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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.
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Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
Associated sites
R009XY021OR Shallow Clayey 17-22 PZ
Shallow South 14"+ PZ
R009XY025OR Very Shallow 14-18 PZ
Shallow Clayey 17-22" PZ
R009XY031OR Shallow South 14+ PZ
Shallow South 14" PZ
Similar sites
R009XY016OR Clayey 17-22 PZ
Clayey 17-22" PZ (finer texture soil, lower production)
R009XY014OR Deep Loam 17-22 PZ
Deep Loamy 17-22" PZ (deeper soil, higher production)
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous Not specified
Physiographic features
This site occurs near and within forestland on outwash terraces, tablelands and mountain plateaus. Slopes range from 0 to 12%. It sis typically within the northern portion of the Blue Mountains. Elevation varies from 2000 to 3400 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Alluvial flat
Elevation 2000 – 3400 ft Slope 0 – 12 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The annual precipitation ranges from 17 to 22 inches, most of which occurs in the form of snow during the months of November through March followed by ample spring rainfall. Localized convectional storms occasionally occur during the summer. The soil temperature regime is mesic approaching frigid with a mean annual air temperature of 48 degrees F. Temperature extremes range from 110 to -40 degrees F. The frost-free period ranges from 110 to 170 days. The optimum period for plant growth is from late April to late July.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 170 days Freeze-free period (average) 0 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
Soil features
The soils of this site are moderately deep to deep over basalt bedrock and are well drained. Typically the surface layer is a silt loam or very cobbly loam. The subsoil includes loam, clay loam, and very cobbly or extremely cobbly loam. Permeability is moderate to moderately slow. The available water holding capacity (AWC) is about 5 to 7 inches for the profile. The potential for erosion is moderate.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Silt loam
(2) Very cobbly loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderate to moderately slow Ecological dynamics
Range in Characteristics:
Variability in plant composition and yeild is dependent on aspect and soil depth rather than on precipitation and elevation ranges that occur within the site. There tends to be a higher proportion of bluebunch wheatgrass and lower overall productionon shallower south and southwesterly slopes. Conversely, Idaho fescue is in higher proportion with higher overall production on north slopes with approximately 40 inches depth.
Response to Disturbance:
If the condiditon of the site deteriorates as a result of overgrazing, Idaho fescue decreases and bluebunch wheatgrass increases. Idaho fescue decreases and bluebunch wheatgrass increases. Idaho fescue is the preferred species during early summer use. With further deterioration, bluebunch wheatgrass decreases, forbs increase and cheatgrass, tarweed and other annuals rapidly invade. Mulesear wyethia increases, Kentucy bluegrass invades, where present diffuse knapweed invades and increases. Under deteriorated conditions, annuals and unpalatble forbs dominate the site.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityThe potential native plant community is dominatned by Idaho fescue. Bluebunch wheatgrass and a variety of forbs are predominant in the stand. The vegetative composition of the community is approximately 90 percent grasses, 8 percent forbs and 2 percent shrubs.
Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 1640 1860 2080 Forb 80 190 300 Shrub/Vine 60 90 120 Total 1780 2140 2500 Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). OR2761 , B9 Fans, Loamy, Clayey RPC. B9 Fans, Loamy, Clayey RPC.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 10 20 30 20 10 0 5 5 0 0 Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Perennial Deep-rooted Dominant 1400–1600 Idaho fescue FEID Festuca idahoensis 1400–1600 – 2 Perennial Deep-rooted Dominant 200–400 bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 200–400 – 4 Perennial Deep-rooted Subdominant 40–80 prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 20–40 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 20–40 – Forb7 Perennial Deep-rooted Subdominant 40–120 buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 20–60 – cinquefoil POTEN Potentilla 20–60 – 8 Perennial All Subdominant 20–40 lupine LUPIN Lupinus 20–40 – 9 PPFF 20–140 common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 3–18 – agoseris AGOSE Agoseris 3–18 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 3–18 – brodiaea BRODI Brodiaea 3–18 – hawksbeard CREPI Crepis 3–18 – Scouler's woollyweed HISC2 Hieracium scouleri 3–18 – desertparsley LOMAT Lomatium 3–18 – beardtongue PENST Penstemon 3–18 – Shrub/Vine13 Perennial Deciduous Dominant 60–120 hawthorn CRATA Crataegus 20–40 – rose ROSA5 Rosa 20–40 – common snowberry SYAL Symphoricarpos albus 20–40 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Grazing:
This site is suited to use by cattle and sheep in the summer and fall. It has few limitations. Care should be taken to avoid trampling damage and soil compaction when soils are wet.
Wildlife:
This site is important as a spring, summer and fall feeding site for deer and elk. The sites are usually adjacent to forested areas which provide hiding and thermal cover.
Native Wildlife Associated With Teh Potential Climax Community:
Mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, hawks, coyote, rodents, and white-tailed deer.Hydrological functions
The hydrologic cover condition is good at higher condition classes. The soils are in hydrologic groups B and C.
Recreational uses
In the Blue Mountains this site occurs on the ridgetops interfingering with the forest. It provides a pleasing visual diversity witht he forests.
Wood products
A few scttered ponderosa pine may occur. These provide limited benefits in terms of wood products, shade and diversity.
Other information
This site has the potential for rnage seeding when it occurs in large enough units. As a complex with shallow sites the potential for range seeding is often low because it occurs as small mounds (biscuits).
Supporting information
Contributors
AV Bahn, J. Anderson
Justin GredvigRangeland 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) Jeff Repp and Bruce Franssen Contact for lead author State Rangeland Management Specialist for NRCS in Oregon Date 04/24/2003 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
None to some -
Presence of water flow patterns:
None to some -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
5-10% -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Fine - limited movement -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Moderately resistant to erosion: aggregate stability = 2-4 -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
moderate fine granular to strong very fine subangular blocky structure, dry color value 4, 9 -926 inches thick; moderate OM (2-4%) -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Significant ground cover (80-90%) and gentle slopes (0-12%) effectively limit rainfall impact and overland flow -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None -
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:
Deep-rooted, cool-season, bunchgrasses (FEID >> PSSP6 > others)Sub-dominant:
Perennial forbs > shrubsOther:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Normal decadence and mortality expected -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Favorable: 2500, Normal: 2000, Unfavorable: 1500 lbs/acre/year at high RSI (HCPC) -
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:
Cheatgrass and Medusahead invade sites that have lost deep rooted perennial grass functional groups -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species should be capable of reproducing annually
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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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