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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.
Classification relationships
No data.
Associated sites
R009XY015ID Dense Stony Clay 22+ PZ DACA3-JUBA
R009XY019ID Dry Meadow
R009XY032ID Riparian DECA5-CAREX
Similar sites
R009XY019ID Dry Meadow
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous Not specified
Physiographic features
This site generally occurs on gently sloping to nearly level stream valleys and high mountain valleys on flood plains with slopes of 0 to 4 percent. It also occurs around localized seeps and springs. This site is frequently dissected by old stream courses, oxbows, and potholes. The surface is generally not flat, but slightly undulating with small depressions and high spots. Elevations range between 2500-6000 feet (750-1800 meters).
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Plateau
(2) Valley floor
Flooding duration Brief (2 to 7 days) to very long (more than 30 days) Flooding frequency Occasional to frequent Ponding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to long (7 to 30 days) Ponding frequency Occasional to frequent Elevation 2500 – 6000 ft Slope 0 – 4 % Ponding depth 2 – 6 in Water table depth 0 – 40 in Climatic features
The elevation of MLRA 9 ranges from 2000 to 4000 feet with an average elevation of 3000 feet. Elevation along major streams averages only 650 feet above sea level. Average annual precipitation ranges from 20 to 25 inches with an average of 23 based on 9 long term climate stations located throughout the MLRA. Summers are relatively dry while precipitation is evenly distributed between fall, winter, and spring.
The maximum average annual temperature is 58 degrees Fahrenheit while the average minimum temperature is 35 degrees F. The average annual temperature is 46.8 degrees F. The frost free period ranges from 107 to 134 days and the freeze free period ranges from 143 to 173 days.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 130 days Freeze-free period (average) 170 days Precipitation total (average) 30 in BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
The meadow site is influenced by additional water from either adjacent streams through seasonal flooding, water table, seeps or springs, or from run-on from adjacent sites. The site may include the following wetlands and stream types.<br />
<br />
Wetland Description: System Subsystem Class Sub-class<br />
Palustrine NA Aquatic? Palustrine NA Scrub-Shrub Brd.-leav. Deci.<br />
Riverine intermittent Streambed vegetated<br />
Stream Type: ?? <br />
Soil features
Soils on this site typically have ashy silt loam, silty clay loam or loam surface textures, silty clay loam to silty clay sub-soils and stratified silty clay loam to coarse sandy loam parent material of mixed alluvial origin and may be somewhat stony or gravelly. The soils range from very strongly acid to neutral in pH. Available water capacity is low to moderate and is supplemented by upward capillary movement from the shallow water table and the effective rooting depth is limited by the water table. These soils are characterized by an aquic moisture regime and the temperature regime is frigid.
Erosion hazard is slight, however, where peaty and high organic soils occur, they tend to hummock severely from trampling. These soils are susceptible to gully formation which intercepts normal overflow patterns and results in site degradation. The soils are poorly drained and have a water table at or near the surface at the beginning of the growing season and down to 20-40 inches at the end of the growing season. Flooding occurs occasionally during snowmelt and just after snowmelt. Ponding can occur in small depression areas during this time period. The water table is influenced by seasonal flooding, stream flows, seeps or springs or from run-on from adjacent sites.
Soil Series Correlated to this Ecological Site -
Teneb
Lewhand
Lebaron
GrasshopperTable 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Ashy silt loam
(2) Silty clay loam
(3) Loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Poorly drained Permeability class Moderate to very slow Soil depth 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)4.7 – 7 in Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)Not specified Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)4.5 – 6.9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 6 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 6 % Ecological dynamics
The dominant visual aspect of this site is grass and sedges with scattered forbs and shrubs. The dominant plant community has tufted hairgrass, Nebraska sedge, and other Carex species as major components. The site usually occurs within a complex of wetland sites. The soil surface of the site is typically slightly undulating causing small depressions and high spots with variable soil moisture regimes. The plant communities found on these areas are sites within the complex. The dominant species in these included plant communities are as follows:
1. Marsh Site. Deeper depressions with the water table at or near the surface or slightly above the surface for the entire growing season. This site is dominated by broadleaf cattail, hardstem bulrush, and common threesquare.
