Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R012XY038ID
Meadow
DECA18/CANE2
Last updated: 9/22/2020
Accessed: 04/17/2026
-
Search
Major Land Resource Area or ecological site by name and/or ID.
PreviousSectionsNextGeneral information
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): 012X–Lost River Valleys and Mountains
Land Resource Region: B (Northwestern Wheat and Range)
MLRA: 12 (Lost River Valleys and Mountains)
EPA EcoRegion: Level III (Middle Rockies)LRU notes
012X-Lost River Valleys and Mountains
Additional moisture site:
https://soils.usda.gov/survey/geography/mlra/index.htmlEcological site concept
Site receives additional moisture
not saline or sodic
deep to very deep, poorly drained
seasonal water table >30 cm (12 in)Associated sites
R012XY045ID Riparian Wet Meadow Salix/Carex
R012XY046ID Wet Meadow Carex-Juncus
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Deschampsia caespitosa
(2) Carex nebrascensisPhysiographic features
This site generally occurs on gently sloping to nearly level stream valleys, high mountain valleys on flood plains with slopes of 0 to 4 percent. It also occurs around localized seeps and springs. This site is frequently crossed by old stream courses, oxbows and potholes. The surface is generally not flat, but slightly undulating with small depressions and high spots. Elevation ranges between 3600-8000 feet (1100-2500 meters).
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain valley
Flooding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) Flooding frequency Occasional Ponding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) Ponding frequency Occasional Elevation 3600 – 8000 ft Slope 0 – 4 % Ponding depth 2 – 6 in Water table depth 0 – 40 in Climatic features
MLRA 12 is dominated by dramatic changes in elevation which, in turn, influence local weather patterns. The intermontane valleys have elevations as low as 3800 feet, while the adjacent mountains may reach more than 12,600 feet. The average annual precipitation for the entire MLRA, based on 10 long term climate stations located throughout the MLRA, is approximately 9.38 inches. However, the dry valleys may have averages as low as 6 inches, while the upper peaks may have averages that exceed 46 inches per year.
Temperatures vary considerably over the year. The average annual temperature is 42.25 degrees F. The average low is 27.4 degrees while the average high temperature is 57 degrees.
In the summer the sun shines 78% of the time, but drops to 40% in the winter. The prevailing wind is location-dependent, and generally flows parallel to the orientation of the dominant valleys. In the summer localized afternoon upslope winds and evening downslope winds are common. The average windspeed is greatest in the spring and early summer.
The frost free period ranges from 102 to 107 days while the freeze free period ranges from 134 to 139 days across the MLRA.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 110 days Freeze-free period (average) 140 days Precipitation total (average) 10 in BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
Meadow site is influenced by additional water from either adjacent streams through seasonal flooding, water table, seeps or springs or from run-on from adjacent sites. The site may include the following wetlands and stream types.
Soil features
Soils on this site are mainly loams, silt loams, silty clay loams or silty clay. They are moderately deep to very deep. Alluvial in origin and may be somewhat stony or gravelly. The soils range from alkaline to slightly acid in pH. Available water capacity is low to moderate and is supplemented by upward capillary movement from the shallow water table. The effective rooting depth is limited by the water table. Erosion hazard is slight; however, the peaty and high organic soils tend to hummock severely from trampling. These soils are susceptible to gully formation which intercepts normal overflow patterns and results in site degradation. The soils are very poorly to poorly drained and have a water table at or near the surface at the beginning of the growing season and down to approximately 24 inches at the end of the growing season. Flooding occurs occasionally during snowmelt and just after snowmelt. Ponding can occur in small depressional areas during the same time period. The plant community is dependent on near saturated soils during a major portion of the growing season. The water table is influenced by seasonal flooding, stream flows, seeps or springs or from run-on from adjacent sites. Soil characteristics, flooding and water table can vary across the complex of meadow sites. This site has an aquic soil moisture regime. The soil temperature regime is either frigid or cryic.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Gravelly loam
(2) Very stony silt loam
(3) Silty clay loam
Drainage class Poorly drained Permeability class Slow to moderate Soil depth 40 – 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 20 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 25 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)1.6 – 9.6 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 10 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 8 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 5 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)3 – 7.9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 55 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 15 % Ecological dynamics
The dominant visual aspect of this site is grass and sedges with scattered forbs and shrubs. The dominant plant community has tufted hairgrass, Nebraska sedge and other Carex species as major components. The site usually occurs within a complex of wetland sites. The soil surface of the site is typically slightly undulating causing small depressions and high spots with variable soil moisture characteristics. The plant communities found on these areas are sites within the complex. The dominant species in these included plant communities are as follows:
1. Marsh site. Deeper depressions with water slightly above the surface. This site is dominated by Northwest territory sedge, common spikerush, broadleaf cattail, hardstem bulrush, common threesquare and beaked sedge.
