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Ecological site R008XY455WA

Loamy North Aspect
14-20 PZ Goldendale Prairie

Last updated: 5/23/2025
Accessed: 04/22/2026

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General information

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.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 008X–Columbia Plateau

MLRA 8 encompasses about 50,100 square kilometers mainly in Washington and Oregon, with a small area in Idaho. This MLRA is characterized by loess hills, surrounding scablands, and alluvial deposits. This MLRA consists mostly of Miocene Columbia River Basalt covered with up to 200 feet of loess and volcanic ash. The dominant soil order in this MLRA is Mollisols. Soils in this MLRA dominantly have a mesic temperature regime, a xeric moisture regime, and mixed minerology.

Classification relationships

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 8 – Columbia Plateau

LRU – Common Resource Areas (CRA):
8.5 - Moist Yakima Folds

Ecological site concept

Diagnostics:

This upland ecological site occurs on north- and northeast-facing slopes on the Goldendale Prairie in Klickitat Co. Soils are 20 inches and deeper with a loamy surface texture and limited rock fragments (generally 10 percent or less) in the root-growing portions of the soil profile. Silt loam is most common, but a variety of soils and landforms are possible.

Note: due to historic farming and grazing the Goldendale Prairie has been heavily disturbed. No pristine remnant is known, so the reference state has been reconstructed based on experience in MLRA 8.

The Goldendale Prairie is a grassland steppe area and has not had sagebrush for more than 50 years and is not expected to have sagebrush. Threetip sagebrush (Artemisia tripartita) is not found on the Goldendale Prairie as this area does not have sagebrush, nor bitterbrush, and no rabbitbrush except for one small area in a road cut.

North Slope would have a shift in plant community composition, with Idaho fescue (Festuca Idahoensis) as the dominant reference state species. Bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) would be sub-dominant while Eriogonum species and other forbs would fill the interspaces.

Principle Vegetative Drivers:

The vegetative expression of this productive site is driven by two factors: (1) moderately deep to deep soil depth provides unrestricted rooting for most species, and (2) the north aspect which has more effective precipitation. This ecological site has cooler temperatures year-round and longer-lasting snowpack than adjacent ecological sites. North Slope provides crucial water to the vegetation at the hottest time of the growing season allowing this ecological site more resilience when impacted by disturbances. Also, being wetter, the North Slope supports a denser plant cover than the Loamy ecological site.

Associated Sites:
In the Goldendale Prairie portion of MLRA 8, North Aspect and Loamy (both 14 to 20 inches of precipitation) are closely associated. Stony Foothills, Stony Foothills South Aspect, Very Shallow, and Riparian Complex may also be nearby.

Similar Sites:
Loamy, North Aspect has higher precipitation (14 to 20 inches of precipitation) with more Idaho fescue than other North Aspect sites in MLRA 8 Columbia Plateau. North Aspect, dwarf shrub in MLRA 9 Palouse Prairie has a high amount of Idaho fescue but also has the dwarf shrub component that North Aspect Goldendale does not have.

Associated sites

R008XY435WA	Loamy 14-20 PZ Goldendale Prairie
R008XY226WA	Stony Foothills South Aspect bitterbrush
R008XY220WA	Stony Foothills bitterbrush
R008XY001WA	Very Shallow
R008XY720WA	Riparian Complex

Similar sites

R008XY435WA

Loamy 14-20 PZ Goldendale Prairie

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Festuca idahoensis (2) Pseudoroegneria spicata

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Physiographic features

The landscape is part of the Columbia basalt plateau. Loamy North Aspect 14 to 20 PZ Goldendale Prairie sites are most commonly found on north and northeast-facing hillslopes in Klickitat County, Washington.

