Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R010XB083OR
JD Shrubby Shallow
12-16 PZ
Last updated: 4/01/2025
Accessed: 07/11/2026
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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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 010X–Central Rocky and Blue Mountain Foothills
This MLRA is characterized by gently rolling to steep hills, plateaus, and low mountains at the foothills of the Blue Mountains in Oregon and the Central Rocky Mountains in Idaho. The geology of this area is highly varied and ranges from Holocene volcanics to Cretaceous sedimentary rocks. Mollisols are the dominant soil order and the soil climate is typified by mesic or frigid soil temperature regimes, and xeric or aridic soil moisture regimes. Elevation ranges from 1,300 to 6,600 feet (395 to 2,010 meters), increasing from west to east. The climate is characterized by dry summers and snow dominated winters with precipitation averaging 8 to 16 inches (205 to 405 millimeters) and increasing from west to east. These factors support plant communities with shrub-grass associations with considerable acreage of sagebrush grassland. Big sagebrush, bluebunch wheatgrass, and Idaho fescue are the dominant species. Stiff sagebrush, low sagebrush, and Sandberg bluegrass are often dominant on sites with shallow restrictive layers. Western juniper is one of the few common tree species and since European settlement has greatly expanded its extent in Oregon. Nearly half of the MLRA is federally owned and managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Most of the area is used for livestock grazing with areas accessible by irrigation often used for irrigated agriculture.
Ecological site concept
In reference condition, this ecological site supports a plant community dominated by antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) and bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata). Abiotically, this site is characterized by shallow soils and gentle slopes. The soil climate is frigid and mesic near frigid/xeric. Historically, plant community dynamics were driven primarily by disturbances such as periodic fire and drought. Presently, reference conditions are less common and current dynamics are influenced by the spread of invasive species, proliferation of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), livestock grazing pressures and fire suppression.
Associated sites
R010XB070OR JD North 12-16 PZ
North aspect site in complex with this site
R010XB047OR JD Shallow South 12-16 PZ
South aspect site in complex with this site
Similar sites
R010XB023OR JD Shallow 9-12 PZ
Shallow mesic/aridic site, lower precipitation
R010XB031OR JD Shallow 12-16 PZ
Shallow mesic / xeric site
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Purshia tridentata
Herbaceous (1) Festuca idahoensis
(2) Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicataPhysiographic features
This site occurs on mountain plateaus and ridgetops. Slopes range from 2 to 15 percent. Elevation ranges from 3,000 to 5,700 feet (900 to 1,750 meters). This site occurs on all aspects. This site is not subject to ponding or flooding and no water table is present within the soil profile.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountains > Plateau
(2) Mountains > Ridge
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 3000 – 5700 ft Slope 2 – 15 % Aspect W, NW, N, NE, E, SE, S, SW Climatic features
Precipitation ranges from 12 to 16 inches (300 to 400 mm) per year, mainly falling as snow from November through March. The soil temperature regime is frigid; and may go mesic near frigid; frost free period of 30 to 90 days. The graphs below are populated from the closest available weather station to representative site locations and are provided to indicate general climate patterns.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 30-90 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) Precipitation total (characteristic range) 10-20 in Frost-free period (average) 60 days Freeze-free period (average) Precipitation total (average) 20 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 6 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) JOHN DAY 35 WNW [USW00004125], Mitchell, OR
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(2) LONG CREEK [USC00355020], Long Creek, OR
">Influencing water features
This site is not influenced by water from a wetland or stream.
