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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.
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 and Mod Deep >12” PZ Low and Lahontan sagebrush and Idaho fescue 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/R023XY902OR
This site occurs on the outer margins of lake plains and basin floors. Slope gradients of 0 to 2 percent are typical. The soils of this site have formed in lacustrine sediments as well as alluvium from mixed rock sources. These soils have a layer restrictive to root development at a very shallow depth. This site is found on low-lying positions that receive run-in moisture from higher landscapes. The soils are thus subject to ponding (saturated soil conditions) for brief periods in the spring. Early sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longicaulis) is the dominant shrub. Dominant grasses include western needlegrass, bottlebrush squirreltail, bluegrass. Basin wildrye is also an important grass on this site. Following disturbance such as fire and/or hoof action from grazing this site is susceptible to wind erosion. Management after disturbance may require seeding of species to reduce erosion. This site does not have a tree state, however it has an eroded state and is a 4-state model.Associated sites
R023XY003NV CLAY BASIN
R023XY005NV DRY FLOODPLAIN
R023XY006NV LOAMY 8-10 P.Z.
R023XY023NV WET CLAY BASIN
R023XY082NV LOAMY FAN 10-12 P.Z.
Similar sites
R023XY031NV CLAYPAN 10-14 P.Z.
PSSPS-ACTH7 codominant; ARAR8 not ARARL
R023XY059NV GRAVELLY CLAYPAN 10-12 P.Z.
ARAR8 not ARARL; different landscapes
R023XY078NV ASHY CLAYPAN 10-14 P.Z.
ACTH7-PSSPS codominant; ARAR8 not ARARL; different landscapes
R023XY017NV CLAYPAN 14-16 P.Z.
PSSPS-FEID codominant ARAR8 not ARARL; different landscapes
R023XY079NV ASHY CLAYPAN (COOL) 10-14 P.Z.
FEID dominant; different landscapes; ARAR8 not ARARL
R023XY021NV SCABLAND 10-14 P.Z.
POSE dominant grass; less productive site; different landscapes; ARAR8 not ARARL
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longiloba
Herbaceous (1) Achnatherum thurberianum
(2) Poa cusickii ssp. epilisPhysiographic features
This site occurs on the outer margins of lake plains and alluvial flats. Slope gradients of 0 to 2 percent are typical. Elevations are 4700 to 6200 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Lake plain
(2) Alluvial flat
Elevation 4700 – 6200 ft Slope 0 – 2 % Water table depth 66 – 84 in 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 42 to 44 degrees F. The average growing season is about 60 to 90 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) 80 days Freeze-free period (average) Precipitation total (average) 10 in BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 3. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 4 Annual average temperature pattern
">Influencing water features
This site is found on low-lying positions that receive run-in moisture from higher landscapes. The soils are thus subject to ponding (saturated soil conditions) for brief periods in the spring.
Soil features
The soils associated with this site have formed in lacustrine sediments as well as alluvium from mixed rock sources. The soils are very deep and moderately well drained. These soils have a layer restrictive to root development at a very shallow depth. This site is found on low-lying positions that receive run-in moisture from higher landscapes. The soils are thus subject to ponding (saturated soil conditions) for brief periods in the spring. The soil series associated with this site include: Macyflet.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Silt loam
(2) Silty clay loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Moderately well drained Permeability class Very slow Soil depth 72 – 84 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)6 – 6.1 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)Not specified Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 4 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 3 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.1 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)Not specified Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)Not specified Ecological dynamics
Where management results in abusive use by livestock and/or feral horses, rabbitbrush and sagebrush increase, as palatable forage grasses and forbs decline. Sandberg’s bluegrass and early sagebrush increase in the plant community and eventually become the dominant vegetation on this site as ecological condition declines.
Fire Ecology:
The mean fire return intervals for early sagebrush communities have been estimated to be from 35 to over 100 years. Fire most often occurs during wet years with high forage production. Early sagebrush is very susceptible to fire damage. Early sagebrush is usually killed by fire and does not re-sprout. The recovery in burned areas is usually via small, light, wind-dispersed seed for all low sagebrush subspecies. Partially injured early sagebrush may re-grow from living branches, but sprouting does not occur. Western needlegrass is moderately damaged by fire. The recovery time is between 3 and 5 years. 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. Cusick’s bluegrass is unharmed to slightly harmed by light-severity fall fires. Cusick’s bluegrass regenerates after fire from seed and by tillering. 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. Nevada 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.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagramMore 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 dominated by Thurber's needlegrass, Cusick's bluegrass and early sagebrush. Basin wildrye is an important grass on this site. Potential vegetative composition is about 65% grasses, 10% forbs and 25% shrubs. Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is about 15 to 25 percent.
