Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site RX141X501
Loamy Slopes
Last updated: 10/03/2024
Accessed: 11/21/2024
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 141X–Tug Hill Plateau
MLRA 141 is entirely in New York and makes up about 1,173 square kilometers (3,037 square kilometers). It consists of a relatively small but unique upland that lies just off the eastern end of Lake Ontario and west of the Black River Valley and Adirondack Mountain region. It is essentially a north- and east-facing glaciated cuesta scarp and is underlain by thick Wisconsin till and small areas of outwash. Most of the plateau is woodland, so forestry and recreation are the primary uses, but small isolated dairy operations and hobby farms are located around the perimeter.
The area is bordered on the east by the Black River Valley, on the north by the St. Lawrence Lowland, on the west by the Ontario Lowland, and on the south by the Upper Mohawk Valley. The northern and eastern boundaries of MLRA 141 are distinct where they contact the physiographically dissimilar southwestern part of MLRA 142 (St. Lawrence-Champlain Plain). The western and southern boundaries are also distinct where they contact the physiographically dissimilar MLRA 101 (Ontario-Erie Plain and Finger Lakes Region).
Ecological site concept
This site occurs mostly on well- to moderately well-drained loam soils, and associated somewhat poorly-drained soils. Bedrock is greater than 20 inches below the mineral soil surface. Soils may be underlain by a densely compacted till layer. This site is commonly found on backslope and footslope positions, but may occur on flats or any number of landforms. The vegetation is characterized by northern hardwoods, particularly sugar maple, red maple, yellow birch, and beech, with diverse hardwood associates. Shallower and wetter inclusions in this site typically produce more softwoods, including red spruce, hemlock, northern white cedar, and balsam fir. This site is likely overmapped. Perhaps a Mod-deep Loamy (mixedwood) concept and/or a Loamy Upland Flats (spruce-fir) concept could reflect consistent, meaningful patterns between vegetation and soil properties.
Associated sites
RX141X502 |
Loamy Till Toeslope This ecological site may be adjacent to Loamy Slopes on the landscape. |
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RX141X506 |
Calcareous Till Slope This ecological site may be adjacent to Loamy Slopes on the landscape. |
RX141X507 |
Calcareous Till Toeslope This ecological site may be adjacent to Loamy Slopes on the landscape. |
Similar sites
RX141X502 |
Loamy Till Toeslope Loamy Slope sites may transition into this ecological site and may have some overlap in vegetative composition and soil properties. |
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Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
(1) Betula alleghaniensis |
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Shrub |
(1) Viburnum lantanoides |
Herbaceous |
(1) Dryopteris intermedia |
Legacy ID
F141XY501NY
Physiographic features
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms |
(1)
Till plain
> Low hill
(2) Till plain > Drumlinoid ridge (3) Alluvial fan (4) Terrace (5) Bench (6) Ridge (7) Delta (8) Outwash plain (9) Lake plain (10) Valley train (11) Drumlin |
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Runoff class | Low to very high |
Elevation | 200 – 2,083 ft |
Water table depth | 19 – 72 in |
Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
Throughout the year precipitation is evenly distributed around most of this area with slightly less rainfall occurring around the lower margins of the plateau. Rainfall occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms during the summer. Lake-effect snowfall is heavy from late autumn to early spring with the summit of the plateau having the lowest temperatures and the shortest freeze-free periods.
Climate stations Watertown and Old Forge are adjacent to the MLRA and were used to tabulate additional representative climate data.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) | 92-124 days |
---|---|
Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 129-159 days |
Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 47-53 in |
Frost-free period (actual range) | 86-131 days |
Freeze-free period (actual range) | 119-164 days |
Precipitation total (actual range) | 44-57 in |
Frost-free period (average) | 108 days |
Freeze-free period (average) | 143 days |
Precipitation total (average) | 50 in |
Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range
Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range
Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) BOONVILLE 4 SSW [USC00300785], Boonville, NY
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(2) CAMDEN [USC00301110], Camden, NY
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(3) WATERTOWN [USC00309000], Watertown, NY
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(4) OLD FORGE [USC00306184], Eagle Bay, NY
Influencing water features
Soil features
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material |
(1)
Glaciofluvial deposits
–
acid shale
(2) Glaciolacustrine deposits (3) Eolian deposits (4) Glaciofluvial deposits – sandstone and siltstone (5) Till – sedimentary rock (6) Till – shale and siltstone |
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Surface texture |
(1) Channery loam (2) Silt (3) Very fine sand (4) Gravelly loamy sand (5) Loam |
Drainage class | Moderately well drained to well drained |
Permeability class | Very slow to moderate |
Soil depth | 20 – 72 in |
Surface fragment cover <=3" | Not specified |
Surface fragment cover >3" | 9% |
Available water capacity (3-7in) |
Not specified |
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (3.5-8.4in) |
Not specified |
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (6-32in) |
Not specified |
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (2-15in) |
Not specified |
Ecological dynamics
Caveat: The vegetation information contained in this section and is only provisional, based on concepts, and future projects support validation through field work. *] The vegetation groupings described in this section are based on the terrestrial ecological system classification and vegetation associations developed by NatureServe (Comer 2003) and localized associations provided by the New York Natural Heritage Program (Edinger et al. 2014).
