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Ecological site R023XY052NV

SHALLOW CALCAREOUS LOAM 8-12 P.Z.

Last updated: 4/10/2025
Accessed: 04/20/2026

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General 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.

Ecological site concept

Currently there is only a draft of the initial concept for this ecological site. The initial concept for this site places it within the Shallow Rocky 8-14 PZ Black Sagebrush Ecological Site Group. To view the General STM and other information available for this ESG please go to https://edit.jornada.nmsu.edu/catalogs/esg/023X/R023XY913NV

The precipitation zone for this site ranges from 8 to 12 inches. The elevation range for this group is from 4,500 to 6,000 ft. Slopes range from 4 to 15 percent. The soils in are typically less than 20 inches deep and moderately to strongly calcareous. Soil reaction increases with soil depth. Most soils are modified with high volumes of coarse fragments throughout the soil profile. Rock fragments in the profile and on the soil surface, occupy plant growing space and reduce the soil moisture holding capacity. The available water capacity is low. Runoff is medium to rapid and the potential for sheet and rill erosion is moderate to high, depending upon slope. The shrub component is dominated by black sagebrush (Artemisia nova ) with bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) and Thurber’s needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum) in the understory. Utah juniper may be present on this site. The annual production on the Nevada site ranges from 300 to 700 lbs/ac, with 500 lbs/ac in normal years whereas the California site production ranges from 200 to 600 lbs/ac, with 400 lbs/ac in a normal year.

Associated sites

R023XY006NV	LOAMY 8-10 P.Z.
R023XY020NV	LOAMY 10-12 P.Z.
R023XY031NV	CLAYPAN 10-14 P.Z.
R023XY037NV	CLAY SLOPE 8-12 P.Z.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	(1) Artemisia nova
Herbaceous	(1) Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata (2) Achnatherum thurberianum

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Physiographic features

This site occurs on convex summits, and backslopes of upper fan piedmonts, hills, and plateaus. Slopes range from 2 to over 30 percent, but slope gradients of 4 to 15 percent are typical. Elevations are 4500 to 6000 feet.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Hill (2) Fan piedmont (3) Plateau
Elevation	4500 – 6000 ft
Slope	2 – 30 %
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The climate associated with this site is semiarid and characterized by cool, moist winters and warm, dry summers. Average annual precipitation is 8 to 12 inches. Mean annual air temperature is 47 to 50 degrees F. The average growing season is about 90 to 120 days.

Nevada’s climate is predominantly arid, with large daily ranges of temperature, infrequent severe storms, heavy snowfall in the higher mountains, and great location variations with elevation. Three basic geographical factors largely influence Nevada’s climate: continentality, latitude, and elevation. Continentality is the most important factor. The strong continental effect is expressed in the form of both dryness and large temperature variations. Nevada lies on the eastern, lee side of the Sierra Nevada Range, a massive mountain barrier that markedly influences the climate of the State. The prevailing winds are from the west, and as the warm moist air from the Pacific Ocean ascend the western slopes of the Sierra Range, the air cools, condensation occurs and most of the moisture falls as precipitation. As the air descends the eastern slope, it is warmed by compression, and very little precipitation occurs. The effects of this mountain barrier are felt not only in the West but throughout the state, with the result that the lowlands of Nevada are largely desert or steppes. The temperature regime is also affected by the blocking of the inland-moving maritime air. Nevada sheltered from maritime winds, has a continental climate with well-developed seasons and the terrain responds quickly to changes in solar heating.
Nevada lies within the mid-latitude belt of prevailing westerly winds which occur most of the year. These winds bring frequent changes in weather during the late fall, winter and spring months, when most of the precipitation occurs. To the south of the mid-latitude westerlies, lies a zone of high pressure in subtropical latitudes, with a center over the Pacific Ocean. In the summer, this high-pressure belt shifts northward over the latitudes of Nevada, blocking storms from the ocean. The resulting weather is mostly clear and dry during the summer and early fall, with scattered thundershowers. The eastern portion of the state receives significant summer thunderstorms generated from monsoonal moisture pushed up from the Gulf of California, known as the North American monsoon. The monsoon system peaks in August and by October the monsoon high over the Western U.S. begins to weaken and the precipitation retreats southward towards the tropics (NOAA 2004).