2. Wet Meadow site. Shallow depressions with the water table at or near the surface for the entire growing season. This site is dominated by Northwest territory sedge and beaked sedge. Nebraska sedge and woollyfruit sedge are also prominent in the plant community.
3. Dry Meadow site. Slightly higher areas that are drier during the growing season. This site is dominated by Nevada bluegrass, alpine timothy, meadow barley, baltic rush and tufted hairgrass.
Composition by weight is 80-90 percent grasses and grass-like, 5-15 percent forbs and 0-10 percent shrubs. The depression plant communities are inclusions and may have sedges and rushes making up nearly 100 percent of those plant communities.
During the last few thousand years, this site has evolved in an arid climate characterized by dry summers and cold, wet winters. The site has evolved on deep alluvial soils that are saturated to the surface in the beginning of the growing season to about 20 – 40 inches at the end of the growing season. Herbivory has historically occurred on this site at low levels of utilization. Herbivores include pronghorn antelope, mule deer, moose and Rocky Mountain elk.
Fire has had little influence on the development of the site. Rare wildfires can occur following consecutive drought years.
The conditions for the plant community of this site are highly variable due to a wide variation of soils, flooding frequency and duration, water table fluctuations, air and soil temperatures and competition between plants that are mostly rhizomatous. These conditions can vary within the site at a given location. At any one point within the site, one species can occupy nearly 100 percent of a small area. Another point nearby, there will be another species fully occupying that area. Due to these situations, the plant community in this ESD is written broadly.
The soils within any complex of meadow sites are highly variable. Factors that affect the determination of the site include depth to water table at end of growing season, micro-topography and drainage class. Depth to water table and micro-topography are measurable features. Determination of drainage class requires the use of soil interpretation tables. Other interpretive factors that may be used for site determination are depth and duration of ponding frequency and timing and duration of flooding frequency.
Micro-topography is a feature that has a dramatic effect on depth to water table and the resulting plant communities. A few inches of change in surface elevation changes species composition and/ or production. Slightly undulating topography is common in meadow complexes; therefore, more than one site should be expected.
An infinite number of combinations of factors that influence the ecology of potential plant communities exist. For practical purposes, four plant communities where the depth to the water table drives the vegetative composition have been described. They are:
Dry meadow
Water table at >40” at end of growing season
Meadow
Water table at 20-40” at end of growing season
Wet meadow
Water table at 10-20” at end of growing season
Marsh
Water at surface toState and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
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 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
State 1, Phase A, Reference Plant Community PhaseCommunity 1.1
State 1, Phase A, Reference Plant Community PhaseThis plant community has tufted hairgrass and Nebraska sedge as co-dominant in the herbaceous layer. There are a wide variety of grasses, grass-like species and forbs that may occur in minor amounts. Some of these species may be dominant in small areas due to soil and water variations as stated above. Willows and shrubby cinquefoil can occur in small amounts.
State 2
State 1, Phase BCommunity 2.1
State 1, Phase BThis plant community is dominated by Nebraska sedge and other sedges and Baltic rush. Forbs have increased in the community and Kentucky bluegrass may have invaded. This phase has developed due to improper grazing management. The water table has not been lowered from that of Phase A.
State 3
State 2Community 3.1
State 2This plant community is dominated by Nebraska sedge and other sedges and Baltic rush, but the overall production potential of the site is much lower than State 1. There is an increase in forbs and grasses that require less soil moisture. Kentucky bluegrass, redtop bentgrass and meadow foxtail may have invaded the community. This state developed due to continued improper grazing management and a permanent lowering of the water table from 20-40 inches to 40-60 inches below the surface. This state can be similar to Dry Meadow in early seral state. The site has crossed the threshold. This state cannot be returned to State 1 without raising the water table. This might be done over time using structures or bio-engineering practices, but the plant community may take many years to approach the plant community in State 1.
