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Ecological site R028AB338UT
Upland Stony Loam (pinyon-Utah juniper) South
Last updated: 6/12/2025
Accessed: 09/23/2026
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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.
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 Stony Loam (pinyon-Utah juniper) South site is located on mountain slopes, hills, and ridges on gentle to steep slopes (3 to 60 percent) between 5,500 and 7,800 feet (1,674 to 2,377 meters). The soil is loamy-skeletal and moderately deep to lithic bedrock to deep. The soil was formed in alluvium derived from igneous and sedimentary rock. The precipitation ranges from 11 to 18 inches (279 to 457 mm). The dominant vegetation is pinyon pine and Utah juniper with an understory of mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana), antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), and Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides. Total canopy cover in the reference state is about 15 percent trees, 15 percent shrubs, 15 percent grasses, and forbs 5 percent.
Associated sites
R028AB306UT Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South
This site occurs downslope and is dominated by sagebrush.
R028AB324UT Upland Shallow Loam (Singleleaf pinyon-Utah juniper) South
This site occurs on shallow soil.
R028AB334UT Upland Stony Loam (Wyoming sagebrush) South
This is a sagebrush dominated site and may occur with the juniper site. The soils in the sagebrush site also have more rock fragments.
R028AB310UT Upland Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South
This site occurs lower on the landscape. This site also has fewer rock fragments in the soil.
Similar sites
R028AB324UT Upland Shallow Loam (Singleleaf pinyon-Utah juniper) South
This site is shallow and not moderately deep.
R028AB320UT Upland Shallow Hardpan (Singleleaf pinyon-Utah juniper) South
This site is shallow to a hardpan, not bedrock.
F028AY099NV PIMO-JUOS/ARTRV/PSSPS-POFE
This site is similar in species composition and productions, but has a shallow soil, steeper slope and is found higher in elevation.
R028AY308UT Upland Gravelly Loam (Singleleaf Pinyon-Utah Juniper)
This site is found at lower slopes and has fewer rock fragments.
R028AB334UT Upland Stony Loam (Wyoming sagebrush) South
This site is similar but is dominated by Wyoming sagebrush.
R028AY338UT Upland Stony Loam (Pinyon-Utah Juniper)
This is the similar site found in the Basin and Range North LRU. It will not have as much influence from summer precipitation and will have fewer or no warm season species in the plant community.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Pinus monophylla
(2) Juniperus osteospermaShrub (1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana
(2) Purshia tridentataHerbaceous (1) Pseudoroegneria spicata
(2) Achnatherum hymenoidesPhysiographic features
The Upland Stony Loam (pinyon-Utah juniper) South site occurs on mountain slopes, hills, and ridges. This site is found on all aspects at elevations between 5,500 and 7,800 feet (1,674 to 2,377 meters). Slopes are gentle to steep (3 to 60 percent).
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain slope
(2) Hill
(3) Ridge
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 1676 – 2377 m Slope 3 – 60 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate is characterized by warm, dry summers, cold, snowy winters and moist springs. The average annual precipitation is between 11 and 18 inches. 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 portion 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) 280-460 mm Frost-free period (average) Freeze-free period (average) Precipitation total (average) 380 mm BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
Due to its landscape position, the Upland Stony Loam (pinyon-Utah juniper) South site is not typically influenced by streams or wetlands. It can sometimes be influenced by overland flow during heavy thunder storms and/or during wetter spring runoff periods.
Soil features
The soils are moderately deep to deep and well to somewhat excessively drained. They may have contact with lithic bedrock within 40 inches of the soil surface, however most areas mapped do not have contact with bedrock in the top 60 inches. They formed in alluvium derived from igneous and sedimentary rock. The surface layer is very cobbly loam to cobbly loam with 0 to over 75 percent rock fragments. The subsoil is has between 0 to 70 percent rock fragments. Available water capacity ranges from 1 to 5 inches in the upper 40 inches of soil. A layer of carbonate accumulation is usually within 30 inches of the surface. The soil moisture regime is xeric and the soil temperature regime is mesic.