This site covers a broad area and will require significant study to identify the full range of disturbances and plant communities associated with it. Northern hardwoods dominate, particularly yellow birch, sugar maple and beech. However, where soils somewhat shallower or wetter than the typical site concept there is often more red spruce, balsam fire, white birch and eastern hemlock present in the community.
Treethrow and logging are the most common disturbances on this site. The site is resilient following these disturbances and succeeds through an herbaceous and shrubby phase prior to tree establishment and eventual return to the reference community. The young forest stands include several species not typically dominant in the reference community, including pin cherry, white birch, aspen, balsam fir, etc.
On gentler slopes, this site may be cultivated for crop or pasture. When cropland or pastureland management ceases, the site either returns to northern hardwoods or may transition to a white pine forest. Once white pine is established, it tends to form a single age stand with low diversity and little understory.
State and transition model
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View Interactive Models
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View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference State (minimally-managed)
This site covers a broad area and will require significant study to identify the full range of disturbances and plant communities associated with it. Northern hardwoods dominate, particularly yellow birch, sugar maple and beech. However, where soils somewhat shallower or wetter than the typical site concept there is often more red spruce, balsam fire, white birch and eastern hemlock present in the community. On gentler slopes, this site may be cultivated for crop or pasture. When cropland or pastureland management ceases, the site either returns to northern hardwoods or may transition to a white pine forest. Once white pine is established, it tends to form a single age stand with low diversity and little understory.
Resilience management. Treethrow and logging are the most common disturbances on this site. The site is resilient following these disturbances and succeeds through an herbaceous and shrubby phase prior to tree establishment and eventual return to the reference community. The young forest stands include several species not typically dominant in the reference community, including pin cherry, white birch, aspen, balsam fir, etc.
Dominant resource concerns
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Plant productivity and health
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Plant structure and composition
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Plant pest pressure
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 1.1
Spruce - Northern Hardwood Forest
A mixed forest that occurs on lower mountain slopes and upper margins of flats on glacial till. This is a broadly defined community with several regional and edaphic variants. Codominant trees are red spruce (Picea rubens), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), American beech (Fagus grandifolia), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), and red maple (Acer rubrum), with scattered balsam fir (Abies balsamea). Striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum) and mountain maple (A. spicatum) are common subcanopy trees. Characteristic shrubs are hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides), American fly honeysuckle (Lonicera canadensis), and Canada yew (Taxus canadensis). Characteristic groundlayer plants are common wood-sorrel (Oxalis montana), common wood fern (Dryopteris intermedia), shining fir clubmoss (Huperzia lucidula), wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), blue bead-lily (Clintonia borealis), goldthread (Coptis trifolia), bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), Indian cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana), and twisted stalk (Streptopus roseus). (Edinger et al. 2014)
Resilience management. New York Natural Heritage Program State Rank: S3/S4 S3- Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in New York State. S4- Apparently secure in New York State.
