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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
R009XY025OR Very Shallow 14-18 PZ
Very Shallow 14" PZ
R009XY031OR Shallow South 14+ PZ
Shallow South 14" + PZ
Similar sites
R009XY013OR Loamy 17-22 PZ
Loamy 17-22" Pz (medium textured soil, higher production).
R009XY016OR Clayey 17-22 PZ
Clayey 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 within forestland on table lands and mountain plateaus. It is typically within the northern portion of the blue mountains. Slopes range from 0 to 12 %. Elevation varies from 3000 to 4000 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain
Elevation 3000 – 4000 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 early summer rainfall. Localized convectional storms occasionally occur during the summer. The soil temperature regime is mesic approaching frigid with the mean annual air temperature of 47 degrees F. The frost-free period ranges from 80 to 110 days. The optimum period for plant growth is from mid-April to early July.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 110 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 shallow over basalt bedrock, and well drained. Areas of rock outcrop may occur. Typically the surface layer is a very stony or very cobbly silt loam. The subsoil varies from a cobbly silty clay to a very gravelly clay. Depth to bedrock averages 15 inches. Permeability is slow and the available water holding capacity (AWC) is about 1 to 3 inches for the profile. The potential for erosion is slight to moderate.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Very stony silt loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Slow Ecological dynamics
Range in Characteristics:
Variability in plant composition and yeild is dependent on aspect, soil depth and coarse fragments 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 prduction on south and southwesterly slopes at shallower depths. Conversely, Idaho fescue is in higher proportion with higher overall production on north slopes.
Response to Disturbance:
If the condition of the site deteriorates as a result of overgrazing, Idaho fescue decreases and bluebunch wheatgrass increases. Idaho fescue is the preferred species during early summer use. With further deterioration, bluebunch wheatgrass decreases, Sandberg's bluegrass increases, bulbous and other bluegrasses invade along with soft chess, tarweed, and other annuals. Unpalatable forbs such as yarrow and mulesear wyethia increase and medusahead may invade. Under deteriorated condditions, annuals and invading bluegrass dominate the site. Excessive erosion in the bare interspaces markedly reduces the potential of the site and contributes to downstream sedimentation.State and transition model
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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 dominanted by Idaho fescue. Bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg bluegrass, and a variety of forbs are prominent in the stand. The vegetative compostion of the community is approximately 85 percent grasses and 15% forbs.
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 632 816 1000 Forb 48 108 168 Shrub/Vine 16 24 32 Total 696 948 1200 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 600–920 Idaho fescue FEID Festuca idahoensis 440–600 – bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 160–320 – 4 Perennial Shallow-rooted Sub-dominant 32–80 Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 16–40 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 8–24 – onespike danthonia DAUN Danthonia unispicata 8–16 – Forb7 Perennial All Dominant 24–72 common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 8–24 – arrowleaf balsamroot BASA3 Balsamorhiza sagittata 8–24 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 8–24 – 8 Perennial Alll Dominant 16–32 buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 8–16 – desertparsley LOMAT Lomatium 8–16 – 9 PPFF 8–64 agoseris AGOSE Agoseris 1–5 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 1–5 – brodiaea BRODI Brodiaea 1–5 – Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 1–5 – hawksbeard CREPI Crepis 1–5 – fleabane ERIGE2 Erigeron 1–5 – Scouler's woollyweed HISC2 Hieracium scouleri 1–5 – beardtongue PENST Penstemon 1–5 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 1–5 – cinquefoil POTEN Potentilla 1–5 – stonecrop SEDUM Sedum 1–5 – plumed clover TRPL2 Trifolium plumosum 1–5 – mule-ears WYAM Wyethia amplexicaulis 1–5 – Shrub/Vine13 Perennial Deciduous Dominant 16–32 rose ROSA5 Rosa 8–16 – common snowberry SYAL Symphoricarpos albus 8–16 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Grazing:
This site is suited t use by cattle and sheep in summer and fall. Stoniness and shallow depths are the main 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 grazing site for deer and elk. Teh sites arre usually adjacent to forested areas which provide hiding and thermal cover.
Native Wildlife Associated With The Potential Climax Community:
Rodents, Songbirds, Red-tailed hawk, Coyote, Rocky Mountian elk, Mule deer, White-tailed deer.Hydrological functions
The hydrologic cover condidtion is good at higher condition classes. The soils are in hydrologic groups C and D.
Recreational uses
In the Blue Mountains this site occurs on ridge tops interfingering with the forest. It provides a pleasing visual diversity with the forests.
Wood products
A few scattered ponderosa pine may occur on inclusions of deeper soil. These provide little economic benefits in terms of wood products, but are of some value for shade and diversity.
Other information
This site has a low potentail for range seedign because of coarse fragments and shallow depth.
Supporting information
Contributors
A. Bahn
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, Bruce Franssen Contact for lead author Date 07/11/2007 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, slight to moderate sheet & rill erosion hazard -
Presence of water flow patterns:
None to some -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None to some -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
10-20% -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None, slight wind erosion hazard -
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 = 3-5 -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Fine platy structure; Dry color value 4-5; 4-7" thickness; moderate OM (2-5%) -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Sparse to moderate ground cover (50-60%) and gentle slopes (0-12%) moderately 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:
Idaho fescue > bluebunch wheatgrassSub-dominant:
forbs > other grassesOther:
shrubsAdditional:
-
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: 1100, Normal: 800, Unfavorable:400 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:
Perennial forb species will increase with deterioration of plant community. Bluegrasses, annual bromes, and medusahead invade sites that have lost deep rooted perennial grass functional groups. Excessive erosion may occur, deteriorating site potential. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species should be capable of reproducing annually
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