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Ecological site R025XY026NV

CHANNERY HILL

Accessed: 08/19/2026

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General information

Draft. A draft ecological site description is either incomplete or has not undergone quality control and quality assurance review.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 025X–Owyhee High Plateau

MLRA 25 lies within the Intermontane Plateaus physiographic province. The southern half is in the Great Basin Section of the Basin and Range Province. This part of the MLRA is characterized by isolated, uplifted fault-block mountain ranges separated by narrow, aggraded desert plains. This geologically older terrain has been dissected by numerous streams draining to the Humboldt River. The northern half of the area lies within the Columbia Plateaus geologic province. This part of the MLRA forms the southern boundary of the extensive Columbia Plateau basalt flows. Deep, narrow canyons drain to the Snake River which incise the broad volcanic plain. The Humboldt River, route of a major western pioneer trail, crosses the southern half of this area. Reaches of the Owyhee River in this area have been designated as National Wild and Scenic Rivers.
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.

Ecological site concept

This site occurs on hills, erosional fan remnants and partial ballenas on all aspects. Slopes range from 4 to 50 percent, but slope gradients of 8 to 30 percent are most typical. Elevations are 5000 to 6000 feet.

Average annual precipitation is 8 to 10 inches. Effective precipitation is much less due to shallow soils having low available water capacity and high surface runoff losses. Mean annual air temperature is 45 to 50 degrees F. The average growing season is about 100 to 120 days.

The soils associated with this site have a shallow effective rooting zone with depth to a hardpan or bedrock ranging from 5 to 20 inches. These soils have high gravel volumes throughout the soil profile. The available water capacity is very low. Soil fertility is low. The soil surface has 75 percent or more rock fragments that occupy plant growing space yet help to reduce evaporation and conserve soil moisture.

The representative plant community is dominated by black sagebrush, Sandberg bluegrass and Indian ricegrass. Potential vegetative composition is about 35% grasses, 15% forbs and 50% shrubs. Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 5 to 15 percent.

Associated sites

R025XY019NV	LOAMY 8-10 P.Z.
R025XY025NV	CHALKY KNOLL

R025XY019NV

LOAMY 8-10 P.Z.

R025XY025NV

CHALKY KNOLL

Similar sites

R025XY055NV	SHALLOW CLAY SLOPE 10-14 P.Z. PSSPS-ACTH7 codominant grasses; more productive site
R025XY057NV	SHALLOW CLAY LOAM 10-14 P.Z. PSSPS-ACTH7 codominant grasses; more productive site
R025XY025NV	CHALKY KNOLL ARTRW-ARNO4 codominant shrubs
R025XY024NV	MOUNTAIN RIDGE FEID dominant grass; higher elevations

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	(1) Artemisia nova
Herbaceous	(1) Poa secunda (2) Achnatherum hymenoides

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Physiographic features

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Hill (2) Erosion remnant (3) Ballena
Elevation	5000 – 6000 ft
Slope	4 – 50 %
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The climate associated with this site is semiarid, characterized by cold, moist winters and warm, dry summers.
The average annual precipitation ranges from 8 to 10 inches. Mean annual air temperature is about 45 to 50 degrees F.

Mean annual precipitation across the range in which this ES occurs is 9.85".

Monthly mean precipitation: January 1.00”; February 0.72”; March 0.87”; April 0.79”; May 1.32”; June 1.06”; July 0.47”; August 0.53”; September 0.59”; October 0.70”; November 0.84”; December 0.96”.

*The above data is averaged from the Elko AP and Contact WRCC climate stations.

Table 3 Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (average)	90 days
Freeze-free period (average)	120 days
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

Climate stations used

(1) ELKO RGNL AP [USW00024121], Elko, NV
(2) CONTACT [USC00261905], Jackpot, NV

Soil features

The soils associated with this site have a shallow effective rooting zone with depth to a hardpan or bedrock ranging from 5 to 20 inches. These soils have high gravel volumes throughout the soil profile. The available water capacity is very low. Soil fertility is low. The soil surface has 75 percent or more rock fragments that occupy plant growing space yet help to reduce evaporation and conserve soil moisture. Runoff is moderate to rapid. Surface rock fragments provide a stabilizing affect on surface erosion conditions.

