasses occur in the potential plant community but less frequently and in smaller amounts. Texas wintergrass and Canada wildrye (Elymus Canadensis) are perennial cool season plants that occur on the site. A variety of forbs, including Illinois bundleflower, Maximilian sunflower, Engelmann’s daisy, and black Sampson (Echinacea angustifolia) occur in this community. Grazing prescriptions that permit acceptable grazing periods and allow adequate rest periods along with prescribed fire every three to five years are important in the maintenance of the reference plant community and the prairie landscape structure. Continuous overgrazing, or over-rest, and the absence of fire tend to favor a vegetative shift towards woody species such as post oak, mesquite, elm, hackberry, and cedar. Without corrective measures, this shift will continue to a shrub-dominated community.
Figure 6. 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 | 2700 | 4275 | 5850 |
| Forb | 150 | 250 | 350 |
| Tree | 50 | 75 | 150 |
| Shrub/Vine | 50 | 75 | 150 |
| Total | 2950 | 4675 | 6500 |
Table 6. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 0-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 0-10% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 30-60% |
| Forb foliar cover | 5-10% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 10-20% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 10-20% |
Table 7. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 0-10% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 0-5% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 10-30% |
| Forb basal cover | 1-3% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 20-30% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 10-20% |
Table 8. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | – | 0-5% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | 5-10% | 0-5% |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 10-20% | 0-5% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | – | 20-40% | 5-10% |
| >4.5 <= 13 | – | 0-10% | 0-5% | 0-5% |
| >13 <= 40 | 0-10% | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Community 1.2
Oak/Mesquite/Midgrass Savannah
The Oak/Mesquite/Midgrass Savannah Community develops in the absence of fire or mechanical or chemical brush management treatments. It is usually the result of yearly continuous grazing. Oaks and mesquite are the dominant woody plants on the site but eastern red cedar, prickly ash (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis), cedar elm, bumelia (Sideroxylon lanuginosum), coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus), and netleaf hackberry may also occur. Remnants of little bluestem and Indiangrass may still occur, but the herbaceous component of the community becomes dominated by lesser producing grasses and forbs. Silver bluestem, windmillgrass, white tridens, fall witchgrass (Digitaria cognata), threeawn (Aristida sp.), Texas wintergrass, prickly pear (Opuntia sp.), tasajillo (Opuntia leptocaulis), western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), croton (Croton sp.), annual broomweed, and snow on the prairie are common occupants. Woody canopy is from 10 to 20 percent, therefore prescribed burning on a three to five year interval in conjunction with prescribed grazing is a viable option for returning this community to a tallgrass prairie that may resemble the reference plant community. If this site continues to be heavily grazed and no prescribed burning is taking place, this community will transition into the Shrubland State.
Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 9. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 1200 | 1800 | 2400 |
| Shrub/Vine | 450 | 675 | 900 |
| Forb | 300 | 450 | 600 |
| Tree | 150 | 225 | 300 |
| Total | 2100 | 3150 | 4200 |
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
The Tallgrass Prairie Community will shift to the Oak/Mesquite/Midgrass Savannah Plant Community when there is continued growing-season stress on reference grass species. These stresses include improper grazing management that creates insufficient critical growing-season deferment, excess intensity of defoliation, repeated, long-term growing-season defoliation, long-term drought, and/or other repeated critical growing-season stress. Increaser species (midgrasses and woody species) are generally endemic species released by disturbance. Woody species canopy exceeding 10 percent and a species shift from tallgrass to midgrass composition indicate a transition. The driver for the shift is heavy grazing, no fire, no brush management, and/or abandonment.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
The Oak/Mesquite/Midgrass Savannah Community will return to the Tallgrass Prairie Community under grazing management that provides sufficient critical growing season deferment in combination with proper grazing intensity as long as the seedbank or seed source is still present. Favorable moisture conditions will facilitate or accelerate this transition. The understory component may return to dominance by tallgrasses in the absence of fire or brush control. However, reduction of the woody component to reference conditions of 10 percent or less canopy cover will require inputs of fire or brush control.
