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Ecological site group DX035X01AESG17

Grand Staircase-Deep Rocky-Low Elevation

Last updated: 10/05/2022
Accessed: 05/02/2024

Home / Esg catalog / MLRA 035X / Ecological site group DX035X01AESG17

Ecological site group description

Key Characteristics

Grand Staircase-Kaiparowits
Deep Rocky Soils
Low elevation MAST>54 degrees F

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 most commonly occurs on fan remnants, plateaus, and terraces; but it can also be found on canyon bottoms, hills, and structural benches. Slopes range from 2 to 50% (sometimes greater) and elevations are 4000-5900 feet. Runoff is variable, depending primarily on slope.

Climate

Soil temperature moisture regimes range from mesic, typic aridic to mesic, aridic ustic.

Soil features

The characteristic soils in this site are deep loams that are high in rock fragments and well-drained. They formed in alluvium and/or colluvium derived mainly from diorite, sandstone, shale, and igneous rock. Soils are loamy-skeletal with more than 50 percent rock fragments throughout the soil profile. Water holding capacity ranges from 2 to 5 inches of water in the upper 40 inches of soil.

Vegetation dynamics

This site developed under Colorado Plateau ecological conditions and the natural influences of herbivory and climate. Blackbrush dominates all documented plant communities. Some shadscale can occur on loamier textured soils. The amount of James galleta and Indian ricegrass present is dependent on weather patterns (summer or winter precipitation). Blackbrush appears to act as a paleo-endemic species on some sites in this MLRA and may not be able to reestablish itself after significant disturbance.

Major Land Resource Area

MLRA 035X
Colorado Plateau

Subclasses

Correlated Map Unit Components

22601051, 22728234, 22965600, 22965747, 22965125, 22965761, 22965256, 22963383

Stage

Provisional

Contributors

Curtis Talbot

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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

1. Reference State

2. Invaded State

T1A	-	D = Drought E = Establishment of non-native invasive species ILG = Improper livestock grazing SD = Surface disturbances

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Blackbrush/Perennial Grasses

1.2. Blackbrush Shrubland

1.1a	-	D = Drought ILG = Improper livestock grazing SD = Surface disturbances
1.2a	-	PLG = Proper livestock grazing T = Time without disturbances W = Wet weather periods

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Blackbrush/Perennial Grass/Invasives

2.2. Blackbrush Shrubland with Invasives

2.1a	-	D = Drought ILG = Improper livestock grazing SD = Surface disturbances
2.2a	-	PLG = Proper livestock grazing T = Time without disturbances W = Wet weather periods

State 1
Reference State

The reference state is dominated by blackbrush and perennial grasses among stones and boulders. Scattered Utah juniper and two-needle pinyon occurs in some areas. Due to sparse fuels, fire does not appear to be a driving ecological factor in the reference state. Plant communities vary in response to climatic fluctuations and herbivory.

Community 1.1
Blackbrush/Perennial Grasses

The dominant aspect of the plant community is blackbrush and perennial warm and cool season grasses.

Community 1.2
Blackbrush Shrubland

This community phase is characterized by a blackbrush shrub canopy, where perennial grasses are mostly absent. Minor amounts of Indian ricegrass, James galleta, needle-and-thread, six weeks fescue, and dropseeds, may be present often solely located within the shrub canopy. Broom snakeweed and Utah juniper, if present, may also increase.

Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1

This community pathway occurs when proper livestock grazing, wet weather periods and time allow for the recovery of surface disturbance which increases the amount of perennial herbaceous vegetation on the site.

State 2
Invaded State

The invaded state is similar to the reference state in plant community structure and function, however the presencs of invasive species decreases the resistance and resillience of the sites to further degradataion. This state is generally dominated by blackbrush. Primary disturbance mechanisms include climate fluctuations, native herbivore grazing, domestic livestock grazing, and surface disturbances such as road and pipeline development and off road vehicle (OHV) use.

Community 2.1
Blackbrush/Perennial Grass/Invasives

This community phase is characterized by a blackbrush shrub canopy, where perennial grasses are also present. Invasive plants, primarily Cheatgrass, Red brome and/or Russian thistle are present.

Community 2.2
Blackbrush Shrubland with Invasives

This community phase is characterized by a blackbrush shrub canopy, where perennial grasses are mostly absent. Minor amounts of Indian ricegrass, James galleta, needle-and-thread, six weeks fescue, and dropseeds, may be present often solely located within the shrub canopy. Cheatgrass, Red brome and/or Russian thistle are present.

Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2

This community pathway occurs when any combination of season long grazing providing little rest and recovery for preferred grazed plants during critical growing periods coupled with high utilization, drought or surface disturbance reduces the amount of perennial herbaceous vegetation on the site. This may allows for non-native invasive plants to take advantage of unused resources, further degrading the function of the site.

Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.1

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

This transition occurs with the establishment of non-native invasive species. Disturbances that promote this transition include season long continuous grazing of perennial grasses, prolonged drought, recreation or other surface disturbances. However, invasive species such as Russian thistle can invade intact perennial plant communities with little to no disturbance. Once invasive plants are found in the plant community, a return to the reference state is not likely.

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Ecological site groups

Major Land Resource Areas

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

Ecosystem states

1. Reference State

2. Invaded State

T1A	-	D = Drought E = Establishment of non-native invasive species ILG = Improper livestock grazing SD = Surface disturbances

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Blackbrush/Perennial Grasses

1.2. Blackbrush Shrubland

1.1a	-	D = Drought ILG = Improper livestock grazing SD = Surface disturbances
1.2a	-	PLG = Proper livestock grazing T = Time without disturbances W = Wet weather periods

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Blackbrush/Perennial Grass/Invasives

2.2. Blackbrush Shrubland with Invasives

2.1a	-	D = Drought ILG = Improper livestock grazing SD = Surface disturbances
2.2a	-	PLG = Proper livestock grazing T = Time without disturbances W = Wet weather periods

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Ecological site group DX035X01AESG17

Grand Staircase-Deep Rocky-Low Elevation

Last updated: 10/05/2022 Accessed: 05/02/2024

Ecological site group description

Key Characteristics

Physiography

Climate

Soil features

Vegetation dynamics

Major Land Resource Area

Subclasses

Correlated Map Unit Components

Stage

Contributors

Ecosystem states

State 1 submodel, plant communities

State 2 submodel, plant communities

Last updated: 10/05/2022
Accessed: 05/02/2024