Wetland description
Not applicable
Soil features
Soils are typically loam over clay loam and may be cobbly to extremely cobbly. These soils are typically less than 20 inches deep to fractured bedrock. The soil profile is primarily formed over sedimentary deposits. See Hutchley for a representative soil series.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Colluvium – volcanic and sedimentary rock
(2) Residuum – tuff
(3) Residuum – volcanic and sedimentary rock
(4) Volcanic ash
Surface texture (1) Cobbly loam
(2) Extremely cobbly silt loam
(3) Silt loam
(4) Loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey-skeletal
(2) Loamy-skeletal
(3) Fine
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Slow to moderate Depth to restrictive layer 10 – 20 in Soil depth 10 – 20 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 45 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 45 % Available water capacity
(0-20in)2 – 6.5 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-20in)6.1 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(4-20in)15 – 45 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(4-20in)10 – 50 % Ecological dynamics
The reference plant community is dominated by Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass, and antelope bitterbrush. Sandberg bluegrass is common along with a variety of forbs. Western juniper may be present in trace amounts, but under a normal disturbance regime is controlled by periodic fire.
Response to Disturbance
Disturbance outside the natural range of variability may cause a decrease in deep-rooted perennial bunchgrass, primarily Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass. Woody species such as bitterbrush and juniper increase and the percentage of squirreltail may also increase. As grass cover declines the potential for weed invasion and expansion of juniper increases.
Ecological dynamics of this site are primarily driven by interactions between climatic patterns and disturbance regimes. Frequent low intensity fires were the historical disturbance that maintained the reference state and drove plant community shifts within the state. Intensity and frequency of these fires is strongly influence by drought cycles and/or insect or disease attacks on the plant community. Introduction of exotic annual grasses compromises the resistance and resiliency of the site, putting it at higher risk of crossing a threshold into another state.
Periodic drought regularly influences sagebrush ecosystems and drought duration and severity has increased throughout the 20th century in much of the Intermountain West. Major shifts away from historical precipitation patterns have the greatest potential to alter ecosystem function and productivity. Species composition and productivity can be altered by the timing of precipitation and water availability with the soil profile (Bates et al. 2006).
The Great Basin plant communities have high spatial and temporal variability in precipitation both among years and within growing seasons. Nutrient availability is typically low but increases with elevation and closely follows moisture availability. The invasibility of plant communities is often linked to resource availability. Disturbance can decrease resource uptake due to damage or mortality of the native species and depressed competition or can increase resource pools by the decomposition of dead plant material following disturbance. The invasion of plant communities by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) has been linked to disturbances (fire, abusive grazing) that have resulted in fluctuations in resources (Chambers et al. 2007).
The range and density of western juniper has increased since the middle of the nineteenth century (Tausch 1999, Miller and Tausch 2000). Causes for expansion of western juniper into sagebrush ecosystems include wildfire suppression, historic livestock grazing, and climate change (Bunting 1994). Mean fire return intervals prior to European settlement in these ecosystems were 15 to 25 years (Burkhardt and Tisdale 1976, Young and Evans 1981), frequent enough to inhibit the encroachment of western juniper into these cover types (Miller and Tausch 2000). With the increased suppression of wildfire and livestock grazing, which reduces ground fuels and understory competition, regeneration and establishment of western juniper have expanded into suitable sites previously dominated by shrubs (Burns and Honkala 1990). An increase in crown density causes a decrease in understory perennial vegetation and an increase in bare ground. This allows for the invasion of non-native annual species such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae). With annual species in the understory wildfire can become more frequent and increase in intensity. With frequent wildfires these plant communities can convert to annual species with a sprouting shrub and juvenile tree overstory.
