Natural Resources
Conservation Service
-
Search
Major Land Resource Area or ecological site by name and/or ID.
PreviousSectionsNextGeneral information
Draft. A draft ecological site description is either incomplete or has not undergone quality control and quality assurance review.
Associated sites
R022AY016NV WET MEADOW
R022AY017NV SEMI-WET MEADOW
R022AY019NV GRAVEL BAR
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Poa secunda
(2) Carex filifoliaPhysiographic features
This site occurs on axial-stream floodplains, stream terraces and inset fans. Slopes range from 2 to 8 percent. Elevations are 7000 to 10,000 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Stream terrace
(2) Inset fan
(3) Flood plain
Flooding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) Flooding frequency Rare Elevation 7000 – 10000 ft Slope 2 – 8 % Ponding depth 0 in Water table depth 18 – 72 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate on this site is subhumid-continental, characterized by cool, moist winters, and cool, dry summers. The average annual precipitation ranges from 30 to 45 inches, mostly occurring as snow. The mean annual air temperature ranges from 30 to 40 degrees F. The average frost free period ranges from 30 to 60 days.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 60 days Freeze-free period (average) 0 days Precipitation total (average) 50 in BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
There are perennial and intermittent streams associated with this site.
Soil features
The soils that support this site are very deep and moderately well drained. Surface layers are typically dark, medium textured with high organic matter content. These soils typically have a mollic epipedon 16 to 24 inches thick. Subsoil material is typically stratified, but when averaged is coarse textured and has more than 35 percent rock fragments. These soils are typically saturated at depths of 20 to 30 inches during the early to middle part of the growing season, with the water table dropping late in the growing season. The presence of saturated soil conditions within the soil profile is conducive to plants that are adapted to saturated conditions within this zone and provides aditional late season moisture. This saturated zone is the dominant soil factor in determining the vegetative community. The soil series associated with this site is Cavebear.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Gravelly loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Moderately well drained Permeability class Moderate Soil depth 72 – 84 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 15 – 35 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 15 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)3.3 – 3.5 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)Not specified Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)Not specified Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)5.6 – 6.5 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)35 – 60 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 10 % Ecological dynamics
Where management results in abusive grazing use by livestock and/or feral horses, meadow barley, sedges and Baltic rush will increase in abundance, while Nevada bluegrass and palatable forbs will decrease. Misuse of this site can cause gully erosion resulting in a lowering of the water table and development of a site dominated by shrub species.
Fire Ecology:
Bluegrass communities are unaffected by frequent fire. Fire return intervals can be as frequent as 1 to 3 years depending upon density. Sandberg bluegrass is generally unharmed by fire. It produces little litter, and its small bunch size and sparse litter reduces the amount of heat transferred to perennating buds in the soil. Its rapid maturation in the spring also reduces fire damage, since it is dormant when most fires occur. Sandberg bluegrass cover often increases when interference from other species is reduced by fire. Douglas’ sedge has a high fire tolerance. Douglas’ sedge is common under infrequent fire regimes, due to the high moisture in the surrounding area. Threadleaf sedge is generally able to survive fire due to basal meristems protected by soil and/or damp litter. The low, dense growth habit allows for good continuity of fuel, which enhances fire spread. Mat muhly is top killed be fire. Fire does not harm mat muhly to any great extent because the rhizome buds are insulated by the soil. Baltic rush is fire tolerant when dormant and top-killed by fire during the growing season. It establishes after fire through seed and/or lateral spread by rhizomes.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 textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateCommunity 1.1
Reference Plant CommunityThe reference plant community is dominated by a dense stand of perennial grasses, grass-like plants and perennial forbs. The representative plant community is dominated by Nevada bluegrass and sedges. Potential vegetative composition is approximately 80% grasses and grass-like plants, 15% forbs and 5% shrubs. Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 65 to 75 percent.
