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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 site supports a highly productive bottomland plant community dominated by is dominated by great basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) with needle and thread (Hesperostipa comata) and basin big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata) also common. Abiotically, this site is characterized by nearly level slopes on floodplains or swales with typically deep alluvial soils. The soil temperature regime of this site is mesic. Historically, the ecological dynamics of this site were driven by fire and drought. Presently, reference conditions are less common and current dynamics are also influenced by the spread of invasive species, livestock grazing pressures and fire suppression.
This is a provisional ecological site whose accelerated development from a draft site was undertaken with little to no field verification and is subject to extensive review and revision before final approval. All data herein was developed using existing information and literature and should be considered provisional and contingent upon field validation prior to use in conservation planning.Associated sites
R010XY010OR Coyote Willow Riparian
Adjacent riparian areas dominated by narrowleaf willow
R010XY005OR Loamy Bottom
Adjacent bottomlands with loamy soils
Similar sites
R010XY007OR Sodic Bottom
Soils are sodic
R010XY014OR Clayey Bottom
Soils are clayey
R010XY005OR Loamy Bottom
Soils are loamy
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Leymus cinereus
(2) Hesperostipa comataPhysiographic features
This site occurs on nearly level to gently sloping floodplains, terraces and swales. Slopes range from 0 to 10 percent. Elevation varies from 1,400 to 2,400 feet (425 to 650 meters). A water table from 48 to 72 inches (120 to 180 cm) below the surface may occur during winter and spring months.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Valley > Flood plain
(2) Valley > Swale
(3) Valley > Terrace
Flooding duration Extremely brief (0.1 to 4 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) Flooding frequency Very rare to occasional Ponding frequency None Elevation 1400 – 2400 ft Slope 0 – 10 % Water table depth 48 – 72 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
This site receives 9 to 12 inches (225 to 300mm) of mean annual precipitation primarily as rain November through April. This site has a mesic soil temperature regime and a frost-free period of approximately 100 to 180 days. Climate graphs are based on the nearest available climate stations to representative site locations and are provided to indicate general climate patterns.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 100-180 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) Precipitation total (characteristic range) 10-10 in Frost-free period (average) 140 days Freeze-free period (average) Precipitation total (average) 10 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) MONUMENT 2 [USC00355711], Monument, OR
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(2) JOHN DAY 35 WNW [USW00004125], Mitchell, OR
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(3) MITCHELL 2 NW [USC00355641], Mitchell, OR
">Influencing water features
The water table of this site is influenced by the adjacent stream course which will vary depending on the contributing area as well as the biotic and hydrologic integrity of the surrounding watershed.
Wetland description
Not applicable
Soil features
Typically a deep to very deep fine sandy to sandy loam derived from alluvium. Family particle size is typically coarse loamy or coarse-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal. See Kimberly for a typical soil correlated to this site.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium – volcanic and sedimentary rock
Surface texture (1) Sandy loam
(2) Fine sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Coarse-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal
(2) Coarse-loamy
Drainage class Moderately well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class Moderately slow to rapid Depth to restrictive layer 40 – 80 in Soil depth 40 – 80 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 15 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 15 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)3 – 6 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.6 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(4-60in)0 – 45 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(4-60in)0 – 15 % Ecological dynamics
The reference plant community is characterized by basin wildrye (LECI4), needle and thread (HECO26), and basin big sagebrush (ARTRT). Basin wildrye increases with seasonal availability of subsurface lateral water flows. Needleandthread increases on drier sites with limited subsurface flows. Basin big sagebrush increases in the absence of fire. This is a highly productive site with average production varying between 2000 and 5000 pounds per acre.
Overgrazing causes a decrease in basin wildrye and an increase in basin big sagebrush along with an increase in creeping wildrye, greasewood and rabbitbrush if present. Continued deterioration of these sites promotes shrub dominance, increased bare ground and the invasion of annual weeds, primarily cheatgrass. On sites with salt affected soils, surface conditions become increasingly sodic. Long-term abusive grazing may eliminate understory grasses and promote a decadent sagebrush stand with a cheatgrass understory (Stringham, 2009).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 textT1A - Introduction of invasive plant species T2A - Prolonged, improperly managed grazing, possibly in combination with a long interval in the absence of fire. R3A - Requires mechanical or herbicide treatment of brush species and control of invasive weeds. Fire is not recommended. If basin wildrye is not apparent, seeding may be required. T3A - Further prolonged improperly managed grazing, fire R4A - Requires control of invasive weeds. Fire is not recommended . If basin wildrye is not apparent, seeding will likely be required. State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1A - Chronic Drought or abusive grazing practices 1.1B - Chronic Drought or abusive grazing practices 1.2A - Low intensity fire combined with prescribed grazing 1.2B - Low intensity fire combined with prescribed grazing 1.3A - Low intensity fire combined with prescribed grazing State 2 submodel, plant communities
2.1A - Chronic drought or abusive grazing practices 2.2A - Low intensity fire combined with prescribed grazing 2.3A - Low intensity fire combined with prescribed grazing State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Historic ReferenceCommunity phase changes are a function of fire and/or chronic drought. The existence of the reference state today is rare. Fire played a significant role in the community phase dynamics of the reference state; however, the time between fires would be highly variable and dependent upon the location and productivity of the site. Chronic drought leads to a reduction in native grasses and an increase in sagebrush or greasewood dominance while low-intensity fire maintains state dynamics.
Dominant plant species
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basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus), grass
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needle and thread (Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata), grass
Community 1.1
Reference Plant CommunityDominated by herbaceous vegetation, primarily basin wildrye, needle and thread, and thickspike wheatgrass. Scattered basin big sagebrush.