Soil Map Units that may contain this site:
Soil Survey Area: Soil Components (Map units in parentheses)
Beaver County, Utah-Western Part (UT626): Blue Star, Bodacious, Cokel, Phage, Sheeprock
Loa-Marysvale Area, Utah, Parts of Piute, Wayne and Garfield Counties (UT629): Red Butte, Sheeprock
Iron-Washington Area, Utah, Parts of Iron, Kane, and Washington Counties (UT634): Abela, Bamos, Bodacious, Fontreen, Moondog
Beaver-Cove Fort Area, Utah (UT640): Blue Star, Cokel, Maderfield, Phage, Pharo, Red Butte, Sheeprock, Snake Hollow, Snake Hollow variantTable 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium – igneous and sedimentary rock
Surface texture (1) Cobbly loam
(2) Very cobbly loam
Drainage class Well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class Moderate to moderately rapid Soil depth 152 – 0 cm Surface fragment cover <=3" 3 – 41 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 42 % Available water capacity
(Depth not specified)2.29 – 12.95 cm Calcium carbonate equivalent
(Depth not specified)0 – 20 % 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)7 – 40 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 30 % Ecological dynamics
This site is found in the Great Salt Lake Area of the Basin and Range Ecological Provence. It developed under the natural ecological conditions found there, including the normal influences of native wildlife herbivory, fire and climate. Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) and singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) are the dominant tree species. Mountain big sagebrush dominates the shrub layer. A mix of other shrubs including antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush and Utah serviceberry are commonly found. Perennial herbaceous species occurrence and production is directly related to overstory canopy density with bluebunch wheatgrass, Nevada bluegrass and Indian ricegrass found most often.
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).
Because of the sites stony, somewhat shallow soils and steep slopes, it is rarely chained and/or seeded to introduced forage species. Cheatgrass and annual forbs are most likely to invade this site.
As vegetative communities respond to changes caused by natural or manmade events that cause them to cross ecological thresholds, a return to previous states may not be possible. The amount of effort needed to affect desired vegetative shifts depends on the present biotic and abiotic features and the desired results.
Fire Ecology:
Infilling by younger trees increases canopy cover causing a decrease in understory perennial vegetation and an increase in bare ground. As pinyon and juniper trees increase in density so has their litter. Phenolic compounds of juniper scales can have an inhibitory effect on grass growth (Jameson 1970). Furthermore, infilling shifts stand level biomass from ground fuels to canopy fuels which has the potential to significantly impact fire behavior. The more tree dominated pinyon and juniper woodlands become, the less likely they are to burn under moderate conditions, resulting in infrequent high intensity fires (Gruell 1999, Miller et al. 2008). Additionally, as the understory vegetation declines in vigor and density with increased canopy the seed and propagules of the understory plant community also decrease significantly. The increase in bare ground allows for the invasion of non-native annual species such as cheatgrass and with intensive wildfire the potential for conversion to annual exotics is a serious threat (Tausch 1999, Miller et al. 2008). 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 controlled 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. 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.
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.
Three possible alternative stable states have been hypothesized for this ecological site. This site is similar to 028AY099NV developed in Nevada. The Reference State contains two community phases, tree/shrub/grass dominated and a tree/shrub dominated 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 Disturbance State occurs after large fires or multiple fires that promote annual invasive species dominance over native shrubs and grasses. Specific community phases and transitions will be described in the narratives below.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
SWAPAEHSWAPAEHSWAPAEHState 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateThe Reference State describes the various biotic communities that are expected to be found on this ecological site under natural conditions. This reference state has an overstory canopy of singleleaf and/or two-needle pinyon, with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. The shrub layer is typically dominated by mountain big sagebrush. A mixture of other shrubs including black sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush, and Utah serviceberry are commonly found. Bluebunch wheatgrass is the dominant herbaceous species with Nevada bluegrass and Indian ricegrass commonly occurring. Other native grasses, forbs, and shrubs will often produce a significant portion of vegetative composition in the plant community.