Dominant resource concerns
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Plant productivity and health
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Plant structure and composition
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Plant pest pressure
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 1.2
Beech - Maple Mesic Forest
Anorthern hardwood forest with sugar maple (Acer saccharum) and American beech (Fagus grandifolia) codominant. This is a broadly defined community type with several regional and edaphic variants. These forests occur on moist, well-drained, usually acid soils. Common associates are yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), white ash (Fraxinus americana), hop hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana), and red maple (Acer rubrum). Characteristic small trees or tall shrubs are hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides), American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum), witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), and alternate-leaved dogwood (Cornus alternifolia). Typically there is also an abundance of tree seedlings, especially of sugar maple; American beech and sugar maple saplings are often the most abundant “shrubs” and small trees. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) may be present at a low density. In the Adirondacks a few red spruce (Picea rubens) may also be present. Characteristic herbs are woodferns (Dryopteris intermedia, D. carthusiana, D. marginalis), Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata), common wood-sorrel (Oxalis montana), Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), shining fir clubmoss (Huperzia lucidula), bearded short-husk (Brachyelytrum erectum), white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima var. altissima), violets (Viola spp.), star flower (Trientalis borealis), partridge berry (Mitchella repens), Solomon's-seals (Polygonatum pubescens, P. biflorum), foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia), false Solomon's seal (Maianthemum racemosum), whorled aster (Oclemena acuminata), Indian cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana), wreath goldenrod (Solidago caesia), trilliums (Trillium undulatum, T. erectum), mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), troutlily (Erythronium americanum), and sessile-leaved bellwort (Uvularia sessilifolia). In forests that have American beech as a codominant tree, beech-drops (Epifagus virginiana) are common. Hay-scented fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula) may be common in canopy gaps. There are many spring ephemerals which bloom before the canopy trees leaf out. (Edinger et al. 2014)
Resilience management. New York Natural Heritage Program State Rank: S4- Apparently secure in New York State. Sugar maple leaf litter is high in nitrogen relative to lignin and thus decomposes rapidly, increasing the nutrient pool in the soil organic layer. Structure and composition of the forest are maintained primarily by single small tree-fall gaps. Yellow birch is maintained in the system by mineral soils on "tip up mounds."
Dominant resource concerns
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Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Plant pest pressure
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
State 2
Semi-natural State
Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics driven by natural disturbances, processes, and pressures (may have some anthropogenic drivers). More research is needed to determine the extent of the Semi-natural state associated with this ecological site.
Dominant resource concerns
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Ponding and flooding
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Plant productivity and health
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Plant structure and composition
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Plant pest pressure
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Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 2.1
Invasiveness and Biological Introductions
Introduction of invasive species, pathogens, and/or pests resulting in shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics. More research is needed to determine the extent of these effects on the semi-natural state associated with this ecological site.
Dominant resource concerns
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Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
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Plant pest pressure
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 2.2
Pine - Northern Hardwood Forest
A mixed forest that occurs on gravelly outwash plains, delta sands, eskers, and dry lake sands. The dominant trees are white pine (Pinus strobus) and red pine (P. resinosa); these are mixed with scattered paper birch (Betula papyrifera) and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides). In some stands there is an admixture of other northern hardwoods and conifers such as yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), red maple (Acer rubrum), balsam fir (Abies balsamea), and red spruce (Picea rubens); these are never common in a pine-northern hardwood forest. Characteristic shrubs are blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium, V. myrtilloides), sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia), wild raisin (Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides), and serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis). Characteristic herbs are bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum), wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens), cow-wheat (Melampyrum lineare), Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), star flower (Trientalis borealis), blue bead-lily (Clintonia borealis), painted trillium (Trillium undulatum), spreading ricegrass (Oryzopsis asperifolia), and Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica). Mosses and lichens may be common to abundant, especially the mosses big red stem moss (Pleurozium schreberi), Brachythecium spp., and Dicranum polysetum. (Edinger et al. 2014)
Resilience management. New York Natural Heritage State Rank: S4- Apparently secure in New York State.
State 3
Cultural State
Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics that are primary driven by anthropogenic disturbances and pressures (may have some associated natural drivers). More research is needed to determine the extent of the cultural state associated with this ecological site.
