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Ecological site R150AY534TX

Loamy Bottomland

Last updated: 9/22/2023
Accessed: 11/21/2024

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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): 150A–Gulf Coast Prairies

MLRA 150A is in the West Gulf Coastal Plain Section of the Coastal Plain Province of the Atlantic Plain in Texas (83 percent) and Louisiana (17 percent). It makes up about 16,365 square miles (42,410 square kilometers). It is characterized by nearly level plains that have low local relief and are dissected by rivers and streams that flow toward the Gulf of Mexico. Elevation ranges from sea level to about 165 feet (0 to 50 meters) along the interior margin. It includes the towns of Crowley, Eunice, and Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Beaumont, Houston, Bay City, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Robstown, and Kingsville, Texas. Interstates 10 and 45 are in the northeastern part of the area, and Interstate 37 is in the southwestern part. U.S. Highways 90 and 190 are in the eastern part, in Louisiana. U.S. Highway 77 passes through Kingsville, Texas. The Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge and the Fannin Battleground State Historic Site are in the part of the area in Texas.

Classification relationships

USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2006.
-Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 150A

Ecological site concept

Loamy Bottomland is on river valley floodplains. In many cases, this site is on the lowest position on the landscape. The soils formed in loamy alluvium. The hazard of flooding occurs on these sites.

Associated sites

R150AY541TX	Sandy Bottomland The ecological site has very deep, somewhat excessively drained soils that are occasionally or frequently flooded. Flooding may occur at any time during the year but the winter and spring months are the most common. Due to the position on the landscape and coarse-textured soils, these sites drain quicker and do not stay flooded as long as the loamy and clayey bottomlands sites. The drainage patterns and sandy soils create their unique plant community.
R150AY527TX	Clayey Bottomland The Clayey Bottomland site has very deep, clayey surface textured soils that occur on flood plains. The areas can be flooded and ponded for lengthy durations throughout the year.

R150AY541TX

Sandy Bottomland

The ecological site has very deep, somewhat excessively drained soils that are occasionally or frequently flooded. Flooding may occur at any time during the year but the winter and spring months are the most common. Due to the position on the landscape and coarse-textured soils, these sites drain quicker and do not stay flooded as long as the loamy and clayey bottomlands sites. The drainage patterns and sandy soils create their unique plant community.

R150AY527TX

Clayey Bottomland

The Clayey Bottomland site has very deep, clayey surface textured soils that occur on flood plains. The areas can be flooded and ponded for lengthy durations throughout the year.

Similar sites

R150AY541TX	Sandy Bottomland The ecological site has very deep, somewhat excessively drained soils that are occasionally or frequently flooded. Flooding may occur at any time during the year but the winter and spring months are the most common. Due to the position on the landscape and coarse-textured soils, these sites drain quicker and do not stay flooded as long as the loamy and clayey bottomlands sites. The drainage patterns and sandy soils create their unique plant community.

R150AY541TX

Sandy Bottomland

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Celtis (2) Ulmus crassifolia
Shrub	(1) Ilex vomitoria
Herbaceous	(1) Schizachyrium scoparium var. divergens (2) Elymus virginicus

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Physiographic features

The Loamy Bottomland site formed in nearly level and very gently sloping floodplains of coastal plains and river valleys from loamy alluvium parent material. This site is almost always associated with a large stream or river system. Slope gradients are mainly 0 to 3 percent. Flooding ranges from rare to frequent; except where protected by levees. Elevation ranges from 10 to 250 feet.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) River valley > Flood plain (2) River valley > Natural levee
Runoff class	Negligible to medium
Flooding duration	Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to long (7 to 30 days)
Flooding frequency	Rare to frequent
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	3 – 76 m
Slope	0 – 3%
Water table depth	107 – 183 cm
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The climate of MLRA 150A is humid subtropical with mild winters. The average annual precipitation in the northern two-thirds of this area is 45 to 63 inches. It is 28 inches at the extreme southern tip of the area and 30 to 45 inches in the southwestern third of the area. The precipitation is fairly evenly distributed, but it is slightly higher in late summer and midsummer in the western part of the area and slightly higher in winter in the eastern part. Rainfall typically occurs as moderate intensity, tropical storms that produce large amounts of rain during the winter. The average annual temperature is 66 to 72 degrees F. The freeze-free period averages 325 days and ranges from 290 to 365 days, increasing in length to the southwest.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	232-299 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	365 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	889-1,245 mm
Frost-free period (actual range)	220-365 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	296-365 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	838-1,346 mm
Frost-free period (average)	273 days
Freeze-free period (average)	352 days
Precipitation total (average)	1,092 mm

