Ecological site group description

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 occur on toeslopes, fan terraces, backslopes and footslopes on stable landslides, plateaus and mesas. Soils are shallow to deep. These sites do not benefit from run-on moisture from adjacent sites. Slopes on the site range from 1 to 35 percent, and occasionally as high as 45%.

Climate

Winter-summer moisture ratios are typically 70:30 on the west side of this LRU 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 Ocean 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 but can exceed 95 degrees F. Winter temperatures of around 0 degrees F are common and can reach -25 degrees F.

Soil features

Soils are shallow to deep. They have formed in place from alluvium, residuum and eolian deposits derived from sandstone and shale, and basalt. Surface textures are sandy loam to fine sandy loam. Subsoil textures are sandy, sandy loam, loam and deep soils will have sandy clay loam to clay horizons. An argillic horizon may be present. Water erosion hazard potential is slight to moderate; wind erosion potential is moderate to high. Soils are generally non-sodic, non-saline. pH range is 6.6-7.3.

Vegetation dynamics

Please see associated ecological sites under subclasses to view state and transition models.

Major Land Resource Area

MLRA 035X
Colorado Plateau

Subclasses

• DX035X01I117–Sandy Loam Upland 10-14" p.z.
• DX035X03B628–Sandy Loam Upland (JUOS, PIED) 13-17" p.z.
• DX035X03B633–Colluvial Slopes 13-17" p.z. (PIED)
• DX035X03B804–Shallow Sandy Loam 17-25" p.z. (PIPO)
• DX035X03B811–Sandy Loam Upland 17-25" p.z. (PIPO)
• DX035X03B826–Sandstone Upland 17-25" p.z. (PIPO)
• DX035X03B827–Sandstone Hills 17-25" p.z. (PIPO)
• DX035X04B314–Sandstone Upland 10-14" p.z.
• F035XC322AZ–Sandstone Upland 10-14" p.z. (JUOS)
• F035XF627AZ–Sandstone Upland (JUOS, PIED) 13-17" p.z. (Provisional)
• F035XF629AZ–Sandstone Hills 13-17" p.z. (PIED)
• R035XB219AZ–Sandy Loam Upland 6-10" p.z.
• R035XC317AZ–Sandy Loam Upland 10-14" p.z.
• R035XF606AZ–Sandy Loam Upland 13-17" p.z.
• R035XF608AZ–Limestone / Sandstone Upland 13-17" p.z.

Correlated Map Unit Components

22397627, 22397141, 22397140, 22397146, 22397156, 22397184, 22397138, 22397144, 22397186, 22397180, 22397286, 22397629, 22397631, 22397630, 22397585, 22397613, 22397257, 22397218, 22397602, 22397599, 22397236, 22397238, 22397226, 22397224, 22397621, 22529490, 22529596, 22529659, 22529487, 22529439, 22529685, 22999954, 22999986

Stage

Provisional

Contributors

Curtis Talbot