Physiographic Division: Intermontane Plateau
Physiographic Province: Columbia Plateau
Physiographic Sections: Walla Walla Plateau Section

Landscapes: Hills and plateaus
Landform: Sideslopes, terraces, alluvial fans

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Geomorphic position, hills	(1) Side Slope
Landforms	(1) Hills (2) Plateau (3) Terrace (4) Alluvial fan
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	1400 – 3000 ft
Slope	2 – 30 %
Water table depth	0 – 60 in
Aspect	NE

Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)

Flooding frequency	Not specified
Ponding frequency	Not specified
Elevation	800 – 3500 ft
Slope	2 – 65 %
Water table depth	0 in

Climatic features

Grasslands do not have shrubs because they receive more spring precipitation, especially in March (Daubenmire). The micro-climate on the north-facing slopes provides cooler temperatures and allows Idaho fescue to thrive Grasslands do not have shrubs because they receive more spring precipitation, especially in March (Daubenmire). The climate is characterized by moderately cold, wet winters, and hot, dry summers, with limited precipitation due to the rain shadow effect of the Cascades. Taxonomic soil climate is xeric moisture regime with a mesic temperature regime.

Table 4 Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	120-150 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	10-20 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	110-170 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)
Precipitation total (actual range)

Influencing water features

A plant’s ability to grow on a site and overall plant production is determined by soil-water-plant relationships 
1. Whether rain and melting snow run off-site or infiltrate into the soil 
2. Whether soil conditions remain aerobic or become saturated and become anaerobic 
3. Water drainage and how quickly the soil reaches the wilting point 
 
This ecological site is cooler and moister than surrounding sites due to microclimatic effects. North slopes have less direct solar radiation and reduced evapotranspiration than adjacent uplands or south-facing slopes and may retain snow cover longer into the growing season. Deep soils on the north slopes and extensive subsurface root systems of the dominant grasses also provide greater soil moisture infiltration and retention compared with other areas. 
 
Compared to other upland ecological sites, North Slope has more available soil moisture. The north and northeast slopes mean cooler temperatures. Closer spacing of plants mean less evaporation and less runoff. Idaho fescue is especially linked to the additional soil moisture on this ecological site. Bluebunch wheatgrass, is not as linked to the additional soil moisture.

Soil features

These ecological site components are dominantly Ultic and Pachic taxonomic subgroups of Haploxerolls and Argixerolls great groups of the Mollisols taxonomic order. Soils are moderately deep to very deep. Average available water capacity of about seven inches (17.8 cm) in the zero to 40 inches (zero to 100 cm) depth range.

Soil parent material is dominantly loess mixed with colluvium and residuum with the influence of volcanic ash possible.

The associated soils are Goldendale, Kiakus, Lorena, Swalecreek and similar soils.

Dominate soil surface is silt loam.

Dominant particle-size class is clayey to fine-loamy.

Table 5. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Loess (2) Colluvium (3) Residuum
Surface texture	(1) Silt loam
Family particle size	(1) Clayey (2) Fine-loamy
Drainage class	Well drained
Depth to restrictive layer	20 – 60 in
Soil depth	0 – 60 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	0 – 3 %
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	0 – 7 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (Depth not specified)	Not specified
Electrical conductivity (Depth not specified)	Not specified
Sodium adsorption ratio (Depth not specified)	Not specified
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-10in)	5.6 – 7.3
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	0 – 5 %
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified)	0 – 1 %

Table 6. Representative soil features (actual values)

Drainage class	Not specified
Depth to restrictive layer	0 in
Soil depth	0 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	0 – 10 %
Surface fragment cover >3"	0 – 10 %
Available water capacity (0-40in)	3.1 – 8.3 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (Depth not specified)	0 %
Electrical conductivity (Depth not specified)	0 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (Depth not specified)	0
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-10in)	0
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	0 – 15 %
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified)	0 – 10 %

Ecological dynamics

Loamy North Aspect 14 to 20 PZ Goldendale Prairie produces about 1,000 to 1,400 pounds/acre of biomass annually

The line between sagebrush steppe and true grasslands has been discussed and debated for many years. Daubenmire states that the line has nothing to do with pre-settlement as native ungulates played no significant role in the evolution of ecotypes. He also says that there is no evidence that the distribution of vegetative types is related to fire. He also says there is no useful correlation between soil classification and the line between grasslands and sagebrush steppe.

The ecotones between Daubenmire’s vegetation types can be defined on the basis of consistent differences in climate and consistent differences in vegetation. Higher spring precipitation, especially in March, favors grasses over sagebrush. The grassland area of southeastern Adams and eastern Franklin counties have more precipitation in March. The same for the grasslands in Walla Walla, Asotin and Garfield counties. The Goldendale Prairie and the high-elevation grassland above Coulee Dam in Douglas County also have higher spring precipitation. So, the grassland areas of MLRA 8 are consistent with Daubenmire’s findings.