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 7. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) HOUSTON-PORT [USC00414326], Houston, TX
(2) PORT LAVACA [USC00417183], Port Lavaca, TX
(3) VICTORIA FIRE DEPT #5 [USC00419361], Victoria, TX
(4) BAY CITY WTR WKS [USC00410569], Bay City, TX
(5) EL CAMPO [USC00412786], El Campo, TX
(6) COLUMBUS [USC00411911], Columbus, TX
(7) SEALY [USC00418160], Sealy, TX
(8) THOMPSONS 3 WSW [USC00418996], Richmond, TX
(9) HOUSTON NWSO [USC00414333], Dickinson, TX
(10) ROBSTOWN [USC00417677], Robstown, TX
(11) SINTON [USC00418354], Sinton, TX
(12) BEEVILLE CHASE NAAS [USW00012925], Beeville, TX
(13) REFUGIO 2 NW [USC00417533], Refugio, TX

Influencing water features

Loamy Bottomlands are on floodplains that flood throughout the year. Some areas may be inundated for several weeks. Correlated soils are considered hydric, but onsite delineations are needed to determine if the site meets wetland criteria as outlined by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Wetland description

The soils in this site are non-hydric. At some sites, there are a few small areas that have hydric soils. These areas tend to be in depressional landforms that pond for long periods of time. Onsite investigation is necessary to determine exact local conditions.

Soil features

The Loamy Bottomlands consist of very deep, well drained, slow to moderately permeable, neutral to moderately alkaline soils that formed in loamy alluvium of recent age. Surface textures are mainly silty clay loam, silt loam, and loam but can include clay loam and sandy clay loam. The diagnostic horizons for the representative series include a mollic or ochric epipedon followed by a cambic epipedon. Soils correlated to this site include: Asa, Clemville, Mohat, Norwood, Odem, Rydolph, Sinton, and Snakecreek.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Alluvium – igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock
Surface texture	(1) Loam (2) Silt loam (3) Silty clay loam
Family particle size	(1) Fine-loamy (2) Fine-silty
Drainage class	Somewhat poorly drained to well drained
Permeability class	Slow to moderate
Soil depth	203 cm
Surface fragment cover <=3"	0 – 1%
Surface fragment cover >3"	0%
Available water capacity (0-152.4cm)	22.86 – 27.94 cm
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm)	0 – 15%
Electrical conductivity (0-152.4cm)	0 – 2 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-152.4cm)	0
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-152.4cm)	6.6 – 8.4
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (50.8-152.4cm)	0 – 4%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (50.8-152.4cm)	0 – 2%

Ecological dynamics

The plant community of this site varies considerably in composition and structure depending on interactions of the flooding regime, fire, grazing, and weather variation. Historical references present two relatively clear pictures of this site when early explorers came through. Prior to European settlement, the site supported an open tallgrass savannah of scattered trees, and mottes, with a canopy cover of 20 percent or less. There were also areas of nearly closed canopy with a sparse understory. In some instances, this site had an abundance of giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea), which often grew in conjunction with the woody canopy component and excluded most other grassy vegetation. In 1838, W. B. Dewees described the extent of the woodland as, “minor bodies of water, but they flow through the most extensive body of excellent land in Texas. This is a district about 40 miles in width and 50 or 60 miles in length covered almost entirely with cane break and forests.” Another anonymous writer in 1831, states “what renders the danger still greater, is the frequency of cane brakes, or tracts of land overgrown with the long reeds of which we make fishing poles in the Northern States. These canes there grow in some places among the forest trees, so thick as to render a passage through them inconvenient.”

