Ecological site group DX035X01IESG06
Little Colorado River Basin-sandy soils-run in and streamflow moisture
Last updated: 10/12/2022
Accessed: 05/02/2024
Ecological site group description
Key Characteristics
- Little Colorado River Basin
- Sandy
- Receive extra run-in or stream flow
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 in a bottom position along perennial or seasonal streams which drain into the little Colorado River system. Eolian sands also accumulate along the stream and river corridors. Slopes are generally less than 2 percent but may be higher on bank slopes and in bedrock controlled sections.
Climate
The climate of the land resource unit is arid with warm summers and cool winters. This is one of the driest land resource units on the Colorado Plateau with an average annual precipitation ranging from 6 to10 inches in lower elevations and the highest precipitation of 10 to 14 inches in higher elevations. It is also very erratic, often varying substantially from year to year. Less than half of the annual precipitation is received from October through early May. This precipitation comes as gentle rain or snow from frontal storms coming out of the Pacific Ocean. Snow is common from November through February. Generally no more than an inch or two of snow accumulates and usually melts within a day or two. The remaining precipitation, approximately 50 to 60 percent, is received from monsoon rains, July through September and can be spotty, unreliable and sometimes violent thunderstorms. The moisture for this precipitation originates in the Gulf of Mexico (and the Pacific Ocean in the fall) and flows into the area on the north end of the Mexican monsoon. Late May through late June is generally a dry period. The mean annual temperature ranges from 53 to 56 degrees Fahrenheit (F). The frost-free period (air temperature > 32 degrees F) ranges from 135 to 160 days (@ 50 percent probability). Strong winds are common, especially in the spring.
Soil features
The soils on this site are very deep (60+") and moderately well drained to well drained. They are formed in eolian and alluvium from sandstone, limestone and shales. Surface textures are generally fine sand to loamy sand. Subsurface textures include stratified loamy fine sand, gravelly coarse sand and sand. There can be thin layers of loamy textures. Hazard of water erosion is none and hazard of wind erosion is severe.
Vegetation dynamics
This site has a plant community made up primarily of mid grasses, shrubs and Fremont cottonwood trees. Forbs are a minor component of the site.
Plant species most likely to invade or increase on this site when it deteriorates are cheat-grass, annual weeds, thread-leaf rubber rabbitbrush, tamarisk, Russian knapweed, camelthorn and Russian olive.
Major Land Resource Area
MLRA 035X
Colorado Plateau
Subclasses
Correlated Map Unit Components
22353964, 22354014, 22396683, 22396684, 22396682, 22396689, 22396779, 22396732, 22484759
Stage
Provisional
Contributors
Curtis Talbot
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