Dominant resource concerns
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Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 3.1
Cropland
Site altered to support crop cultivation and production
Community 3.2
Grass/Hay Land
Site altered for grazing grass or hay production.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
climate change, dominant hardwood loss, introduction of invasive species, pests, and pathogens
Conservation practices
Monitoring and Evaluation |
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Transition T1B
State 1 to 3
landscape alteration, logging, mechanical soil disturbance, landscape clearing, seeding, planting
Conservation practices
Cover Crop | |
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Land Clearing | |
Precision Land Forming | |
Irrigation Land Leveling | |
Land Smoothing | |
Grazing Land Mechanical Treatment | |
Planned Grazing System | |
Forest Land Management | |
Conversion of cropped land to grass-based agriculture |
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1
management of invasive species, pests, and pathogens, restoration of key native plant species, restoration of terrestrial habitat, white pine thinning
Conservation practices
Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats | |
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Upland Wildlife Habitat Management | |
Early Successional Habitat Development/Management | |
Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems | |
Native Plant Community Restoration and Management | |
Invasive Plant Species Control | |
Pathogen Management | |
Invasive Species Pest Management | |
Precision Pest Control Application | |
Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitats | |
Multi-species Native Perennials for Biomass/Wildlife Habitat | |
Establish pollinator habitat | |
Hardwood Crop Tree Release | |
Habitat Development for Beneficial Insects for Pest Management | |
Biological suppression and other non-chemical techniques to manage brush, weeds and invasive species | |
Biological suppression and other non-chemical techniques to manage herbaceous weeds invasive species | |
Monitoring and Evaluation |
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3
landscape alteration, logging, mechanical soil disturbance, landscape clearing, seeding, planting
Conservation practices
Cover Crop | |
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Land Clearing | |
Precision Land Forming | |
Irrigation Land Leveling | |
Land Smoothing | |
Forage Harvest Management | |
Planned Grazing System | |
Monitor key grazing areas to improve grazing management | |
Conversion of cropped land to grass-based agriculture |
Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 1
seeding, planting, restoration of compacted soil, establishment of key native plant species
Conservation practices
Critical Area Planting | |
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Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats | |
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management | |
Early Successional Habitat Development/Management | |
Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems | |
Native Plant Community Restoration and Management | |
Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitats | |
Multi-species Native Perennials for Biomass/Wildlife Habitat | |
Monitoring and Evaluation |
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2
seeding, planting, restoration of compacted soil, establishment of key native plant species
Conservation practices
Critical Area Planting | |
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Restoration and Management of Rare and Declining Habitats | |
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management | |
Early Successional Habitat Development/Management | |
Restoration and Management of Natural Ecosystems | |
Native Plant Community Restoration and Management | |
Restoration and Management of Rare or Declining Habitats | |
Multi-species Native Perennials for Biomass/Wildlife Habitat | |
Monitoring and Evaluation |
Additional community tables
Interpretations
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Future work is needed, as described in a future project plan, to validate the information presented in this provisional ecological site description. Future work includes field sampling, data collection and analysis by qualified vegetation ecologists and soil scientists. As warranted, annual reviews of the project plan can be conducted by the Ecological Site Technical Team. A final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews of the ESD are necessary to approve a final document.
Other references
Comer, P., D. Faber-Langendoen, R. Evans, S. Grawler, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, M. Pyne, M. Reid, K. Schultz, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2003. Ecological Systems of the United States: A Working Classification of U.S. Terrestrial Systems. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia
Edinger, G. J., D. J. Evans, S. Gebauer, T. G. Howard, D. M. Hunt, and A. M. Olivero (editors). 2014. Ecological Communities of New York State. Second Edition. A revised and expanded edition of Carol Reschke’s Ecological Communities of New York State. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.
Gawler, S. and A. Cutko. 2010. Natural Landscapes of Maine: A Guide to Natural Communities and Ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Maine Department of Conservation, Augusta, Maine.
NatureServe. 2021. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. https://explorer.natureserve.org/. (accessed 10 July. 2021).
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. Agricultural Handbook 296
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Official Soil Series Descriptions. Available online. (accessed 11 Aug. 2021).
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Soil Climate Research Station Data. Available online. (accessed 23 June. 2021).
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database for [MLRA 141, Maine]. Available online. (accessed 14 Oct. 2021).
USNVC [United States National Vegetation Classification]. 2017. United States National Vegetation Classification Database V2.01. Federal Geographic Data Committee, Vegetation Subcommittee, Washington DC. Available The U.S. National Vegetation Classification (usnvc.org) (accessed 2 July. 2021).
Contributors
Christopher Mann
Approval
Greg Schmidt, 10/03/2024
Acknowledgments
Nels Barrett and Nick Butler provided considerable review of this ecological site concept.
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) | |
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Contact for lead author | |
Date | 10/04/2024 |
Approved by | Greg Schmidt |
Approval date | |
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
-
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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