Average annual precipitation is 16 to over 20 inches. Mean annual air temperature is 41 to 44 degrees F. The average growing season is about 50 to 70 days.

Mean annual precipitaion at the Bear Creek, Nevada SNOTEL station (170501020301) is 37.69 inches.

monthly mean precipitation is:
January 3.84; February 3.75; March 4.38; April 4.9;
May 3.99; June 2.82; July .95; August 1.66;
September 1.22; October 2.12;
November 3.67; December 4.38.

Table 3 Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (average)	110 days
Freeze-free period (average)
Precipitation total (average)	10 in

Bar

Line

Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range

Bar

Line

Figure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 3. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 4 Annual average temperature pattern

Soil features

The soils associated with this site are from residuum and colluvium from calcareous tuff. The soils in are typically less than 20 inches deep and moderately to strongly calcareous. Soil reaction increases with soil depth. Most soils are modified with high volumes of coarse fragments throughout the soil profile. Rock fragments in the profile and on the soil surface, occupy plant growing space and reduce the soil moisture holding capacity. The available water capacity is low. Runoff is very high and the potential for sheet and rill erosion is moderate to high, depending upon slope. The soil moisture regime is aridic bordering on xeric and the temperature regime is mesic.

Ecological dynamics

Where management results in abusive grazing use by livestock and/or feral horses, bluebunch wheatgrass and Thurber’s needlegrass decrease as black sagebrush, bluegrasses and bottlebrush squirreltail increase. Cheatgrass and annual forbs such as tansy mustard will invade this site.

Fire Ecology:
Black sagebrush communities generally lack enough fine fuels to carry a fire. In addition to low fine fuel loading, wide shrub spacing makes fire infrequent or difficult to prescribe in black sagebrush types. Black sagebrush is highly susceptible to fire-caused mortality; plants are readily killed by all fire intensities. Following burning, reestablishment occurs through off-site sources. Burning bluebunch wheatgrass may remove most of the aboveground biomass but does not usually result in plant mortality. Bluebunch wheatgrass is generally favored by burning. Burning stimulates flowering and seed production. However, season of burning affects mortality. Thurber’s needlegrass is classified as moderately resistant, but depending on season of burn, phenology, and fire severity, this perennial bunchgrass is moderately to severely damaged by fire. Early season burning is more damaging to this needlegrass than late season burning.

State and transition model

Custom diagram

Standard diagram

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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

State 1
Reference State

Community 1.1
Community Phase

The reference plant community is dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass, Thurber's needlegrass and black sagebrush. Utah juniper may be present. Potential vegetative composition is about 50% grasses, 10% forbs and 40% shrubs. Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is about 25 to 35 percent.

Figure 5. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)

Table 4. Annual production by plant type

Plant type	Low (lb/acre)	Representative value (lb/acre)	High (lb/acre)
Grass/Grasslike	150	250	350
Shrub/Vine	114	190	266
Forb	30	50	70
Tree	6	10	14
Total	300	500	700

Community 1.2
Community Phase

Community 1.3
Community Phase

Pathway a
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Pathway b
Community 1.1 to 1.3

Pathway a
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Pathway a
Community 1.3 to 1.1

Pathway b
Community 1.3 to 1.2

State 2
Current Potential State

Community 2.1
Community Phase

Community 2.2
Community Phase

Community 2.3
Community Phase (at risk)

Community 2.4
Community Phase (at risk)

Pathway a
Community 2.1 to 2.2

Pathway b
Community 2.1 to 2.3

Pathway c
Community 2.1 to 2.4

Pathway a
Community 2.2 to 2.1

Pathway b
Community 2.2 to 2.4

Pathway a
Community 2.3 to 2.1

Pathway b
Community 2.3 to 2.2

Pathway b
Community 2.4 to 2.2

State 3
Shrub State

Community 3.1
Community Phase

Community 3.2
Community Phase

Pathway a
Community 3.1 to 3.2

Pathway a
Community 3.2 to 3.1

State 4
Tree State

Not verified

Community 4.1
Community Phase

Community 4.2
Community Phase (at risk)

