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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
R024XY001OR SODIC FLAT
Sodic Flat (thin sodic surface layer often with small scattered coppice mounds, drier site, limited spring ponding, surface seepage absent, lower production, different composition – SAVE4 & DISP dominant)
R024XY003OR SODIC BOTTOM
Sodic Bottom (thicker surface, surface seepage absent, greater production, different composition - SAVE4 & LECI4 dominant, DISP common)
R024XY005OR SODIC DUNES
Sodic Dunes (very deep sandy soils, steeper short slopes, lower sodic conditions, surface seepage absent, lower production, different composition – ARTRT-SAVE dominant shrubs, LECI4-ACHY common)
R024XY013OR LOW SODIC TERRACE 6-10 PZ
Low Sodic Terrace 6-10 PZ (deeper loamy sodic surface, higher drier position, surface seepage absent, lower production, different composition – SAVE4 dominant, ATCO, GRSP, PIDE4 & ELEL5 prominent, DISP & LECI4 minor)
R024XY114OR SODIC LAKE TERRACE
Sodic Lake Terrace (thicker loamy sodic surface, low terrace position, surface seepage absent, lower production, different composition- SAVE4/DISP-PUCCI association)
Similar sites
R024XY001OR SODIC FLAT
Sodic Flat (thin sodic surface layer often with small scattered coppice mounds, drier site, limited spring ponding, surface seepage absent, lower production, different composition – SAVE4 & DISP dominant)
R024XY114OR SODIC LAKE TERRACE
Sodic Lake Terrace (thicker loamy sodic surface, low terrace position, surface seepage absent, lower production, different composition- SAVE4/DISP-PUCCI association)
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Sporobolus airoides
(2) Distichlis spicataPhysiographic features
This site occurs below springs and seeps located on the edges of dry sodic lake basins and floodplains of perennial and intermittent drainage systems. It typically occurs as ephemeral sodic seepage areas. Slopes typically range from 0 to 3 percent. Elevations vary from 4,000 to 4,600 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Lake plain
(2) Alluvial flat
Flooding frequency None Ponding duration Long (7 to 30 days) Ponding frequency None to frequent Elevation 4000 – 4600 ft Slope 0 – 3 % Ponding depth 0 – 12 in Water table depth 0 – 36 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The annual precipitation ranges from 6 to 10 inches, most of which occurs in the form of rain and snow during the months of December through April. A variable supply of ephemeral surface and subsurface moisture augments the precipitation. The soil temperature regime is mesic to frigid near mesic with a mean air temperature of 48 degrees F. Temperature extremes range from 100 to -20 degrees F. The frost-free period ranges from 90 to 120 days. The optimum period for plant growth is from April to early June.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 120 days Freeze-free period (average) 0 days Precipitation total (average) 10 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 medium to fine textured, very deep and poorly drained. The surface layer is typically a shallow silt loam to very fine sandy loam over a clay subsoil over lacustrine sediments. Soils are sodic with surface pH’s ranging from 7.4 to 11.0. Surface seepage augments spring ponding. Permeability is slow to moderately slow. The available water holding capacity (AWC) is about 0.5 to 6 inches for the profile. A seasonal water table is present at 0 to 36 inches. The water erosion potential is slight due to the low elevation flat position of the site. The wind erosion potential is slight due to the ground cover.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Lacustrine deposits – basalt
(2) Alluvium – tuff
Surface texture (1) Silt loam
(2) Very fine sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Poorly drained Permeability class Slow to moderately slow Soil depth 72 – 0 in Available water capacity
(0-40in)0.5 – 5.6 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 15 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)2 – 32 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)2 – 200 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.4 – 11 Ecological dynamics
The potential native plant community is dominated by alkali sacaton and inland saltgrass. Sandberg (alkali) bluegrass and alkali cordgrass are common. Alkaligrass, scratchgrass (alkali muhly), other grasses, and a variety of forbs are present. Greasewood and other shrubs are minor. Vegetative composition of the community is approximately 90 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs and 5 percent shrubs. The approximate ground cover is 60 to 80 percent (basal and crown).
Range in Characteristics-
Soil surface characteristics and the duration of surface moisture strongly influence the composition and production of the site. In areas of greater surface soil depth, increased seepage and lower alkalinity, production of alkali sacaton, alkali bluegrass and other taller salt tolerant grasses (with deeper roots) will increase. With increasing surface alkalinity inland saltgrass becomes more dominant. As salts increase to high levels, areas of salt incrusted bare ground increase and saltgrass and other salt tolerant species decrease. At lower elevations and with an increase of surface sands, alkali sacaton will increase.
Response to Disturbance - States
When the condition of the site deteriorates as a result of improper grazing, alkali sacaton and other taller salt tolerant grasses decrease while inland saltgrass increases. With continued grazing pressure, inland saltgrass decreases, seepweed and other salt tolerant forbs increase slightly and areas of salt incrusted bare ground increase significantly. As organic matter is depleted from loss of vegetation and root structure, sodic/saline conditions are accentuated. Production decreases and site deterioration continues to occur in a cyclic pattern.
