Ecological site group DX035X03BESG07
Chuska Mountains - Shale or Clayey
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 not silty
- Soils not sandy
- Parent Material is Shale or soil is Clayey
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 sites are found on fans. Parent material is alluvium and residuum from shale. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent.
Climate
The climate of this land resource unit is semiarid with warm summers and cool winters. The mean annual precipitation ranges from 13 – 17 inches, but it is very erratic, often varying substantially from year to year. The majority of the precipitation comes from October through April. This precipitation comes as gentle rain or snow from frontal storms coming out of the Pacific Ocean. Snow is common from November through February. Generally no more than a few inches of snow accumulates, melting within a few days, but may last a week or more. The remaining precipitation comes from July through September as spotty, unreliable and sometimes violent thunderstorms. The moisture for this precipitation originates in the Gulf of Mexico (and the Pacific Ocean in the fall) and flows into the area on the north end of the Mexican monsoon. Late May through late June is generally a dry period. The mean annual air temperature ranges from 47 to 49 degrees Fahrenheit (F). The frost-free period (air temperature > 32 degrees F) ranges from 113 to 144 days (at 50 percent probability). Strong winds are common, especially in the spring.
Soil features
The soils are deep to very deep to any plant root restricting layer. The parent material is derived from shale. The surface texture is clay. The subsurface texture is clay. Due to the high shrink-swell nature of the clay the site is subject to noticeable cracking. The surface of the soil is non-effervescent becoming slightly effervescent.
Vegetation dynamics
Please see associated ecological sites under subclasses to view state and transition models.
Major Land Resource Area
MLRA 035X
Colorado Plateau
Subclasses
- DX035X03B630–Clay Loam Upland 13-17" p.z. (PIED)
- DX035X03G602–Clay Loam Upland 13-17" p.z. (PIED, JUOS)
- R035XB224AZ–Clayey Slopes 6-10" p.z. Bouldery
- R035XB268AZ–Shale Hills 6-10" p.z.
- R035XC306AZ–Clayey Upland 10-14" p.z.
- R035XC307AZ–Clay Loam Upland 10-14" p.z.
- R035XC320AZ–Shale Hills 10-14" p.z.
- R035XC324AZ–Clayey Slopes 10-14" p.z. Bouldery
- R035XC328AZ–Cobbly Slopes 10-14" p.z.
- R035XF603AZ–Clay Loam Upland 13-17" p.z.
- R035XF604AZ–Clayey Upland 13-17" p.z.
- R035XH814AZ–Sandstone Upland 17-25" p.z. Cobbly
Correlated Map Unit Components
22397275, 22397273, 22397214, 22529712, 22529757, 22529466, 22529463, 22529455, 22529567, 22529631, 22529570, 22529481, 22529656, 22529695, 22529738, 22529783, 22529785, 22999952
Stage
Provisional
Contributors
Curtis Talbot
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