Loamy North Aspect 14 to 20 PZ Goldendale Prairie would have a shift in plant community composition, with Idaho fescue the featured species and bluebunch wheatgrass sub-dominant. Idaho fescue is shorter and has a dense clump of shoots, while bluebunch wheatgrass is taller and less dense. Both species are long-lived bunchgrasses. Bluebunch has an awned spike seed head while Idaho fescue has an awned panicle seed head. The ratio of Idaho fescue to bluebunch wheatgrass plants on any site can vary due to aspect and elevation.

Both grasses provide a crucial and extensive network of roots to the upper portions (up to 48 inches deep in soils with no root-restrictive horizons) of the soil profile. These roots create a massive underground source to stabilize the soils, provide organic matter and nutrient inputs, and help maintain soil pore space for water infiltration and water retention in the soil profile. The extensive rooting systems of mid-sized bunchgrasses leave very little soil niche space available for invasion by other species. This drought-resistant root can compete with, and suppress, the spread of exotic weeds.

The stability and resiliency of the reference communities are directly linked to the health and vigor of Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass. Research has found that the community remains resistant to medusahead if the site maintains at least 0.8 mid-sized bunchgrass plants per square foot (K. Davies, 2008). These two bunchgrasses hold the system together. If we lose either or both bunchgrass the ecosystem begins to unravel.

The natural disturbance regime for grassland communities is periodic lightning-caused fires. Ponderosa pine communities have the shortest Fire Return Interval (FRI) of about 10 to 20 years (Miller). The FRI increases as one moves to wetter forested sites or to drier shrub steppe communities. Given the uncertainties and opinions of reviewers, a mean of 75 years was chosen for Wyoming sagebrush communities (Rapid Assessment Model). This would place the historic FRI for grassland steppe around 30 to 50 years

The effect of fire on the community depends upon the severity of the burn. With a light to moderate fire, there can be a mosaic of burned and unburned patches. Bunchgrasses thrive as the fire does not get into the crown. Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass exhibit rapid tillering when there are light-severity fires and favorable soil moisture. Largely, the community is not affected by lower intensity fire.

A severe fire puts stress on the entire community. Spots and areas that were completely sterilized are especially vulnerable to exotic invasive species. Sterilized spots must be seeded to prevent invasive species (annual grasses, tumble mustard) from totally occupying the site. Bluebunch wheatgrass and basin wildrye will have weak vigor for a few years but generally survive. Idaho fescue plants are very much at risk of a severe burn coupled with wind. The result can be “black holes” or ash two to three inches into the crown.

The death of Idaho fescue and Cusick bluegrass plants creates holes in the community, and the opportunity for exotic species to colonize. Needle and thread is one native species that can increase via new seedlings.

Spring burning can be especially damaging to Idaho fescue.

Grazing is another common disturbance that occurs to this ecological site. Grazing pressure can be defined as heavy grazing intensity, frequent grazing during reproductive growth, or season-long grazing (the same plants grazed more than once). As grazing pressure increases the plant community unravels in stages:
1. Cusick bluegrass is eliminated. Adjacent natives fill the void
2. Idaho fescue declines while bluebunch wheatgrass increases
3. Both Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass decline
4. With further decline invasive species colonize the site
5. The site can become an invasive grass community

Managing grassland to improve the vigor and health of native bunchgrasses begins with an understanding of grass physiology. New growth each year begins from basal buds. Given the opportunity Idaho fescue readily produces new seedlings while bluebunch wheatgrass plants rely principally on tillering. During seed formation, the growing points of bluebunch wheatgrass become elevated and are vulnerable to damage or removal. Idaho fescue has weak stems and is much more sensitive to grazing than bluebunch wheatgrass.

If defoliated during the formation of seeds, bluebunch wheatgrass has limited capacity to tiller compared with other, more grazing-resistant grasses (Caldwell et al., 1981). Repeated critical period grazing (boot stage through seed formation) is especially damaging. Over several years each native bunchgrass pasture should be rested during the critical period two out of every three years (approximately April 15 to July 15). And each pasture should be rested the entire growing season every third year (approximately March 1 to July 15).