State 4
Unknown new siteCommunity 4.1
Unknown new siteThis plant community has gone over the threshold to a new site. Site potential has been reduced. Significant loss of available soil moisture has occurred due to the loss of a water table. Some soil loss from the surface has occurred. This state has developed due to continued improper grazing management and lowering or loss of a water table. The new site may be similar to upland sites such as Loamy Bottom other loamy sites in early seral state. This site cannot be returned to State 1 without raising the water table. This might be done over time using structures or bio-engineering practices, but the plant community may take many years to approach the plant community in State 1.
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 6. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 7. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations.
Animal Community – Wildlife Interpretations
This meadow ecological site provides diverse habitat for wetland and upland wildlife species. The seasonal hydrology results in abundant forage, attracting invertebrate and vertebrate animals to this ecological site. Important seasonal habitat is provided for over 80% of adjacent rangeland resident and migratory animals including western toad, western rattlesnake, shrews, bats, jackrabbits, ground squirrels, mice, coyote, red fox, badger, sage-grouse, Ferruginous hawk, prairie falcon, horned lark, and western meadowlark. Large herbivore use of this ecological site includes mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and elk. Native reptiles and amphibians are reliant on these meadow sites throughout the year. Open water is seasonal, being provided by seasonal runoff, ponding, seasonal high water table, and natural springs.
State 1 Phase 1.1 –Tufted Haigrass/ Nebraska Sedge Reference Plant Community (RPC): The RPC provides a diversity of grasses and forbs used by native insect communities who assist in pollination of the plant community. The insects are food for the many predator species utilizing the site. The reptile and amphibian community is represented by leopard lizard, western skink, rubber boa, western rattlesnake, western toad, boreal chorus frog, and northern leopard frog. A diverse amphibian population is a key indicator of good ecological health on this site. Loss of hydrology will limit or exclude amphibians from this ecological site. Water loving birds including ducks, geese, cranes, and shorebirds may utilize available habitat for nesting and feeding. Sage-grouse will utilize the meadows as summer and fall brood-rearing habitat. Isolated patches of woody vegetation add horizontal and vertical structure for nesting and roosting sites for resident and migratory avian species. Bird species can include warbling vireo, black-capped chickadee, MacGillivray’s warbler, fox sparrow, song sparrow, and long-billed curlew. The plant community supports seasonal (spring, summer, and fall) forage needs of for antelope, mule deer, and elk. The dominant plant community is preferred forage for ungulates utilizing the site. Limited thermal cover for ungulates is provided by isolated patches of woody vegetation within the plant community. A small mammal population including deer mouse, montane vole, and western jumping mouse may utilize available habitat on a seasonal basis.
State 1 Phase 1.2- Nebraska Sedge/ Sedges/ Baltic Rush/ Forbs/ Kentucky Bluegrass Plant Community: This plant community is the result of improper grazing management. The new plant communitywould have similar insect diversity and populations to the reference plant community or possibly enhanced with the increase in forbs. With the hydrologic conditions similar to Phase 1.1, similar amphibian habitat would be available. Improper grazing management would reduce the value of the habitat for reptiles and amphibians. The plant community provides summer and fall brood-rearing habitat for sage-grouse when sagebrush cover is nearby. Large mammal (antelope, mule deer, and elk) use would be seasonal. The dominant plant community provides reduced amounts of quality forage for ungulates. Small mammal populations and diversity would be reduced under an improper grazing management scenariodue to reduced vertical structure and increased vulnerability to predators.
State 2 – Nebraska Sedge/ Sedges/ Baltic Rush/Forbs/Grasses Plant Community: This state developed due to continued improper grazing management and a permanent lowering of the water table. Loss of historic hydrology has reduced the habitat value for many animals present in State 1. Pollinators would be supported by forbs requiring less moisture than plants in State 1. The loss of the historic hydrology will limit or exclude the use of the site by amphibians and many reptiles. Suitable habitat cover for the northern leopard frog, a species of concern, would not be provided. With improper grazing management, the loss of vertical and horizontal structure would reduce diversity and populations of many species of birds. The site would be more suitable for killdeer, western meadowlark, and horned lark. Birds of prey (northern harrier and Cooper’s hawk) may range throughout these areas looking for prey species. With continued improper grazing management, forage for deer and elk would be available for a shorter duration in the summer and fall. Small mammal populations and diversity would be reduced under an improper grazing management scenario due to reduced vertical structure and increased vulnerability to predators.
Grazing Interpretations.
This site is best suited for livestock grazing in the late spring, summer and fall. Wet soils can limit grazing opportunities, particularly in the late spring.
