Ecological site group DX035X01FESG08
Canyonlands - Saline Uplands and Flats - shallow
Last updated: 10/12/2022
Accessed: 05/02/2024
Ecological site group description
Key Characteristics
- Canyonlands
- Saline Uplands and Flats
- Soils are shallow
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 group of ecological sites is located on mountain slopes, mesa tops, structural benches, hillslopes, ridges, pediments, and cuestas. Elevations range from 4000 to 6800 feet. Runoff is slow to high and is often influenced by micro-topography. Typically slopes range from 2-30% however sites have been mapped on slopes up to 70%.
Climate
The climate is characterized by hot summers and cool winters where large fluctuations in daily temperatures are common. Approximately 70-75% of moisture occurs from March-October as convection thunderstorms and snow. Precipitation is variable from month to month and from year to year but averages 5 to 9 inches. Snow packs are generally light and not persistent.
Soil features
The soils are typically very shallow or shallow to bedrock but include moderately deep soils in some areas. Rock fragment cover on the soil surface ranges from 10 to 85 percent. Surface texture ranges from loamy sand to loam, typically with more than 15 percent rock fragments. Subsurface textures range from loamy sand to clay loam with 0 to 40 percent rock fragments, mostly gravel or channers. These soils are typically slightly saline. Biological crust cover, where present, is characterized as a weak crust, with light cyanobacteria and/or isolated moss clumps with no continuity. Soil moisture regime is typic aridic or ustic aridic and soil temperature regime is mesic.
Vegetation dynamics
Plant species composition is generally dominated by shadscale, Torrey's tea, Bigelow sage and/or corymobose buckwheat. Indian ricegrass and James' galleta are the most common grasses.
These ecological sites have been grazed by domestic livestock since they were first introduced into the area around 1860 and have typically been used as wintering pastures for sheep and cattle. This livestock introduction, and the use of fencing and reliable water sources, has influenced the disturbance regime historically associated with this ecological site. Heavy stocking rates, continuous season long grazing, and other improper grazing practices can decrease the prevalence of perennial grasses allowing broom snakeweed and/or rabbitbrush to increase and annual grasses, such as cheatgrass to invade.
There is little evidence that these sites historically burned on a regular basis due to very large and persistent gaps between plants. However, areas that have been invaded by annual grasses have increased fine fuel loads and may make fire more prevalent, increasing the possibility that it will convert to an annual grassland community.
Major Land Resource Area
MLRA 035X
Colorado Plateau
Subclasses
Correlated Map Unit Components
22480156, 22480660, 22480659, 22480875, 22593466, 22593475, 22594342, 22597881, 22598046, 22598209, 22598101, 22598244, 22598385, 22966812, 22964708, 22963781, 22963782, 22963700, 22963680, 22963731, 22963677, 22963727, 22963658, 22963659, 22963648
Stage
Provisional
Contributors
Vic Parslow
Keith Crossland
Curtis Talbot
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.
Ecosystem states
T1A | - | D = Drought ILG = Improper livestock grazing SD = Surface disturbances WS = Establishment of non-native invasive species |
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T2A | - | D = Drought F = Fire ILG = Improper livestock grazing |
T2B | - | ILG = Improper livestock grazing SD = Surface disturbances |
R4A | - | BC = Biological Control PLG = Proper livestock grazing T = Time without disturbances W = Wet weather periods |
State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1a | - | PLG = Proper livestock grazing T = Time without disturbances W = Wet weather periods |
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1.2a | - | D = Drought ILG = Improper livestock grazing SD = Surface disturbances |
State 2 submodel, plant communities
2.1a | - | PLG = Proper livestock grazing T = Time without disturbances W = Wet weather periods |
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2.2a | - | D = Drought ILG = Improper livestock grazing SD = Surface disturbances |
State 3 submodel, plant communities
3.1a | - | D = Drought F = Fire ILG = Improper livestock grazing |
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