In the spring each year it is important to monitor and maintain adequate top growth: (1) so plants have enough energy to replace basal buds annually, (2) to optimize regrowth following spring grazing, (3) to protect the elevated growing points of bluebunch wheatgrass, and (4) to avoid excessing defoliation of Idaho fescue with its weak stems.

These grasses remain competitive if:
(1) Basal buds are replaced annually,
(2) Enough top-growth is maintained for growth and protection of growing points, and
(3) The timing of grazing and non-grazing is managed over a several-year period. Careful management of late spring grazing is especially critical

For more grazing management information refer to Range Technical Notes found in Section I Reference Lists of NRCS Field Office Technical Guide for Washington State.

In Washington, Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass communities provide habitat for a variety of upland wildlife species.

State and transition model

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State 1
Historic Reference Grassland Steppe with No Invasive Species

State 1 Narrative: State 1 represents grassland steppe with no invasive or exotic species. All the functional, structural groups have one or more species. The Goldendale Prairie has no sagebrush or bitterbrush, and except for a spot along a road cut, also has no rabbitbrush. Reference State Community: 1.1 Reference Idaho Fescue and Bluebunch Wheatgrass Dominate Reference State Species: Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass

At-risk Communities: • Note: most sites on the Goldendale Prairie have already crossed the threshold into State 3 Pathways within State 1 There are no pathways in Reference state for this grassland steppe Loamy North Slope 14-20 PZ Goldendale Prairie ecological site.

Note: most sites on the Goldendale Prairie have already crossed the threshold into State 3

Community 1.1
Reference Idaho Fescue and Bluebunch Wheatgrass

55 percent Idaho fescue
25 percent bluebunch wheatgrass

Figure 1. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

State 2
Current Potential Grassland Steppe with few Invasive Species

State 2 Narrative: State 2 represents grassland steppe with the inclusion of invasive annual grasses such as field brome (Bromus arvensis) or cheatgrass. All the native functional, structural groups are still represented by one or more species. Annual grasses are a minor component in State 2. Once a community has been invaded by cheatgrass the chance of going back to State 1 is small. Dominant State 2 Species: Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass Community for State 2: 2.1 Bunchgrass Bluebunch Wheatgrass Pathways within State 2 There are no pathways in State 2 for this grassland steppe North Slope ecological site.

Note: most sites on the Goldendale Prairie have already crossed the threshold into State 3

Community 2.1
Bunchgrass - Idaho Fescue, Bluebunch Wheatgrass, and Annual Bromes

45 percent Idaho fescue
25 percent bluebunch wheatgrass
10 percent annual bromes

State 3
Annual Grass

State 3 Narrative: State 3 represents sites dominated by invasive annual species and has crossed a biological threshold. As State 1 or State to unravels the dominant bunchgrasses decline while invasive grasses become more and more prominent. Virtually all the native functional, structural groups are missing in State 3. Community Phases for State 3: 3.1 Annual Grass annual bromes Dominate State 3 Species: Cheatgrass Pathways within State 3 There are no pathways in State 3 for this grassland steppe Loamy North Slope ecological site. There is only one community, and thus, no pathways within State 3.

Note: most sites on the Goldendale Prairie have already crossed the threshold into State 3

Community 3.1
Annual Bromes

90% annual bromes

State 4
Seeded Grasses

State 4 represents a site that has been seeded to desirable grasses such as Secar. Snake River wheatgrass, Sherman big bluegrass, or intermediate wheatgrass. State 4 is stable if 0.8 plant per square foot or greater of the desired bunchgrasses is maintained. Community Phases for State 4: 1.1 Seeded Grasses Dominate State 4 Species: Desirable seeded grasses with or without legumes Pathways within State 4: There are no pathways in State 4 for this grassland steppe North Slope ecological site.