Ecological dynamics

An ecological site is the product of all the environmental factors responsible for its development and has a set of key characteristics that influence a site’s resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasives. Key characteristics include 1) climate (precipitation and temperature), 2) topography (aspect, slope, elevation, and landform), 3) hydrology (infiltration and runoff), 4) soils (depth, texture, structure, and organic matter), 5) plant communities (functional groups and productivity), and 6) natural disturbance regime (fire, herbivory, etc.) (Caudle et al. 2013). Biotic factors that influence resilience include site productivity, species composition and structure, and population regulation and regeneration (Chambers et al. 2013).

This ecological site is dominated by deep-rooted cool season perennial bunchgrasses and long-lived shrubs (50+ years) with high root to shoot ratios. The dominant shrubs usually root to the full depth of the winter-spring soil moisture recharge, which ranges from 1.0 to over 3.0 meters (Dobrowolski et al. 1990). Root length of mature sagebrush plants was measured to a depth of 2 meters in alluvial soils in Utah (Richards and Caldwell 1987). However, community types containing black sagebrush as the dominant shrub were found to have soil depths and thus available rooting depths of 77 to 81 centimeters in a study in northeast Nevada (Jensen 1990). These shrubs have a flexible generalized root system with development of both deep taproots and laterals near the surface (Comstock and Ehleringer 1992).

Periodic drought regularly influences sagebrush ecosystems and drought duration and severity has increased throughout the 20th century in much of the Intermountain West. Major shifts away from historical precipitation patterns have the greatest potential to alter ecosystem function and productivity. Species composition and productivity can be altered by the timing of precipitation and water availability within the soil profile (Bates et al. 2006).

Native insect outbreaks are also important drivers of ecosystem dynamics in sagebrush communities. Climate is generally believed to influence the timing of insect outbreaks, especially with regard to sagebrush defoliator Aroga moth (Aroga websteri). Aroga moth infestations have occurred throughout the Great Basin in the 1960s, early 1970s, and has been ongoing in Nevada since 2004 (Bentz et al. 2008). Thousands of acres of big sagebrush have been impacted, with partial to complete die-off observed (Gates 1964, Hall 1965); the research is inconclusive regarding the damage sustained by black sagebrush populations.

Black sagebrush is generally long-lived therefore deeming it unnecessary for new individuals to recruit every year for perpetuation of the stand. Simultaneous low, continuous recruitment and infrequent large recruitment events are the foundation of population maintenance (Noy-Meir 1973). Survival of the seedlings is dependent on adequate moisture conditions.

The Great Basin sagebrush communities have high spatial and temporal variability in precipitation both among years and within growing seasons. Nutrient availability is typically low but increases with elevation and closely follows moisture availability. The invasibility of plant communities is often linked to resource availability. Disturbance can decrease resource uptake due to damage or mortality of the native species and depressed competition. It can also increase resource pools via the decomposition of dead plant material following disturbance. The invasion of sagebrush communities by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) has been linked to disturbances (fire, abusive grazing) that have resulted in fluctuations in resources (Chambers et al. 2007).

As ecological condition declines, downy rabbitbrush increases in density and perennial grasses are reduced in the understory. Cheatgrass, halogeton and annual mustards are species likely to invade this site.

This ecological site has low to moderate resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasion. Increased resilience increases with elevation, aspect, increased precipitation and increased nutrient availability. Three possible stable states have been identified for the Channery Hill ecological 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. Budsage is killed by fire. Sandberg 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. Its rapid maturation in the spring also reduces fire damage, since it is dormant when most fires occur. Indian ricegrass can be killed by fire, depending on severity and season of burn. Indian ricegrass reestablishes on burned sites through seed dispersed from adjacent unburned areas. Bottlebrush squirreltail's small size, coarse stems, and sparse leafy material aid in its tolerance of fire. Postfire regeneration occurs from surviving root crowns and from on- and off-site seed sources. Frequency of disturbance greatly influences postfire response of bottlebrush squirreltail. Undisturbed plants within a 6 to 9 year age class generally contain large amounts of dead material, increasing bottlebrush squirreltail's susceptibility to fire. Webber’s needlegrass is damaged by burning due to dense plant material that can burn slowly and long, charring to the growing points. Late summer and early fall fires are the least harmful.