The differences between these communities would largely have been a function of the frequency and intensity of fires. Areas that burned frequently would have been a more open savannah. Areas protected from fire due to landscape position, frequency of flooding, and standing water would have developed into a woodland community. Historically, the savannah and giant cane communities would have been grazed by free-roaming herds of bison. When present, grazing was intense, but long periods of rest would permit recovery of herbaceous vegetation thus providing fuel for fires to constrain development of the woody component. Both lightning-caused fires and fires set by Native Americans and early European man contributed to potentially high fire frequencies. Lehmann indicates intense fires occurred on approximate 3 to 8-year intervals.

Flooding exerts a major influence on the plant communities of this site. Flooding is a natural process and as such it creates active geomorphic surfaces. High peak flows of floodwater can periodically cause trees to be knocked down and carried downstream, which reduce woody canopy cover. These downed trees also form natural dams both within the stream channel and adjacent to it causing stream channels to change course and/or retain flood waters for longer periods of time. Floods deposit sediments on herbaceous vegetation and cause disturbance to the plant community; this will create heterogeneity of composition and structure. The long-term flooding action and river meanders across the floodplain contribute to variation in topography and soil texture within this site.

The Tallgrass Savannah State (1) has between 20 and 40 percent woody canopy cover of hackberry (Celtis laevigata), live oak (Quercus virginiana), pecan (Carya illinoinensis), cedar elm (Ulmus crassifolia), and other tree species in the floodplain overstory. Along stream banks green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), black willow (Salix nigra), cottonwood (Populus deltoides), sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) occur. A minimal shrub and vine layer exist within the tree overstory. As previously noted, there were some areas where tree cover and giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) are dominant and other areas where a true savannah landscape is evident. The herbaceous layer consists of primarily tallgrasses such as eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), yellow Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and in some instances giant cane. A variety of perennial forbs occur as interstitial plants within the grass matrix and include sensitive briar (Mimosa aculeaticarpa), snoutbean (Rhynchosia spp.), western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya), and trailing wildbean (Strophostyles helvula). In disturbance areas (sediment deposition), annual forbs will be abundant for short periods.

With disturbance, particularly continuous heavy grazing, taller grasses would decrease in volume and abundance and be replaced by less productive midgrasses. Some of these include bushy beard bluestem (Andropogon glomeratus), rustyseed paspalum (Paspalum langei), Texas wintergrass (Nassella leucotricha), longspike tridens (Tridens strictus), beaked panicum (Panicum anceps), and sedges (Carex spp.). This opening of the tallgrass community would lead to an increase of perennial forbs such as western ragweed, spiny aster (Aster spinosus), and giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida). With reduced cover and biomass of the herbaceous layer, fires will be less intense which favor increases of shrub, vine, and tree seedlings. This sequence of changes can be reversed by applying prescribed grazing and prescribed fire. Continued reduction of tall and midgrasses will result in increases of shortgrasses such as common carpetgrass (Axonopus affinis) and buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) along with unpalatable forbs, grasses and a greater canopy of larger shrubs and trees.

With continued overgrazing a threshold will be crossed that shifts the community into a woodland trajectory which has a high percentage canopy cover of trees with a midstory of shrubs and woody vines and a relatively sparse herbaceous layer. To return across this threshold would require chemical and mechanical woody plant treatment along with prescribed grazing and prescribed fire. In some cases, the savannah state may be invaded by weedy shrubs and forbs as well as tree seedlings. Following woody plant control in the woodland state, invasive introduced grasses such as common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), smutgrass (Sporobolus indicus), bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) and introduced bluestems (Bothriochloa) may invade and totally dominate. Although these species may provide good forage for cattle, they are aggressive invaders and most often prevent re-establishment of native grasses. Once the woodland state is in place, following mechanical and herbicidal control of woody plants, continual use of brush management will be necessary to maintain an open canopy as a woody seed source is on-site and more seed are dispersed with each additional overflow event.