Community 4.1
Seeded Grasses

85 percent seeded grasses

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Note: most sites on the Goldendale Prairie have already crossed the threshold into State 3 Transitions from State to State T1A Result: transition from Reference State to State 2 (grassland steppe w/ a few annuals). The Reference State does not have invasive species. State 2 has the same communities but with minor additions of invasive annual grasses such as annual bromes. Ecological process. Most sites in the Reference State have some scattered annual grass seed that has blown onto the site. This seed is waiting for seed-to-soil contact to enable germination. Primary Trigger: Soil disturbances from rodents or badgers. Indicators: The occurrence of annual grasses on sites where they had been absent.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

Result: Transition from State 2 to State 3 which is dominated by annuals. This transition occurs once the cover of Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass decline to less than 10 percent while invasive species cover is 40 percent or more. Primary Trigger: Chronic, heavy grazing season-long grazing, or late spring grazing. Note: chronic season-long grazing in the 1880s to 1940s created thousands of acres of annual grass dominated communities. Ecological Process: Consistent defoliation pressure to bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue causes poor vigor, shrinking crowns and plant mortality. Native species are all but eliminated while invasive species such as annual bromes have the competitive advantage. With more and more of the soil surface and upper soil rooting surface open, opportunistic, exotic weeds take advantage of the available niche space to colonize and expand until they dominate the community. The site has lost its primary species that stabilize and protect the soil from wind and water erosion and has also lost the ability to retain sufficient soil moisture for many of the native perennial species. Indicators: Decreasing cover of bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue, increasing cover of invasive annual species. Increasing distance between bunchgrass plants. Decreasing soil organic matter, soil water retention, limited water infiltration and percolation in the soil profile.

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 4

Result: Shift from State 3 (a community dominated by invasive annual species) to State 4, which is predominately desirable seeded grasses. This restoration transition does not occur without significant time and inputs to control weeds, prepare a seedbed, seed desirable species, and post-seeding weed control and management. This requires a commitment of two years or more for weed control. Care must be taken to maintain soil structure so that the seedbed has many safe-sites for the seed. Seed placement must be managed to achieve seed-soil contact at very shallow depth (about 1/8 inch is desired). Proper grazing management is essential to maintain the stand post-seeding. Secar Snake River wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass, Sherman big bluegrass, Sandberg bluegrass, and intermediate wheatgrass are typical species seeded on North Slope ecological site. The actual transition occurs when the seeded species have successfully established and are outcompeting the annual species for cover and dominance of resources.

Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 2

Result: Shift from State 4 back to State 2. This restoration transition does not occur without a significant commitment of time & resource inputs to restore ecological processes, native bunchgrasses and native forb species. Shifting from State 3 to State 4 to State 2: If the goal is to restore back to a native plant community, State 3 must first be shifted to State 4. It will take two years or longer to kill annual species and to exhaust the seedbank of invasive species. Site will then need to be seeded to perennial species such as Snake River wheatgrass to restore soil properties before native species can survive and thrive on site. The seeded species rebuild some of the basic soil properties including increased soil organic matter, increased soil moisture, and likely would also require the soil’s pore spaces, bulk density and soil microorganisms to return before the native species that used to survive in this ecological site can return. The site would also need several years of no significant fires and proper grazing management as well. Shifting from State 4 to State 2: This assumes that the shift from State 3 to State 4 has been successful. State 4 stand must be killed before proceeding. The seeding of native species should occur in two steps: (1) a seeding of native bunchgrasses so that broadleaf weeds may be controlled, (2) a re-introduction of native forbs. The site would also need several years of no significant fires and proper grazing management as well to ensure plant establishment and vigor.

Restoration pathway T4A
State 4 to 3

Result: shift from seeded grass State 4 to State 3 which is dominated by invasive annual species. Primary Trigger: This transition occurs when chronic heavy grazing has removed too much of the perennial bunchgrass cover allowing invasive annual species to colonize the site. As this continues the competitive advantage goes to the exotic species which are opportunistic and take most of the site’s resources. Little of the resources remain for the desirable species. Secondary Trigger: Frequent fires or a severe fire that removes too much of the perennial bunchgrass cover and gives the competitive advantage back to the invasive species. Indicators: shrinking crowns and mortality of desirable species, increasing caps gaps between perennial species, increasing cover by annual grasses.