State 2
Shrubland
Two communities exist in the Shrubland State: the 2.1 Mesquite/Midgrass Shrubland Community and the 2.2 Oak/Mesquite Woodland Community. Community 2.1 is characterized by an increase in shade-tolerant grass and an overstory canopy from 20 to 40 percent. Community 2.2 is characterized by a cool-season grasses, especially Texas wintergrass, and a greater than 40 percent canopy cover.
Community 2.1
Oak/Mesquite/Midgrass Shrubland
The Oak/Mesquite/Midgrass Shrubland Community develops in the absence of fire or mechanical or chemical brush management treatments. It is usually the result of abandonment following cropping or yearly continuous grazing. Mesquite is the dominant woody plant on the site but eastern red cedar, prickly ash, cedar elm, bumelia, coralberry, and netleaf hackberry may also occur. Remnants of little bluestem and Indiangrass may still occur, but the herbaceous component of the community becomes dominated by lesser producing grasses and forbs. Silver bluestem, windmillgrass, white tridens, fall witchgrass (Digitaria cognata), threeawn (Aristida sp.), Texas wintergrass, prickly pear (Opuntia sp.), tasajillo (Opuntia leptocaulis), western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), croton (Croton sp.), annual broomweed, and snow on the prairie are common occupants. There is also an increase in shade-tolerant species as woody canopy are approaching 40 percent. Chemical or mechanical brush control must be applied to move the transitional community back towards the reference plant community as prescribed grazing and prescribed burning cannot shift the community alone. If this site continues to be heavily continuously grazed, this community will transition into the Oak/Mesquite Woodland Community.
Figure 8. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 10. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 900 | 1300 | 1800 |
| Shrub/Vine | 400 | 600 | 800 |
| Tree | 375 | 550 | 750 |
| Forb | 200 | 325 | 450 |
| Total | 1875 | 2775 | 3800 |
Community 2.2
Oak/Mesquite Woodland
This plant community is dominated by woody species including post oak, mesquite, hackberry, and eastern red cedar. Canopy cover exceeds 40 percent. Understory shrubs and vines include coral berry, greenbriar (Smilax sp.), grape (Vitis sp.), and prickly pear (Opuntia sp.). Herbaceous composition and production is directly related to canopy cover. Texas wintergrass, purpletop tridens (Tridens flavus), silver bluestem, threeawn, sedges (Carex sp.), croton, and annual broomweed commonly occur. If the site is not abandoned cropland, chemical brush control along with prescribed grazing and prescribed burning is a viable treatment option for moving this community back towards the reference plant community. Mechanical brush control and seeding is usually the most viable treatment option when the objective is to return this state to a community that resembles the reference plant community.
Figure 9. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 11. Annual production by plant type
| Plant type | Low (lb/acre) |
Representative value (lb/acre) |
High (lb/acre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass/Grasslike | 650 | 925 | 1300 |
| Tree | 600 | 900 | 1200 |
| Shrub/Vine | 350 | 525 | 700 |
| Forb | 100 | 200 | 300 |
| Total | 1700 | 2550 | 3500 |
Table 12. Ground cover
| Tree foliar cover | 40-60% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover | 20-40% |
| Grass/grasslike foliar cover | 10-20% |
| Forb foliar cover | 15-30% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 5-10% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 20-40% |
Table 13. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 20-40% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 10-20% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 5-10% |
| Forb basal cover | 5-10% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 5-10% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 20-40% |
Table 14. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (ft) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.5 | – | – | 5-10% | 5-10% |
| >0.5 <= 1 | – | – | – | – |
| >1 <= 2 | – | – | 5-10% | 10-20% |
| >2 <= 4.5 | – | – | 5-10% | – |
| >4.5 <= 13 | – | 15-25% | – | – |
| >13 <= 40 | 40-80% | – | – | – |
| >40 <= 80 | – | – | – | – |
| >80 <= 120 | – | – | – | – |
| >120 | – | – | – | – |
Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2
The Oak/Mesquite/Midgrass Shrubland Community will transition to the Oak/Mesquite Woodland Community with continued heavy grazing, no fire, no brush management and/or abandonment. Indicators of the transition include an increased species composition of cool-season grasses and trees becoming more mature.
State 3
Converted Land
The Converted Land State contains one community, the 3.1 Converted Land Community. The state is characterized by the land manager farming crops or planted grasses.
