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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.
Associated sites
R026XY047NV DROUGHTY CLAYPAN 8-10 P.Z.
R026XY095NV GRANITIC CLAYPAN 8-12 P.Z.
Similar sites
R026XY047NV DROUGHTY CLAYPAN 8-10 P.Z.
ACSP12 dominant grass; less productive site; ATCO and PIDE4 important shrubs on site
R026XY101NV SANDY LOAM 8-10 P.Z.
More productive site; ACSP12 dominant grass
R026XY095NV GRANITIC CLAYPAN 8-12 P.Z.
ACSP12 dominant grass
R026XY088NV CLAY SLOPE 10-12 P.Z.
ACTH7 dominant grass; GLSPA major shrub
R026XY050NV GRAVELLY CLAY 10-12 P.Z.
ACTH7 dominant grass
R026XY091NV CHURNING CLAYPAN 10-12 P.Z.
POSE dominant grass; occurs on vertisols
R026XY097NV CHURNING CLAYPAN 8-10 P.Z.
More productive site; only occurs on vertisols of plateau summits; slopes less than 8 percent
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longicaulis
Herbaceous (1) Achnatherum hymenoides
Physiographic features
This site occurs on summits and sideslopes of fan remnants, on sand sheets of lower fan piedmonts and on mountain slopes. Slopes range from 2 to 50 percent. Elevations are 4100 to 6700 feet.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Fan remnant
(2) Sand sheet
(3) Mountain slope
Flooding frequency None Elevation 1250 – 2042 m Slope 2 – 50 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate associated with this site is semiarid, characterized by cool, moist winters and warm, dry summers. Average annual precipitation is 8 to about 10 inches. Mean annual air temperature is 49 to 51 degrees F. The average growing season is about 90 to 110 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) 100 days Freeze-free period (average) 0 days Precipitation total (average) 230 mm 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
There are no influencing water features associated with this site.
Soil features
The soils associated with this site are shallow and have formed in alluvium from mixed rock sources. The soil surface is coarse textured over a medium to fine-textured subsoil. Some soils have a relatively thick (± 20 inches) sandy surface horizon. Permeability is moderate slow and the soils are well drained. Available water capacity is very low. The soil associated with this site includes lithic Argixerolls.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Very stony sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Sandy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderately slow Soil depth 25 – 51 cm Surface fragment cover <=3" 22 – 24 % Surface fragment cover >3" 19 – 29 % Available water capacity
(0-101.6cm)3.05 – 3.3 cm Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-101.6cm)Not specified Electrical conductivity
(0-101.6cm)Not specified Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-101.6cm)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-101.6cm)6.1 – 7.8 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)22 – 24 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)19 – 29 % Ecological dynamics
As ecological condition declines, Lahonton sagebrush and Douglas' rabbitbrush increase as Indian ricegrass and fourwing saltbush decrease. Cheatgrass, halogeton, and Russian thistle are species most likely to invade this site.
Fire Ecology:
The mean fire return intervals for Lahontan sagebrush communities have been estimated to be from 35 to over 100 years. Fire most often occurs during wet years with high forage production. Lahontan sagebrush is very susceptible to fire damage. Lahontan 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 Lahontan sagebrush may re-grow from living branches, but sprouting does not 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.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 textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Reference Plant CommunityThe reference plant community is dominated by Lahontan sagebrush and Indian ricegrass. Spiny hopsage, fourwing saltbush, winterfat, and needleandthread are other important species associated with this site. Potential vegetative composition is about 55% grasses, 5% forbs and 40% 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
(kg/hectare)Representative value
(kg/hectare)High
(kg/hectare)Grass/Grasslike 154 277 432 Shrub/Vine 112 202 314 Forb 15 26 39 Total 281 505 785 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 178–344 Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 151–228 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 26–76 – desert needlegrass ACSP12 Achnatherum speciosum 1–40 – 2 Secondary Perennial Grasses 10–26 squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 2–16 – basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 2–16 – Forb3 Perennial 10–40 milkvetch ASTRA Astragalus 2–10 – desertparsley LOMAT Lomatium 2–10 – lupine LUPIN Lupinus 2–10 – Shrub/Vine4 Primary Shrubs 123–324 little sagebrush ARARL3 Artemisia arbuscula ssp. longicaulis 76–151 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 26–76 – spiny hopsage GRSP Grayia spinosa 10–40 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 10–40 – Nevada jointfir EPNE Ephedra nevadensis 1–16 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 10–40 shadscale saltbush ATCO Atriplex confertifolia 6–16 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 6–16 – desert peach PRAN2 Prunus andersonii 6–16 – Nevada dalea PSPO Psorothamnus polydenius 6–16 – littleleaf horsebrush TEGL Tetradymia glabrata 6–16 – Interpretations
Animal community
Livestock Interpretations:
This site is suited to livestock grazing. Grazing management should be keyed to Indian ricegrass production. Indian ricegrass has good forage value for domestic sheep, cattle and horses. It supplies a source of green feed before most other native grasses have produced much new growth. Lahontan 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.
Lahontan 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:
Lahontan 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 Lahontan 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. Leks are often located on low sagebrush sites, grassy openings, dry meadows, ridgetops, and disturbed sites. Indian ricegrass is an important forage species for several wildlife species. Indian ricegrass is also an important forage species for several wildlife species.Hydrological functions
Runoff is low, permeability is moderately slow.
Recreational uses
Aesthetic value is derived from the diverse floral and faunal composition and the colorful flowering of wildflowers and shrubs during the spring and early summer. This site is used for camping and hiking and has potential for upland and big game hunting.
Other products
Indian ricegrass was traditionally eaten by some Native American peoples. The Paiutes used seed as a reserve food source.
Other information
Indian ricegrass is well-suited for surface erosion control and desert revegetation although it is not highly effective in controlling sand movement.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Washoe County, NV Township/Range/Section T22N R23E S13 General legal description Approximately 5¼ miles south of Nixon on east side of State Route 34, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Washoe County, Nevada. Location 2: Washoe County, NV UTM zone N UTM northing 4447465 UTM easting 0266502 General legal description Approximately 15 miles north of Sutcliff on northwest side of Pyramid Lake, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, 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
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
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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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:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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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:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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