Additional community tables

Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)
Shrub/Vine
1	Sprouting Shrubs - Minor			50–
	currant	RIBES	Ribes	–	–
	rose	ROSA5	Rosa	–	–
Grass/Grasslike
2	Dominant Mid-Size Bunchgrasses			1100–
	Idaho fescue	FEID	Festuca idahoensis	750–	–
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSP6	Pseudoroegneria spicata	350–	–
3	Other Mid-Size Bunchgrasses - Minor			70–
	Cusick's bluegrass	POCU3	Poa cusickii	–	–
	Columbia needlegrass	ACNE9	Achnatherum nelsonii	–	–
	western needlegrass	ACOC3	Achnatherum occidentale	–	–
	basin wildrye	LECI4	Leymus cinereus	–	–
	prairie Junegrass	KOMA	Koeleria macrantha	–	–
4	Short Grass - Minor			150–
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	–	–
Forb
5	Native Forbs - Minor			150–
	arrowleaf balsamroot	BASA3	Balsamorhiza sagittata	–	–
	lupine	LUPIN	Lupinus	–	–
	hawksbeard	CREPI	Crepis	–	–
	longleaf phlox	PHLO2	Phlox longifolia	–	–
	spiny phlox	PHHO	Phlox hoodii	–	–
	granite prickly phlox	LIPU11	Linanthus pungens	–	–
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	–	–
	low pussytoes	ANDI2	Antennaria dimorpha	–	–
	hawkweed	HIERA	Hieracium	–	–
	larkspur	DELPH	Delphinium	–	–
	western stoneseed	LIRU4	Lithospermum ruderale	–	–
	silverpuffs	MICRO6	Microseris	–	–
	onion	ALLIU	Allium	–	–
	mariposa lily	CALOC	Calochortus	–	–
	fleabane	ERIGE2	Erigeron	–	–
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	–	–
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	–	–
	Indian paintbrush	CASTI2	Castilleja	–	–
	common yarrow	ACMI2	Achillea millefolium	–	–
	trumpet	COLLO	Collomia	–	–
	woolly plantain	PLPA2	Plantago patagonica	–	–
	yellow fritillary	FRPU2	Fritillaria pudica	–	–

Table 8. Community 2.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 9. Community 3.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 10. Community 4.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Supporting information

Other references

Boling M., Frazier B., Busacca, A., General Soil Map of Washington, Washington State University, 1998 Daubenmire, R., Steppe Vegetation of Washington, EB1446, March 1968

Davies, Kirk, Medusahead Dispersal and Establishment in Sagebrush Steppe Plant Communities, Rangeland Ecology & Management, 2008 Environmental Protection Agency, map of Level III and IV Ecoregions of Washington, June 2010

Miller, Baisan, Rose and Pacioretty, “Pre and Post Settlement Fire regimes in mountain Sagebrush communities: The Northern Intermountain Region Natural Resources Conservation Service, map of Common Resource Areas of Washington, 2003 Rapid Assessment Reference Condition Model for Wyoming sagebrush, LANDFIRE project, 2008

Rocchio, Joseph & Crawford, Rex C., Ecological Systems of Washington State. A Guide to Identification. Washington State Department of Natural Resources, October 2015. Pages 156-161 Inter-Mountain Basin Big Sagebrush.

Rouse, Gerald, MLRA 8 Ecological Sites as referenced from Natural Resources Conservation Service-Washington FOTG, 2004 Soil Conservation Service, Range Sites for MLRA 8 from 1980s and 1990s

Tart, D., Kelley, P., and Schlafly, P., Rangeland Vegetation of the Yakima Indian reservation, August 1987, YIN Soil and Vegetation Survey.

Contributors

Kevin Guinn

Approval

Kirt Walstad, 5/23/2025

Acknowledgments

Provisional Site Author: Kevin Guinn Technical Team: K. Moseley, G. Fults, R. Fleenor, W. Keller, C. Smith, K. Bomberger, C. Gaines, K. Paup-Lefferts

Rangeland health reference sheet

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Author(s)/participant(s)
Contact for lead author
Date	05/08/2025
Approved by
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):

Dominant:

Sub-dominant:

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Perennial plant reproductive capability:

Download reference sheet

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