Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R028AB306UT
Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South
Last updated: 6/12/2025
Accessed: 06/30/2026
-
Search
Major Land Resource Area or ecological site by name and/or ID.
PreviousSectionsNextGeneral information
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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 028A–Ancient Lake Bonneville
MLRA 28A occurs in Utah (82 percent), Nevada (16 percent), and Idaho (2 percent). It encompasses approximately 36,775 square miles (95,246 square kilometers). A large area west and southwest of Great Salt Lake is a salty playa. This area is the farthest eastern extent of the Great Basin Section of the Basin and Range Province of the Intermontane Plateaus. It is an area of nearly level basins between widely separated mountain ranges trending north to south. The basins are bordered by long, gently sloping alluvial fans. The mountains are uplifted fault blocks with steep side slopes. Most of the valleys are closed basins containing sinks or playa lakes. Elevation ranges from 3,950 to 6,560 feet (1,204 to 2000 meters) in the basins and from 6,560 to 11,150 feet (1996 to 3398 meters) in the mountains. Much of the MLRA has alluvial valley fill and playa lakebed deposits at the surface from pluvial Lake Bonneville, which dominated this MLRA 13,000 years ago. A level line of remnant lake terraces on some mountain slopes indicates the former extent of this glacial lake. The Great Salt Lake is what remains of the pluvial lake.
Mountains in the interior of this MLRA consist of tilted blocks of marine sediments from Cambrian to Mississippian age with scattered outcrops of Tertiary continental sediments and volcanic rocks. The average annual precipitation is 5 to 12 inches (13 to 30 cm) in the valleys and ranges up to 49 inches (124 cm) in the mountains. Most of the rainfall in the southern LRU occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms during the growing season (April through September). The driest period is from midsummer to early autumn in the northern LRU. Precipitation in winter typically occurs as snow. The average annual temperature is 39 to 53 °F (4 to 12 °C). The freeze-free period averages 165 days and ranges from 110 to 215 days, decreasing in length with increasing elevation. The dominant soil orders in this MLRA are Aridisols, Entisols, and Mollisols. Soils are dominantly in the mesic or frigid soil temperature regime, aridic or xeric soil moisture regime, and mixed mineralogy. The soils are generally well drained, loamy or loamy-skeletal, and very deep.LRU notes
The Basin and Range South LRU has mountain ranges that are about 40 percent sedimentary/metasedimentary (limestone/quartzite dominant) and about 40 percent Tertiary volcanics. The basin floors are generally higher in the southern LRU than in the north LRU between 4,900 and 6,100 feet (1,493 to 1,859 meters) in elevation. The Basin and Range South LRU also exhibits patterns of summers with a greater relative amount of precipitation in July and August coming from convective storms (ustic trending pattern). Pinyon and juniper ecological sites have a great percentage of pinyon pine (Pinus edulis or monophylla) than Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma), with pinyon pine up to 50 percent of the tree composition in the semidesert zones and more than 50 percent in upland zones. Warm season grasses, such as James’ galleta (Pleuraphis jamesii) or blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), are present within the plant community, and can make up a large portion of the subdominant grass composition. Bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) and cliffrose (Purshia sp.) are also present and dominant on some ecological sites in the southern LRU, while they are sparse or absent in the northern LRU.
Ecological site concept
The Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South ecological site is located on foothill lake terraces and benches as well as areas of fans that are located above 14 inches of effective precipitation (14 to 16 inches of effective precipitation is the typical range of Bonneville big sagebrush). This site also receives additional precipitation in the summer from convective storms. Bonneville big sagebrush is the dominant shrub. It is typically found in the zone between Wyoming big sagebrush (lower elevation, lower precipitation) and mountain big sagebrush (higher elevation and higher precipitation) and is a recognized hybrid between those species (Garrison et al. 2013).
Associated sites
R028AB310UT Upland Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South
This site will occur where there are fewer rock fragments.
R028AB320UT Upland Shallow Hardpan (Singleleaf pinyon-Utah juniper) South
This site will occur upslope.
R028AB334UT Upland Stony Loam (Wyoming sagebrush) South
This site is upslope.
R028AB338UT Upland Stony Loam (pinyon-Utah juniper) South
This site occurs upslope and is a pinyon and juniper site.
R028AY308UT Upland Gravelly Loam (Singleleaf Pinyon-Utah Juniper)
This site may occur in a mosaic with the Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South ecological site, where soils are moderately deep (20 to 40 inches).
Similar sites
R028AY066NV GRAVELLY LOAM 12-14 P.Z.
This site is located in the Nevada portion of 28A and is similar in community dynamics.
R028AY306UT Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville Big Sagebrush)
This site is located in the Basin and Range North LRU and does not recieve reliable summer precipitation to support warm season species.
R028AY307UT Upland Gravelly Loam (Wyoming Big Sagebrush)
The dominant sagebrush is Wyoming sagebrush. This site only occurs in the Basin and Range North LRU.
R028AB334UT Upland Stony Loam (Wyoming sagebrush) South
The soil has more rock fragments which effects the production of the site.
