Ecological site group DX035X01JESG13
Paria and Kaibito Plateaus Shale or Clayey
Last updated: 09/01/2021
Accessed: 05/02/2024
Ecological site group description
Key Characteristics
- Paria and Kaibito Plateaus
- Shale or clayey
- [Criteria]
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 range site occurs on footslopes, backslopes and canyon sides over shale bedrock. Slopes generally range from 15 to 60 percent, but there can be small areas with flatter or steeper slopes within the site. The soils are very shallow to shallow and well drained. It does not benefit from run-in moisture.
Climate
Winter summer moisture ratios range from 70:30 to 60:40. Late spring is usually the driest period, and early fall moisture can be sporadic. Summer rains fall from June through September; moisture originates in the Gulf of Mexico and creates convective, usually brief, intense thunderstorms. Cool season moisture from October through 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 from December through February. Accumulations above 12 inches are not common but can occur. Snow usually lasts for 3-4 days, but can persist much longer. Summer daytime temperatures are commonly 95 - 100 F and on occasion exceed 105 F. Winter air temperatures can regularly go below 10 F and have been recorded below - 20 F.
Soil features
Soils are very shallow to shallow (<20") over weathered shale or CR materials, and are well drained. Soil textures range from clay loam to clay throughout the profile. Soft shale fragments range from 15-75%. Commonly, thin seams of lime and gypsum-like fractures and faces of shale fragments occur. Available water holding capacity is moderate. Water and wind erosion hazard is moderate. Soils are moderately alkaline (pH 7.4-8.4).
Vegetation dynamics
1.1 community: The plant community is made up of mid and short grasses with a fair percentage of forbs and shrubs. In the original plant community, there is a mixture of both cool and warm season plants.
Plant species most likely to invade or increase on this site when it deteriorates are galleta, Torrey seepweed, Greene rabbitbrush, cheatgrass and annual forbs. Continuous livestock grazing use during winter and spring will decrease cool season grasses, which are replaced by lower forage value grasses and shrubs.
Introduced exotic annual grasses and forbs are present in minor amounts in the plant community, but the amount and proportions of native plants is similar to that found in plant community 1.1, Reference Plant Community.
2.2 community: This plant community is characterized by a dominance of shadscale saltbush, Torrey Seepweed, snakeweed, with a few alkali sacaton and galleta. Introduced exotic annual grasses and forbs are present in minor amounts in the plant community.
Major Land Resource Area
MLRA 035X
Colorado Plateau
Subclasses
Stage
Provisional
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