Fire return intervals have recently been estimated at 100 to 200 years (Kitchen and McArthur 2007); however, fires were probably patchy and very infrequent due to the low productivity of these sites. Black sagebrush plants have no morphological adaptations for surviving fire and must reestablish from seed (Wright et al. 1979). The ability of black sagebrush to establish after fire is mostly dependent upon the amount of seed deposited in the seed bank the preceeding year. Seeds typically do not persist in the soil for more than one growing season (Beetle 1960). A few seeds may remain viable in soil for 2 years (Meyer 2008); however, even in dry storage, black sagebrush seed viability has been found to drop rapidly over time, from 81% to 1% viability after 2 and 10 years of storage respectively (Stevens et al. 1981). Thus, repeated frequent fires can eliminate black sagebrush from a site, though black sagebrush in zones receiving 12 to 16 inches of annual precipitation have been found to have greater fire survival (Boltz 1994). In lower precipitation zones, rabbitbrush may become the dominant shrub species following fire, often with an understory of Sandberg bluegrass and/or cheatgrass and other weedy species.

Sandberg bluegrass, the dominant grass on this site, has been found to increase following fire likely due to its low stature and productivity (Daubenmire 1975). Sandberg bluegrass may retard reestablishment of deeper rooted bunchgrass. Repeated frequent fire in this community will eliminate black sagebrush, Thurber’s needlegrass and other perennial bunchgrasses from these sites and facilitate the establishment of an annual weed community with varying amounts of Sandberg bluegrass, spiny hopsage and rabbitbrush.

Thurber’s needlegrass is very susceptible to fire. Burning has been found to decrease the vegetative and reproductive vigor of Thurber’s needlegrass (Uresk et al. 1976). Fire can cause high mortality as well as reduction in basal area and yield of Thurber’s needlegrass (Britton et al. 1990). The fine leaves and densely tufted growth form make this grass susceptible to subsurface charring of the crowns (Wright and Klemmedson 1965). Although timing of fire highly influences the response and mortality of Thurber’s needlegrass, smaller bunch sizes are less likely to be damaged by fire (Wright and Klemmedson 1965). Reestablishment on burned sites has been found to be relatively slow due to low germination and seedling vigor. In a controlled environment study, Thurber’s needlegrass was found to have a maximum germination rate of 25% under ideal conditions (Martens et al. 1994). However, Thurber’s needlegrass often survives fire and will continue growth when conditions are favorable (Koniak 1985). Regeneration of Thurber’s needlegrass is often dependent on competition from other species. Cheatgrass has been found to be a highly successful competitor with seedlings of this needlegrass and may preclude reestablishment (Evans and Young 1978). Thus, the initial condition of the bunchgrasses within the site along with seasonality and intensity of the fire contribute to individual species’ responses.

Indian ricegrass is fairly fire tolerant (Wright 1985), which is likely due to its low culm density and below-ground plant crowns. Indian ricegrass has been found to reestablish on burned sites through seed dispersed from adjacent unburned areas (Young 1983, West 1994); thus, the presence of surviving, seed-producing plants is necessary for reestablishment of Indian ricegrass. Grazing management following fire to promote seed production and establishment of seedlings is important.

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 text

State 1
Reference State

The Reference State is a representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. The reference state has three general community phases; a shrub-grass dominant phase, and a shrub dominant phase and a grass dominant phase. State dynamics are maintained by interactions between climatic patterns and disturbance regimes. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Plant community phase changes are primarily driven by fire, periodic drought and/or insect or disease attack. Utah juniper may be present on the site, but will only occur as scattered trees and will not dominate the site.

Community 1.1
Community Phase

The representative plant community is dominated by black sagebrush, Sandberg bluegrass and Indian ricegrass. Potential vegetative composition is about 35% grasses, 15% forbs and 50% shrubs. Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 5 to 15 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)
Shrub/Vine	38	50	100
Grass/Grasslike	26	35	70
Forb	11	15	30
Total	75	100	200

Community 1.2
Community Phase

This community phase is characteristic of a post-disturbance, early or mid-seral community. Indian ricegrass and Sandberg's bluegrass dominate. Depending on fire severity, patches of intact sagebrush may remain. Forbs may increase post-fire but will likely return to pre-burn levels within a few years. Sandberg bluegrass is stable within the community.