2. Wet Meadow Site. Shallow to depression areas with the water table at or near the surface for the entire growing season. This site is dominated by Carex spp. and Junus spp.
3. Dry Meadow Site. Slightly higher areas that are drier during the growing season and the water table is > 40 inches deep by the end of the growing season. The plant community is dominated by Nevada bluegrass and alpine timothy.
Composition by weight is 80-90 percent grasses and grass-like, 5-15 percent forbs, and 0-10 percent shrubs. The depressional plant communities may have sedge and rush species making up nearly 100 percent of the community and are inclusions.
During the last few thousand years, this site has evolved in a semi-arid climate characterized by dry summers and cold, wet winters. The site has evolved on deep alluvial soils that are saturated to the surface at the beginning of the growing season and move down to about 20 – 40 inches by the end of the growing season. Herbivory has historically occurred on this site at low levels of utilization. Herbivores include pronghorn antelope, mule deer, moose, and Rocky Mountain elk.
Fire has had little influence on the development of the site. Rare wildfires can occur following consecutive drought years.
The conditions for the plant community of this site are highly variable due to a wide variation of soils, flooding frequency and duration, water table fluctuations, air and soil temperatures and competition between mostly rhizomatous plants. These conditions can vary within the site at a given location. At any one point within the site, one species can occupy nearly 100 percent of a small area. Another point nearby, may have another species fully occupying that area. Due to these situations, the plant community in this ESD is written broadly.
The soils within any complex of meadow sites are highly variable. Factors that affect the determination of the site include depth to water table at end of growing season, micro-topography, and drainage class. Depth to water table and micro-topography are measurable features. Determination of drainage class requires the use of soil interpretation tables. Other interpretive factors that may be used for site determination are frequency and duration of flooding and depth, frequency, and duration of ponding.
Micro-topography is a feature that has a dramatic effect on depth to water table and the resulting plant communities. A few inches of change in surface elevation changes species composition and/ or production. Slightly undulating topography is common in meadow complexes, therefore, more than one site should be expected.
An infinite number of combinations of factors that influence the ecology of potential plant communities exist. For practical purposes, four plant communities where the depth to the water table drives the vegetative composition have been described. They are:
Dry meadow Water table at >40” at end of growing season
Meadow Water table at 20-40” at end of growing season
Wet meadow Water table at 10-20” at end of growing season
Marsh Water at surface toState 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 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
State 1 Phase ACommunity 1.1
State 1 Phase AState 1, Phase A. Reference Plant Community Phase. This plant community has tufted hairgrass and Nebraska sedge as co-dominant in the herbaceous layer. There are a wide variety of grasses and grass-like species and forbs that may occur in minor amounts. Some of these species may be dominant in small areas due to soil and water variations as stated above. Willows and shrubby cinquefoil can occur in small amounts.
Figure 3. 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 2125 2975 3825 Forb 250 350 450 Shrub/Vine 125 175 225 Total 2500 3500 4500 Figure 4. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ID0314 , Wet Meadow. State 1, Reference Plant Community Phase.
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 0 5 15 20 30 20 10 0 0 0 State 2
State 1 Phase BCommunity 2.1
State 1 Phase BState 1, Phase B. The plant community is dominated by Nebraska sedge and other sedges and Baltic rush. Forbs have increased in the community and Kentucky bluegrass may have invaded. This phase has developed due to improper grazing management. The water table has not been lowered from that of Phase A.
Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ID0314 , Wet Meadow. State 1, Reference Plant Community Phase.