Dominant plant species
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basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus), grass
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 1900 2850 4760 Shrub/Vine 100 150 240 Forb – – – Total 2000 3000 5000 Community 1.2
Shrubs/Perennial GrassesSagebrush and other shrubs increase; grass production declines; rabbitbrush may increase, bare ground increases.
Community 1.3
Basin Wildrye/RabbitbrushSagebrush and other shrubs decline; basin wildrye increases; rabbitbrush may increase.
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Chronic Drought or abusive grazing practices
Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.3Chronic Drought or abusive grazing practices
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Low intensity fire combined with prescribed grazing
Pathway 1.2B
Community 1.2 to 1.3Low intensity fire combined with prescribed grazing
Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.1Low intensity fire combined with prescribed grazing
State 2
Current PotentialCompositionally similar to the reference state with the addition of a trace of annual weeds, primarily cheatgrass. Ecological function has not changed, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced by the presence of invasive weeds. Abusive grazing practices and or chronic drought leads to a reduction in native grasses and an increase in sagebrush or greasewood dominance creating an at-risk community phase (CP1). Low-intensity fire combined with prescribed grazing maintains state dynamics (CP2 & CP3).
Dominant plant species
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basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus), grass
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needle and thread (Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata), grass
Community 2.1
Perennial Grasses/Sagebrush/AnnualsDominated by herbaceous vegetation, primarily basin wildrye, needle and thread, and thickspike wheatgrass. Scattered basin big sagebrush; cheatgrass or other annual weeds present in trace amounts.
Community 2.2
Shrubs/ Perennial Grasses/AnnualsSagebrush and other shrubs increase; grass production declines; rabbitbrush may increase; bare ground increases; cheatgrass or other annuals increase (At Risk Phase).
Community 2.3
Basin Wildrye/Rabbitbrush/AnnualsSagebrush and other shrubs decline; basin wildrye increases; rabbitbrush may increase; cheatgrass present.
Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2Chronic drought or abusive grazing practices
Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.3Low intensity fire combined with prescribed grazing
Pathway 2.3A
Community 2.3 to 2.1Low intensity fire combined with prescribed grazing
State 3
Shrub DominantDecadent sagebrush dominates the overstory and cheatgrass dominates the understory. A significant reduction/loss of basin wildrye and other grasses is apparent. Bare ground is abundant. Spatial and temporal energy capture and nutrient cycling has been truncated. Infiltration may be reduced due to lack of ground cover.
Dominant plant species
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basin big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata), shrub
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greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus), shrub
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rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus), shrub
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broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae), shrub
Community 3.1
Shrub/CheatgrassDecadent sagebrush is dominant; greasewood and rabbitbrush may be significant overstory components; cheatgrass dominates the understory; basin wildrye and other perennial grasses are trace; bare ground increases.
State 4
AnnualThe site has crossed an abiotic threshold and ecological dynamics are determined by frequent fire, cheatgrass dominance, lack of shrubby plants, bare ground, soil movement by wind and water erosion.
Dominant plant species
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cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), grass
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medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), grass
Community 4.1
CheatgrassCheatgrass and other annuals dominant; bare ground prominent.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Introduction of invasive plant species
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3Prolonged, improperly managed grazing, possibly in combination with a long interval in the absence of fire.
Constraints to recovery.Irreversible transition has occurred and a biotic threshold has been crossed. Brush species and cheatgrass control site dynamics.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2Requires mechanical or herbicide treatment of brush species and control of invasive weeds. Fire is not recommended. If basin wildrye is not apparent, seeding may be required.
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4Further prolonged improperly managed grazing, fire
Constraints to recovery.Irreversible transition has occurred and an abiotic threshold has been crossed. Frequent fire promotes maintenance of cheatgrass dominance. Wind and water erosion of soil increases and may become a dominant ecological process driving site dynamics.
Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 2Requires control of invasive weeds. Fire is not recommended . If basin wildrye is not apparent, seeding will likely be required.
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 2100–3000 basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 1800–2250 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 150–450 – thickspike wheatgrass ELLAL Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus 150–300 – 2 Other Perennial Grasses – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda – – bluebunch wheatgrass PSSPS Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata – – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus – – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides – – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides – – 3 Big Bluegrass 90–150 Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 90–150 – Forb4 Forbs – milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus – – common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium – – lupine LUPIN Lupinus – – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum – – desertparsley LOMAT Lomatium – – phlox PHLOX Phlox – – Shrub/Vine7 Shrubs 60–210 basin big sagebrush ARTRT Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata 60–150 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–60 – 8 Other Shrubs – rabbitbrush CHRYS9 Chrysothamnus 0 – greasewood SAVE4 Sarcobatus vermiculatus 0 – 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 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Supporting information
References
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1980. Fire Effects Information System. http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/.
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. 2021 (Date accessed). USDA PLANTS Database. http://plants.usda.gov.
Other references
Stringham, T.K. 2009. Final Report for Agreement No. 68-0436-8-040 USDA Ecological Site Description MLRA D23 & D24. University of Nevada, Reno.
Contributors
Jenni Moffitt, general updates 2020
Ed Petersen, Alan Bahn, original authors
2021 updates Andrew NearyApproval
Kirt Walstad, 3/11/2025
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 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, moderate sheet & rill erosion hazard -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Occasional flooding with seasonal high water table -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
0-10% -
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 to moderately coarse - 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 = 2-4 -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Deep, well drained with a fine sandy loam to a sandy loam surface: Low to moderate OM (1-4%) -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Significant ground cover (90-100%) and gentle slopes (0-10%) effectively 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:
Basin wildrye > Needle and thread = Thickspike wheatgrass > other grasses > 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: 3000, normal: 2000, Unfavorable: 1000 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. Cheatgrass invades sites that have lost dep rooted perennial grass functional groups. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species should be capable of reproducing annually
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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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