Estimated initial stocking rate will be determined with the landowner or decision-maker. They will be based on the inventory, past use history and type, condition of vegetation, production, season of use and seasonal preference. Calculations used to determine estimated initial stocking rate will be based on forage preference ratings.Hydrological functions
Soils in this site are generally grouped in hydrologic group D. When hydrologic condition of the vegetative cover is good, natural erosion hazard is slight.
Recreational uses
This site presents an aesthetically pleasing view of lush vegetation consisting primarily of grasses and grass-like plants. When livestock or big game are grazing or browsing on the site it presents a pleasant pastoral panorama. Hikers and fisherman often traverse the edges of this site. Picnickers and campers frequent the site in late summer and early fall as sometime adjacent shaded wooded areas become less pleasant on cool days. Vehicular use can be very detrimental to this site, especially during wet weather and high water table conditions.
Wood products
None.
Other products
None.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping and other inventory data. Also, field knowledge of range-trained personnel was used. Those involved in developing this site description include: Dave Franzen, co-owner, Intermountain Rangeland Consultants, LLC Jacy Gibbs, co-owner, Intermountain Rangeland Consultants, LLC Jim Cornwell, Range Management Specialist, IASCD Dan Ogle, Plant Materials Specialist, NRCS, Idaho Chris Hoag, Wetland Plant Ecologist, NRCS, Idaho Brendan Brazee, State Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS, Idaho Lee Brooks, Range Management Specialist, IASCD Kristen May, Resource Soil Scientist, NRCS, Idaho
Other references
USDA, NRCS.2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov.) National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA
USDA NRCS. 1992. Major Land Resource Area, Owyhee High Plateau, Range Site Descriptions. Reno, Nevada.
USDA NRCS. Major Land Resource Area, Owyhee High Plateau, Range Site Descriptions. Portland, Oregon.
USDA, Forest Service. 2004. (www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants.).
USDI Bureau of Land Management, US Geological Survey; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agricultural Research Service; Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health. Technical Reference 1734-6; Version 4-2005.Approval
Kendra Moseley, 9/22/2020
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 USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service Brendan Brazee, State Range Conservationist 9173 W. Barnes Drive, Suite C Boise, ID 83709 (208) 378-5722 Date 01/31/2008 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
Rills do not occur on this site. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Water flows over and through the plant community. Rarely are flows detrimental to the plants. The plants have adapted or evolved with this occurrence. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Erosional pedestals or terracettes do not occur on this site. Some plants may be hummocked due to trampling damage. Terracettes do not occur. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Data is not available. On sites in mid-seral status, bare ground may range from 2-10 percent. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Blowouts and depositional areas do not occur. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Fine litter in the interspaces may move 6 feet or more due to seasonal flooding. Litter accumulates on the surface. There is little or no coarse litter developed on the site, and it will be removed from the site following seasonal flooding. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Values should range from 3 to 5 but need to be tested. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
The A or A1 horizon is typically 2 to 14 inches thick. Structure ranges from weak and moderate fine granular to weak, moderate and strong fine and medium subangular blocky to strong coarse angular blocky. Soil organic matter (SOM) ranges from 1 to 6 percent. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Deep rooted perennial grasses and sedges slow run-off and increase infiltration. The total vegetation cover should be >60 percent to optimize infiltration. The plant community does not depend on water infiltration alone, but on the water table. The water table controls rooting depth. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Compaction layer is not present. Compaction layers can develop under stock trails made by livestock going to and from water or from long-term repetitive heavy grazing. -
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:
Deep rooted perennial grasses and sedges >>Sub-dominant:
Perennial forbs> shrubsOther:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Normal mortality of grass and grass-like is slow and occurs as aging plants. This will go unnoticed due to regeneration from roots, seeds or other new plants filling the spaces. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Additional litter cover data is needed but is expected to be 45-60 percent to a depth of 0.5-1.5 inches. Litter accumulates on the soil surface. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Annual production is 3600 pounds per acre (4032 Kg/ha) in a year with normal precipitation and temperatures. Perennial grasses and sedges produce 80-90 percent of the total production, forbs 5-15 percent and shrubs 0-10 percent. -
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:
Invasive species include whitetop, Leafy spurge, Dock, Canadian thistle, reed canarygrass, foxtail barley, perennial pepperweed and teasel. Other invasive species may include meadow foxtail, redtop and Kentucky bluegrass. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All functional groups have the potential to reproduce in most years. Many of the plants reproduce vegetatively.
Print Options
Sections
Font
AAAAOther
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.
Accessibility statement
