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
R022AY010NV MOUNTAIN SHOULDERS 30+ P.Z.
R022AY011NV MOUNTAIN RIDGE 30+ P.Z.
R022AY012NV BARREN SLOPE 20+ P.Z.
R022AY024NV MAHOGANY SAVANNA
R022AY031NV LOAMY SLOPE 30+ P.Z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana
(2) Purshia tridentataHerbaceous (1) Achnatherum occidentale
(2) Bromus marginatusPhysiographic features
This site occurs on mountain sideslopes of southerly aspect. Slopes range from 8 to 75 percent, but slope gradients of 15 to 50 percent are most typical. Elevations are 8000 to over 11000 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain slope
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 8000 – 11000 ft Slope 8 – 75 % Ponding depth 0 in Water table depth 0 in Aspect SE, S, SW Climatic features
The climate on this site is subhumid-continental, characterized by cold, moist winters, and cool dry summers. The average annual precipitation ranges from 25 to 55 inches, mostly occurring as snow. The linear to convex slope shapes associated with this site cause some of the precipitation to be removed from the site because of wind action, thus reducing the moisture available for plant growth. The mean annual air temperature ranges from 34 to 39 degrees F. The average frost free growing season is 30 to 60 days.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 60 days Freeze-free period (average) 0 days Precipitation total (average) 60 in BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
There are no influencing water features associated with this site.
Soil features
The soils that support this site are typically moderately deep to deep; well to somewhat excessively drained and have high organic matter content in the upper part. They formed in residuum and colluvium derived volcanic or granitic rocks and from mixed glacial till. Surface layers are coarse to moderately coarse textured with a high percentage of rock fragments. Subsoil layers range from moderately coarse to moderately fine textured and are modified by a high percentage of rock fragments. These soils have a mollic epipedon that is more than 24 inches thick. The additional available soil moisture recieved via wind deposition of snow is the main soil related feature influencing the vegetation that this soil supports. The soil series associated with this site are Hawkinspeak and Waterpeak.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Residuum – granite
Surface texture (1) Very stony sandy loam
(2) Very bouldery coarse sand
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class Moderately rapid Soil depth 33 – 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 25 – 65 % Surface fragment cover >3" 4 – 10 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)2.9 – 3.8 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)6.1 – 7.3 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)13 – 41 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)2 – 25 % Ecological dynamics
As ecological condition declines, big sagebrush, snowberry and other woody plants increase in prevalence.
Fire Ecology:
Presettlement fire return intervals in mountain big sagebrush communities varied from 15 to 25 years. Plants are readily killed in all seasons, even light severity fires. Mountain big sagebrush is highly susceptible to injury from fire. It is often top-killed by fire and will not resprout.
Antelope bitterbrush is considered a weak sprouter and is often killed by summer or fall fire. Antelope bitterbrush in some areas may sprout after light-severity spring fire. High fuel consumptions increase antelope bitterbrush mortality and therefore favors seedling establishment.
Perennial needlegrasses tend to be among the least fire resistant bunchgrass due to the densely tufted stems. Western needlegrass is only slightly to moderately damaged by fire, because it has relatively few culms per clump which may help to minimize the amount of subsurface heat transfer and subsequent damage.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 Community
The reference plant community is characterized by a dense stand of perennial grasses and woody shrubs. The representative plant community is dominated by western needlegrass, mountain brome, antelope bitterbrush and mountain big sagebrush. Potential vegetative composition is about 60% grasses, 10% forbs and 30% shrubs and trees. Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 40 to 60 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 540 720 840 Shrub/Vine 270 360 420 Forb 90 120 140 Total 900 1200 1400 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 360–840 western needlegrass ACOCO Achnatherum occidentale ssp. occidentale 180–420 – mountain brome BRMA4 Bromus marginatus 180–420 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses/Grasslikes 60–120 Letterman's needlegrass ACLE9 Achnatherum lettermanii 6–36 – sedge CAREX Carex 6–36 – big squirreltail ELMU3 Elymus multisetus 6–36 – basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 6–36 – spike fescue LEKI2 Leucopoa kingii 6–36 – melicgrass MELIC Melica 6–36 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 6–36 – Forb3 Perennial Forbs 60–180 rockcress ARABI2 Arabis 6–36 – wavyleaf Indian paintbrush CAAPM Castilleja applegatei ssp. martinii 6–36 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 6–36 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 6–36 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 6–36 – ragwort SENEC Senecio 6–36 – mule-ears WYETH Wyethia 6–36 – Shrub/Vine4 Primary Shrubs 240–480 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 120–240 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 120–240 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 24–96 currant RIBES Ribes 6–24 – mountain snowberry SYOR2 Symphoricarpos oreophilus 6–24 – Tree6 Trees 12–48 Jeffrey pine PIJE Pinus jeffreyi 6–24 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Interpretations:
This site is suited for livestock grazing. Grazing management should be keyed to western needlegrass and mountain brome production. Mountain big sagebrush is eaten by domestic livestock but has long been considered to be of low palatability, and a competitor to more desirable species. Domestic livestock and mule deer may compete for antelope bitterbrush in late summer, fall, and/or winter. Cattle prefer antelope bitterbrush from mid-May through June and again in September and October. Antelope bitterbrush is palatable to all types of livestock. Western needlegrass is an important forage species for domestic livestock.
Mountain brome is ranked as excellent forage for both cattle and horses and good for domestic sheep. Domestic will graze mountain brome only when it is fairly succulent.
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:
Mountain big sagebrush is highly preferred and nutritious winter forage for mule deer. Pronghorn antelope, mule deer, elk, and bighorn sheep utilize antelope bitterbrush extensively. Mule deer use of antelope bitterbrush peaks in September, when antelope bitterbrush may compose 91 percent of the diet. Winter use is greatest during periods of deep snow. Antelope bitterbrush is a critical winter food for mule deer. Antelope bitterbrush seed is a large part of the diets of rodents, especially deer mice and kangaroo rats.Hydrological functions
Runoff is very low to high and permeability is impermeable to moderately rapid.
Recreational uses
Hiking and camping are the main recreation occuring near this site.
Other products
Native people used mountain big sagebrush leaves and branches for medicinal teas, and the leaves as a fumigant. Bark was woven into mats, bags and clothing.
Other information
Mountain big sagebrush is easily propagated from seed under greenhouse, nursery, and common garden conditions and has been successfully seeded directly into field sites.
Antelope bitterbrush has been used extensively in land reclamation. It is a pioneer species on some harsh sites. Antelope bitterbrush enhances succession by retaining soil and depositing organic material and in some habitats and with some ecotypes, by fixing nitrogen. Antelope bitterbrush is important for watershed erosion control.Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Mono County, CA Township/Range/Section T7N R22E S36 Latitude 38° 25′ 6″ Longitude 119° 30′ 28″ General legal description Toiyabe National Forest, approximately one mile from Summit Meadow. 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