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 0 5 15 20 30 20 10 0 0 0 State 3
State 2Community 3.1
State 2State 2. This plant community is dominated by Nebraska sedge and other sedges and Baltic rush but the overall production potential of the site is much lower than State 1. There is an increase in forbs and grasses that require less soil moisture. Kentucky bluegrass, bentgrass, and meadow foxtail may have invaded the community. This state developed due to continued improper grazing management and a permanent lowering of the water table from 20-40 inches to 40-60 inches below the surface. This state can be similar to Dry Meadow in early seral state. The site has crossed the threshold. This state cannot be returned to State 1 without raising the water table. This might be done over time using structures or bio-engineering practices, but the plant community may take many years to approach the plant community in State 1.
Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ID0315 , DRY MEADOW. State 1.
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 0 10 20 25 25 10 10 0 0 0 State 4
State 3Community 4.1
State 3Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Grass and Grasslike – tufted hairgrass DECE Deschampsia cespitosa 375–675 – Nebraska sedge CANE2 Carex nebrascensis 375–675 – alpine timothy PHAL2 Phleum alpinum 190–335 – mountain rush JUARL Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis 0–225 – meadow barley HOBR2 Hordeum brachyantherum 0–115 – slenderbeak sedge CAAT3 Carex athrostachya 0–115 – Torrey's rush JUTO Juncus torreyi 0–115 – fowl mannagrass GLST Glyceria striata 0–115 – shortawn foxtail ALAE Alopecurus aequalis 0–45 – bluejoint CACA4 Calamagrostis canadensis 0–45 – Forb2 Forbs – clover TRIFO Trifolium 0–45 – slender cinquefoil POGR9 Potentilla gracilis 0–45 – lambstongue ragwort SEIN2 Senecio integerrimus 0–45 – aster ASTER Aster 0–45 – alkali buttercup RACY Ranunculus cymbalaria 0–45 – Nuttall's sunflower HENU Helianthus nuttallii 0–45 – water minerslettuce MOCH Montia chamissoi 0–45 – common plantain PLMA2 Plantago major 0–45 – Rocky Mountain iris IRMI Iris missouriensis 0–45 – western aster SYAS3 Symphyotrichum ascendens 0–45 – small camas CAQU2 Camassia quamash 0–45 – northern water plantain ALTR7 Alisma triviale 0–45 – tall ragwort SESE2 Senecio serra 0–45 – curly dock RUCR Rumex crispus 0–45 – meadow thistle CISC2 Cirsium scariosum 0–25 – fringed willowherb EPCI Epilobium ciliatum 0–25 – Shrub/Vine3 Shrubs – willow SALIX Salix 0–115 – shrubby cinquefoil DAFR6 Dasiphora fruticosa 0–115 – Table 7. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations.
This site is poor to fair habitat for open land wildlife, fair habitat for woodland wildlife, and fair to good habitat for wetland wildlife. It is good habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, muskrat, and beaver whenever it is adjacent to stream and ponds. It provides some food for moose, Rocky mountain elk, mule and white-tailed deer, songbirds, and some upland game birds. It also provides brood rearing areas for sagegrouse.
Grazing Interpretations.
This site is best suited for livestock grazing in the late spring, summer, and fall. Wet soils can limit grazing opportunities, particularly in the late spring.
Estimated initial stocking rate will be determined with the landowner or decision-maker. They will be based on the inventory, past use history and type, condition of vegetation, production, season of use and seasonal preference. Calculations used to determine estimated initial stocking rate will be based on forage preference ratings.
Hydrological functions
Soils in this site are generally grouped in hydrologic group D. When hydrologic condition of the vegetative cover is good, natural erosion hazard is slight.
Recreational uses
This site presents an aesthetically pleasing view of lush vegetation consisting primarily of grasses and grass-like plants. When livestock or big game are grazing or browsing on the site it presents a pleasant pastoral panorama. Hikers and fisherman often traverse the edges of this site. Picnickers and campers frequent the site in late summer and early fall as sometime adjacent shaded wooded areas become less pleasant on cool days. Vehicular use can be very detrimental to this site, especially during wet weather and high water table conditions.