States: DISP- salt incrusted bare ground (degraded areas where sodic/salinity conditions are increasing)State and transition model
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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 CommunityThe reference native plant community is dominated by alkali sacaton and inland saltgrass. Sandberg (alkali) bluegrass and alkali cordgrass are common. Alkaligrass, scratchgrass (alkali muhly), other grasses and a variety of forbs are present. Greasewood and other shrubs are minor. Vegetative composition of the community is approximately 90 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs and 5 percent shrubs. The approximate ground cover is 60 to 80 percent (basal and crown).
Figure 4. 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 630 900 1080 Shrub/Vine 35 50 60 Forb 35 50 60 Total 700 1000 1200 Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Moderately-deep rooted bunchgrass 300–400 alkali sacaton SPAI Sporobolus airoides 300–400 – 2 Perennial, rhizomatous grass 200–300 saltgrass DISP Distichlis spicata 150–250 – 3 Shallow rooted bunchgrass 150–250 4 Moderately-deep rooted bunchgrass 50–100 alkali cordgrass SPGR Spartina gracilis 50–100 – 5 Other grasses and grass-like 20–100 basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 0–30 – beardless wildrye LETR5 Leymus triticoides 0–20 – scratchgrass MUAS Muhlenbergia asperifolia 5–20 – Lemmon's alkaligrass PULE Puccinellia lemmonii 0–20 – Nuttall's alkaligrass PUNU2 Puccinellia nuttalliana 0–20 – mountain rush JUARL Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis 0–20 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 0–10 – teal lovegrass ERHY Eragrostis hypnoides 0–5 – Forb6 Common forbs 15–45 iodinebush ALOC2 Allenrolfea occidentalis 5–15 – pickleweed SALIC Salicornia 5–15 – Pursh seepweed SUCA2 Suaeda calceoliformis 5–15 – 8 Other perennial forbs 5–40 povertyweed IVAX Iva axillaris 0–8 – dock RUMEX Rumex 0–8 – short-rayed alkali aster SYFR2 Symphyotrichum frondosum 1–5 – entireleaved thelypody THIN Thelypodium integrifolium 0–5 – small povertyweed MOPU3 Monolepis pusilla 0–5 – boraxweed NIOC2 Nitrophila occidentalis 0–5 – salt heliotrope HECU3 Heliotropium curassavicum 0–5 – woad ISATI Isatis 0–5 – Shrub/Vine10 Shrubs 10–40 rubber rabbitbrush ERNAO Ericameria nauseosa ssp. consimilis var. oreophila 0–20 – greasewood SAVE4 Sarcobatus vermiculatus 0–20 – silver buffaloberry SHAR Shepherdia argentea 0–20 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock grazing-
This site is suitable for livestock grazing use in the summer, fall and early winter under a planned grazing system. Use should be postponed until the soils are firm enough to prevent trampling damage and soil compaction. Grazing management should be keyed to alkali sacaton, alkali bluegrass and other taller salt tolerant grasses. The site can be easily damaged if heavily grazed during periods of alkali sacaton and alkali bluegrass flowering and seed formation when root reserves are low. Deferred grazing or rest is recommended at least once every three years.
Wildlife-
This site is used by mule deer, pronghorn antelope, rabbits, rodents, upland birds and various predators. It provides limited cover and winter spring forage for mule deer and antelope. Cover is fair when the ecological condition is high. Visibility is good for antelope.Hydrological functions
The soils of this site are typically at the lowest topographic position. It accumulates little off-site surface flows and when ponded has low runoff potential. The soils have low infiltration rates even when the vegetation cover is high. Hydrologic cover is high when the saltgrass and basin wildrye component is greater than 70 percent of potential. The soils are in hydrologic group D.
Other information
This site is not suitable for reseeding. Salt concentrations inhibit germination of presently available species. Soils are corrosive to steel.
Supporting information
Contributors
J.Joye(OSU)
NRCS/BLM Team - Vale (up-date)
SCS/BLM Team - Burns (original Authors)
SCS/BLM Team, BurnsRangeland 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) Bob Gillaspy Contact for lead author State Rangeland Management Specialist for NRCS Oregon Date 11/10/2016 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. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
5 - 20% -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
None. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
None. Slight to moderate wind ersoion hazard. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Limited movement of fine to moderately coarse litter. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Site is slightly to moderately resistant to erosion. Stability class (Herrick et al. 2001) anticipated to be 3-6 at surface under perennial vegetation. Stability class at surface in the interspaces is anticipated to be less than or equal to that under perennial vegetation. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Surface layer structure is weak thin platy to weak medium subangular blocky. The A horizon has a dry color of 4 - 6 and is 3 - 12 inches thick. The Soil Organic Matter (SOM) content is low to moderate (0 to 4%). -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Plant foliar cover and basal cover with small gaps between plants should reduce raindrop impact and slow overland flow, providing increased time for infiltration to occur. High herbaceous vegetation on this site will retain more water from precipitation. High ground cover (70-95%) and flat slopes (0-3%) effectively 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:
Shallow rooted bunchgrass > Shallow rooted rhizomatous grassSub-dominant:
Other Perennial Grasses = Forbs = ShrubsOther:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Grasses will nearly always show some mortality and decadence. Normal decadence and mortality expected on other plants. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Low 700 lbs/acre, Representative Value 1000 lbs/acre, High 1200 lbs/acre -
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:
Kochia, bassia, and foxtail barley are frequent invaders of this site. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All species should be capable of reproducing annually.
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