State 1
1 Reference State

This site exists on summits and side slopes of plateaus, mesas, and pediments. The site is characterized by a mix of shrubs with scattered perennial grasses and forbs. Primary shrubs are blackbrush and Torrey's jointfir with James' galleta and Indian ricegrass as the understory. Other shrubs present include cliffrose, snakeweed and Greenes' rabbitbrush.

Community 1.1
1.1 Shrubland with Native Grasses

The Shrubland with Native Grasses plant commmunity is characterized by a dominance of shrubs with scattered perennial grasses and forbs. Primary shrubs are blackbrush and Torrey's jointfir with James' galleta and Indian ricegrass as the understory. Other shrubs present include cliffrose, snakeweed and Greenes' rabbitbrush.

Community 1.2
1.2 Blackbrush Shrubland

Blackbrush Shrubland - The dominant aspect of this site is of blackbrush. Other shrubs are present but in small amounts. Perennial forbs and grasses are present, but in minor amounts. Grasses commonly present are James galletaa and Indian ricegrass. Shrubs commonly present include blaackbrush, Torrey jointfir along with other native shrubs in small amounts.

Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Repetitive, high utilization of palatable species gives shrubs a competitive advantage.

Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1

A set-back to shrubs with management to increase palatable grass species.

State 2
2 Blackbrush Shrubland with Introduced Annuals

Community 2.1
2.1 Blackbrush Shrubland with Introduced Annuals

Blackbrush Shrubland - The dominant aspect of this site is of blackbrush. Other shrubs are present but in small amounts. Perennial forbs and grasses are present, but in minor amounts. Grasses commonly present are James galletaa and Indian ricegrass. Shrubs commonly present include blaackbrush, Torrey jointfir along with other native shrubs in small amounts. Introduced annuals occur, but are a very minor part of the plant community, usually only found in trace amounts.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Invasion of introduced species. Once this occurs the site is unlikely to be restored to reference.This coupled with repetitive high utilization of palatable grass species and resulting soil erosion.