Ecological site group DX035X01CESG05
Mesas and Benches - Saline Hills and Badlands - saline, non-gypsic
Last updated: 10/05/2022
Accessed: 05/02/2024
Ecological site group description
Key Characteristics
- Mesa and Benches
- Saline Hills and Badlands
- Soil parent material is dominated by salts other than gypsum
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
The sites in this group occur on cuestas, fan terraces, alluvial fans, hillslopes, knolls, structural benches, pediments, mesas, valley sides and valley floors. Elevations typically range from 3500 to 6600 feet. Slopes may range from 0-60%, but 2-30% is typical. Runoff ranges from medium to very high, but high is typical.
Climate
The climate is characterized by hot summers and cool winters. Large fluctuations in daily temperature are common. The majority of precipitation comes with summer monsoons from July through October, while winter rains are typical from December through March. April, May, and June are the driest months. Precipitation is variable from month to
month and from year to year, but typically ranges between 5 and 13 inches. Some years are so dry that little plant growth occurs, and some plants remain dormant.
Soil features
The soils associated with these ecological sites are fine-textured, very shallow to very deep, and formed in alluvium and or residuum derived mainly from shale, and less commonly from sandstone, diorite, and sedimentary rock. Soils are well drained with very slow to slow permeability. The soil moisture regime is typic to ustic aridic and the soil temperature regime is mesic. Soils are sodium affected and alkaline, with pH commonly between 8.0 and 9.0. These soils typically are in the very early stages of soil development.
Vegetation dynamics
Relatively low vegetative cover with high amounts of bare ground are typical on the fine alkaline and saline soils of this site. This site developed with a natural disturbance regime that included decadal level variation in precipitation with alternating wet and dry periods, including severe drought, and light grazing by native ungulates. Fire was minimal due to low vegetative cover and fine fuels. The introduction of domestic livestock and the use of fencing and reliable water sources have typically only had a minor influence on the historic disturbance regime associated with this ecological site. Improper livestock grazing, including continuous season long grazing and/or heavy stocking rates, could cause this site to depart from the reference community state by removing perennial grasses. This change could increase the chances of invasion by cheatgrass and invasive annual forbs. Current disturbances impacting this site include climatic variation, livestock grazing, invasion by non-native species and climate change.
Major Land Resource Area
MLRA 035X
Colorado Plateau
Subclasses
Correlated Map Unit Components
22933830, 22592280, 22592424, 22592302, 22592429, 22592537, 22592434, 22592323, 22592443, 22592444, 22592670, 22592673, 22592674, 22592325, 22592568, 22592381, 22592482, 22592382, 22596914, 22597191, 22597057, 22597096, 22966794, 22966793, 22963324
Stage
Provisional
Contributors
Vic Parslow
Keith Crossland
Jim Harrigan
Harry Hosler
Curtis Talbot
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.
Ecosystem states
T1A | - | D = Drought E = Establishment of non-native invasive species HWB = Heavy wildlife browsing ILG = Improper livestock grazing |
---|---|---|
T2A | - | D = Drought F = Fire HWB = Heavy wildlife browsing ILG = Improper livestock grazing SD = Surface disturbances |