Figure 5. 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 293 455 585 Shrub/Vine 113 175 225 Forb 44 70 90 Total 450 700 900 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 164–616 Cusick's bluegrass POCUE2 Poa cusickii ssp. epilis 140–210 – Thurber's needlegrass ACTH7 Achnatherum thurberianum 87–123 – western needlegrass ACOCO Achnatherum occidentale ssp. occidentale 88–122 – basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 35–105 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses/Grasslikes 14–56 sedge CAREX Carex 4–14 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 4–14 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 4–14 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 4–14 – Forb3 Perennial 35–70 buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 4–21 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 4–21 – Shrub/Vine4 Primary Shrubs 105–175 little sagebrush ARARL Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longiloba 105–175 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 14–35 yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 7–14 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Interpretations:
This site is suitable for livestock grazing. Grazing management should be keyed to perennial grass production. Western needlegrass has a spreading and deeply penetrating root system, which makes it resistant to trampling. 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. Cusick's bluegrass makes up only a small proportion of the biomass of the sagebrush communities in which it lives, but it is often taken preferentially by cattle, especially early in the season. 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. Nevada bluegrass is a widespread forage grass. It is one of the earliest grasses in the spring and is sought by domestic livestock and several wildlife species. Nevada bluegrass is a palatable species, but its production is closely tied to weather conditions. It produces little forage in drought years, making it a less dependable food source than other perennial bunchgrasses. Early sagebrush is considered a valuable browse plant during the spring, fall and winter months. In some areas it is of little value in winter due to heavy snow.
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:
Early sagebrush is considered a valuable browse plant during the spring, fall and winter months. In some areas it is of little value in winter due to heavy snow. Mule deer utilize and sometimes prefer early sagebrush, particularly in winter and early spring. Sagebrush-grassland communities provide critical sage-grouse breeding and nesting habitats. Meadows surrounded by sagebrush may be used as feeding and strutting grounds. 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. Western needlegrass provides valuable forage for many species of wildlife. Thurber needlegrass is valuable forage for wildlife. Deer, elk, and mountain goat also use Cusick's bluegrass early in the season. The value of Cusick's bluegrass as cover for small animals has been rated as poor to fair. 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 longer time than other grasses. Nevada bluegrass is desirable for pronghorn antelope and mule deer in the spring and preferable in the spring, summer, and fall for elk and desirable as part of their winter range.Hydrological functions
Runoff is medium to very high. Permeability is very slow. Hydrologic soil group is D. Rills and pedestals are rare. Frost heaving and shrink-swell soil activity that affects shallow rooted plants are not indicators of soil erosion. Slope gradients are typically less than 2% (1%) and water flow patterns are rare. Runoff is very slow with ponding common over most of the area. Gullies are none to rare in areas of this site that occur on stable landforms. Where this site occurs adjacent to active stream channels, gullies and head cuts associated with channel entrenchment may be present. Gullies and head cuts should be healing or stable. Runoff is very slow and ponding occurs in many areas. Deep-rooted perennial grass plants [i.e., Cusick's bluegrass & needlegrasses]) increase infiltration. Infiltration is slow once the surface soil is wetted. Shrub canopy and associated litter break raindrop impact and provide opportunity for snow catch and accumulation on site.
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 products
Basin wildrye was used as bedding for various Native American ceremonies, providing a cool place for dancers to stand.
Other information
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: Washoe County, NV Township/Range/Section T47N R21E S31 UTM zone N UTM northing 278877 UTM easting 4647867 Latitude 41° 57′ 6″ Longitude 119° 40′ 4″ General legal description NE 1/4 SW 1/4, Southeast portion of Macy Flat along east side of road, 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
GKB
T Stringham (UNR under contract with BLM)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) GK BRACKLEY Contact for lead author State Rangeland Management Specialist Date 06/20/2006 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
Rills are rare. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Slope gradients are typically less than 2% (1%) and water flow patterns are rare. Runoff is very slow with ponding common over most of the area. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Pedestals formed due to erosion are rare. Frost heaving and shrink-swell soil activity that affects shallow rooted plants are not indicators of soil erosion. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground ± 55%; surface rock fragments 5 to 15%; shrub canopy 15 to 25%; basal area for perennial herbaceous plants ± 10%. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Gullies are none to rare in areas of this site that occur on stable landforms. Where this site occurs adjacent to active stream channels, gullies and head cuts associated with channel entrenchment may be present. Gullies and head cuts should be healing or stable. -
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) is expected to move the distance of slope length during intense summer convection storms or rapid snowmelt events. Persistent litter (large woody material) will remain in place except during catastrophic 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 4 to 6 on the heavy clay surface 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 weak thick-platy at the immediate surface grading to massive below. Soil surface colors are light and the soils having an ochric epipedon are typical. Organic matter of the surface 2 to 4 inches is typically 1 to 2.5 percent, dropping off quickly below. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Runoff is medium to very high and ponding occurs in many areas. Deep-rooted perennial grass plants [i.e., Cusick''s bluegrass & needlegrasses]) increase infiltration. Infiltration is slow once the surface soil is wetted. 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 not typical. Platy or massive sub-surface horizons are not to be interpreted as compacted soil layers. -
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:
Reference Plant Community: Deep-rooted, cool season, perennial bunchgrasses >> low shrubs (early sagebrush). (By above ground production)Sub-dominant:
Shallow-rooted, cool season, perennial grasses and grass-like plants = associated shrubs = deep-rooted, cool season, perennial forbs = fibrous, shallow-rooted, cool season, annual and perennial forbs. (By above ground production)Other:
Additional:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Dead branches within individual shrubs are somewhat common and standing dead shrub canopy material may be as much as 15% of total woody canopy; some of the mature bunchgrasses (<10%) have dead centers. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Between plant interspaces (±25%) and litter depth is <½ inch. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
For normal or average growing season (through May) ± 700 lbs/ac; Spring moisture significantly affects total 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:
Cheatgrass, povertyweed, knapweeds, Russian thistle, annual mustards, and foxtail barley are invaders on this site. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All functional groups should reproduce in average (or normal) and above average growing season years.
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