Community 1.3
Community Phase

Black sagebrush increases in the absence of disturbance. Decadent sagebrush dominates the overstory and the deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses in the understory are reduced either from competition with shrubs and/or from herbivory. Scattered Utah juniper may be present on the site.

Pathway a
Community 1.1 to 1.2

A low severity fire would decrease the overstory of sagebrush and allow for the understory perennial grasses and forbs to increase. Fires are typically low severity resulting in a mosaic pattern due to low fuel loads. A fire following an unusually wet spring facilitating an increase in fine fuels may be more severe and reduce sagebrush cover to trace amounts.

Pathway b
Community 1.1 to 1.3

Time and lack of disturbance such as fire allows for sagebrush to increase and become decadent. Long-term drought, herbivory, or combinations of these will cause a decline in perennial bunchgrasses and fine fuels leading to a reduced fire frequency and allowing black sagebrush to dominate the site. Sandberg bluegrass may increase in the understory depending on the grazing management.

Pathway a
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Time and lack of disturbance will allow black sagebrush to increase.

Pathway a
Community 1.3 to 1.2

State 2
Current Potential State

This state is similar to the Reference State 1.0 however with the addition of a fourth community phase. Ecological function of community phases 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 has not changed, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced by the presence of invasive weeds. Non-natives may increase in abundance but will not become dominant in this state. These non-native species can be highly flammable, and promote fire where historically fire had been infrequent. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Positive feedbacks reduce ecosystem resilience and stability of the state. These include the non-natives high seed output, persistent seed bank, rapid growth rate, ability to cross pollinate, and adaptations for seed dispersal.

Community 2.1
Community Phase

This community phase is compositionally similar to the Reference State Community Phase 1.1, with the addition of non-native species in trace amounts. Black sagebrush and Sandberg's bluegrass are dominant. Indian ricegrass is a sub-dominant species in the community. Forbs such as balsamroot are also common.

Community 2.2
Community Phase

This community phase is characteristic of a post-disturbance, early seral community where annual non-native species are present. Perennial grasses dominate the site with black sagebrush found in trace amounts. Forbs may increase post-fire and be a significant component for a number of years. Annual non-native species generally respond well after fire and may be stable or increasing within the community.

Community 2.3
Community Phase (at risk)

Black sagebrush dominates the overstory and perennial bunchgrasses in the understory are reduced, either from competition with shrubs or from inappropriate grazing, or from both. Rabbitbrush may be a significant component. Annual non-natives species may be stable or increasing due to lack of competition with perennial bunchgrasses. This site is susceptible to further degradation from inappropriate grazing management, drought, and fire. This community is at risk of crossing a threshold to State 3.0.

Community 2.4
Community Phase (at risk)

This community is at risk of crossing into an annual state. Native bunchgrasses dominate; however, annual non-native species such as cheatgrass may be sub-dominant in the understory. Annual production and abundance of these annuals may increase drastically in years with heavy spring precipitation. Seeded species may be present. Grazing management targeted at shrubs can decrease black sagebrush and increase perennial forbs. This site is susceptible to further degradation from grazing, drought, and fire.

Pathway a
Community 2.1 to 2.2

Fire reduces the shrub overstory and allows for perennial bunchgrasses and forbs to dominate the site. Fires are typically low severity resulting in a mosaic pattern due to low fuel loads. A fire following an unusually wet spring or a change in management favoring an increase in fine fuels may be more severe and reduce sagebrush cover to trace amounts. Annual non-native species are likely to increase after fire.

Pathway b
Community 2.1 to 2.3

Time and lack of disturbance allows for sagebrush to increase and become decadent. Long-term drought reduces fine fuels and leads to a reduced fire frequency, allowing black sagebrush to dominate the site. Inappropriate grazing management reduces the perennial bunchgrass understory.

Pathway c
Community 2.1 to 2.4

Grazing management targeted at shrubs (i.e. sheep) reduces black sagebrush canopy. Inappropriate sheep grazing management allows unpalatable forbs to increase. Higher than normal spring precipitation favors annual non-native species such as cheatgrass and can increase overall production on the site.