(Stringham, T.K. et al, 2017)State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textStates 2 and 5 (additional transitions)
T1A - Introduction of non-native species T2A - Less frequent fire and/or extended drought reduces perennial bunchgrasses and allows for an increase in shrub/tree species. T2B - Catastrophic fire; often coupled with soil disturbing activities and/or extended drought. T2C - Time and lack of disturbance allows for maturation of the tree community T3A - Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, and soil disturbing treatments or activities. T3B - Time and lack of disturbance allows for maturation of the tree community. R5A - Mechanical treatment of trees coupled with seeding of desired species. R5B - Mechanical treatment of trees. T5A - Catastrophic fire. State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1A - Low and high severity fire 1.1B - Time and lack of disturbance, such as fire 1.2A - Time and lack of disturbance 1.3A - High severity fire 1.3B - Low severity fire State 2 submodel, plant communities
2.1A - Low and high severity fire 2.1B - Time and lack of disturbance 2.2A - Time and lack of disturbance 2.3A - Moderate to high severity fire 2.3B - Low severity fire State 3 submodel, plant communities
3.1A - Fire or brush treatments 3.2A - Time and lack of disturbance State 4 submodel, plant communities
4.1A - Fire State 5 submodel, plant communities
5.1A - Time and lack of disturbance State 1
Historic ReferenceThe Reference State 1.0 is a representation of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. The reference state has three general community phases; a shrub-grass dominant phase, a perennial grass dominant phase and a shrub dominant phase. State dynamics are maintained by interactions between climatic patterns and disturbance regimes. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Plant community phase changes are primarily driven by fire, periodic drought and/or insect or disease attack.
Dominant plant species
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antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), shrub
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Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass
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bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata), grass
Community 1.1
Reference Plant CommunityDeep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses and bitterbrush are dominant, with a diverse forb component present.
Figure 7. 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 525 655 920 Shrub/Vine 195 240 330 Forb 65 85 120 Tree 15 20 30 Total 800 1000 1400 Community 1.2
Bunchgrass DominantDeep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses are dominant; forbs may increase.
Community 1.3
Shrub DominantBitterbrush increases, deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses decrease, and young juniper are increasing in community.
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Low severity fire creates a grass and shrub mosaic; high severity fire significantly reduces shrub cover and leads to a community dominated by grasses and forbs.
Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.3Time and lack of disturbance, such as fire, facilitates an increase in shrub overstory.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Time and lack of disturbance, allows for shrub regeneration.
Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.1High severity fire significantly reduces shrub and juniper cover and leads to a community dominated by grasses and forbs.
Pathway 1.3B
Community 1.3 to 1.2Low severity fire reduces shrub and juniper cover and creates a shrub and grass mosaic.
State 2
Current PotentialThis state is similar to the Reference State 1.0 with three similar community phases. Ecological function has not changed, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced by the presence of invasive weeds. Non-natives may increase in abundance but will not become dominant within this State. These non-natives can be highly flammable and can promote fire where historically fire had been infrequent. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These feedbacks include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Positive feedbacks decrease ecosystem resilience and stability of the state. These include the non-natives’ high seed output, persistent seed bank, rapid growth rate, residual dry matter accumulation, and adaptations for seed dispersal.
Dominant plant species
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antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), shrub
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Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis), grass
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bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata), grass
Community 2.1
Current PotentialDeep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses and bitterbrush are dominant, with a diverse forb component present. Annual non-native species are also present.
Community 2.2
Bunchgrasses DominantDeep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses are dominant, with annual non-native species present and increasing. Forb may increase as well.
Community 2.3
Shrub Dominant (at risk)Bitterbrush increases, deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses decrease, young juniper are increasing, and non-native annual species are present and increasing.
Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2Low severity fire creates a grass and shrub mosaic; high severity fire significantly reduces shrub cover and leads to a community dominated by grasses and forbs. Brush treatments and tree thinning would also reduce the overstory allowing the perennial understory to increase.
Pathway 2.1B
Community 2.1 to 2.3Time and lack of disturbance such as fire facilitates an increase in the shrub overstory; may be coupled with drought.
Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1Time and lack of disturbance allows for shrub regeneration.
Pathway 2.3A
Community 2.3 to 2.1Moderate to high severity fire reduces shrub and juniper cover and leads a community dominated by grasses and forbs. Brush treatments and tree thinning would also reduce the overstory allowing the perennial understory to increase.
Pathway 2.3B
Community 2.3 to 2.2Low severity fire creates a shrub and grass mosaic. Brush treatments and tree thinning would also reduce the overstory allowing the perennial understory to increase.
