Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R009XY060OR
Shrubby North
15+ PZ
Last updated: 5/05/2025
Accessed: 07/17/2026
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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
R009XY030OR South 17-22 PZ
South 17-22" PZ
R009XY031OR Shallow South 14+ PZ
Shallow South 14"+ PZ
R009XY041OR Deep North 14-17 PZ
Deep North 14-17" PZ
R009XY045OR North 17-24 PZ
North 17-24" PZ
R009XY046OR Shrubby Moist North 15+ PZ
Shrubby Moist North 14"+ PZ
R009XY048OR Shallow North 14+ PZ
Shallow North 14"+ PZ
Similar sites
R009XY041OR Deep North 14-17 PZ
Deep North 14-17" PZ (lower production, lower elevation)
R009XY046OR Shrubby Moist North 15+ PZ
Shrubby Moist North 14"+ PZ (higher production, greater subsurface flow)
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous Not specified
Physiographic features
This site occurs on the upper slopes of canyons and mountian plateaus adjacent to forestland. It is typically on steep slopes having north and northeast aspects. Slopes range from 15 to 90%, with gradients of 40 to 70% being the most typical. Elevation varies from 2800 to 5600 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Canyon
Elevation 2800 – 5600 ft Slope 15 – 90 % Aspect N, NE Climatic features
The annual precipitation ranges from 15 to 30 inches with 15 to 22 inches being the most typical. The precipitation occurs as snow during the months of November through March followed by ample spring rainfall. Localized, occasionally severe, convection storms occur during the summer. The mean annual air temperaute is approximately 43 degrees F. Extreme temperature ranges from 90 degrees F. to -30 degrees F. Soil temperature regimes are frigid. The frost-free period ranges from 30 to 100 days. The period of optimum plant grwth is from mid April through July.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 100 days Freeze-free period (average) Precipitation total (average) 30 in ">Influencing water features
Soil features
The soils of this site are formed in loess and colluvium over basalt bedrock. They are moderately deep to deep. Stoniness is variable. Tyipically the surface layer is a stony silt loam about 10 inches thick over a very cobbly silt loam or clay loam subsoil. Soil permeability is moderate. The available water holding capacity (AWC) is 6 to 10 inches. Erosion potential is high.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Stony silt loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderate Ecological dynamics
Range in Characterisitics:
The production and density of shrubs is dependent on aspect, soil depth and the extent and duration of lateral subsurface waterflows. Mallow ninebark increases on north slopes having deep soils with greater water holding capacities and on shallower soils recieving seasonal subsurface flows. Snowberry increases in drier areas and on shallower soils. Shrubs occur in dense patches and present strong competition to the less stable grass/forb component if the site. Scattered ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir bearing fire scars are often present. As a site highly susceptable to fire, fire frequency will influence vegetaive production and cover. Mallow ninebark and snowberry respond vigorously following a fire and increase in production, particularly during the second and thrid post-fire growing season.
Response to Disturbance:
If the condition of the site deteriorates as a result of overgrazing, Idaho fescue decreases along with other palatable understory grasses and forbs. Kentucky bluegrass, annuals and unpalatable forbs invade. Rhizomatous shrubs increase through shading and root competition of the weakened undrstory component. With further deterioration areas of bare ground under and adjacent to shrubs increase, forage production decreases and erosion and slumping accelerates.State and transition model
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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 dominated by mallow ninebark. Snowberry, rose and serviceberry are common. Currant, spirea, oceanspray, Idaho fescue and a variety of forbs are present. The potential vegtative composition is approximatley 80 percent shrubs, 10 percent grass and 5 percent forbs.