R028AB310UT Upland Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South
This site will have fewer rock fragments and more plant production.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. ×bonnevillensis
Herbaceous (1) Pseudoroegneria spicata
Physiographic features
The Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South site occurs on alluvial fans and hills. This site is found on all aspects at elevations between 6,000 and 6,800 feet (1,829 to 2,072 meters). Slopes are gentle to slightly steep (1 to 10 percent). Runoff is low to medium and flooding is very rare on this site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Lake terrace
(2) Bench
(3) Fan
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 6000 – 6800 ft Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate is characterized by warm, dry summers, cold, snowy winters and moist springs. October through May is the wettest part of the year and July to September is the driest, except for summer convective storms that occur. These storms are intermittent and may not occur reliably every year, however they do provide enough summer moisture to alter the plant community with warm season grasses. The effective moisture for plant growth is the 50 percent that falls during the plant dormant period, which wets the soil deeply in the spring and early summer.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) Freeze-free period (characteristic range) Precipitation total (characteristic range) 10-20 in Frost-free period (average) Freeze-free period (average) Precipitation total (average) 10 in BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
Due to its landscape position, the Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South site is not typically influenced by streams or wetlands. It can be influenced by overland flow during heavy thunder storms and/or during wetter spring runoff periods.
Soil features
The soils are deep and well to somewhat excessively drained. They formed in alluvium derived from acid and intermediate igneous rock and/or from residuum weathered from limestone. The surface layer is coarse sandy loam to very gravelly loam with 12 to 35 percent rock fragments. The subsoil has 18 to 43 percent rock fragments. Available water capacity ranges from 4 to 6 inches in the upper 40 inches of soil. The soil moisture regime is xeric and the soil temperature regime is mesic.
Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South proposed soil map units:
Soil Survey Area: Soil Components (Map units in parentheses)
Beaver County, Western Part (UT626): Snake Hollow (106, 119, 167, 206, 207, 208)
Iron-Washington Area (UT634): Bamos (318); Manderfield (409); WYE (517)
Beaver-Cove Fort Area (UT640): Phage (PkD2); Pharo (PtD); Snake Hollow (SLD)Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium – igneous rock
(2) Residuum – limestone
Surface texture (1) Coarse sandy loam
(2) Gravelly loam
(3) Gravelly sandy loam
Drainage class Well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class Slow to rapid Soil depth 60 – 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 12 – 27 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 8 % Available water capacity
(Depth not specified)3.6 – 5.6 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(Depth not specified)0 – 5 % Electrical conductivity
(Depth not specified)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(Depth not specified)7.9 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)18 – 35 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 8 % Ecological dynamics
These plant communities may not represent every possibility, but they are the most prevalent and repeatable plant communities. As more data is collected, some of these plant communities may be revised or removed and new ones may be added. None of these plant communities should necessarily be thought of as the “desired plant community”. According to the USDA NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook, the desired plant community will be determined by the decision makers and will meet minimum quality criteria established by the NRCS. The main purpose for including any description of a plant community here is to capture the current knowledge and experience at the time of this revision.
The Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South ecological site is dominated by perennial deep rooted cool season bunchgrasses and deep-rooted shrubs. Bonneville big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. Bonnevillensis [tridentata ssp. vaseyana x tridentata ssp. Wyomingensis], antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), and Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis) are the dominant shrubs. The perennial bunchgrasses that are co-dominant with the shrubs include bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudorogenaria spicata), slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), and Nevada bluegrass (Poa nevadensis syn. Poa secunda). These species generally have somewhat shallower root systems than the shrubs, but root densities are often as high as or higher than those of shrubs in the upper 0.5 m but taper off more rapidly than shrubs. General differences in root depth distributions between grasses and shrubs result in resource partitioning in these shrub/grass systems.
Bonneville big sagebrush is a hybrid between Wyoming big sagebrush and mountain big sagebrush (Garrison et al. 2013). It exhibits characteristics of both parent species and is found in the ecotone between the lower elevation Wyoming big sagebrush and higher elevation mountain big sagebrush. Bonneville big sagebrush occurs in moister areas and is often found growing with bitterbrush, serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and mountain snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus). While it can be difficult to separate Wyoming big sagebrush from Bonneville big sagebrush, it is important to identify this site because of its high utilization by native ungulates and birds (Winward 2004). Bonneville big sagebrush is found in a recurring pattern that can be predicted based on temperature, moisture, and elevation (Rivera et al. 2011). It is often found on Lake Bonneville terraces above the Wyoming sagebrush zone.
The Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South site is more productive and floristically diverse than the lower elevation Wyoming big sagebrush sites (Garrison 2006). This increase in productivity can be attributed to the increase in moisture availability due to the landscape position. Moisture used for plant growth is from water stored in the soil profile during the winter. Some precipitation may come in the summer months (June through August), it is however an unreliable source of moisture for plant growth.
Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) and singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) may be present on this site due to the proximity of the pinyon/juniper zone. This site is vulnerable to an increase in both pinyon and juniper trees without disturbances that keep the tree densities lower (i.e. fire). Singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper may dominate the site if there is time without disturbances and eventually out-compete mountain big sagebrush for water and sunlight, severely reducing both the shrub and herbaceous understory (Miller et al. 2000, Lett and Knapp 2005). Bluegrasses may remain underneath trees on north-facing slopes. The potential for soil erosion increases as the Utah juniper woodland matures and the understory plant community cover declines (Pierson et al. 2010).
The Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South ecological site has moderate resilience to disturbance and moderately low resistance to invasion (Miller et al. 2015). Resilience increases with elevation, aspect, increased precipitation, and increased nutrient availability. Long-term disturbance response may be influenced by small differences in landscape topography. Concave areas receive run-in from adjacent landscapes and consequently retain more moisture to support the growth of deep-rooted perennial grasses (i.e. bluebunch wheatgrass) whereas convex areas where runoff occurs are slightly less resilient and may have more shallow-rooted perennial grasses (i.e. squirreltail (Elymus elmoides) and muttongrass (Poa fendleriana). North slopes are also more resilient than south slopes because lower soil surface temperatures operate to keep moisture content higher on northern exposures.
Fire Ecology:
Bonneville big sagebrush has not specifically been researched regarding fire tolerance, but it is likely similar to Wyoming and Mountain big sagebrush which are killed by fire, and do not resprout (Miller et al. 2013). Plant community composition after a fire is influenced by what plants were present before the fire and their densities (Miller et al. 2013). Typically, plants that are tolerant to fire will return after the fire (this also will depend on the severity of the fire). Bluebunch wheatgrass is tolerant of fire and can reestablish to pre-fire densities within 3 years. If the density of deep-rooted perennial grasses is low before the fire, they will be low after the fire (Miller et al. 2013). Post-fire recovery of Bonneville big sagebrush sites has not been researched, however, mountain and Wyoming big sagebrush have been extensively researched. These two species have different recovery potentials base on site characteristics, like available soil moisture. Mountain big sagebrush can return to a 20 to 30 percent canopy cover within 20 to 30 years while Wyoming big sagebrush may never recover to pre-burn canopy cover (Miller et al. 2013). Recovery of big sagebrush is limited in the presence of cheatgrass either before or after fire (Miller et al. 2013). Rabbitbrush, snowberry, serviceberry, and bitterbrush may increase after fire depending on the severity of the fire. (Miller et al. 2013). The sprouting ability of antelope bitterbrush is variable and depends on fire season, severity, and age of the plant (Zlatnik 1999). Plants younger than 5 years or older than 40 years do not sprout well (Zlatnik 1999).
The introduction of annual weedy species, like cheatgrass, may cause an increase in fire frequency and eventually lead to an annual dominated community (Miller et al. 2013). Infilling by singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper may also occur with an extended fire return interval. Without fire or changes in management, pinyon and juniper will dominate the site and Bonneville big sagebrush will be severely reduced. The herbaceous understory will typically be reduced. The potential for soil erosion increases as the juniper woodland matures and the understory plant community cover declines. Catastrophic wildfire in juniper dominated sites may lead to an annual weed dominated site.
Livestock/Wildlife Grazing Interpretations:
Overgrazing leads to an increase in sagebrush and a decline in understory plants like bluebunch wheatgrass. Squirreltail will increase temporarily with further degradation. Invasion of annual weedy forbs and cheatgrass could occur with further grazing degradation, leading to a decline in squirreltail and an increase in bare ground. Wetter sites are more resistant to degradation and may end up having sagebrush and Sandberg bluegrass dominate the site. A combination of overgrazing and prolonged drought may lead to soil redistribution, increased bare ground and a loss in plant production. Bonneville big sagebrush can be utilized by native ungulates and birds (Winward 2004). Bluebunch wheatgrass is moderately grazing tolerant but is very sensitive to defoliation during the active growth period (Blaisdell and Pechanec 1949, Laycock 1967, Anderson and Scherzinger 1975). Sandberg bluegrass may slow reestablishment of deeper rooted bunchgrass, increase under grazing pressure (Tisdale and Hironaka 1981) and is capable of co-existing with cheatgrass. 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. 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. For example, Daubenmire (1970) found that heavy sheep grazing favors Sandberg bluegrass, while heavy cattle grazing favors cheatgrass.
Six possible alternative stable states have been identified for this ecological site. The Reference State contains four community phases, shrub/grass dominated, shrub dominated, grass dominated, and a fire tolerant phase. The primary drivers in this state are fire, drought, and/or insect of disease. The Current Potential State is like the Reference State; however, non-native species have been introduced in the system which alters the resilience and resistance of the state. The Shrub State occurs with time and lack of disturbance and/or inappropriate grazing management. The Annual State occurs after large fires or multiple fires that promote annual invasive species dominance over native shrubs and grasses. The Tree State occurs when there has been sufficient time for junipers and/or pinyon trees to increase in density and dominate the site dynamics. The Seeded State occurs with management with seeding of deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses. Specific community phases and transitions will be described in the narratives below.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
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
States 2, 5 and 6 (additional transitions)
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 6 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateThe Reference State (1) includes the plant communities that were best adapted to the unique combination of factors associated with this ecological site prior to European settlement. The site was in a natural dynamic equilibrium with the historic biotic, abiotic, and climatic factors at the time of European immigration and settlement. The dominant aspect of the plant community is Bonneville big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass.
