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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): 022A–Sierra Nevada and Tehachapi Mountains
This ESD was developed using older policy requirements which have been improved with the intent of improving ESD products overall. Users should approach these materials with some caution as the content herein, while likely useful for some purposes, was developed within parameters now recognized as needing varying levels of improvement. As always, a site-specific investigation is highly recommended when site-specific management alternatives are to be developed and/or management decisions are to be made.
Each ESD is an interpretation of the ecological relationships between biotic and abiotic aspects of the landscape. Users of this document should be aware of the limitations of this tool to the extent that specific local conditions may not be entirely captured within the ESD. In particular, management decisions should be supported by site-specific inventories, assessments and planning processes based on the best available information including and extending beyond the ESD.
An ESD is not a permanent determination of ecological dynamics. Rather, each ESD is an evolving body of work intrinsically tied to the soil surveys and data associated with soil map unit components of correlated soil-ecological site relationships. As new information becomes available, updates may be made or may be underway at any given time. Minor updates may be made without announcement when such changes do not modify the ecological site concept, the soils correlated or the state-and-transition model.
Associated sites
R022AY022NV LOAMY SLOPE 14-16 P.Z.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana
(2) Purshia tridentataHerbaceous (1) Achnatherum
Physiographic features
This site occurs on mountain sideslopes and moraines. Slopes range from 25 to 65 percent, but slope gradients of 30 to 50 percent are most typical. Elevations are 6500 to over 8500 feet
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain slope
Elevation 6500 – 8500 ft Slope 30 – 50 % Aspect SE, S, SW Climatic features
Average annual precipitation is 16 inches to 24 inches. Mean annual air temperature is 39 to 45 degrees F. The average growing season is about 40 to 70 days. Climate data used to support this section were derived from PRISM and is not specifically tied to any dominant climate station.
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 associated with this site are moderately deep to very deep, and well drained to somewhat excessively drained. The soils are formed in residuum and colluvium derived from granitic, igneous, or metamorphic rocks. The soils are skeletal throughout the profile and have a mollic epipedon. The soils are usually moist in the moisture control section during late fall, winter, and spring and dry from July through early October.
Soil series associated with this site include: Elaero and Shorthike.
CA729 Toiyabe National Forest Area, California
122;Toiyabe-Corbett-Rock outcrop complex, 50 to 75 percent slopes;Elaero
460;Toejom-Pimogran-Rock outcrop association;Elaero
461;Toejom-Pimogran-Rock outcrop association, 50 to 75 percent slopes;Elaero
530;Elaero-Lockgate-Granhogany association;Elaero
531;Elaero association;Elaero
532;Elaero-Granidry-Rock outcrop association;Elaero
580;Murain-Shorthike association;Shorthike
581;Murain association;Shorthike
660;Delhew-Grandridge-Bakscratch association;Elaero
740;Jackflat-Grandridge association;Elaero
780;Granhogany-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes;Elaero
800;Grandridge-Delhew association;Elaero
810;Corbett-Toiyabe-Rock outcrop complex, 15 to 50 percent slopes;Elaero
NV773 Douglas County Area, Nevada
660;Delhew-Grandridge-Bakscratch association;Elaero
800;Grandridge-Delhew association;Elaero
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Very gravelly loamy coarse sand
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class Moderately rapid Soil depth 20 – 72 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 20 – 30 % Surface fragment cover >3" 12 – 30 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)1.3 – 3.3 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
Fire Ecology:
The fire return interval in mountain big sagebrush communities ranges from 15 to 40 years. Very frequent fire suppresses mountain big sagebrush establishment, while long fire return intervals promote tree invasion into mountain big sagebrush communities. Mountain big sagebrush is highly susceptible to injury from fire. Plants are readily killed in all seasons, even by light severity fires. Mountain big sagebrush plants top-killed by fire will not resprout. Regeneration of mountain big sagebrush is from on-site or off-site seed. Depending on circumstances of the environment and seed source, mountain big sagebrush seeds may sprout profusely the spring after burning, or very sparsely.
Antelope bitterbrush is highly susceptible to fire. Some ecotypes sprout following fire, either from dormant buds encircling an aboveground root crown, from calluses of meristematic tissue beneath the bark, or from dormant buds on a belowground lignotuber. Very young and very old plants (younger than 5 or older than 40-60 years) do not sprout well.
Thurber's needlegrass is classified as "moderately" resistant, but depending on the season of burn, phenology, and fire severity, this perennial bunchgrass is moderately to severely damaged by fire. Aboveground vegetation of Thurber needlegrass is often consumed by fire. The distribution of fuels within the plant influences the severity and length of burn time. Fire in the many leafy vegetative culms can promote burning beneath the soil surface, producing subsurface charring. The abundant dead material which is sometimes present with Thurber needlegrass contributes to fire damage regardless of season. Post burn regeneration usually occurs by seed. Thurber needlegrass has also adapted to fire by regenerating by fire-enhanced flowering.
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 Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Reference Plant CommunityThe reference plant community is characterized by an open canopy of soft-woody shrubs and a dense understory of perennial grasses. The plant community is dominated by western and Thurber's needlegrass, Indian ricegrass and mountain big sagebrush. Potential vegetative composition is about 40% grasses, 5% forbs, and 55% shrubs. 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)Shrub/Vine 330 550 770 Grass/Grasslike 240 400 560 Forb 30 50 70 Total 600 1000 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 200–450 western needlegrass ACOCO Achnatherum occidentale ssp. occidentale 75–175 – Thurber's needlegrass ACTH7 Achnatherum thurberianum 75–175 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 50–100 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses 50–100 mountain brome BRMA4 Bromus marginatus 10–30 – sedge CAREX Carex 10–30 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 10–30 – big squirreltail ELMU3 Elymus multisetus 10–30 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 10–30 – basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 10–30 – spike fescue LEKI2 Leucopoa kingii 10–30 – Forb3 Perennial Forbs 20–80 basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 8–20 – rockcress ARABI2 Arabis 10–20 – northwestern Indian paintbrush CAAN7 Castilleja angustifolia 10–20 – tapertip hawksbeard CRAC2 Crepis acuminata 10–20 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 10–20 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 10–20 – Shrub/Vine4 Primary Shrubs 250–500 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 150–250 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 100–250 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 20–100 curl-leaf mountain mahogany CELE3 Cercocarpus ledifolius 10–20 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 10–20 – slender buckwheat ERMI4 Eriogonum microthecum 10–20 – desert peach PRAN2 Prunus andersonii 10–20 – currant RIBES Ribes 10–20 – roundleaf snowberry SYRO Symphoricarpos rotundifolius 10–20 – Interpretations
Animal community
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, and a physical impediment to grazing.
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.
Wildlife Interpretations:
Mountain big sagebrush is highly preferred and nutritious winter forage for mule deer.
In northwestern Nevada and northeastern California, 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. Antelope bitterbrush is palatable to all types of wildlife.
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. Mountain big sagebrush has also been successfully planted in field sites using nursery-grown bareroot and containerized stock.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Mono County, CA Township/Range/Section T5N R24E S5 Latitude 38° 18′ 57″ Longitude 119° 20′ 41″ General legal description Toiyabe National Forest, near Huntoon Creek. Other references
Fire Effect Information System (Online; http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/).
USDA-NRCS Plants Database (Online; http://plants.usda.gov/).
Contributors
ALM/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
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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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:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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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:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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