Pathway a
Community 2.2 to 2.1

Time and lack of disturbance and/or grazing management that favors the establishment and growth of sagebrush allows the shrub component to recover. The establishment of black sagebrush may take many years.

Pathway b
Community 2.2 to 2.4

Higher than normal spring precipitation favors annual non-native species such as cheatgrass. Non-native annual species will increase in production and density throughout the site. Perennial bunchgrasses may also increase in production.

Pathway a
Community 2.3 to 2.1

Grazing management that reduces shrubs will allow for the perennial bunchgrasses in the understory to increase. Heavy late-fall/winter grazing may cause mechanical damage to sagebrush thus promoting the perennial bunchgrass understory. Brush treatments with minimal soil disturbance will also decrease sagebrush and release the perennial understory. Annual non-native species are present and may increase in the community. A low severity fire would decrease the overstory of sagebrush and allow for the understory perennial grasses to increase. Due to low fuel loads in this State, fires will likely be small creating a mosaic pattern.

Pathway b
Community 2.3 to 2.2

Fire will decrease or eliminate the overstory of sagebrush and allow for the perennial bunchgrasses to dominate the site. Fires will typically be high intensity due to the dominance of sagebrush resulting in removal of the overstory shrub community. Annual non-native species respond well to fire and may increase post-burn. Brush treatment would reduce black sagebrush overstory and allow for perennial bunchgrasses to increase.

Pathway c
Community 2.3 to 2.4

Pathway a
Community 2.4 to 2.1

Rainfall patterns favoring perennial bunchgrasses. Less than normal spring precipitation followed by higher than normal summer precipitation will increase perennial bunchgrass production. Grazing management may allow for black sagebrush to increase.

Pathway b
Community 2.4 to 2.2

Rainfall patterns favoring perennial bunchgrasses. Less than normal spring precipitation followed by higher than normal summer precipitation will increase perennial bunchgrass production.

State 3
Shrub State

This state has two community phases; one with a decadent black sagebrush overstory, and one with a post-fire shadscale or rabbitbrush overstory, with a Sandberg bluegrass and/or galleta grass understory. Sagebrush cover exceeds site concept and may be decadent, reflecting stand maturity and lack of seedling establishment due to competition with mature plants. The shrub overstory and Sandberg bluegrass understory dominate site resources such that soil water, nutrient capture, nutrient cycling and soil organic matter are temporally and spatially redistributed. Bare ground and soil redistribution may be increasing.

Community 3.1
Community Phase

Decadent sagebrush dominates the overstory. Rabbitbrush and/or spiny hopsage may be significant components. Deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses may be present in trace amounts or absent from the community. Sandberg bluegrass and annual non-native species increase. Bare ground and erosion are increasing.

Community 3.2
Community Phase (at risk)

Sandberg bluegrass dominates the site. Rabbitbrush and spiny hopsage may be sprouting. Annual non-native species may be increasing and bare ground is significant. This site is at risk for significant soil erosion and for an increase in invasive annual weeds.

Pathway a
Community 3.1 to 3.2

Fire reduces black sagebrush to trace amounts and allows for sprouting shrubs such as rabbitbrush to dominate. Shadscale may also establish post-fire and become dominant. Inappropriate or excessive sheep grazing could also reduce cover of sagebrush and allow for shadscale or sprouting shrubs to dominate the community. Brush treatments with minimal soil disturbance would facilitate sprouting shrubs and/or Sandberg’s bluegrass.

Transition A
State 1 to 2

Trigger: This transition is caused by the introduction of non-native annual plants, such as cheatgrass and mustards. Slow variables: Over time the annual non-native species will increase within the community. Threshold: Any amount of introduced non-native species causes an immediate decrease in the resilience of the site. Annual non-native species cannot be easily removed from the system and have the potential to significantly alter disturbance regimes from their historic range of variation

Transition A
State 2 to 3

Trigger: To Community Phase 3.1: Inappropriate cattle/horse grazing will decrease or eliminate deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses, increase Sandberg bluegrass and favor shrub growth and establishment. To Community Phase 3.2: Severe fire will remove sagebrush overstory, decrease perennial bunchgrasses and enhance Sandberg bluegrass. Soil disturbing brush treatments and/or inappropriate sheep grazing will reduce sagebrush and potentially increase sprouting shrubs and Sandberg bluegrass and/or galleta grass. Slow variables: Long term decrease in deep-rooted perennial grass density and/or black sagebrush. Threshold: Loss of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses changes nutrient cycling, nutrient redistribution, and reduces soil organic matter. Loss of long-lived, black sagebrush changes the temporal and depending on the replacement shrub, the spatial distribution of nutrient cycling.