Characteristics and indicators. This state will only have native species in the plant community.
Community 1.1
Bonneville big sagebrush /Perennial Cool Season Grasses ≥ Forbs ≥ Other Native ShrubsThis community is described in the initial plant list. This community is represented with 55 percent grasses, 25 percent forbs, and 20 percent shrubs. The dominant shrub, visually and in production, is the Bonneville big sagebrush. The dominant grass is bluebunch wheatgrass, and the dominant forb, visually, is arrowleaf balsamroot. This community has approximately 10 to 15 percent bare ground and surface rock fragments.
Figure 3. 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 200 950 1300 Shrub/Vine 150 500 810 Forb 95 350 630 Total 445 1800 2740 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0-0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 10-30% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 30-50% Forb foliar cover 20-30% Non-vascular plants 0-0% Biological crusts 0-0% Litter 10-20% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0-30% Surface fragments >3" 0-40% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 10-20% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – 1-1% 8-10% 5-8% >0.5 <= 1 – 1-4% 12-15% 8-20% >1 <= 2 – 5-10% 20-25% 2-5% >2 <= 4.5 – 8-30% 0-20% 0-2% >4.5 <= 13 0-1% – – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 4. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3061 , PNC. Excellent Condition.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 1 9 30 45 5 5 5 0 0 0 Community 1.2
Bonneville big sagebrush ≥ Other Native Shrubs ≥ Perennial Cool Season Grasses = ForbsThis community appears when the Bonneville big sagebrush increases enough to suppress the herbaceous understory and other shrubs, such as mountain snowberry, antelope bitterbrush, and Utah serviceberry. This community has approximately 10 to 20 percent bare ground and surface rock fragments.
Community 1.3
Antelope bitterbrush ≥ Perennial Cool Season Grasses ≥ Forbs ≥ Fire Tolerant ShrubsThis plant community occurs after a fire event (usually mid-temperature, fast moving fire associated with a summer convection thunderstorm. After the fire event, the Bonneville big sagebrush has been removed and replaced with antelope bitterbrush. Recovery of the Bonneville big sagebrush in this community phase may take 5 to 10 year, along with a proper episodic weather event year.
Community 1.4
Perennial Cool Season Grasses ≥ Forbs ≥ Fire Tolerant ShrubsThis community usually occurs when an intense fast-moving fire heats the ground and damages the antelope bitterbrush changing the dominant plant community. The plant community is represented with 65 percent grasses, 25 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. This community will likely have approximately 15 to 20 percent bare ground and surface rock fragments.
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2This pathway occurs over time and without a catastrophic event. This pathway may be dependent on a specific chain of climatic events.
Pathway 1.1b
Community 1.1 to 1.3This pathway occurs during a fire event, normally in mid-summer, when the fire is hot enough, and moves fast enough to kill the sagebrush and stimulate antelope bitterbrush growth.
Pathway 1.1c
Community 1.1 to 1.4This pathway occurs when fire, insects, prolonged drought, and/or pathogens that kill, reduce the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.3This pathway occurs during a fire event, normally in mid-summer, when the fire is hot enough, and moves fast enough to kill the sagebrush and stimulate antelope bitterbrush growth.
Pathway 1.2b
Community 1.2 to 1.4This pathway occurs when fire, insects, prolonged drought, and/or pathogens that kill, reduce the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
Pathway 1.3b
Community 1.3 to 1.1This pathway occurs over time and without a catastrophic event. This pathway may be dependent on a specific chain of climatic events.
Pathway 1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.4This pathway occurs when fire, insects, prolonged drought, and/or pathogens, reduce the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
Pathway 1.4a
Community 1.4 to 1.1Time without catastrophic event. This was probably dependent on a specific chain of climatic events.
State 2
Current Potential StateThe Current Potential State (2) includes the biotic communities that would become established on the ecological site if all successional sequences were completed without human interference under the present environmental conditions. Natural disturbances are inherent in its development. This State may include acclimatized, naturalized, or invasive non-native species. There is no known way to effectively remove these plants from the site once they have become established. The level of occurrence of these plants is such that careful management can prevent their domination of the site. This site is irreversibly changed. Plant communities within the Current Potential State (2) may be managed and used for various purposes without significant alteration in plant community composition or production. It includes all of the plant communities that exist in the Reference State (1) with the inclusion of species that are non-native to this ecological site.
All of these scenarios are very interrelated and dependent on weather patterns and events as well as fire frequency and intensity. The fire interval frequency is approximately 30 to 55 years. Any set of events that are strong enough to force the plant community out of this pattern can push it over a threshold and into another ecological state.
Characteristics and indicators. This state will be similar in community composition and dynamics to the Reference State with the exception of the inclusion of non-native species.