State and transition model

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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

Ecosystem states

1. Savannah

2. Woodland

3. Invaded Grassland

T1A	-	Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time
T1B	-	Introduction of non-native species coupled with prolonged, excessive grazing
R2A	-	Reintroduction of fire and regular disturbance return intervals
T2A	-	Introduction of non-native species coupled with prolonged, excessive grazing
T3A	-	Absence of disturbance that reduces woody species and natural regeneration over time

State 1
Savannah

Dominant plant species

sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), tree
live oak (Quercus virginiana), tree
giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea), grass

Community 1.1
Tallgrass Savannah/Wooded Grassland

The reference plant community is a fire climax tallgrass savannah. Composition of this community includes a 20 to 40 percent canopy of individual trees or clumps of trees. The major tree species include hackberry, pecan, cedar elm, green ash, bald cypress, and black willow (Salix nigra). Dominant grasses are yellow Indiangrass, big bluestem, little bluestem, switchgrass, eastern gamagrass and Florida paspalum (Paspalum floridanum). Cool-season species present in small amounts include Canada wildrye (Elymus canadensis), Virginia wildrye (Elymus virginicus), Texas wintergrass, and sedges. Historically, large areas of giant cane appeared on this site. The giant cane would be the dominant grass species in the plant community. This type of community most likely waxed and waned depending upon grazing and fire events and eventually disappeared under the influence of European settlement, land clearing, and grazing. This bottomland community is very productive and has a reasonable diversity of grasses, forbs, and woody plants. Removal of fire from this ecosystem tends to increase woody plants. Continuous heavy grazing by livestock leads to a reduction of tallgrasses and an increase in midgrasses, shortgrasses, and forbs. These changes in the herbaceous community reduce fire intensity and possibly frequency, making fire less effective in woody plant control and woody species tend to increase.

Figure 8. 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	3363	6389	8406
Forb	448	673	897
Tree	224	392	560
Shrub/Vine	224	392	448
Total	4259	7846	10311

Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). TX7618, Tallgrass Savannah/Wooded Grassland Community . Primarily warm-season perennial tallgrasses and forbs along with some woody production and limited amounts of perennial forbs..

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
1	2	5	10	20	20	3	6	15	10	6	2

Community 1.2
1.2 Mid/Tallgrass Savannah/Wooded Grassland

This plant community is still highly productive with very little to no increase in woody plants. Tallgrasses such as eastern gamagrass, big bluestem, switchgrass, and Indiangrass have decreased significantly and been replaced by little bluestem, purpletop (Tridens flavus), silver bluestem (Bothriochloa laguroides) and other similar midgrasses. Uncontrolled grazing has caused this shift in species composition and production. The cool-season component consisting of Canada wildrye, Virginia wildrye, Texas wintergrass, and sedges usually increases in this state as well. Because of reduced competition for sunlight, perennial forbs will also be more common. This community is still within the reference state as all the herbaceous components are still present, just at differing frequencies. This community can easily be transitioned to Community 1.1 through the application of prescribed grazing and judicious use of prescribed burning.

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Heavy continuous grazing and lack of fire will transition the site to Community 1.2.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Prescribed grazing and prescribed burning will transition the site back to Community 1.1.

State 2
Woodland

Dominant plant species

sugarberry (Celtis laevigata), tree

Community 2.1
Grassed Woodland

Continued heavy grazing and reduction in fire frequency and intensity have combined to produce this state. Woody plants have begun to increase, and woody saplings and seedlings are common. Tallgrasses, though still present, are greatly reduced. Eastern gamagrass, big bluestem, and Indiangrass are most likely absent, only occasional clumps of switchgrass are scattered but present. Little bluestem, brownseed paspalum (Paspalum plicatulum), sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), and silver bluestem may make up a high percentage of the annual production. Shortergrasses such as rustyseed paspalum, longtom (Paspalum denticulatum), knotroot bristlegrass (Setaria parviflora), low panicums, paspalums, and common carpetgrass are common and increasing. Sedges and flat sedges along with other cool-season species increase with the increasing canopy and shading. This community can be restored to the reference state (1) but not without major inputs of labor and capital. Brush management systems must be utilized to reduce the woody component. Typically, individual plant treatments are still feasible in utilizing mechanical (tree shearing) and herbicide applications. The window of opportunity for use of individual plant treatment is quite short (3 to6 years) as woody plant increase will be rapid. If brush management is not utilized, this state will transition to the Woodland Community (2.2) quite rapidly. In addition to brush management, prescribed grazing must be utilized to begin to recover the tallgrass component within the community. If brush management is utilized without prescribed grazing, the Invaded Grassland State (3) will be the result.