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 800 1200 1600 Forb 150 225 300 Shrub/Vine 50 75 100 Total 1000 1500 2000 Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Perennial Grasses/Grasslikes 981–1542 Douglas' sedge CADO2 Carex douglasii 146–204 – threadleaf sedge CAFI Carex filifolia 146–204 – clustered field sedge CAPR5 Carex praegracilis 146–204 – mat muhly MURI Muhlenbergia richardsonis 35–140 – slender wheatgrass ELTRT Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus 35–88 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses/Grasslikes 35–18 needlegrass ACHNA Achnatherum 9–18 – Letterman's needlegrass ACLE9 Achnatherum lettermanii 9–18 – Nevada needlegrass ACNE10 Achnatherum nevadense 9–18 – big squirreltail ELMU3 Elymus multisetus 9–18 – meadow barley HOBR2 Hordeum brachyantherum 9–18 – roundfruit rush JUCO Juncus compressus 9–18 – basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 9–18 – beardless wildrye LETR5 Leymus triticoides 9–18 – Kentucky bluegrass POPR Poa pratensis 9–18 – Forb3 Primary Perennial Forbs 123–333 mat muhly MURI Muhlenbergia richardsonis 20–100 – longstalk clover TRLO Trifolium longipes 12–23 – mountain carpet clover TRMO2 Trifolium monanthum 12–23 – fewflower clover TROL Trifolium oliganthum 12–23 – 4 Secondary Perennial Forbs 88–263 basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 24–50 – common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 9–18 – Rocky Mountain iris IRMI Iris missouriensis 9–18 – Sierra Valley mousetail IVAPA Ivesia aperta var. aperta 9–18 – Pacific lupine LULE2 Lupinus lepidus 9–18 – herbaceous penstemon PERYO Penstemon rydbergii var. oreocharis 9–18 – slender cinquefoil POGR9 Potentilla gracilis 9–18 – Shrub/Vine5 Secondary Shrubs 0–88 silver sagebrush ARCA13 Artemisia cana 9–35 – mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 9–35 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Interpretations:
This site is suited to livestock grazing. Grazing management should be keyed to Sandberg bluegrass production. Sandberg bluegrass is a widespread and highly drought-resistant forage grass. It is one of the earliest grasses to green up in spring and is sought by all classes of livestock. Sandberg bluegrass matures early and remains choice for a shorter time than other forage bunchgrasses. Horses and cattle continue to make some use of it during the summer months. In the fall, horses, cattle, and domestic sheep graze the cured foliage. Douglas’ sedge is quite tough and does not offer very much value to livestock. Threadleaf sedge provides excellent forage for several livestock although production is very low. It provides extremely valuable early spring growth and remains palatable throughout the growing season. Domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, and horses also use this species. Young mat muhly is readily eaten by livestock. Plants become less palatable as they mature. Mat muhly plants usually grow in scattered patches, so they are seldom sufficiently abundant to be of major importance to livestock. In the northern part of its range, mat muhly is rated as good to very good forage for cattle and horses and fairly good for domestic sheep. Baltic rush is described as a fair to good forage species for cattle. On average, Baltic rush’s palatability is considered medium to moderately low. Baltic rush is considered palatable early in the growing season when plants are young and tender, but as stems mature and toughen palatability declines.
Stocking rates vary over time depending upon season of use, climate variations, site, and previous and current management goals. A safe starting stocking rate is an estimated stocking rate that is fine tuned by the client by adaptive management through the year and from year to year.
Wildlife Interpretations:
Sandberg bluegrass provides good to fair forage for mule deer and bighorn sheep. Douglas’ sedge is medium to grazers and low to browsers. Threadleaf sedge provides excellent forage for several wildlife species, although production is very low. It provides extremely valuable early spring growth and remains palatable throughout the growing season. The palatability of mat muhly for wildlife species has been rated as fair to poor. Baltic rush provides food for several wildlife species and waterfowl. Baltic rush is an important cover species for a variety of small birds, upland game birds, birds of prey, and waterfowl.Hydrological functions
Runoff is very high and permeability is moderate.
Other products
American Indians used culm bases as food during famines. Threadleaf sedge has value as a drought-tolerant species. The stems of Baltic rush were historically used by Native Americans as a foundation for coiled basketry.
Other information
Sandberg bluegrass is often included in native seed mixes. The ability of the root system of Threadleaf sedge to hold soil in place makes it an ideal candidate for controlling wind and water induced soil erosion. It exhibits good growth on moderate slopes and fair growth on steep slopes. Baltic rush's production of deep and fibrous roots originating from a mass of coarse and creeping rhizomes makes it a valuable species for stabilizing streambanks and protecting against soil erosion.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Alpine County, CA Township/Range/Section T10N R19E S6 Latitude 38° 45′ 7″ Longitude 119° 56′ 7″ General legal description Toiyabe National Forest, Hope Valley Other references
Fire Effects Information System (Online; http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/).
USDA-NRCS Plant Database (Online; http://plants.usda.gov/).
Contributors
ALC/GKB
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 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
-
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
-
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
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:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
-
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 plant reproductive capability:
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
