Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R010XC064OR
SR North
9-12 PZ
Last updated: 4/10/2025
Accessed: 07/18/2026
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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
R010XC020OR SR Loamy 9-12 PZ
SR Loamy 9-12" PZ
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SR Clayey 9-12" PZ
R010XC025OR SR Sandy 9-12 PZ
SR Sandy 9-12 PZ
R010XC043OR SR South 9-12 PZ
SR South 9-12" PZ
R010XC063OR SR Droughty North 9-12 PZ
SR Droughty North 9-12 PZ
Similar sites
R010XC063OR SR Droughty North 9-12 PZ
SR Droughty North 9-12 PZ (droughtier site, predominantly on northeast and northwest aspects, different composition-bluebunch wheatgrass dominant)
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia tridentata var. wyomingensis
(2) Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentataHerbaceous (1) Festuca idahoensis
(2) Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicataPhysiographic features
This site occurs on north facing aspects of canyon side slopes, terraces, rolling uplands and tablelands. Slopes range from 12 to 70%. Elevations typically range from 2,000 to 3.600 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Terrace
(2) Canyon
Elevation 2000 – 3600 ft Slope 12 – 70 % Aspect N Climatic features
The annual precipitation ranges from 9 to 12 inches, most of which occurs in the
form of rain and snow during the months of December through March. Localized convection storms occasionally occur during the summer. The soil temperature regime is cool mesic with a mean air temperature of 50 degrees F. Temperature extremes range from 100 to -20 degrees F. The frost free period ranges from 100 to 130 days. The optimum growth period for plant growth is April through June.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 130 days Freeze-free period (average) Precipitation total (average) 10 in ">Influencing water features
Soil features
The soils of this site are typically moderately deep to deep with a depth range of shallow to very deep. They are well drained. Typically the surface layer is a silt loam to clay loam or channery loam 5 to 20 inches thick. The subsoil is a silty clay loam to clay or channery loam 16 to 28 inches thick. Depth to bedrock, lacustrine or alluvium sediments ranges from 20 to 60 inches. Permeability is moderate slow to moderate. The available water holding capacity (AWC) is about 4 to 6 inches for the profile. The erosion potential is moderate to severe.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Silt loam
(2) Clay loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderately slow to moderate Soil depth 20 – 60 in Available water capacity
(0-40in)4 – 6 in Ecological dynamics
The potential native plant community is dominated by Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass. Wyoming big sagebrush and lesser amounts of basin big sagebrush are common. Sandberg bluegrass and a variety of forbs and other shrubs are present. Vegetative composition of the community is approximately 85 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs and 10 percent shrubs. The approximate ground cover is 80 to 90 percent (basal and crown).
Rsnge in Characteristics:
Idaho fescue is strongly dominant on due north slopes. Bluebunch wheatgrass increases on easterly and westerly exposures. Basin big sagebrush increases as precipitation approaches 12 inches. Production increases on deeper foot slope soils and at the upper end of the precipitation zone.
Response to Disturbance:
When the condition of the site deteriorates as a result of over grazing, Idaho fescue the preferred species decreases. Bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg bluegrass, Wyoming and basin big sagebrush increase. With continued deterioration bluebunch wheatgrass decreases and annuals strongly invade. With fire big sagebrush is severely impacted. Under deteriorated conditions rabbitbrush increases slightly and the site is dominated by cheatgrass, other annuals, and biennial forbs. Bare ground increases and excessive erosion, particularly in incised channel areas, contributes to downstream sedimentation.
States:
ARTRW/PSSPS-POSE-BRTE;CHVI8/POSE-BRTE/biennial forbs(following fire on degraded range)
State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 2. State and Transition Model
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
ReferenceCommunity 1.1
Reference Plant CommunityThe potential native plant community is dominated by Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass. Wyoming big sagebrush and lesser amounts of basin big sagebrush are common. Sandberg bluegrass and a variety of forbs and other shrubs are present. Vegetative composition of the community is approximately 85 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs and 10 percent shrubs. The approximate ground cover is 80 to 90 percent (basal and crown).
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 765 1020 1530 Shrub/Vine 90 120 180 Forb 45 60 90 Total 900 1200 1800 Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Dominant, deep rooted perennial grass 600–840 Idaho fescue FEID Festuca idahoensis 600–840 – 2 Sub-dominant, deep-rooted perennial grass 180–300 bluebunch wheatgrass PSSPS Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata 180–300 – 3 Deep-rooted, perennial bunch grass 24–60 basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 24–60 – 4 Sub-dominant, shallow-rooted perennial grass 12–36 Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 12–36 – 5 Other Perennial grasses 12–24 Thurber's needlegrass ACTH7 Achnatherum thurberianum 0–12 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 0–12 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 0–12 – Forb7 Dominant perennial forbs 30–60 arrowleaf balsamroot BASA3 Balsamorhiza sagittata 12–24 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 12–24 – common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 6–12 – 9 Other forbs 32–84 agoseris AGOSE Agoseris 0–12 – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 6–12 – brodiaea BRODI Brodiaea 0–12 – hawksbeard CREPI Crepis 6–12 – fleabane ERIGE2 Erigeron 3–12 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 6–12 – woodland-star LITHO2 Lithophragma 0–12 – stoneseed LITHO3 Lithospermum 6–12 – desertparsley LOMAT Lomatium 3–12 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 0–12 – goldenrod SOLID Solidago 0–12 – Shrub/Vine11 Dominant, evergreen shrubs 48–96 Wyoming big sagebrush ARTRW8 Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis 36–60 – basin big sagebrush ARTRT Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata 12–36 – 14 Other shrubs 8–90 yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 8–24 – wild crab apple PERA4 Peraphyllum ramosissimum 0–24 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 0–24 – threetip sagebrush ARTR4 Artemisia tripartita 0–18 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Grazing:
This site is suitable for livestock grazing use in the spring, early summer, and fall under a planned grazing system. Use should be postponed until the soils are firm enough to prevent trampling damage and soil compaction. Grazing management should be keyed for Idaho fescue. Deferred grazing or rest is
recommended at least once every three years.
Native Wildlife Associated with the Potential Climax Community:
This site is commonly used by pronghorn antelope, mule deer, rabbits, rodents, upland birds and various predators. It is a preferred site for sage grouse rearing. Antelope and mule deer make excellent use of the site for fall, late winter and spring forage.
Hydrological functions
The soils of this site are in an upland topographic position. They have moderately high runoff potential and medium infiltration rates when the hydrologic cover is high. Hydrologic cover is high when the Idaho fescue and other deep rooted bunchgrass component is >70 percent of potential. The soils are in hydrologic group C.
Supporting information
Contributors
A Bahn, H Futter, K Danks, G Kuehl, H Barrett
Bob Gillaspy
E Ersch
T.Bloomer, E.Petersen & A.BahnApproval
Kirt Walstad, 4/10/2025
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 and Bruce Frannsen Contact for lead author State Rangeland Management Specialist for NRCS in Oregon Date 08/07/2012 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 very few (some frost heaving) -
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, moderate 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):
Slightly to significantly resistant to erosion: aggregate stability = 2-5 -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Moderately deep to deep well drained silt loam, channery loam, very sandy loam, or clay loam (5-20 inches 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 (80-90%) and gentle to steep slopes (12-70%) moderately to significantly 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 wheatgrass > shrubs > forbsSub-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: 1700, Normal: 1100, Unfavorable: 800 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:
Western Juniper readily invades the site. Cheatgrass and Medusahead invade sites that have lost deep rooted perennial grass functional groups. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species should be capable of reproducing annually
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