Community 3.1
Converted Land
Conversion of the tallgrass prairie to cropland (primarily cotton, corn, and grain sorghum) began in the middle 1800's and continued into the early 1900's. Much of the prairie is in cropland today and includes additional crops of small grains (for grain and livestock grazing), soybeans, and rice. While restoration of this site to a semblance of the tallgrass prairie is possible with seeding, prescribed grazing, and prescribed burning - complete restoration of the reference plant community in a reasonable time is unlikely. If cropping is abandoned, this site is usually planted to introduced grasses and forbs and managed as pastureland. Following crop production or brush control, this site is often planted to native or introduced grasses and legumes for livestock grazing or hay production. Typical species planted include improved Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) varieties, dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatam), switchgrass, kleingrass (Panicum coloratum), old-world bluestem (Bothriochloa spp.) varieties, and various legume species. Many of the introduced species (Bermudagrass, dallisgrass, old-world bluestem) are invasive - moving by wind, water, and animals. Once established, they are extremely difficult to remove and will hinder the re-establishment of native species. The establishment and maintenance of these species requires cultivation, fertilization, weed control, and prescribed grazing management. Without the yearly application of these cultural practices, this vegetative state will move towards the Shrubland State.
Figure 10. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
The Prairie/Savannah State will transition to the Shrubland State when continued heavy grazing pressure, no fire, no brush management, and/or field abandonment continues. The transition is evident when woody species canopy cover exceeds 20 percent and grasses shift composition to more shade-tolerant species.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
The transition to the Converted State occurs when the site is plowed for planting crops or pasture. The driver for the transition is the land manager's decision to farm the site.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
Restoration of the Shrubland State to the Prairie/Savannah State requires substantial energy input. Mechanical or herbicidal brush control treatments can be used to remove woody species. A long-term prescribed fire program may sufficiently reduce brush density, particularly if the woody component is dominated by species that are not re-sprouters. However, fire may not be sufficient to remove mature trees. Brush control in combination with prescribed fire, proper grazing management, and favorable growing conditions may be the most economical means of creating and maintaining the desired plant community. If remnant populations of tallgrasses, midgrasses, and desirable forbs are not present at sufficient levels, range planting will be necessary to restore the reference plant community.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
The transition to the Converted State occurs when the site is plowed for planting crops or pasture. The driver for the transition is the land manager's decision to farm the site.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1
The restoration to State 1 can occur when the land manager ceases agronomic practices. Range planting of native species found in the reference community will be required to bring back a similar community as the State 1 plant composition. The extent of previous soil disturbances will determine how much seedbed preparation will be needed, as well as the ability to be restored. Proper grazing and brush management will be required to ensure success.
Transition T3A
State 3 to 2
The Converted Land State will transition to the Shrubland State by heavy continuous grazing, no fire, no brush management and/or abandonment. Woody species that encroach will eventually grow into the overstory and begin to shade out grasses.
Additional community tables
Table 15. Community 1.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Warm season perennial tall grass | 1100–2300 | ||||
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | 1200–2300 | – | ||
| 2 | Warm season perennial tall grass | 800–1800 | ||||
| big bluestem | ANGE | Andropogon gerardii | 800–1800 | – | ||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 800–1800 | – | ||
| Indiangrass | SONU2 | Sorghastrum nutans | 800–1800 | – | ||
