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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
R009XY003ID Loamy 16-22 PZ
R009XY006ID Loamy 12-16 PZ
R009XY016ID Loamy 22+ PZ FEID-PSSPS
R009XY018ID Meadow
R009XY031ID Stony Riparian POBAT-ALNUS/ELYMU
R009XY032ID Riparian DECA5-CAREX
R009XY033ID Stony Bottomland SYAL/PSSP6
Similar sites
R009XY018ID Meadow
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous Not specified
Physiographic features
This site occurs on nearly level topography along small streams. The site is frequently dissected by old stream courses and oxbows. Slopes are nearly level to undulating and range from 0-4 percent. This site occurs on all aspects. Elevations range from 2500 to 6000 feet (750 to 1800 meters).
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
Flooding duration Brief (2 to 7 days) to long (7 to 30 days) Flooding frequency Occasional to frequent Ponding duration Very long (more than 30 days) Ponding frequency Rare Elevation 2500 – 6000 ft Slope 0 – 4 % Ponding depth 0 – 12 in Water table depth 0 – 36 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
This site is influenced by adjacent wetlands, streams, or run on.
Soil features
The soils on this site are very deep, somewhat poorly to poorly drained Silt loam to Silty Clay loam. They have moderately to slow permeability and available water holding capacity is very low to high. Runoff is low to high with occasional brief ponding or flooding in depressions and drains. The erosion hazard is slight to moderate by water, and slight to moderate by wind. The water table fluctuates from 20 to 40 inches during most of the growing season restricting most deep-rooted shrubs. Depressions usually accumulate local sediment instead of eroding. The surface texture is generally ashy loam to silt loam with few or no surface stones. The subsoil is usually moderately well to well developed with clay ranging from approximately 20 to 45 percent. These soils are characterized by a xeric or aquic soil moisture regime and the lack of shallow restrictive layers. Soil temperature regime is mesic to frigid. Severe removal of vegetation can allow accelerated channel cutting, which usually causes a lowering of the water table. These deep to very deep soils are formed from local alluvium. Reactions range from neutral to moderately alkaline. The AWC is supplemented by upward capillary movement of water from the water table. The surface is usually dark and high in organic matter.
Soil Series Correlated to this Ecological Site
Wilkins
Latahco
Crumarine
Burntcreek
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Ashy loam
(2) Silt loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Somewhat poorly drained Permeability class Moderate to moderately slow Soil depth 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 5 % Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)2.7 – 6.9 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)Not specified Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)Not specified Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)5.4 – 7.3 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 70 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 25 % Ecological dynamics
The dominant visual aspect of this site is a plant community dominated by Nevada bluegrass, alpine timothy and meadow sedges. Shrubs are normally not present, however several willow species can be found in small amounts. The soil surface of the site is typically slightly undulating causing small depressions and high spots with variable soil moisture characteristics. This site is commonly found in association with the following sites:
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. Meadow site. Slightly higher areas that are drier during the growing season. This site is dominated by tufted hairgrass, Nebraska sedge, and alpine timothy.
Composition is approximately 75 to 85 percent grass and grass-like, 10 to 20 percent forbs, and 0 to 5 percent shrubs.
During the last few thousand years, this Dry Meadow site has evolved in a semi-arid climate characterized by dry summers and cold, wet winters. Flooding and high water table have also influenced the development of this site. Herbivory has historically occurred on this site at low levels of utilization. Herbivores include white-tailed deer, mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, sage grouse, lagomorphs, and small rodents.
Fire has historically occurred on the site at intervals of 20-40 years. Fire has had little influence on the development of the site. This site normally burns in conjunction with an adjacent upland site.
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 the 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 Nevada bluegrass, alpine timothy, basin wildrye, slender wheatgrass, streambank wheatgrass, and other Carex species in the herbaceous layer. There is a variety of perennial forbs but none comprise a high percentage of the plant community. Salix species and shrubby cinquefoil may be present but do not make up more than 5 percent of the community.
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 700 1065 1650 Forb 130 200 300 Shrub/Vine 20 35 50 Total 850 1300 2000 Figure 4. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ID0115 , B9 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 2
State 2 Phase BCommunity 2.1
State 2 Phase BState 1, Phase B. This plant community is dominated by a variety of sedges and Baltic rush. Forbs such as Rocky Mountain iris and Louisiana sagewort have increased in the community and Kentucky bluegrass may have invaded. Nevada bluegrass is present but in low vigor. A compaction layer has likely developed. 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). ID0115 , B9 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 3
State 2Community 3.1
State 2State 2. This plant community is dominated by Kentucky bluegrass and Louisiana sagewort 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. Cheatgrass and Sandberg bluegrass may have invaded or increased in the community. This state developed due to continued improper grazing management and a permanent lowering of the water table. 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). ID0113 , POPR/ARLU. State 2.