Wood products
None.
Other products
None.
Other information
Field Offices
Grangeville, ID
Craigmont, ID
Orofino, ID
Lewiston, ID
Moscow, ID
St. Maries, ID
Coeur d’Alene, ID
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping and other inventory data. Also, field knowledge of range-trained personnel was used. Those involved in developing this site description include: Dave Franzen, co-owner, Intermountain Rangeland Consultants, LLC Jacy Gibbs, co-owner, Intermountain Rangeland Consultants, LLC Jim Cornwell, Range Management Specialist, IASCD Dan Ogle, Plant Materials Specialist, NRCS, Idaho Chris Hoag, Wetland Plant Ecologist, NRCS, Idaho Brendan Brazee, State Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS, Idaho Bruce Knapp, Resource Soil Scientist, NRCS, Idaho Lee Brooks, Range Management Specialist, IASCD
Other references
USDA, NRCS.2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov.) National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
USDA NRCS. 1992. Major Land Resource Area, Owyhee High Plateau, Range Site Descriptions. Reno, Nevada.
USDA NRCS. Major Land Resource Area, Owyhee High Plateau, Range Site Descriptions. Portland, Oregon.
USDA, Forest Service. 2004. (www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants.).
USDI Bureau of Land Management, US Geological Survey; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agricultural Research Service; Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health. Technical Reference 1734-6; Version 4-2005.
Contributors
JC
Approval
Kendra Moseley, 9/23/2020
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) Dave Franzen and Jacy Gibbs Intermountain Range Consultants 17700 Fargo Rd. Wilder, ID 83676 Contact for lead author Brendan Brazee, State Rangeland Management Specialist USDA-NRCS 9173 W. Barnes Drive, Suite C, Boise, ID 83709 Date 04/16/2009 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
Rills do not occur on this site. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Water flows over and through the plant community. Rarely are flows detrimental to the plants. The plants have adapted or evolved with this occurrence. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Neither occurs on this site. Some plants may be hummocked due to trampling damage. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Data is not available. On sites in mid-seral status bare ground may range from 2-10 percent. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Does not occur. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Fine litter in the interspaces may move 6 feet or more due to seasonal flooding. Litter accumulates on the surface. There is little or no coarse litter developed on the site, and it will be removed from the site following seasonal flooding. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Values should range from 4 to 6 but needs to be tested. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
The A or A1 horizon is typically 2 to 8 inches thick. Structure ranges weak fine granular to strong fine subangular blocky. Soil organic matter (SOM) typically ranges from 1 to 9 percent. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Deep rooted perennial grasses and sedges slow run-off and increase infiltration. The total vegetation cover should be >60 percent to optimize infiltration. The plant community does not depend on water infiltration alone, but on the water table. The water table controls rooting depth. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Is not present. Compaction layers can develop under stock trails made by livestock going to and from water or from long-term repetitive heavy grazing. -
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 perennial grasses and sedgesSub-dominant:
perennial forbsOther:
shrubsAdditional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Normal mortality of grass and grass-likes is slow and occurs as aging plants. This will go unnoticed due to regeneration from roots, seeds, or other new plants filling the spaces. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Additional litter cover data is needed but is expected to be 45-60 percent to a depth of 0.5-1.5 inches. Litter accumulates on the soil surface. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Is 3600 pounds per acre (4032 Kg/ha) in a year with normal precipitation and temperatures. Perennial grasses and sedges produce 80-90 percent of the total production, forbs 5-15 percent, and shrubs 0-10 percent. -
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:
Includes whitetop, Leafy spurge, Dock, Canadian thistle, reed canarygrass, foxtail barley, perennial pepperweed and teasel. Other invasive species may include meadow foxtail, bentgrass, and Kentucky bluegrass. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All functional groups have the potential to reproduce in most years. Many of the plants reproduce vegetatively.
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