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
R022AY022NV LOAMY SLOPE 14-16 P.Z.
R022AY028NV CLAYPAN 16+ P.Z.
R022AY030NV GRAVELLY LOAM 14-16 P.Z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana
Herbaceous (1) Achnatherum occidentale
Physiographic features
This site occurs on straight to convex mountain sideslopes on all aspects. Slopes range from 15 to 75 percent, but slope gradients of 15 to 50 percent are most typical. Elevations are 5500 to 8500 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain
(2) Mountain slope
Flooding frequency None Elevation 5500 – 8500 ft Slope 15 – 75 % Ponding depth 0 in Water table depth 0 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate is subhumid-continental with cold, moist winters and warm, dry summers. The mean annual precipitation is 14 to 16 (20) inches. Mean annual temperature is 39 to 45 degrees F., and the frost-free period is 30 to 70 days.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 70 days Freeze-free period (average) 0 days Precipitation total (average) 20 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 in this site are moderately deep to deep and well drained. Available water capacity is very low to low. Inherent soil fertility is high and the soils are slightly acid to neutral in reaction. The soils are moist from fall through early summer when plant growth depletes soil moisture. They are modified with high volumes of rock fragments through the soil profile. Runoff is medium to rapid and the potential for sheet and rill erosion is medium to high depending on slope. The soil series associated with this site are Dogbed and Lockgate. The soil families associated with this site are Dogbed inclusion and Lockgate inclusion.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Very gravelly sandy loam
(2) Very gravelly loamy coarse sand
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderate to moderately rapid Soil depth 40 – 80 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 35 – 50 % Surface fragment cover >3" 6 – 15 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)1.8 – 4 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)16 – 40 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)2 – 26 % 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.
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. Basin wildrye is top-killed by fire. Older basin wildrye plants with large proportions of dead material within the perennial crown can be expected to show higher mortality due to fire than younger plants having little debris. Basin wildrye is generally tolerant of fire but may be damaged by early season fire combined with dry soil conditions. Little specific information is available on adaptations of Letterman's needlegrass to fire. It is morphologically similar to Columbia needlegrass, which is only slightly to moderately damaged by fire. Season of burn affects the plant's ability to survive a fire. Post-fire regeneration is through seeding and tillering.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 an overstory of soft-woody shrubs with an understory of perennial grasses and forbs. The representative plant community is dominated by western needlegrass, mountain brome, basin wildrye, antelope bitterbrush and mountain big sagebrush. Potential vegetative composition is about 65% grasses, 10% forbs and 25% shrubs. Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 40 to 50 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 585 910 1170 Shrub/Vine 225 350 450 Forb 90 140 180 Total 900 1400 1800 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 658–910 western needlegrass ACOCO Achnatherum occidentale ssp. occidentale 560–700 – basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 70–140 – Letterman's needlegrass ACLE9 Achnatherum lettermanii 28–70 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses/Grasslikes 70–140 buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 18–52 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 18–52 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 18–52 – ragwort SENEC Senecio 18–52 – Thurber's needlegrass ACTH7 Achnatherum thurberianum 7–42 – mountain brome BRMA4 Bromus marginatus 7–42 – sedge CAREX Carex 7–42 – blue wildrye ELGL Elymus glaucus 7–42 – big squirreltail ELMU3 Elymus multisetus 7–42 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 7–42 – Forb3 Perennial Forbs 70–210 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 210–350 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 28–50 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 7–28 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 7–28 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 7–28 – ragwort SENEC Senecio 7–28 – sedge CAREX Carex 11–23 – Shrub/Vine4 Primary Shrubs 210–350 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 210–350 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 70–140 white fir ABCO Abies concolor 28–112 – Jeffrey pine PIJE Pinus jeffreyi 28–112 – Utah serviceberry AMUT Amelanchier utahensis 14–28 – curl-leaf mountain mahogany CELE3 Cercocarpus ledifolius 14–28 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVIV4 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus ssp. viscidiflorus var. viscidiflorus 14–28 – bitter cherry PREM Prunus emarginata 14–28 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 14–28 – mountain snowberry SYOR2 Symphoricarpos oreophilus 14–28 – Tree6 Trees 7–28 antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 28–112 – Jeffrey pine PIJE Pinus jeffreyi 7–28 – mountain snowberry SYOR2 Symphoricarpos oreophilus 12–20 – bitter cherry PREM Prunus emarginata 12–20 – Utah serviceberry AMUT Amelanchier utahensis 12–20 – curl-leaf mountain mahogany CELE3 Cercocarpus ledifolius 12–20 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 10–15 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Interpretations:
This site is suited to livestock grazing. Grazing management should be keyed to western needlegrass production. Mountain big sagebrush is eaten by domestic sheep and cattle, but has long been considered to be of low palatability to domestic livestock, a competitor with more desirable species. Western needlegrass begins growth early in the year and remains green throughout the relatively long growing season, thus, making it valuable forage for livestock. Letterman’s needlegrass begins growth early in the year and remains green throughout the relatively long growing season, thus, making it valuable forage for livestock. The early growth and abundant production of basin wildrye make it a valuable source of forage for livestock. It is important forage for cattle and is readily grazed by cattle and horses in early spring and fall. Though coarse-textured during the winter, basin wildrye may be utilized more frequently by livestock and wildlife when snow has covered low shrubs and other grasses.