| eastern gamagrass | TRDA3 | Tripsacum dactyloides | 800–1800 | – | ||
| 3 | Warm season perennial mid grasses | 550–1200 | ||||
| sideoats grama | BOCU | Bouteloua curtipendula | 550–1200 | – | ||
| silver beardgrass | BOLAT | Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana | 550–1200 | – | ||
| fall witchgrass | DICO6 | Digitaria cognata | 550–1200 | – | ||
| Texas cupgrass | ERSE5 | Eriochloa sericea | 550–1200 | – | ||
| Florida paspalum | PAFL4 | Paspalum floridanum | 550–1200 | – | ||
| Hall's panicgrass | PAHA | Panicum hallii | 550–1200 | – | ||
| vine mesquite | PAOB | Panicum obtusum | 550–1200 | – | ||
| brownseed paspalum | PAPL3 | Paspalum plicatulum | 550–1200 | – | ||
| marsh bristlegrass | SEPA10 | Setaria parviflora | 550–1200 | – | ||
| composite dropseed | SPCOC2 | Sporobolus compositus var. compositus | 550–1200 | – | ||
| white tridens | TRAL2 | Tridens albescens | 550–1200 | – | ||
| pink fluffgrass | TRCO2 | Tridens congestus | 550–1200 | – | ||
| longspike tridens | TRST2 | Tridens strictus | 550–1200 | – | ||
| 4 | Cool season perennial grasses | 250–550 | ||||
| Canada wildrye | ELCA4 | Elymus canadensis | 250–550 | – | ||
| Texas wintergrass | NALE3 | Nassella leucotricha | 250–550 | – | ||
|
Forb
|
||||||
| 5 | Warm season perennial forb | 150–350 | ||||
| Cuman ragweed | AMPS | Ambrosia psilostachya | 150–350 | – | ||
| groovestem Indian plantain | ARPL4 | Arnoglossum plantagineum | 150–350 | – | ||
| white prairie clover | DACAC | Dalea candida var. candida | 150–350 | – | ||
| compact prairie clover | DACO2 | Dalea compacta | 150–350 | – | ||
| purple prairie clover | DAPU5 | Dalea purpurea | 150–350 | – | ||
| Illinois bundleflower | DEIL | Desmanthus illinoensis | 150–350 | – | ||
| blacksamson echinacea | ECAN2 | Echinacea angustifolia | 150–350 | – | ||
| Engelmann's daisy | ENPE4 | Engelmannia peristenia | 150–350 | – | ||
| button eryngo | ERYU | Eryngium yuccifolium | 150–350 | – | ||
| Maximilian sunflower | HEMA2 | Helianthus maximiliani | 150–350 | – | ||
| coastal indigo | INMI | Indigofera miniata | 150–350 | – | ||
| manystem ratany | KRRA | Krameria ramosissima | 150–350 | – | ||
| pinkscale blazing star | LIEL | Liatris elegans | 150–350 | – | ||
| Nuttall's sensitive-briar | MINU6 | Mimosa nuttallii | 150–350 | – | ||
| yellow puff | NELU2 | Neptunia lutea | 150–350 | – | ||
| whitest evening primrose | OEAL | Oenothera albicaulis | 150–350 | – | ||
| Nuttall's prairie parsley | PONU4 | Polytaenia nuttallii | 150–350 | – | ||
| prairie snoutbean | RHLA5 | Rhynchosia latifolia | 150–350 | – | ||
| fringeleaf wild petunia | RUHU | Ruellia humilis | 150–350 | – | ||
|
Shrub/Vine
|
||||||
| 6 | Shrubs/Vines | 50–150 | ||||
| winged sumac | RHCO | Rhus copallinum | 50–150 | – | ||
| saw greenbrier | SMBO2 | Smilax bona-nox | 50–150 | – | ||
| coralberry | SYOR | Symphoricarpos orbiculatus | 50–150 | – | ||
|
Tree
|
||||||
| 7 | Trees | 50–150 | ||||
| netleaf hackberry | CELAR | Celtis laevigata var. reticulata | 50–150 | – | ||
| post oak | QUST | Quercus stellata | 50–150 | – | ||
| live oak | QUVI | Quercus virginiana | 50–150 | – | ||
| gum bully | SILA20 | Sideroxylon lanuginosum | 50–150 | – | ||
| winged elm | ULAL | Ulmus alata | 50–150 | – | ||
Table 16. Community 3.1 plant community composition
| Group | Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Annual production (lb/acre) | Foliar cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/Grasslike
|
||||||
| 1 | Cool season annual grasses | 6000–8000 | ||||
| common oat | AVSA | Avena sativa | 6000–8000 | – | ||
| Italian ryegrass | LOPEM2 | Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum | 6000–8000 | – | ||
| common wheat | TRAE | Triticum aestivum | 6000–8000 | – | ||
| 2 | Pastureland species | 3000–10000 | ||||
| switchgrass | PAVI2 | Panicum virgatum | 5000–10000 | – | ||
| Bermudagrass | CYDA | Cynodon dactylon | 4000–8000 | – | ||
| kleingrass | PACO2 | Panicum coloratum | 4000–8000 | – | ||
| yellow bluestem | BOIS | Bothriochloa ischaemum | 3000–7000 | – | ||
Interpretations
Animal community
As a historic tall grass prairie, this site was occupied by bison, antelope, deer, prairie chicken, quail, turkey, and dove. This site was also used by many species of grassland songbirds, coyotes, and wolves. This site now provides forage for livestock and is still used by quail, turkey, dove, migratory and resident grassland birds, and coyotes. Deer use the site when woody species occur in sufficient densities and proper structure to provide adequate cover.
