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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.
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Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
Associated sites
R023XY216OR CLAYPAN 12-16 PZ
Claypan 12-16" PZ
R023XY318OR LOAMY 12-16 PZ
Loamy 12-16" PZ
Similar sites
R023XY218OR THIN SURFACE CLAYPAN 10-16 PZ
Thin Surface Claypan 10-16" PZ (shallow surface)
R023XY216OR CLAYPAN 12-16 PZ
Claypan 12-16" PZ (less rock fragments)
R023XY214OR CLAYPAN 10-12 PZ
Claypan 10-12" PZ (lower precipitation)
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Juniperus occidentalis
Shrub (1) Artemisia arbuscula
Herbaceous (1) Festuca idahoensis
(2) Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicataPhysiographic features
This site occurs on hills, ridges, and tablelands. Slopes range from 2 to 30 percent. Elevations range from 4000 to 6000 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
(2) Ridge
Elevation 4000 – 6000 ft Slope 2 – 30 % Water table depth 10 – 20 in Climatic features
The annual precipitation ranges from 12 to 16 inches. Most of which occurs as snow during the months of December through February. Spring rains are common. The soil temperature regime is frigid. Mean annual air temperature is 40 to 45 degrees F. The average frost-free period ranges from 50 to 80 days. The optimum growth period for native plants is from mid-May to mid-July.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 80 days Freeze-free period (average) 0 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
Soil features
The soils of this site are shallow and well-drained. Depth to bedrock is between 10 to 20 inches. Typically the surface textures are extremely stony silt loams with the surface layer being 0 to 4 inches thick. The subsurface textures range from gravelly clays to cobbly clays with depths ranging from 4 to 16 inches. Rock fragment content in the subsoil ranges from 10 to 35 percent. Percent clay content is 35 to 60 percent. Permeability is slow. The available water holding capacity is about 2 inches for the profile. The potential for wind and water erosion is slight. The shrink-swell potential is high.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Very stony sandy loam
(2) Gravelly
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Slow Soil depth 4 – 20 in Available water capacity
(0-40in)2 in Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)10 – 35 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)10 – 35 % Ecological dynamics
Range in Characteristics:
The reference native plant community is dominated by Idaho fescue, Bluebunch wheatgrass, Low sagebrush, and Western Juniper. Thurber needlegrass and Sandberg bluegrass is prominent. Other grasses, shrubs, and forbs are minor components. The vegetative composition of the community by air-dry weight to 4.5 feet is approximately 55 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs, and 35 percent shrubs and trees (5 mature trees over 120 years per acre).
Thurber needlegrass increases with gravelly textured soil surfaces. Bluebunch wheatgrass increases at lower elevation, lower precipitation ranges, and on southerly aspects.
Four states have been identified for this site: a reference state; a state with the presence of annuals; a state that has Juniper and Low sagebrush co-dominant on the site, and a state with annual dominance.
Reference: Stable plant community affected infrequently by fire. Sites are dominated with low sagebrush with some sites exhibiting a small percentage of old growth juniper. Infrequent fire (> 80 to 100 year intervals) maintained site dynamics. Fire reduced shrub cover in a mosaic, patchy pattern. The introduction of invasive annual grasses and forbs transitions into the state 2.
State 2: Compositionally similar to the reference state with a trace of cheatgrass and/or medusahead and other annual weeds. Ecological function has not changed, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced by the presence of invasive weeds. Infrequent fire (> 80 to 100 years) reduces shrub cover, removes young juniper and promotes grass production while time since fire allows shrub recovery. Mismanagement of grazing facilitates an increase in Sandberg’s bluegrass, weedy species, young juniper and low sagebrush. Bunchgrasses decline in production and density. Prescribed grazing can reverse the trend. Los of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses and an increase in young Juniper brings the site to State 3.
State 3: Low sagebrush and possibly young juniper dominated with minimal perennial, deep-rooted grasses. Cheatgrass and/or medusahead along with other weedy forbs are increased in density and cover. Sandberg’s bluegrass cover and vigor declining. Water flow paths evident. Sagebrush and possibly juniper control site resources. Catastrophic wildfire leading to annual dominated plant community will take the site to State 4.
State 4: Cheatgrass and/or medusahead dominated. Few old growth juniper may be present. Rabbitbrush increased with few to no low sagebrush. Wind and water erosion drive site processes.