Restoration pathway A
State 3 to 2

Brush management; may be coupled with seeding of herbaceous species

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			19–40
	Sandberg bluegrass	POSE	Poa secunda	10–15	–
	Indian ricegrass	ACHY	Achnatherum hymenoides	5–15	–
	Webber needlegrass	ACWE3	Achnatherum webberi	2–5	–
	squirreltail	ELEL5	Elymus elymoides	2–5	–
2	Secondary Perennial Grasses			0–5
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	2–5	–
	phlox	PHLOX	Phlox	2–5	–
	goldenweed	PYRRO	Pyrrocoma	2–5	–
	wallflower	ERYSI	Erysimum	1–3	–
	pricklypear	OPUNT	Opuntia	1–3	–
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	1–3	–
	hedgehog cactus	ECHIN3	Echinocereus	1–3	–
	Thurber's needlegrass	ACTH7	Achnatherum thurberianum	1–3	–
	needle and thread	HECO26	Hesperostipa comata	1–3	–
Forb
3	Perennial			11–25
	shadscale saltbush	ATCO	Atriplex confertifolia	1–5	–
	spiny hopsage	GRSP	Grayia spinosa	1–5	–
	winterfat	KRLA2	Krascheninnikovia lanata	1–5	–
	buckwheat	ERIOG	Eriogonum	2–5	–
	phlox	PHLOX	Phlox	2–5	–
	goldenweed	PYRRO	Pyrrocoma	2–5	–
	wallflower	ERYSI	Erysimum	1–3	–
	pricklypear	OPUNT	Opuntia	1–3	–
	milkvetch	ASTRA	Astragalus	1–3	–
	hedgehog cactus	ECHIN3	Echinocereus	1–3	–
Shrub/Vine
4	Primary Shrubs			35–50
	black sagebrush	ARNO4	Artemisia nova	30–40	–
	bud sagebrush	PIDE4	Picrothamnus desertorum	5–10	–
5	Secondary Shrubs			5–20
	shadscale saltbush	ATCO	Atriplex confertifolia	1–5	–
	yellow rabbitbrush	CHVIP4	Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus ssp. puberulus	1–5	–
	spiny hopsage	GRSP	Grayia spinosa	1–5	–
	winterfat	KRLA2	Krascheninnikovia lanata	1–5	–

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 (%)

Interpretations

Animal community

Livestock Interpretations:
This site has limited value for livestock grazing because of its very low forage production. Grazing management should be keyed to Sandberg's bluegrass, Indian ricegrass and perennial grass production. 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.

Thurber’s needlegrass is an important forage source for livestock and wildlife in the arid regions of the West (Ganskopp 1988). Although the seeds are not injurious, grazing animals avoid them when they begin to mature. Sheep, however, have been observed to graze the leaves closely but leave stems untouched (Eckert and Spencer 1987). Heavy grazing during the growing season has been shown to reduce the basal area of Thurber’s needlegrass (Eckert and Spencer 1987), suggesting that both seasonality and utilization are important factors in management of this plant. A single defoliation, particularly during the boot stage, was found to reduce herbage production and root mass thus potentially lowering the competitive ability of this needlegrass (Ganskopp 1988). Repeated growing season grazing, particularly by sheep, can reduce or eliminate both Thurber’s needlegrass and black sagebrush, though growing season grazing by cattle may initially cause a decrease in the bunchgrass component and grant a competitive advantage to shrub species including black sagebrush (Eckert et al. 1972).