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 30 30 20 0 5 5 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 – alpine timothy PHAL2 Phleum alpinum 240–600 – sedge CAREX Carex 40–100 – mat muhly MURI Muhlenbergia richardsonis 40–100 – basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 40–100 – meadow barley HOBR2 Hordeum brachyantherum 30–70 – thickspike wheatgrass ELLAL Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus 15–40 – slender wheatgrass ELTRT Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus 15–40 – mountain rush JUARL Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis 15–40 – beardless wildrye LETR5 Leymus triticoides 15–40 – 2 Nevada Bluegrass – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 400–1000 – Forb3 Forbs – clover TRIFO Trifolium 30–70 – cinquefoil POTEN Potentilla 30–70 – aster ASTER Aster 30–70 – Rocky Mountain iris IRMI Iris missouriensis 30–70 – common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 30–70 – mule-ears WYAM Wyethia amplexicaulis 0–50 – white sagebrush ARLU Artemisia ludoviciana 0–50 – Shrub/Vine4 Shrubs – willow SALIX Salix 15–40 – Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 15–40 – silver sagebrush ARCA13 Artemisia cana 15–40 – 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 important for many species of mammals for food and life cycles. The site is primarily used in the late spring, summer, and fall by big game. Many birds use the site for food, nesting, or brood rearing in the late spring, summer, and fall.
Grazing Interpretations.
This site is suitable for grazing in late spring after soils have dried sufficiently to prevent trampling
an also in the summer and fall. Natural water supplies are likely to be limited or absent on the site in the late summer and fall.
Estimated initial stocking rate will be determined with the landowner or decision-maker. They will be based on the inventory which includes species, composition, similarity index, production, past use history, season of use, and seasonal preference. Calculations used to determine estimated initial stocking rate will be based on forage preference ratings.
Hydrological functions
Soils on this site are in hydrologic groups B, C, and D.
Recreational uses
This site has some value for aesthetics and natural beauty due to several spring and early summer blooming forbs and shrubs. Some hunting for sage grouse, rabbits, elk and deer occurs. Hikers and fishermen may traverse the edge of the site where it is adjacent to streams.
Wood products
None.
Other products
None.
Other information
Field Offices
Grangeville, ID
Lewiston, ID
Craigmont, ID
Orofino, ID
St. Maries, ID
Moscow, 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, MRCS, 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
Hironaka, M., M.A. Fosberg, A. H. Winward. 1983. Sagebrush-Grass Habitat Types of Southern Idaho. University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho. Bulletin Number “35”.
USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 2004. Restoring Western Ranges and Wildlands. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-136-vols. 1-3.
USDA, NRCS.2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov.). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
USDA, Forest Service, Fire Effects Information Database. 2004. www.fs.fed.us/database.
USDA, NRCS. 1992. Major Land Resource Area 25, Owyhee High Plateau, Nevada Site Descriptions, Reno, Nevada.
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 are not common on this site. If the site is degrading due to gully down-cutting, rills may occur on the side slopes of the gully. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Water-flow patterns are common on this site. When they occur they are long, often running the length of the site and disrupted by cool season grasses. Water-flow patterns are also common from run-on from the adjacent uplands. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Both are rare on this site. -
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 20-30 percent but more data is needed. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Does not occur in the Reference State on this site. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Usually not present. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Fine litter in the interspaces may move more than 6 feet or even off the site following a significant flooding or run-off event. -
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 4-9 inches thick. Structure ranges from moderate medium sub angular blocky to moderate fine granular. Soil organic matter (SOM) ranges from 1 to 7 percent. Moist and dry surface colors are black and dark grayish brown respectively. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Deep-rooted perennial grasses and grass-like plants slow run-off and increase infiltration. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Normally not present. A compaction layer can develop if grazing occurs when the soils are wet. -
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:
cool season deep-rooted perennial grasses and grass-like plantsSub-dominant:
perennial forbsOther:
shallow rooted bunchgrassesAdditional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Most of the grasses and grass-like plants on this site will become decadent in the absence of fire and ungulate grazing. Decadence or low vigor is a result of litter buildup in the crowns of the plants. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Additional litter cover data is needed but is expected to be 35 to 50 percent to a depth of 0.2 inches. Under mature shrubs and basin wildrye, litter is >0.5 inches deep and is 90-100 percent ground cover. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Is 1300 pounds per acre (1444 Kg/ha) in a year with normal precipitation and temperatures. Perennial grasses produce 75-85 percent of the total production, forbs 10-20 percent, and shrubs 0-5 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 cheatgrass, leafy spurge, whitetop, perennial pepperweed, rush skeletonweed, Canada, musk and scotch thistle, and diffuse and spotted knapweed. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All functional groups have the potential to reproduce in most years.
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