State 1
Reference State

The Reference State for this ecological site group is generally a shrubland, made up of shadscale , fourwing saltbush, Torrey mormontea, or greasewood, with an understory of perennial grasses, most commonly galleta. Indian ricegrass, sand dropseed, and needleandthread may also be present. Saltgrass may occur in the more saline sites. The proportion of grass may vary with climatic fluctuations.

Characteristics and indicators. A saltbush shrubland with a perennial grass understory. Typically shadscale with galleta.

Community 1.1
1.1 Shrubland and Grasses; Shadscale, Galleta; other native grasses, forbs, and shrubs

This plant community phase is dominated by shrubs, typically shadscale, fourwing saltbush, Torrey mormontea or greasewood, and perennial grasses. Grasses may include but are not limited to, Indian ricegrass and galleta. Galleta is typically the dominant perennial grass species in this plant community phase. Other perennial grasses may or may not be present. Surface rock fragments (0-35%) can be very prevalent.

Community 1.2
1.2 Shrubland; Shadscale fourwing saltbush, Torrey mormontea, or greasewood; other perennial native grasses forbs, and shrubs

This plant community phase is dominated by shadscale, fourwing saltbush, Torrey mormontea or greasewood, where warm and cool season perennial grasses are minimally present. Grasses may include but are not limited to, Indian ricegrass and galleta. Galleta is typically the dominant perennial grass species in this plant community phase. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs may or may not be present and cover is variable. Surface rock fragments are 0 to 35%.

Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2

This pathway occurs when events, such as drought or continuous season long grazing of perennial grasses, are not fovorable to the persistence of perennial grasses.

Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1

This pathway occurs when climatic events, such as years with normal to above average precipitation favor the establishment of perennial grasses.

State 2
Current Potential State

This state is simmialr in structure to the Reference State, however invasive species established in the understory; cheatgrass, halogeton, and Russian thistle being the most common. The primary disturbance mechanism is climate fluctuations; however livestock grazing may influence the ecological dynamics of the site.

Characteristics and indicators. A site dominated by salt-tolerant shrubs and perennial graseess, typically shadscale and galleta. Invasive species are present.

Community 2.1
2.1 Shrubland and Grasses with Invasives, Shadscale, fourwing saltbush, Torrey mormontea, or greasewood, galleta, cheatgrassm halogeton; Other grasses, forbs, and shrubs.

This plant community phase is dominated by shrubs, typically shadscale, fourwing saltbush, Torrey mormontea, or greasewood, and perennial grasses. Grasses may include but are not limited to, Indian ricegrass and galleta. Galleta is typically the dominant perennial grass species in this plant community phase. Other perennial or invasive grasses, shrubs, and forbs my or may not be present and cover is variable. This plant community is very similar to plant community 1.1 in production and cover. The main difference is that invasive species are present in this phase. Surface rock fragments (0-35%) can be very prevalent.

Community 2.2
2.2 Shrubland with Invasives, Shadscale, fourwing saltbush, Torrey mormontea, or greasewood, cheatgrass, and halgeton; other grasses, forbs, and shrubs.

This plant community phase is dominated by shadscale, fourwing saltbush, Torrey mormontea, or greasewood; where warm and cool season perennial grasses are minimally present. Grasses may include but are not limited to, Indian ricegrass and galleta. Galleta is typically the dominant perennial grass species in this plant community phase. Other perennial or invasive grasses, shrubs, and forbs my or may not be present and cover is variable. This plant community is very similar to plant community 1.2 in production and cover. The main difference is that invasive species are present in this phase. Surface rock fragments (0-35%) can be very prevalent.

Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2

This pathway occurs when events, such as drought or continuous season long grazing of perennial grasses, disfavor the persistence of perennial grasses.

Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.1

This pathway occurs when events, such as years with normal to above average precipitation favor the establishment of perennial grasses, and when grazing regimes are used that promote the establishment and persistence of perennial grasses.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

This transition occurs as invasive species become established in the plant community. Common invasive species include cheatgrass, halogeton, and Russian thistle. Disturbances that may accelerate this transition include improper livestock grazing and extended drought. Invasive species such as cheatgrass have also been known to invade intact perennial plant community where no disturbance has occurred.