State 3
ShrubThis state is a product of many years of heavy grazing during time periods harmful to perennial bunchgrasses, changes in the historic fire regime or long-term drought favoring shrub establishment. Grazing tolerant Sandberg bluegrass will increase with a reduction in deep rooted perennial bunchgrass competition and become the dominant grass. Bitterbrush dominates the overstory and rabbitbrush may be a significant component. Bitterbrush cover exceeds site concept and may be decadent, reflecting stand maturity and lack of seedling establishment due to competition with mature plants. The shrub overstory and Sandberg bluegrass understory dominate site resources such that soil water, nutrient capture, nutrient cycling and soil organic matter are temporally and spatially redistributed (3.1). In both community phases, bare ground may be significant with soil redistribution occurring between interspace and shrub locations. Western juniper increases and may begin to influence the understory vegetation.
Dominant plant species
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antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), shrub
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Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), grass
Community 3.1
Bitterbrush DominantBitterbrush dominates with Sandberg bluegrass increases. Deep rooted perennial grasses minor component is missing. Non-native annual species are present to increasing. Western juniper is also present to increasing.
Community 3.2
Sandberg bluegrass DominantSandberg bluegrass is dominant where bitterbrush decreased. Deep-rooted perennial grasses are a minor component is missing. Non-native annual species are present to increasing. Western juniper is also present to increasing.
Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2Fire or brush treatments with minimal soil disturbance.
Pathway 3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1Time and lack of disturbance allows for shrub to recover. Western juniper may increase.
State 4
AnnualThis State is characterized by the dominance of annual non-native species such as cheatgrass, medusahead, and tansy mustard in the understory. Bitterbrush and rabbitbrush may dominate the overstory.
Dominant plant species
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cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
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medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), grass
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North Africa grass (Ventenata dubia), grass
Community 4.1
Shrub DominantBitterbrush and rabbitbrush is dominant, with annual non-native species dominant in the understory. Mat forming forbs increase and western juniper is present and increasing.
Community 4.2
Annual Non-Native Species DominantAnnual non-native species are dominant, while perennial grasses decrease. Western juniper may be present, and rabbitbrush and other sprouting shrubs may increase.
Pathway 4.1A
Community 4.1 to 4.2Fire
Pathway 4.2A
Community 4.2 to 4.1Time and lack of disturbance allows for bitterbrush and sprouting shrubs to increase. Western juniper may be present.
State 5
TreeThis state is characterized by a dominance of western juniper in the overstory. Bitterbrush and perennial bunchgrasses may still be present, but they are no longer controlling site resources. Soil moisture, soil nutrients and soil organic matter distribution and cycling have been spatially and temporally altered.
Dominant plant species
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western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), tree
Community 5.1
Western Juniper/BitterbrushWestern juniper dominates, bitterbrush decreases, deep-rooted perennial grasses decrease, Sandberg bluegrass may increase, and non-native annual species increase.
Community 5.2
Western Juniper DominantWestern juniper dominates and bitterbrush is a minor component. Deep-rooted perennial grasses are also a minor component or are missing. The non-native annual species increase. Bare ground may also be increasing.
Pathway 5.1A
Community 5.1 to 5.2Time and lack of disturbance allows for maturation of the tree community.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Introduction of non-native species
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3Less frequent fire and extended drought reduces perennial bunchgrasses and allows for an increase in shrub and tree species.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4Catastrophic fire; often coupled with soil disturbing activities or extended drought.
Transition T2C
State 2 to 5Time and lack of disturbance allows for maturation of the tree community
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4Catastrophic fire, multiple fires, and soil disturbing treatments or activities.
Transition T3B
State 3 to 5Time and lack of disturbance allows for maturation of the tree community.
Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 2Mechanical treatment of trees coupled with seeding of desired species.
Restoration pathway R5B
State 5 to 3Mechanical treatment of trees.
Transition T5A
State 5 to 4Catastrophic fire.
Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Perennial Grasses 380–770 Idaho fescue FEID Festuca idahoensis 200–400 – bluebunch wheatgrass PSSPS Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata 150–300 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 30–70 – 2 Other Perennial Grasses 50 blue wildrye ELGL Elymus glaucus 0–20 – Thurber's needlegrass ACTH7 Achnatherum thurberianum 0–20 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 0–20 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 0–20 – Forb4 Forbs 80 common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 0–20 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 0–20 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 0–20 – fleabane ERIGE2 Erigeron 0–20 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 0–20 – pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria 0–20 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 0–20 – desertparsley LOMAT Lomatium 0–20 – Tree6 Trees 20 western juniper JUOC Juniperus occidentalis 0–20 – ponderosa pine PIPO Pinus ponderosa 0–20 – Shrub/Vine7 Shrubs 100–300 antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 100–300 – 8 Other Shrubs 30 common snowberry SYAL Symphoricarpos albus 0–20 – Saskatoon serviceberry AMAL2 Amelanchier alnifolia 0–20 – Table 7. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 3.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 15. Community 4.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 16. Community 5.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 17. Community 5.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Grant County, OR Township/Range/Section T12S R28E S19 General legal description T12S R28E sec 19 near Marks Creek on Aldrich Mt. North Quad Location 2: Grant County, OR General legal description T8S R27E on Top Bench on Johnny Cake Quad References
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Bunting, S.C., B.M. Kilgore, and C.L. Bushey. 1987. Guidelines for Prescribe burning sagebrush-grass rangelands in the Northern Great Basin. General Technical Report INT-231. USDA Forest Service Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 33.
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Burns, R.M. and B.H. Honkala. 1990. Silvics of North America. Volume 2: Hardwoods. Agriculture Handbook 654. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.
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Chambers, J.C., B.A. Bradley, C.S. Brown, C. D’Antonio, M.J. Germino, J.B. Grace, S.P. Hardegree, R.F. Miller, and D.A. Pyke. 2013. Resilience to Stress and Disturbance, and Resistance to Bromus tectorum L. Invasion in Cold Desert Shrublands of Western North America. Ecosystems 17:360–375.
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Young, J.A. and R.A. Evans. 1981. Demography and Fire History of a Western Juniper Stand. Journal of Range Management 34:501–506.
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Bates, J.D., T. Svejcar, R.F. Miller, and R.A. Angell. 2006. The effects of precipitation timing on sagebrush steppe vegetation. Journal of Arid Environments 64:670–697.
Other references
Burkhardt, J. W. and E. W. Tisdale. 1976. Causes of juniper invasion in southwestern Idaho. Ecology
57:472-484.
Miller, R. F. and R. J. Tausch. 2000. The role of fire in pinyon and juniper woodlands: a descriptive analysis. Pages 15-30 in Proceedings of the invasive species workshop: the role of fire in the control and spread of invasive species. Fire conference.
Stringham, T.K. 2007. Final Report for Agreement No. 68-0436-4090 USDA Ecological Site Description.
Stringham, T.K, D. Snyder, and A. Wartgow. 2017. Final Report for USFS Crooked River National Grassland State-and-Transition Models for Selected Disturbance Response Groups in Major Land Resource Area B10 Oregon. University of Nevada Reno, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report RR-2017-01. 230 p.
Available at: http://www.cabnr.unr.edu/resources/MLRA.aspx
Tausch, R. J. 1999. Historic pinyon and juniper woodland development. Proceedings: ecology and management of pinyon–juniper communities within the Interior West. Ogden, UT, USA: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, RMRS-P-9:12-19Contributors
Jenni Moffitt, general updates 2020
Stringham et al. 2017, ecological dynamics/S&T Model
Bahn, Brooks
Cici Brooks
JPR
Andrew Neary - table population and edits 2021Approval
Kirt Walstad, 4/01/2025
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) Contact for lead author Date 04/01/2025 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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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:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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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:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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