Community 2.2
Woodland

This community is heavily wooded with both overstory and understory with canopies ranging from 50 to 90 percent. Trees and vines include sugar hackberry (Celtis laevigata var. laevigata), cedar elm, green ash, pecan, and honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos) while vines include mustang grape (Vitis mustangensis), poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). In this community, there may be two different scenarios in the understory. There may be almost a total lack of herbaceous vegetation with only scattered sedges and rushes with only decaying leaves and rotting woody detritus. The other situation, especially with lighter canopies, may encourage additional sedges and rushes and such shade tolerant species as broadleaf seaoats (Uniola spp.), Canada and Virginia wildrye, and Texas wintergrass. This site can be manipulated with brush management to state 2.1. It may be possible to take this state back to state 1.2 but not without extensive outlays of capital and labor over long periods of time. Both initial and continual brush management must be applied along with prescribed grazing, prescribed fire, and possibly range planting.

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

Abusive grazing, lack of fire, and lack of brush management will cause more unabated growth by trees. The shift is evident when the canopy cover is greater than 50 percent.

Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1

Prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, and brush management will transition this community back to 2.1.

State 3
Invaded Grassland

Dominant plant species

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), grass
beardgrass (Bothriochloa), grass

Community 3.1
Invaded Grassland

When savannah communities have been overgrazed for long periods of time the site may be invaded by exotic or native weedy grasses. Common bermudagrass, King Ranch (Bothriochloa ishaemum), Gordo and Kleberg bluestems (Dichanthium annulatum), smutgrass, Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), and carpetgrass are primary invaders. Once they gain dominance, and if heavy grazing is continued, the site will remain in this community almost indefinitely. If grazing pressure is reduced woody species will eventually invade and the community will shift to the tree/weed/shrub state with the invasive grasses in the understory. The site may also be converted to tame grass pastureland by removal of the woody species, plowing and pasture planting. In the pastureland community, continued application of agronomic practices such as prescribed grazing, nutrient management, pest management, and brush control will be needed to maintain it. Native plants, especially switchgrass and eastern gamagrass, can be established and managed as tame pasture or hayland.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Continued heavy overgrazing, lack of fire, and lack of brush management will transition the site to State 2.

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

Invasion of the site by exotic plant species causes the site to transition to State 3.

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

Prescribed grazing, prescribed fire, and brush management will restore the site to State 1. Overstory canopies need to be below 40 percent to reestablish the reference community.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

Invasion of the site by exotic plant species causes the site to transition to State 3.

Restoration pathway T3A
State 3 to 2

Controlling exotic grasses by use of chemical, mechanical, or biological means will transition the site back to State 2. Removing exotic species is very difficult with full elimination almost impossible.

