Ecological site group DX035X01AESG16
Grand Staircase-Loam Soils Shrublands
Last updated: 10/05/2022
Accessed: 05/02/2024
Ecological site group description
Key Characteristics
- Grand Staircase-Kaiparowits
- Loam Soils Shrublands
- Soils are generally free of rock fragments
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.
Physiography
This site occurs on relatively flat upland areas as including plateaus, valley floors and fans. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent but are mostly less than 10 percent. Elevations range from 4900 to 7200 ft. (1480 to 2180m).
Climate
Soil temperature and moisture regimes range from mesic, aridic ustic to frigid, typic ustic.
Soil features
The soils of this ecological site group are deep and loamy with very few rock fragments on the soil surface or in the profile. They were formed in eolian sands, alluvium, and/or slope alluvium derived mostly from sandstone and shale. Surface textures are typically loamy, but range from silt loams to loamy fine sands. They are well-drained with moderate permeability.
Vegetation dynamics
This site is influenced by many of the natural disturbances typical of MLRA 35. Fire is among such disturbances and the natural fire return interval is expected to be about 15-40 years (Johnson 2000). Following a burn, perennial grasses generally dominate the community. After a few years of average precipitation, sagebrush regains dominance of the site. In contrast, lack of fire results in pinyon and juniper encroachment and an increase in large woody material. Due to modern disturbances such as brush treatments, invasive species, and recreation, the resilience of the plant communities may be reduced compared to the reference plant community. Disturbances that reduce the vigor of perennial grasses and shrubs result in an opportunity for pinyon and juniper, or invasive annuals, to enter the system and alter ecological processes.
Major Land Resource Area
MLRA 035X
Colorado Plateau
Subclasses
- R035XY209UT–Semidesert Loam (Wyoming Big Sagebrush)
- R035XY216UT–Semidesert Sandy Loam (Wyoming Big Sagebrush)
- R035XY301UT–Upland Clay Loam (Low Sagebrush)
- R035XY304UT–Upland Clay Loam (Pinyon - Juniper)
- R035XY305UT–Upland Loam (Gambel Oak)
- R035XY306UT–Upland Loam (Basin Big Sagebrush)
- R035XY308UT–Upland Loam (Mountain Big Sagebrush)
- R035XC307AZ–Clay Loam Upland 10-14" p.z.
- R035XC313AZ–Loamy Upland 10-14" p.z.
- R035XD409AZ–Loamy Upland 7-11" p.z.
- R035XD416AZ–Silty Upland 7-11" p.z.
Correlated Map Unit Components
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Stage
Provisional
Contributors
Victor Parslow, Keith Crossland
Curtis Talbot
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