Pathway a
Community 4.1 to 4.2

State 5
Annual State

Community 5.1
Community Phase

Transition A
State 1 to 2

Transition A
State 2 to 3

Transition B
State 2 to 4

Transition C
State 2 to 5

Transition A
State 3 to 4

Transition B
State 3 to 5

Restoration pathway A
State 4 to 2

Transition A
State 4 to 5

Additional community tables

Table 5. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Primary Perennial Grasses			150–300
	bluebunch wheatgrass	PSSPS	Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata	100–200	–
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	50–100	–
2	Secondary Perennial Grasses			10–25
	Webber needlegrass	ACWE3	Achnatherum webberi	3–10	–
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	3–10	–
	needle and thread	HECO26	Hesperostipa comata	3–10	–
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	3–10	–
Forb
3	Perennial			25–75
	tapertip hawksbeard	CRAC2	Crepis acuminata	3–15	–
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	3–15	–
	desertparsley	LOMAT	Lomatium	3–15	–
Shrub/Vine
4	Primary Shrubs			100–150
	black sagebrush	ARNO4	Artemisia nova	100–150	–
5	Secondary Shrubs			25–50
	shadscale saltbush	ATCO	Atriplex confertifolia	5–15	–
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVI8	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus	5–15	–
	jointfir	EPHED	Ephedra	5–15	–
Tree
6	Evergreen			3–10
	Utah juniper	JUOS	Juniperus osteosperma	3–10	–

Table 6. Community 1.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 7. Community 1.3 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 8. Community 2.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 9. Community 2.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 10. Community 2.3 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 11. Community 2.4 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 12. Community 3.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 13. Community 3.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 14. Community 4.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 15. Community 4.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 16. Community 5.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Interpretations

Animal community

Livestock Interpretations:
This site is suitable for livestock grazing. Grazing management should be keyed to perenniall grass production. Bluebunch wheatgrass is considered one of the most important forage grass species on western rangelands for livestock. Although bluebunch wheatgrass can be a crucial source of forage, it is not necessarily the most highly preferred species. Thurber’s needlegrass species begin growth early in the year and remain green throughout a relatively long growing season. This pattern of development enables animals to use Thurber’s needlegrass when many other grasses are unavailable. Cattle prefer Thurber’s needlegrass in early spring before fruits have developed as it becomes less palatable when mature. Thurber’s needlegrasses are grazed in the fall only if the fruits are softened by rain. In winter, at lower elevations, black sagebrush is heavily utilized by domestic sheep.

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:
Black sagebrush is a significant browse species within the Intermountain region. It is especially important on low elevation winter ranges in the southern Great Basin, where extended snow free periods allow animal’s access to plants throughout most of the winter. In these areas it is heavily utilized by pronghorn and mule deer. Sagebrush-grassland communities provide critical sage-grouse breeding and nesting habitats. Sagebrush is a crucial component of their diet year-round, and sage-grouse select sagebrush almost exclusively for cover. Sage-grouse prefer mountain big sagebrush and Wyoming big sagebrush communities to basin big sagebrush communities. Bluebunch wheatgrass is considered one of the most important forage grass species on western rangelands for wildlife. Bluebunch wheatgrass does not generally provide sufficient cover for ungulates, however, mule deer are frequently found in bluebunch-dominated grasslands. Thurber needlegrass is valuable forage for wildlife.

Recreational uses

Aesthetic value is derived from the diverse floral and faunal composition and the colorful flowering of wild flowers and shrubs during the spring and early summer. This site offers rewarding opportunities to photographers and for nature study. This site is used for camping and hiking and has potential for upland and big game hunting.

Other information

Black sagebrush is an excellent species to establish on sites where management objectives include restoration or improvement of domestic sheep, pronghorn, or mule deer winter range.

Supporting information

Type locality

Location 1: Washoe County, NV
Township/Range/Section	T24N R20E S26
UTM zone	N
UTM northing	268811
UTM easting	4422367
Latitude	39° 55′ 11″
Longitude	119° 42′ 18″
General legal description	SW 1/4 SW 1/4, At end of road leading to mouth of Piute Canyon, north end of Warm Spring Valley, west side of Virginia Mountains, Washoe County, Nevada.

Other references

Fire Effects Information System (Online; http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/).

USDA-NRCS Plants Database (Online; http://www.plants.usda.gov).

Contributors

Approval

Kendra Moseley, 4/10/2025

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	04/20/2026
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:

Download reference sheet

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