Community 2.1
Bonneville big sagebrush =≥ Perennial Cool Season Grass ≥ Forbs ≥ Other Native Shrubs ≥ Non-Native SpeciesThis plant community is described in the initial plant list. This community is represented with 55 percent grasses, 25 percent forbs, and 20 percent shrubs. The dominant shrub, visually and in production, is Bonneville big sagebrush. The dominant grass is bluebunch wheatgrass and the dominant forb, visually, is arrowleaf balsamroot. This community has approximately 10 to 15 percent bare ground and surface rock fragments. This community has notable amounts of non-native species.
Community 2.2
Bonneville Big Sagebrush ≥ Other Native Shrubs ≥ Perennial Cool Season Grass ≥ Forbs ≥ Non-Native SpeciesThis plant community appears when the Bonneville big sagebrush increases, suppressing the herbaceous understory and other shrubs such as mountain snowberry, antelope bitterbrush, and Utah serviceberry. This community has approximately 10 to 20 percent bare ground and surface rock fragments. This community has notable amounts of non-native species.
Community 2.3
Antelope Bitterbrush ≥ Perennial Cool Season Grass ≥ Forb Fire Tolerant Shrub ≥ Non-Native SpeciesThis plant community appears after a fire (usually a mid-temperature, fast moving fire, typically associated with summer convection thunderstorms). The Bonneville big sagebrush is replaced with antelope bitterbrush. Recovery of the Bonneville big sagebrush in this community will take approximately 5 to 10 years, along with a proper episodic weather event year. This community has notable amounts of non-native species.
Community 2.4
Perennial Cool Season Grass ≥ Forbs ≥ Fire Tolerant Shrubs ≥ Non-Native SpeciesThis community usually occurs after an intense fire that damages and reduces the antelope bitterbrush, The plant community is represented with 65 percent grasses, 25 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. This community has notable amounts of non-native species.
Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2This pathway occurs over time and without a catastrophic event. This pathway may be dependent on a specific chain of climatic events.
Pathway 2.1b
Community 2.1 to 2.3This pathway occurs during a fire event, normally in mid-summer, when the fire is hot enough, and moves fast enough to kill the sagebrush and stimulate antelope bitterbrush growth.
Pathway 2.1c
Community 2.1 to 2.4This pathway occurs when disturbances such as fire, insects, prolonged drought, pathogens, and/or overgrazing reduce the dominant shrub overstory. Fire and overgrazing are the most common of these disturbances.
Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.3This pathway occurs during a fire event, normally in mid-summer, when the fire is hot enough, and moves fast enough to kill the sagebrush and stimulate antelope bitterbrush growth.
Pathway 2.2b
Community 2.2 to 2.4This pathway occurs when disturbances such as fire, insects, prolonged drought, pathogens, and/or overgrazing reduce the dominant shrub overstory. Fire and overgrazing are the most common of these disturbances.
Pathway 2.3b
Community 2.3 to 2.1This pathway occurs over time and without a catastrophic event. This pathway may be dependent on a specific chain of climatic events.
Pathway 2.3a
Community 2.3 to 2.4This pathway occurs when disturbances such as fire, insects, prolonged drought, pathogens, and/or overgrazing reduce the dominant shrub overstory. Fire and overgrazing are the most common of these disturbances.
Pathway 2.4a
Community 2.4 to 2.1This pathway occurs over time and without a catastrophic event. This pathway may be dependent on a specific chain of climatic events.
State 3
Utah Juniper/Invasive Annual StateThe plant community moves to the Utah Juniper/Invasive Annual State (3) when there is a lack of fire, and a source of Utah juniper and pinyon seed. The dominate aspect of the plant community is Utah juniper and cheatgrass brome. This State can persist for a long time until an extreme event such as a fire or other management treatment such as overgrazing occurs.
Characteristics and indicators. This state will have noticeable presence of Utah juniper.
Community 3.1
Utah Juniper ≥ Bonneville big sagebrush ≥ Native Perennials ≥ Invasive AnnualsThis community has a strong overstory of Utah juniper and singleleaf pinyon, the understory is similar to community 2.1. This community has approximately 20 to 35 percent bare ground and surface rock fragments. Fire may bring this community back toward the Current Potential State (2).
Community 3.2
Utah Juniper ≥ Invasive AnnualsThis community is present when 99 percent of the native plants have been removed from the plant community and only pinyon and juniper with a sparse understory of invasive annuals remain on the site. This community has approximately 35 to 85 percent bare ground and surface rock fragments. Few native plants such as Sandberg bluegrass, may occur in this community phase.
Pathway 3.1a
Community 3.1 to 3.2This pathway occurs due to overgrazing, with or without drought, over a prolonged period of time.
Pathway 3.2a
Community 3.2 to 3.1This pathway occurs when disturbances such as fire, insects, prolonged drought, and/or pathogens, reduce the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
State 4
Bonneville Big Sagebrush/Broom Snakeweed State ≥ Invasive AnnualsThe Bonneville Big Sagebrush/Broom Snakeweed State (4) occurs when the site is overgrazed for a prolonged period of time. Drought, fire, mechanical disturbance, and other like disturbances will speed up the process.
