Ecological site group DX035X01JESG17
Paria and Kaibito Plateaus Moderately Deep to Very Deep Sandy Loam, MAST < 54 degrees F
Last updated: 10/25/2022
Accessed: 05/02/2024
Ecological site group description
Key Characteristics
- Paria and Kaibito Plateaus
- Sandstone or sandy loam
- Moderately deep to very deep
- MAST < 54 degrees F
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 ecological site occurs in an upland position on gently sloping plains or alluvial fans. It neither benefits significantly from run-in nor experiences excessive runoff of moisture.
Climate
Climate features: 50-60% of moisture falls as rain from July through September and is the most effective moisture for plant growth. The remaining moisture comes as snow during the winter.
Mean temperatures for the hottest month (July) is 72 degrees F; for the coldest month (January) is 32 degrees F. Extreme temperatures of 105 degrees F and -26 degrees F have been recorded. Long periods with little or no effective moisture are relatively common.
Cool season plants begin growth in early spring and mature in the early summer. Warm season plants take advantage of summer rains and grow from July through September.
Soil features
Representative Soil Features
These soils are moderately deep to deep with no plant root restricting layers. Surface horizons have textures of sandy loam to fine sandy loam about 4 to 10 inches thick. Subsurface horizons have textures ranging from clay to sandy loam. There may be thin strata of finer and/or coarser textures. The pH ranges from neutral to moderately alkaline (pH 6.6 to 8.4). Water erosion hazard is moderate and the wind erosion hazard is severe.
Vegetation dynamics
State 1
Reference State
The reference state includes the historic climax plant community that evolved with the soils and climate in the area. In this state, the plant communities are dominated by warm and cool season grasses with scattered shrubs and trees. With drought, long term winter dominated moisture patterns, grazing and other disturbances, perennial grasses will decrease and shrubs will increase on the site.
Introduced annuals are present in this common resource area, and very minor amounts of these may occur in the plant communities in this state.
Current Potential State:
This state is similar to the reference state except that non-native plants are now present in all plant community phases. A shift in species composition will affect the nutrient cycling, soil-water relationships, hydrology, and soil stability. Dominant grasses include both warm and cool season species; however heavy spring grazing will generally remove the cool season grasses such as Indian ricegrass, and heavy late summer and early fall grazing will remove the warm season grasses such as black grama and James’ galleta. Utah juniper is still a common invader of shallower soil components, creating blowout areas and increasing erosion. This state is losing resistance to disturbances and resilience after disturbance. Invasive plants are beginning to fill available niches and become established on the site.
Major Land Resource Area
MLRA 035X
Colorado Plateau
Subclasses
Correlated Map Unit Components
22340792, 22340841, 22340845, 22340844
Stage
Provisional
Contributors
Curtis Talbot
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