Ecological site group DX035X03BESG04
Chuska Mountains - Silty
Last updated: 10/31/2022
Accessed: 05/02/2024
Ecological site group description
Key Characteristics
- Chuska Mountains
- Soils not sodic
- Soils not saline
- Soils not limy
- Soils silty
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
These ecological sites occur on level to nearly level plateaus, toeslopes, and broad open valleys in forests. Soils are very deep. Surface textures range from silt to silt loam. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent.
Climate
Winter-Summer moisture ratios are typically 70:30 on the west side of this CRA 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 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 October into April. Snowpack can persist for 3-4 months, although it may disappear in exposed areas during prolonged dry weather. Summer daytime temperatures are typically 80-90 F but can exceed 95 F. Winter temperatures around 0 F are common and can reach -25 F.
Soil features
The soils are very deep. Surface textures range from silt to silt loam. Subsurface texture is loam, stony sandy clay loam, and very gravelly fine sandy loam. Parent material is alluvium and eolian material derived from sandstone, siltstone and quartz. Soil formation is residuum and alluvium materials from sandstone and diorite. Water erosion hazard is severe; wind erosion hazard is slight. Soils are non-saline and non-sodic. pH range is 6.1-7.3. Soil temperature regime is mesic; soil moisture regime is typic ustic.
Vegetation dynamics
Please see associated ecological sites under subclasses to view state and transition models.
Major Land Resource Area
MLRA 035X
Colorado Plateau
Correlated Map Unit Components
22397266, 22397267, 22529664, 22999953
Stage
Provisional
Contributors
Curtis Talbot
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