Response to Disturbance:
As the site deteriorates, low sagebrush and Sandberg bluegrass increase in plant density, while Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass decrease.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 4. Group 10, STM
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
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
Historic Climax Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityThe potential native plant community is dominated by Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass, low sagebrush, and western juniper. Thurber needlegrass and Sandberg bluegrass are prominent. Other grasses, shrubs, and forbs are minor components. The vegetative composition of the community by air-dry weight to 4.5 feet is approximately 70 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs, and 20 percent shrubs and trees. Approximate ground cover is 35-45 percent (basal and crown).
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 427 581 735 Shrub/Vine 49 95 140 Tree 35 70 105 Forb 21 56 91 Total 532 802 1071 Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Perennial, deep-rooted, dominant 350–490 Idaho fescue FEID Festuca idahoensis 245–315 – bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 105–175 – 2 Perennial, deep-rooted, sub-dominant 35–105 Thurber's needlegrass ACTH7 Achnatherum thurberianum 35–105 – 4 Perennial, shallow-rooted, sub-dominant 35–105 Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 35–105 – 5 Other perennial grasses, all 7–35 squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 0–9 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 0–9 – bluegrass POA Poa 0–9 – Cusick's bluegrass POCU3 Poa cusickii 0–9 – Forb7 Perennial, all, dominant 7–21 phlox PHLOX Phlox 7–21 – 9 Other perennial forbs, all 14–70 common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 0–5 – agoseris AGOSE Agoseris 0–5 – pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria 0–5 – balsamroot BALSA Balsamorhiza 0–5 – Douglas' dustymaiden CHDO Chaenactis douglasii 0–5 – larkspur DELPH Delphinium 0–5 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 0–5 – common starlily LEMO4 Leucocrinum montanum 0–5 – desertparsley LOMAT Lomatium 0–5 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 0–5 – beardtongue PENST Penstemon 0–5 – phacelia PHACE Phacelia 0–5 – largehead clover TRMA3 Trifolium macrocephalum 0–5 – Shrub/Vine11 Perennial, evergreen, dominant 35–105 little sagebrush ARAR8 Artemisia arbuscula 35–105 – 15 Other perennial shrubs, all 14–35 yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 0–18 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 0–18 – Tree16 Perennial, evergreen, dominant 35–105 western juniper JUOC Juniperus occidentalis 35–105 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Grazing:
This site is moderately suitable for cattle, horse, and sheep use in late spring, summer, and fall under a planned grazing system. Rock fragments on the soil surface inhibit movement by livestock. Deferred grazing is recommended in at least one in three years. Grazing should be delayed until the soil is dry enough so that damage to plant roots and crowns is avoided.
Native Wildlife Associated with the Potential Climax Community:
Mule deer
Pronghorn antelope
Sage grouse
Quail
During spring, mule deer will feed in the area if adequate escape cover is nearby.Hydrological functions
The soils of this site have slow infiltration rates and slow to rapid runoff potential. The hydrologic soil group is D.
Wood products
The site has the potential for producing fence posts, firewood, and other specialty products.
Other information
Suitability for seeding is very poor because of the surface rock fragments. Bedrock restricts rooting depth and limits construction of water impoundments. Shallow soil depths limit placements of fence posts and make special design of fences necessary. The soil expands when wet and contracts when dry, which may damage structures and fences.
Supporting information
Contributors
Bob Gillaspy
Gene Hickman, NRCS - Bend, OR
M. Parks (OSU)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) Jeff Repp and Bruce Frannsen Contact for lead author State Rangeland Management Specialist for NRCS - OR Date 08/16/2012 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
None -
Presence of water flow patterns:
None -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
None to very few pedestals -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
10-20% -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None, Slight wind erosion hazard -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Fine - limited movement -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Moderately resistant to erosion: aggregate stability = 3-5 -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Shallow well drained extremely stony silt loams (0-4 inches thick) with subsoil having high shrink-swell potential: Moderate OM (2-4%) -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Low to moderate ground cover (35-45%) and gentle to moderate slopes (2-30%) moderately limit rainfall impact and overland flow -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None -
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:
Idaho fescue > Bluebunch wheatgrass > other grasses > shrubs > forbs > treesSub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Normal decadence and mortality expected -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Favorable: 900, Normal: 700, Unfavorable: 500 lbs/acre/year at high RSI (HCPC) -
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 and Medusahead invade sites that have lost deep rooted perennial grass functional groups. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species should be capable of reproducing annually
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