Community 4.1
Bonneville Big Sagebrush ≥ Broom Snakeweed ≥ Sandberg Bluegrass ≥ Invasive AnnualsThis community has approximately 35 percent Bonneville big sagebrush, 35 percent broom snakeweed, and 15 percent grass and forb. When the air dry production is considered it would approximate 35 percent Bonneville big sagebrush, 55 percent broom snakeweed, and 10 percent grasses and forbs. Most of the grasses and forbs are non-native annuals. This community has approximately 20 to 35 percent bare ground and surface rock fragments.
Community 4.2
Broom Snakeweed ≥ Invasive Annuals ≥ Sandberg BluegrassThis plant community has lost the Bonneville big sagebrush and the invasive annuals have reduced the areas of Sandberg bluegrass. The broom snakeweed controls about 75 percent of the annual production. This community has approximately 35 to 40 percent bare ground and surface rock fragments.
Pathway 4.1a
Community 4.1 to 4.2This pathway occurs when disturbances such as fire, insects, prolonged drought, and/or pathogens, reduce the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
Pathway 4.2a
Community 4.2 to 4.1This pathway occurs over time, when management practices such as grazing are used, as well as the introduction of native or perennial plant species.
State 5
Yellow Rabbitbrush/Invasive Annuals StateThe Yellow Rabbitbrush/Invasive Annuals State (5) plant community occurs when it has been overgrazed and/or in a drought condition; and then burned (wild or controlled) and not seeded. The dominant aspect of the plant community is cheatgrass brome, yellow rabbitbrush, with a very small amount of Bonneville big sagebrush. The community will usually be made up of 70 percent cheatgrass brome, 10 percent forbs, and 20 percent yellow rabbitbrush with minor components of other shrubs.
Community 5.1
Yellow rabbitbrush ≥ Invasive AnnualsThis plant community consists of approximately 40 percent yellow rabbitbrush, 45 percent invasive annuals, and 10 percent native perennials with a small component of other species. This community has approximately 20 to 35 percent bare ground and surface rock fragments.
Community 5.2
Invasive AnnualsThis plant community consists of approximately 85 percent invasive annuals (mostly cheatgrass brome and Japanese brome [also known as field brome]), and 10 percent native perennials with a small component of other species. This community has approximately 20 to 40 percent bare ground and surface rock fragments.
Pathway 5.1a
Community 5.1 to 5.2This pathway occurs with increased fire frequency and intensity without follow-up management. Overgrazing can move this change along faster. In the Yellow Rabbitbrush/Invasive Annuals State (5) the fire interval frequency will remain at 3 to 5 years. This condition is self-sustaining and the site will keep deteriorating until the site potential is lost.
Pathway 5.2a
Community 5.2 to 5.1This pathway occurs over time, when management practices such as grazing are used, as well as the introduction of native or perennial plant species.
State 6
Seeded Range StateThe Seeded Range State (6) exists when the site is cultivated and/or burned, and then planted to introduced and/or native grasses and forbs.
Characteristics and indicators. This state consists of predominantly non-native seeded range species.
Community 6.1
Introduced Perennial PlantsThe plant community consists of introduced and/or native grasses and forbs. Productivity levels may compare to the productivity levels in the Current Potential State (2).
Community 6.2
Native Shrubs = Introduced Perennial PlantsThis pathway occurs over time, and when management practices such as grazing are used, as well as other disturbances where human intervention takes place to move the community back.
Pathway 6.1a
Community 6.1 to 6.2Time without catastrophic event. This was probably dependent on a specific chain of climatic events
Pathway 6.2a
Community 6.2 to 6.1Time and management of grazing alone or along with other disturbances where human intervention takes place to move the community back.
Transition T1a
State 1 to 2This transition occurs when there is an introduction of non-native species into the ecosystem.
Key drivers
-
Nonnative plant species presence and/or establishment
Transition T1b
State 1 to 4This pathway occurs when disturbances such as fire, insects, prolonged drought, pathogens, and/or overgrazing reduce the dominant shrub overstory. Fire and overgrazing are the most common of these disturbances.
Key drivers
-
Fire
-
Livestock grazing or browsing
-
Nonnative plant species presence and/or establishment
-
Fire frequency
Transition T2a
State 2 to 3This transition takes place when the sagebrush canopy is so heavy that it destroys the perennial grass and forb understory and the fire interval frequency increases to 60 to 90 years from an average of 20 to 40 years. Disturbances such as prolonged drought, overgrazing, and extreme lengthening of the fire interval frequency contribute to the introduction of Utah juniper on to the site.
Transition T2b
State 2 to 4This transition occurs due to prolonged drought and/or prolonged overgrazing.
Transition T2c
State 2 to 5This transition occurs due to continued overgrazing and an increase of fire frequency over a prolonged period of time.
Transition T3b
State 3 to 5This transition occurs due to continued overgrazing and an increase of fire frequency over a prolonged period of time.
Transition T3a
State 3 to 6This transition occurs due to disturbances caused by humans such as mechanical treatment and seeding, and/or chemical treatment and seeding.
Transition T4a
State 4 to 6This transition occurs due to disturbances caused by humans such as mechanical treatment and seeding, and/or chemical treatment and seeding.