Hydrological functions
Peak rainfall periods occur in May and June from frontal passage thunderstorms and in September and October from tropical systems, as well as frontal passage thunderstorms. Rainfall amounts may be high (three to five inches per event) and events may be intense. The site is subject to erosion where adequate herbaceous cover is not maintained and on heavy use areas such as roads and livestock trails. Extended periods (60 days) of little to no rainfall during the growing season are common.
Recreational uses
This site may be used for hunting, hiking, bird watching, biking, and horseback riding.
Wood products
In the woodland state, this site produces fire wood from oaks and posts from eastern red cedar.
Other products
Fruit from dewberry, grapes, and plums may be available on this site.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
These site descriptions were developed as part a Provisional Ecological Site project using historic soil survey manuscripts, available site descriptions, and low intensity field traverse sampling. Future work to validate the information is needed. This will include field activities to collect low, medium, and high-intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of that data. A final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance review of the will be needed to produce the final document.
Other references
Diggs, G.M., B.L. Lipscomb, and R.J. O'Kennon. 1999. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute of Texas and Austin College, Fort Worth, TX.
Hatch, S.L, K.N. Gandhi, and L.E. Brown. 1990. Checklist of the vascular plants of Texas. Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, College Station, TX.
Contributors
Mark Moseley
Tyson Hart
Approval
Bryan Christensen, 9/21/2023
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) | Mike Stellbauer, David Polk, Bill Deauman |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | Mike Stellbauer, Zone RMS, NRCS, Bryan, Texas |
| Date | 05/23/2005 |
| Approved by | Bryan Christensen |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
None. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Some water flow patterns are normal for this site due to landscape position and slopes. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals or terracettes are uncommon for this site when occupied by the HCPC. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Expect no more than 20 percent bare ground distributed in small patches. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
No gullies should be present. Drainageways should be stable and covered with vegetation. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
This site has slowly permeable soils. On sloping sites, small to medium-size litter will move short distances with intense storms. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface is resistant to erosion. Stability class range is 5 to 6. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Soil surface is less than 13 inches thick with colors frm dark brown clay loam to very dark gray clay loam and generally medium subangular blocky structure. SOM is 1 to 3 percent. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
The savannah of trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, and forbs with adequate litter and little bare ground provides for maximum infiltration and little runoff under normal rainfall events. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
No evidence of compaction. -
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 tallgrasses >>Sub-dominant:
Warm-season midgrasses > Cool-season midgrasses > Forbs >Other:
Trees > Shrubs/VinesAdditional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
There should be little mortality or decadence for any functional groups. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
2,950 for below average moisture years to 6,500 for above average moisture years. -
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:
Potential invasive species include yellow bluestems, common Bermudagrass, bahiagrass, mesquite, elm, huisache, post oak, eastern red cedar, and McCartney rose. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All perennial plants should be capable of reproducing, except for 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 | - | No fire, no brush management, improper grazing management, drought |
|---|---|---|
| T1B | - | Brush management, crop cultivation, pasture planting, nutrient management, pest management |
| R2A | - | Fire, brush management, proper grazing, range planting |
| T2A | - | Brush management, crop cultivation, pasture planting, nutrient management, pest management |
| R3A | - | Fire, brush management, proper grazing, range planting |
| T3A | - | No fire, no brush management, heavy continuous grazing, no pest management |
State 1 submodel, plant communities
| 1.1A | - | No fire, no brush management, improper grazing management, drought |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2A | - | Fire, brush management, proper grazing |
State 2 submodel, plant communities
| 2.1A | - | No fire, no brush management, improper grazing management, drought |
|---|