Additional community tables

Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production (kg/hectare)	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
0	Tallgrass			0–3363
1	Tallgrasses			1345–5941
	switchgrass	PAVI2	Panicum virgatum	560–2018	–
	big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	448–1793	–
	Indiangrass	SONU2	Sorghastrum nutans	336–1681	–
	eastern gamagrass	TRDA3	Tripsacum dactyloides	112–1681	–
	little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	673–785	–
	Florida paspalum	PAFL4	Paspalum floridanum	56–560	–
2	Cool-season grasses			504–673
	Canada wildrye	ELCA4	Elymus canadensis	112–336	–
	Virginia wildrye	ELVI3	Elymus virginicus	112–336	–
	Texas wintergrass	NALE3	Nassella leucotricha	56–224	–
	sedge	CAREX	Carex	28–224	–
	Indian woodoats	CHLA5	Chasmanthium latifolium	56–224	–
	flatsedge	CYPER	Cyperus	28–224	–
	rush	JUNCU	Juncus	11–112	–
3	Midgrasses			392–785
	brownseed paspalum	PAPL3	Paspalum plicatulum	224–448	–
	beaked panicgrass	PAAN	Panicum anceps	112–280	–
	longtom	PADE24	Paspalum denticulatum	56–280	–
	rustyseed paspalum	PALA11	Paspalum langei	112–224	–
4	Midgrasses			280–673
	bushy bluestem	ANGL2	Andropogon glomeratus	56–168	–
	silver beardgrass	BOLAT	Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana	22–168	–
	southwestern bristlegrass	SESC2	Setaria scheelei	56–112	–
	white tridens	TRAL2	Tridens albescens	56–112	–
	longspike tridens	TRST2	Tridens strictus	56–112	–
	marsh bristlegrass	SEPA10	Setaria parviflora	56–84	–
	purpletop tridens	TRFL2	Tridens flavus	11–56	–
5	Tall/Midgrasses			112–168
	Pan American balsamscale	ELTR4	Elionurus tripsacoides	56–224	–
	broomsedge bluestem	ANVI2	Andropogon virginicus	56–112	–
	cylinder jointtail grass	COCY	Coelorachis cylindrica	56–84	–
6	Shortgrasses			56–168
	panicgrass	PANIC	Panicum	11–56	–
	crowngrass	PASPA2	Paspalum	11–56	–
	buffalograss	BODA2	Bouteloua dactyloides	11–56	–
	Scribner's rosette grass	DIOLS	Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum	6–28	–
	twoflower melicgrass	MEMU	Melica mutica	6–28	–
	nimblewill	MUSC	Muhlenbergia schreberi	6–28	–
Forb
7	Forbs			448–897
	jimsonweed	DAST	Datura stramonium	56–168	–
	Cuman ragweed	AMPS	Ambrosia psilostachya	34–112	–
	great ragweed	AMTR	Ambrosia trifida	56–112	–
	least snoutbean	RHMI4	Rhynchosia minima	56–112	–
	white crownbeard	VEVI3	Verbesina virginica	34–112	–
	Baldwin's ironweed	VEBA	Vernonia baldwinii	34–56	–
	lespedeza	LESPE	Lespedeza	11–56	–
	Engelmann's daisy	ENPE4	Engelmannia peristenia	11–56	–
	woodsorrel	OXALI	Oxalis	11–45	–
	velvet bundleflower	DEVE2	Desmanthus velutinus	11–45	–
	American snoutbean	RHAM	Rhynchosia americana	17–34	–
	swamp sunflower	HEAN2	Helianthus angustifolius	11–34	–
	littleleaf sensitive-briar	MIMI22	Mimosa microphylla	22–34	–
	yellow puff	NELU2	Neptunia lutea	11–34	–
	amberique-bean	STHE9	Strophostyles helvola	17–34	–
	blue mistflower	COCO13	Conoclinium coelestinum	11–22	–
	wild petunia	RUELL	Ruellia	17–22	–
	swamp smartweed	POHY2	Polygonum hydropiperoides	11–17	–
	evening primrose	OENOT	Oenothera	0–11	–
	whitemouth dayflower	COER	Commelina erecta	6–11	–
	ticktrefoil	DESMO	Desmodium	6–11	–
	purple poppymallow	CAIN2	Callirhoe involucrata	6–11	–
	Forb, annual	2FA	Forb, annual	6–11	–
	Forb, perennial	2FP	Forb, perennial	6–11	–
	hoe nightshade	SOPH	Solanum physalifolium	6–11	–
	Texas vervain	VEHA	Verbena halei	6–11	–
	big yellow velvetleaf	WIAM	Wissadula amplissima	6–11	–
Shrub/Vine
8	Shrubs/Vines			224–448
	mustang grape	VIMU2	Vitis mustangensis	56–224	–
	eastern poison ivy	TORA2	Toxicodendron radicans	28–140	–
	Virginia creeper	PAQU2	Parthenocissus quinquefolia	56–112	–
	southern dewberry	RUTR	Rubus trivialis	6–112	–
	trumpet creeper	CARA2	Campsis radicans	34–84	–
	Munson's grape	VIROM	Vitis rotundifolia var. munsoniana	45–78	–
	Alabama supplejack	BESC	Berchemia scandens	22–45	–
	yaupon	ILVO	Ilex vomitoria	28–45	–
	Texas hawthorn	CRTE2	Crataegus texana	6–45	–
	possumhaw	ILDE	Ilex decidua	11–34	–
	common buttonbush	CEOC2	Cephalanthus occidentalis	11–34	–
	saw greenbrier	SMBO2	Smilax bona-nox	6–22	–
	coralberry	SYOR	Symphoricarpos orbiculatus	6–17	–
Tree
9	Trees			224–448
	green ash	FRPE	Fraxinus pennsylvanica	34–168	–
	cedar elm	ULCR	Ulmus crassifolia	56–168	–
	bald cypress	TADI2	Taxodium distichum	11–112	–
	pecan	CAIL2	Carya illinoinensis	22–112	–
	black willow	SANI	Salix nigra	45–90	–
	sugarberry	CELAL	Celtis laevigata var. laevigata	56–84	–
	eastern cottonwood	PODE3	Populus deltoides	11–84	–
	honeylocust	GLTR	Gleditsia triacanthos	22–78	–
	western soapberry	SASAD	Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii	22–56	–
	live oak	QUVI	Quercus virginiana	6–56	–
	American sycamore	PLOC	Platanus occidentalis	11–45	–
	gum bully	SILA20	Sideroxylon lanuginosum	11–34	–
	water oak	QUNI	Quercus nigra	6–28	–
	netleaf hackberry	CELAR	Celtis laevigata var. reticulata	6–28	–
	sweet acacia	ACFA	Acacia farnesiana	0–22	–