Transition T5a
State 5 to 6This transition occurs due to disturbances caused by humans such as mechanical treatment and seeding, and/or chemical treatment and seeding.
Restoration pathway R6a
State 6 to 2This restoration pathway takes approximately 25 to 50 years. Time, along with proper management that favors the native plants may return them to the site. The time frame depends on management and on the precipitation amounts. If the site is at the 15- to 16-inch zone it will respond quicker than at the 14-inch level. Proper grazing management along with rest periods for the site may reduce the time it takes the restoration process.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Grazing Grazing Management Plan - Applied Transition T6a
State 6 to 3This transition takes place when the sagebrush canopy is so heavy that it destroys the perennial grass and forb understory and the fire interval frequency increases to 60 to 90 years from an average of 20 to 40 years. Prolonged drought, overgrazing, and extreme lengthening of the fire interval frequency are disturbances that contribute to the introduction of Utah juniper to the site.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Shrub/Vine0 Primary Shrubs 200–700 Bonneville big sagebrush ARTRB3 Artemisia tridentata ssp. ×bonnevillensis 145–330 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 95–260 – Utah serviceberry AMUT Amelanchier utahensis 95–260 – 3 Secondary Shrubs 60–260 Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 33–110 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 10–39 – slender buckwheat ERMI4 Eriogonum microthecum 10–39 – rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 10–39 – spineless horsebrush TECA2 Tetradymia canescens 10–39 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–26 – granite prickly phlox LIPU11 Linanthus pungens 5–26 – creeping barberry MARE11 Mahonia repens 5–20 – pricklypear OPUNT Opuntia 5–20 – Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 5–20 – Grass/Grasslike0 Primary Grasses 700–1100 bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 250–400 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 100–300 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 100–200 – 1 Secondary Grasses 95–195 Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 20–130 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 9–65 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 9–65 – thickspike wheatgrass ELLAL Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus 9–65 – Idaho fescue FEID Festuca idahoensis 9–65 – needle and thread HECOC8 Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata 9–65 – Grass, annual 2GA Grass, annual 15–65 – basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 28–65 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 28–65 – oniongrass MEBU Melica bulbosa 9–39 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 9–39 – Douglas' sedge CADO2 Carex douglasii 9–39 – Geyer's sedge CAGE2 Carex geyeri 9–39 – Forb0 Primary Forbs 95–195 western yarrow ACMIO Achillea millefolium var. occidentalis 28–65 – white sagebrush ARLUC8 Artemisia ludoviciana ssp. candicans 28–65 – arrowleaf balsamroot BASA3 Balsamorhiza sagittata 28–65 – tapertip hawksbeard CRAC2 Crepis acuminata 28–65 – 2 secondary forbs 50–300 Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 50–130 – Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 50–130 – purple milkvetch ASAG2 Astragalus agrestis 10–39 – silverleaf milkvetch ASAR4 Astragalus argophyllus 10–39 – Beckwith's milkvetch ASBE3 Astragalus beckwithii 10–39 – narrowleaf stoneseed LIIN2 Lithospermum incisum 5–39 – prairie flax LILEL2 Linum lewisii var. lewisii 10–39 – granite prickly phlox LIPU11 Linanthus pungens 10–39 – western stoneseed LIRU4 Lithospermum ruderale 5–39 – fernleaf biscuitroot LODI Lomatium dissectum 10–39 – Torrey's milkvetch ASCA9 Astragalus calycosus 10–39 – painted milkvetch ASCE Astragalus ceramicus 10–39 – Geyer's milkvetch ASGE Astragalus geyeri 10–39 – woollypod milkvetch ASPU9 Astragalus purshii 10–39 – Utah milkvetch ASUT Astragalus utahensis 10–39 – Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 10–39 – Anderson's larkspur DEAN Delphinium andersonii 10–39 – twolobe larkspur DENU2 Delphinium nuttallianum 10–39 – sanddune wallflower ERCAC Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum 5–39 – shaggy fleabane ERPU2 Erigeron pumilus 10–39 – Engelmann's aster EUEN Eucephalus engelmannii 10–39 – sticky purple geranium GEVI2 Geranium viscosissimum 10–39 – lambstongue ragwort SEIN2 Senecio integerrimus 10–39 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 10–39 – common sunflower HEAN3 Helianthus annuus 5–39 – showy goldeneye HEMU3 Heliomeris multiflora 10–39 – Gray's biscuitroot LOGR Lomatium grayi 10–39 – tailcup lupine LUCAC3 Lupinus caudatus ssp. caudatus 10–39 – smoothstem blazingstar MELAL3 Mentzelia laevicaulis var. laevicaulis 0–39 – lobeleaf groundsel PAMU11 Packera multilobata 10–39 – low beardtongue PEHU Penstemon humilis 10–39 – carpet phlox PHHOC Phlox hoodii ssp. canescens 10–39 – longleaf phlox PHLO2 Phlox longifolia 10–39 – foothill deathcamas ZIPA2 Zigadenus paniculatus 10–39 – Utah buttercup RAJO Ranunculus jovis 10–26 – longstalk springparsley CYLO Cymopterus longipes 10–26 – yellow owl's-clover ORLU2 Orthocarpus luteus 0–26 – Nevada biscuitroot LONE Lomatium nevadense 10–26 – Great Basin desertparsley