Ecological site group DX035X01JESG03
Paria and Kaibito Plateaus Gypsum
Last updated: 09/01/2021
Accessed: 05/02/2024
Ecological site group description
Key Characteristics
- Paria and Kaibito Plateaus
- 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
This site occurs in an upland position. It does not benefit from run-in moisture, and runoff is medium to rapid. This site occurs as hummocky and dissected hills or plains of complex gypsiferous shale and sandstone outcrops.
Climate
Winter-Summer moisture ratios are typically 70:30 on the west side of this LRU and shift to 60:40 on the east side. Late spring is usually the driest period, and early fall moisture can be sporadic. Summer rains fall June-September; moisture originates in the Gulf of Mexico and creates convective, usually brief, intense thunderstorms. Cool season moisture October-May tends to be frontal; it originates in the Pacific and the Gulf of California and falls in widespread storms with longer duration and lower intensity. Precipitation generally comes as snow December-February. Accumulations above 10 inches are not common, but can occur. Snow usually lasts 3-4 days, but can persist much longer. Summer daytime temperatures are commonly 95-100 F and, on occasion, exceed 105F. Winter air temperatures can regularly go below 15 F and have been recorded below -15 F.
Soil features
Soils characterizing this site are very shallow to deep to any plant root restricting layer. Rock outcrop is common. The soil profile is extremely variable on the site. Various amounts of gypsum are always present. The gypsum may be visible in powdery or crystalline forms. The pH may exceed 9.0 and is usually above 7.8. Excessive erosion can occur when the stable surface is disturbed.
Vegetation dynamics
This site is a mixture of shrubs, forbs and grasses. In the original plant community there is a mixture of both cool and warm season plants. Lichens are a major ground cover on this site.
Plant species most likely to increase or invade on this site are halophytes. This is a harsh site and retrogression usually leave bare ground. Unpalatable shrubs do well.Elevations range from 4200 to 5100 feet and precipitation averages 7 to 11 inches. Vegetation includes winterfat, fourwing saltbush, buckwheat species, needlegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, Indian ricegrass, black grama, blue grama, sideoats grama, gyp dropseed, and galleta. The soil temperature regime is mesic and the soil moisture regime is typic aridic. This unit occurs within the Colorado Plateau Physiographic Province and is characterized by a sequence of flat to gently dipping sedimentary rocks eroded into plateaus, valleys and deep canyons. Sedimentary rock classes dominate the plateau with volcanic fields occurring for the most part near its margin.
Major Land Resource Area
MLRA 035X
Colorado Plateau
Stage
Provisional
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