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 Interpetations:
Mountain big sagebrush is highly preferred and nutritious winter forage for mule deer. Western needlegrass is an important forage species for several wildlife species. Letterman's needlegrass provides valuable forage for many species of wildlife. It is consumed by mule deer and is most palatable early in the season before the foliage becomes coarse and wiry. Basin wildrye provides winter forage for mule deer, though use is often low compared to other native grasses. Basin wildrye provides summer forage for black-tailed jackrabbits. Because basin wildrye remains green throughout early summer, it remains available for small mammal forage for a longer time than other grasses.
Hydrological functions
Runoff is medium to high and the potential for sheet and rill erosion is medium to high depending on slope.
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. Basin wildrye was used as bedding for various Native American ceremonies, providing a cool place for dancers to stand.
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. Letterman’s needlegrass has been used successfully in revegetating mine spoils. This species also has good potential for erosion control. Basin wildrye is useful in mine reclamation, fire rehabilitation and stabilizing disturbed areas. Its usefulness in range seeding, however, may be limited by initially weak stand establishment.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Mono County, CA Township/Range/Section T9N R21E S2 Latitude 38° 39′ 13″ Longitude 119° 38′ 39″ General legal description Toiyabe National Forest, approximately 5.5 miles west of Topaz Lake. 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) Patti Novak-Echenique Contact for lead author State Rangeland Management Specialist Date 07/18/2013 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
Rills are typically none to rare. A few may occur on steeper slopes after summer convection storms. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Water flow patterns are typically non-existent. Water flow patterns may rarely be observed on steeper slopes in areas recently subjected to summer convection storms or rapid spring snowmelt. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals are none to rare. Occurrence is usually limited to areas of water flow patterns. Frost heaving of shallow rooted plants should not be considered a "normal" condition. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare Ground 10-20% depending on amount of surface rock fragments -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Fine litter (foliage from grasses and annual & perennial forbs) expected to move distance of slope length during intense summer convection storms or rapid snowmelt events. Persistent litter (large woody material) will remain in place except during large rainfall events. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil stability values should be 3 to 6 on most soil textures found on this site. (To be field tested.) -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Surface structure is typically fine granular. Soil surface colors are dark grayish browns and soils are typified by a mollic epipedon. Organic matter of the surface 2 to 4 inches is typically 1.25 to 3 percent. Organic matter content can be more or less depending on micro-topography. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Reference Plant Community: Perennial herbaceous plants (especially deep-rooted bunchgrasses [i.e., needlegrasses, basin wildrye) slow runoff and increase infiltration. Shrub canopy and associated litter break raindrop impact and provide opportunity for snow catch and accumulation on site. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Compacted layers are none. Subangular blocky structure or subsoil argillic horizons are not to be interpreted as compaction. -
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, cool season, perennial bunchgrassesSub-dominant:
tall shrubs (mountain big sagebrush >> associated shrubs > deep-rooted, cool season, perennial forbs >> shallow-rooted, cool season, perennial grasses > fibrous, shallow-rooted, cool season, perennial and annual forbs.Other:
evergreen trees, grass-like plantsAdditional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Dead branches within individual shrubs may be common with standing dead shrub canopy material as much as 25% of total woody canopy; some of the mature bunchgrasses (<10%) have dead centers. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Between plant interspaces and under canopy as much as 50% and litter depth is < ¼ inch. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
For normal or average growing season (through June) ± 1400 lbs/ac; =900 lbs/ac on unfavorable years and = 1800 lbs/ac on exceptional years. -
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:
Potential invaders on this site include cheatgrass, annual mustards, and knapweeds. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All functional groups should reproduce in average (or normal) and above average growing season years. Reduced growth and reproduction occur during extreme or extended drought periods.
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