Indian ricegrass is a deep-rooted, cool season perennial bunchgrass that is adapted primarily to coarse textured soils. Indian ricegrass is a preferred forage species for livestock and wildlife (Cook 1962, Booth et al. 2006). This species is often heavily utilized in winter because it cures well (Booth et al. 2006). It is also readily utilized in early spring as it is a source of green feed before most other perennial grasses have produced new growth (Quinones 1981). Booth et al. (2006) note that the plant does well when utilized in winter and spring. Cook and Child (1971), however, found that repeated heavy grazing reduced crown cover, which may reduce seed production, density, and basal area of these plants. Additionally, heavy early spring grazing reduces plant vigor and stand density (Stubbendieck et al. 1985). In eastern Idaho, productivity of Indian ricegrass was at least 10 times greater in undisturbed plots than in heavily grazed ones (Pearson 1976). Cook and Child (1971) found significant reduction in plant cover after seven years of rest from heavy (90%) and moderate (60%) spring use. The seed crop may be reduced where grazing is heavy (Bich et al. 1995). Tolerance to grazing increases after May, thus spring deferment may be necessary for stand enhancement (Pearson 1964, Cook and Child 1971) but utilization of less than 60% is recommended. In summary, adaptive management is required to manage this bunchgrass well.

Reduced bunchgrass vigor or density provides an opportunity for Sandberg bluegrass expansion and/or cheatgrass and other invasive species to occupy interspaces, leading to increased fire frequency and potentially an annual plant community. Sandberg bluegrass increases under grazing pressure (Tisdale and Hironaka 1981) and is capable of co-existing with cheatgrass. Excessive sheep grazing favors Sandberg bluegrass; however, where cattle are the dominant grazers, cheatgrass often dominates (Daubenmire 1970). Depending on the season of use, the grazer and site conditions, either Sandberg bluegrass or cheatgrass may become the dominant understory with inappropriate grazing management.

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. Sandberg 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.

Bottlebrush squirreltail is very palatable winter forage for domestic sheep of Intermountain ranges. Domestic sheep relish the green foliage. Overall, bottlebrush squirreltail is considered moderately palatable to livestock.

Black sagebrush is an important browse species to domestic livestock. The domestic sheep industry that emerged in the Great Basin in the early 1900s was largely based on wintering domestic sheep in black sagebrush communities (Mozingo 1987). Domestic sheep will browse black sagebrush during all seasons of the year depending on the availability of other forage species, with greater amounts being consumed in fall and winter. Black sagebrush is generally less palatable to cattle than to domestic sheep and wild ungulates (McArthur et al. 1979), though cattle use of black sagebrush has also been shown to be greatest in fall and winter (Schultz and McAdoo 2002), with only trace amounts being consumed in summer (Van Vuren 1984).

Budsage is palatable and nutritious forage for domestic sheep in the winter and spring although it is known to cause mouth sores in lambs. Budsage can be poisonous or fatal to calves when eaten in quantity.

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. Black sagebrush palatability has been rated as moderate to high depending on the ungulate and the season of use (Horton 1989, Wambolt 1996). The palatability of black sagebrush increases the potential for negative impacts on remaining black sagebrush plants from grazing or browsing pressure following fire (Wambolt 1996). Pronghorn utilize black sagebrush heavily (Beale and Smith 1970). On the Desert Experiment Range, black sagebrush was found to comprise 68% of pronghorn diet even though it was only the third most common plant. Fawns were found to prefer black sagebrush, utilizing it more than all other forage species combined (Beale and Smith 1970).

Recreational uses

This site has minimal recreational potential. It is poor for camping, picnicking, hiking and hunting.

Wood products

None

Other products

Indian ricegrass was traditionally eaten by some Native American peoples. The Paiutes used seed as a reserve food source.

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. Indian ricegrass is well-suited for surface erosion control and desert revegetation although it is not highly effective in controlling sand movement. Bottlebrush squirreltail is tolerant of disturbance and is a suitable species for revegetation.

Supporting information

Type locality

Location 1: Elko County, NV
Township/Range/Section	T43N R63E S19
General legal description	About 25 miles north of Wells, Elko County, Nevada.
Location 2: Elko County, NV
Township/Range/Section	T46N R64E S19
General legal description	About 3 miles west of Highway 93 and about 8 miles southwest of Jackpot, Elko County, Nevada.

Other references

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

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Gates, D. H. 1964. Sagebrush infested by leaf defoliating moth. Journal of Range Management 17: 209-210.

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Contributors

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

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:

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