Figure 2. 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)Shrub/Vine 1850 2588 3325 Grass/Grasslike 225 425 625 Forb 75 150 225 Total 2150 3163 4175 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 175–375 Idaho fescue FEID Festuca idahoensis 125–250 – bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 50–125 – 5 PPGG 50–250 sedge CAREX Carex 10–50 – pinegrass CARU Calamagrostis rubescens 10–50 – blue wildrye ELGL Elymus glaucus 10–50 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 10–50 – bluegrass POA Poa 10–50 – Forb7 Perennial All Dominant 50–100 cinquefoil POTEN Potentilla 25–50 – ragwort SENEC Senecio 25–50 – 9 PPFF 25–125 common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 3–14 – onion ALLIU Allium 3–14 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 3–14 – aster EUCEP2 Eucephalus 3–14 – bedstraw GALIU Galium 3–14 – Scouler's woollyweed HISC2 Hieracium scouleri 3–14 – waterleaf HYDRO4 Hydrophyllum 3–14 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 3–14 – beardtongue PENST Penstemon 3–14 – Shrub/Vine13 Perennial Deciduous Dominant 1500–2250 mallow ninebark PHMA5 Physocarpus malvaceus 1250–1750 – common snowberry SYAL Symphoricarpos albus 250–500 – 14 Perennial Deciduous Sub-dominant 300–875 Saskatoon serviceberry AMAL2 Amelanchier alnifolia 125–375 – rose ROSA5 Rosa 125–375 – spirea SPIRA Spiraea 50–125 – 15 SSSS 50–200 hawthorn CRATA Crataegus 10–40 – oceanspray HODI Holodiscus discolor 10–40 – chokecherry PRVI Prunus virginiana 10–40 – wax currant RICE Ribes cereum 10–40 – elderberry SAMBU Sambucus 10–40 – Tree16 Perennial Evergreen Dominant 50–100 ponderosa pine PIPO Pinus ponderosa 25–50 – Douglas-fir PSME Pseudotsuga menziesii 25–50 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Grazing:
This ite is suited to late spring summer and fall use by cattle, sheep and horses under a planned grazing system. The key species is Idaho fescue is not present. Idaho fescue can be damaged if heavily tab grazed during periods of flowering and seed formation when root reserves are low. If Kentucky bluegrass is the key species, adequate ground cover and stubble should be left to prevent erosion and to maintain and improve plant vigor. Periodic prescribed burns or other brush control measures will temporarily improve the forage production capabillity of the site. As this site occurs on steep slopes, care should be taken to avoid trampling damage and soil compaction when soils are wet.
Wildlife:
When the ecological condition is high this site provides excellent food and cover for deer, elk, other mammals and upland birds. It is an important fall use area for deer and elk. wildlife cover values, thermal, hiding and escape, should be considiered in designing treatment measures that alter the kind and amount of shrub species present.
Native Wildlife Associated With The Potential Climax Community:
Mule deer, white-tail deer, elk, rodents and a variety of upland birds use this site fro food and cover. Cover is excellent when the ecological condition is high.Hydrological functions
The soils of this site have excellent water holding capacities, providing late season water for plant growth and slow water release to streams. The hydrologic cover condition is excellent when the ecological condition is high.
Recreational uses
In the Blue Mountains this site occurs on upper plateau slopes interfingering witht he forest. It appears as a mosaic providing diversity with th adjoining forest.
Wood products
A few scattered ponderosa pine and/or Douglas-fir may be present. These provide limited economic benefits in terms of wood products, but are of value for diversity and wildlife.
Other information
Periodic prescribed burns or toher brush control measures will temporarily improve froage production and reduce wildlife cover values. These two opposite interacting effects should be considered in designing treatment measures that alter the kind and amount of shrub species present. When in poor condition the site has a high potential for mechanical range seeding on moderate slopes and low potential on steep slopes. Aerial seeding is practical on intensely burned areas, realizing forage production will reduce as shrubs resprout and improve in vigor.
Supporting information
Contributors
AV. Bahn
Justin GredvigApproval
Kirt Walstad, 5/05/2025
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) Jeff Repp Contact for lead author Oregon NRCS State Rangeland Management Specialist Date 07/30/2012 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, severe 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):
0-5% -
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):
Moderately deep to deep, well drained, with a stony silt loam surface (up to 10" 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 (90-110%) and moderate to very steep slopes (15-90%) 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:
Mallow ninebark > Snowberry > Rose = Serviceberry > Idaho fescue > other grasses > Bluebunch wheatgrass > forbs > other shrubs > treesSub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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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: 3000, Normal: 2500, Unfavorable: 2000 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 and brush species will increase with deterioration of plant community. Bluegrasses and annual bromes 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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