LOSIS Lomatium simplex var. simplex 10–26 – manyflower stickseed HAFL2 Hackelia floribunda 10–26 – yellow fritillary FRPU2 Fritillaria pudica 10–26 – yellow avalanche-lily ERGR9 Erythronium grandiflorum 10–26 – fireweed CHANA2 Chamerion angustifolium ssp. angustifolium 0–26 – yellow spiderflower CLLUL Cleome lutea var. lutea 5–26 – miner's lettuce CLPEP Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata 10–26 – Rocky Mountain beeplant CLSE Cleome serrulata 5–26 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 10–26 – Macdougal's biscuitroot LOFOM Lomatium foeniculaceum ssp. macdougalii 10–26 – nettleleaf giant hyssop AGUR Agastache urticifolia 10–26 – tapertip onion ALAC4 Allium acuminatum 10–26 – Nevada onion ALNE Allium nevadense 10–26 – flatbud pricklypoppy ARMUR Argemone munita ssp. rotundata 0–20 – roundspike cryptantha CRHU2 Cryptantha humilis 5–20 – western tansymustard DEPIH Descurainia pinnata ssp. halictorum 5–20 – mountain tarweed MAGL2 Madia glomerata 0–20 – scarlet gilia IPAGA3 Ipomopsis aggregata ssp. aggregata 5–20 – flatspine stickseed LAOC3 Lappula occidentalis 5–20 – tufted evening primrose OECAM4 Oenothera caespitosa ssp. marginata 5–20 – pale evening primrose OEPA Oenothera pallida 5–20 – orpine stonecrop SEDE Sedum debile 0–10 – hookedspur violet VIADA Viola adunca var. adunca 1–10 – Nuttall's violet VINU2 Viola nuttallii 1–10 – goosefoot violet VIPUV2 Viola purpurea ssp. venosa 1–10 – Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 1.4 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 2.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 15. Community 2.4 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 16. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 17. Community 3.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 18. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 19. Community 4.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 20. Community 5.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 21. Community 5.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 22. Community 6.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 23. Community 6.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Supporting information
Other references
Anderson, E. W. and R. J. Scherzinger. 1975. Improving quality of winter forage for elk by cattle grazing. Journal of Range Management:120-125.
Blaisdell, J.P. and J.F. Pechanec. 1949. Effects of herbage removal at various dates on vigor of bluebunch wheatgrass and arrowleaf balsamroot. Ecology 30(3):298-305.
Daubenmire, R. 1970. Steppe Vegetation of Washington. 131 pp.
Garrison, H. 2006. Study of a putative hybrid taxon in the Artemisia tridentata complex. Master’s thesis, College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
Garrison, H. D., L. M. Shultz, and E. D. McArthur. 2013. Studies of a new hybrid taxon in the Artemisia tridentata (Asteraceae: Anthemideae) complex. Western North American Naturalist 73(1):1-19.
Laycock, W. A. 1967. How heavy grazing and protection affect sagebrush-grass ranges. Journal of Range Management:206-213.
Lett, M. S., and A. K. Knapp. 2005. Woody plant encroachment and removal in mesic grassland: Production and composition responses of herbaceous vegetation. American Midland Naturalist 153:217-231.
Miller, R.F., J.C. Chambers, D.A. Pyke, F.B. Pierson, and C.J. Williams. 2013. A review of fire effects on vegetation and soils in the Great Basin Region: response and ecological site characteristics. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-308. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 126 p.
Miller, R.F., J.C. Chambers, and M. Pellant. 2015. A field guide for rapid assessment of post-wildfire recovery potential in sagebrush and pinon-juniper ecosystems in the Great Basin: Evaluating resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasive annual grasses and predicting vegetation response. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-338. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 70 p.
Miller, R. F., T. J. Svejcar, and J. A. Rose. 2000. Impacts of western juniper on plant community composition and structure. Journal of Range Management:574-585.
Pierson, F. B., C. J. Williams, P. R. Kormos, S. P. Hardegree, P. E. Clark, and B. M. Rau. 2010. Hydrologic vulnerability of sagebrush steppe following pinyon and juniper encroachment. Rangeland Ecology & Management 63:614-629.
Rivera, S., L. Schultz, A.J. Hernandez, and R.D. Ramsey. 2011. GIS ordination approach to model distribution of shrub species in northern Utah. Natural Resources and Environmental Issues 17(25):1-12.
Tisdale, E. W. and M. Hironaka. 1981. The sagebrush-grass region: A review of the ecological literature. University of Idaho, Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station.
Winward, A.H. 2004. Sagebrush of Colorado: taxonomy, distribution, ecology and management. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver, CO.
Zlatnik, Elena. 1999. Purshia tridentata. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/purtri/all.html [2018, May 10].Contributors
Brock Benson
Approval
Kendra Moseley, 6/12/2025
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) Contact for lead author Date 06/30/2026 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:
Print Options
Sections
Font
AAAAOther
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.
Accessibility statement