Interpretations

Animal community

The Coastal Prairie communities support a wide array of animals. Cattle and many species of wildlife make extensive use of the site. White-tailed deer may be found scattered across the prairie and are found in heavier concentrations where woody cover exists. Feral hogs are present and at times abundant. Coyotes are abundant and fill the mammalian predator niche. Rodent populations rise during drier periods and fall during periods of inundation. Attwater’s pocket gophers are abundant and have an important impact on the ecology of the site. The badger is present but not abundant in locations at the southern extent of the site. Locally unique species alligators and bullfrogs.

The region is a major flyway for waterfowl and migrating birds. Hundreds of thousands of ducks, geese, and sandhill cranes abound during winter. Two important endangered species occur in the area, the whooping crane and Attwater’s prairie chicken. Many other species of avian predators including northern harriers, ferruginous hawks, red-tailed hawks, white-tailed kites, kestrels, and, occasionally, swallow-tailed kites utilize the vast grasslands. Many species of grassland birds use the site, including blue grosbeaks, dickcissels, eastern meadowlarks, several sparrows, including, vesper sparrow, lark sparrow, savannah sparrow, grasshopper sparrow, and Le Conte’s sparrow.

Hydrological functions

The reference state allows flood waters to spread out over the floodplain and be absorbed into the soil profile very slowly. This site also acts as a trap for sediments. Woody plants that were uprooted or fell over on the site often formed dams both within the channel and on the adjacent floodplain thus acting as natural barriers to reduce the velocity of flood waters and release water slowly into bays and estuaries. The natural wetlands associated with the site filter the runoff waters.

Recreational uses

This site is often used for camping and picnicking and in fact, many portions have been set aside as state parks and recreational areas. The site is used extensively for hunting purposes, especially white-tailed deer, feral hogs, and waterfowl.

Wood products

Early settlers obtained many wood products from the site. One example is the use of bald cypress for water troughs and cisterns. The wood products were also used to make handles for farm implements, corn cribs, household utensils, and other necessary products. At the present time, some firewood is harvested.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

This site was examined in five different plots over four counties in areas associated with major perennial stream channels. Extensive use was made of comments by ranchers who have a long history of ranching the site. Expertise from range specialists and district conservationists with the NRCS who have knowledge of the site was used extensively. Two Range Site Descriptions existed for this site and were referenced.

Other references

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Contributors

Stan Reinke, SR Ecological Services, Victoria, TX
Dr. Fred Smeins, Professor, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Dan Caudle, DMS Natural Resources Management, Weatherford, TX

Approval

Bryan Christensen, 9/22/2023

Rangeland health reference sheet

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Author(s)/participant(s)
Contact for lead author
Date	11/21/2024
Approved by	Bryan Christensen
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):

Dominant:

Sub-dominant:

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Perennial plant reproductive capability:

Download reference sheet

Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.

Ecosystem states

1. Savannah

2. Woodland

3. Invaded Grassland

T1A	-	Absence of disturbance and natural regeneration over time
T1B	-	Introduction of non-native species coupled with prolonged, excessive grazing
R2A	-	Reintroduction of fire and regular disturbance return intervals
T2A	-	Introduction of non-native species coupled with prolonged, excessive grazing
T3A	-	Absence of disturbance that reduces woody species and natural regeneration over time