Ecological site group DX035X01DESG05
Henry Mtns-Shallow Shrub & Wood lands-loamy
Last updated: 10/12/2022
Accessed: 05/02/2024
Ecological site group description
Key Characteristics
- Henry Mountains
- Shallow Shrublands & Woodlands
- Soils are loams to clays
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 structural benches, plateaus, mesas, and cuestas. Runoff is high to very high (due to the shallow depth). Slopes typically range from 2-15%, but can be as high as 50%. Elevations are generally 5200-8000 ft.
Climate
The climate is characterized by warm summers and cold winters. Large fluctuations in daily temperatures are common. Average annual precipitation ranges from 12 to 16 inches, with much of the summer precipitation in the form of convective thunderstorms from July to October. On the average February, May, and June are the driest months and August, September, and October are the wettest months. In average years, plants begin growth around March 10 and end growth around October 10.
Soil features
Soils of this site are shallow sandy loams over sandstone bedrock. They formed in eolian deposits, slope alluvium and/or colluvium over residuum derived mainly from sandstone and shale parent materials. Rock fragments are uncommon on the soil surface and in the profile, but can be abundant in some areas for this site. The soil moisture regime is aridic ustic and the soil temperature regime is mesic. Available water holding capacity ranges from 0.8 to 2.5 inches of water in the entire profile. These soils are usually in complex with rock outcrop. On areas where soils are very shallow, production and plant density are lower.
Vegetation dynamics
This site’s plant species composition is generally dominated by Utah juniper and twoneedle pinyon.
Drought and insects appear to be the main driving factors in many of the Pinyon/Juniper communities of Utah. Betancourt et al. (1993), noted that Pinyon and Juniper woodlands in the southwest appear to be more susceptible to large die offs during droughts, than in other locations. As severe droughts persist, the Pinyon trees, being more susceptible to drought and insects, seem to die out, while the Utah juniper trees survive. Large die offs of pinions due to insects and drought have not been recorded for this ecological site. However, given the tendency for pinions to be susceptible to insect and drought kill, managers should be aware of the possibility.
Major Land Resource Area
MLRA 035X
Colorado Plateau
Correlated Map Unit Components
22592358, 22592727, 22592728
Stage
Provisional
Contributors
Curtis Talbot
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Ecosystem states
T1A - E | - | E = Establishment of non-native invasive species |
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