The Reference State is self-sustaining and resistant to change due to a good natural resilience to its natural disturbances. The primary natural disturbance mechanisms are wildlife population densities which can affect the shrub layer composition, weather fluctuations, and fire period.
Reference State: Natural plant communities as influenced by tree and shrub canopy densities, long term weather fluctuations, and periodic fire.
Indicators: These communities are dominated by pinyon/juniper, mountain big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass. The density of the tree and shrub canopies determines the amount and composition of the other native species present in the community.
Feedbacks: Natural fluctuations in weather patterns that allow for a self-sustaining tree, shrub and native grass community. Prolonged drought, an increase in fire frequency, or other disturbances may allow for the establishment of invasive species.
At-risk Community Phase: All communities are at risk when native plants are stressed and conditions are created that may allow invasive plants to establish.
Trigger: The establishment of invasive plant species.Community 1.1
Open Canopy - Pinyon/Juniper/Mountain Big Sagebrush/Bluebunch Wheatgrass Community PhaseThis community phase is characterized by an open overstory canopy of either singleleaf or two-needle pinyon along with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush is the dominant shrub. Antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush and Utah serviceberry are common understory shrubs. Commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include bluebunch wheatgrass, Nevada bluegrass, Geyer sedge and Indian ricegrass. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs are also often present. This community phase is fairly early in its natural fire cycle and, over time, the canopy of trees and shrubs will slowly close, reducing the sites herbaceous vegetation as described in community phase 1.2. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 55 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs, 25 percent shrubs, and 15% trees. Bare ground is variable (2 to 50 percent) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1 to 25 percent) and surface rock fragments (2 to 70 percent). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces.
Figure 3. 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)Shrub/Vine 157 308 448 Grass/Grasslike 146 280 404 Tree 56 84 123 Forb 34 56 90 Total 393 728 1065 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 10-10% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 20-30% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 10-30% Forb foliar cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 0% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 0% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (m) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.15 – – – – >0.15 <= 0.3 – – – – >0.3 <= 0.6 – – 20-30% 0-5% >0.6 <= 1.4 – 25-35% – – >1.4 <= 4 5-15% – – – >4 <= 12 – – – – >12 <= 24 – – – – >24 <= 37 – – – – >37 – – – – Figure 4. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381 , 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 0 10 30 45 5 5 5 0 0 0 Community 1.2
Closed Canopy - Pinyon/Juniper/Mountain Big Sagebrush/Bluebunch Wheatgrass Community PhaseThis community phase is characterized by a closed overstory canopy of either singleleaf or two-needle pinyon along with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush is the dominant shrub. Antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush, and Utah serviceberry are common understory shrubs. Commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include bluebunch wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, Nevada bluegrass, Geyer sedge, and Indian ricegrass. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs are also often present. This community phase typically occurs late in the sites natural fire cycle. Over time, the canopy of trees and shrubs will continue to slowly close, further reducing the sites herbaceous vegetation as described in community phase 1.1. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 20 percent grasses, 5 percent forbs, 40 percent shrubs, and 35 percent trees. Bare ground is variable (2 to 50 percent) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1 to 25 percent) and surface rock fragments (2 to 70 percent). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces.
Figure 5. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(kg/hectare)Representative value
(kg/hectare)High
(kg/hectare)Shrub/Vine 157 308 448 Grass/Grasslike 146 280 404 Tree 56 84 123 Forb 34 56 90 Total 393 728 1065 Table 9. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 10-10% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 20-30% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 10-30% Forb foliar cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 0% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 0% Table 10. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (m) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.15 – – – – >0.15 <= 0.3 – – – – >0.3 <= 0.6 – – 20-30% 0-5% >0.6 <= 1.4 – 25-35% – – >1.4 <= 4 5-15% – – – >4 <= 12 – – – – >12 <= 24 – – – – >24 <= 37 – – – – >37 – – – – Figure 6. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381 , 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 0 10 30 45 5 5 5 0 0 0 Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2This community pathway occurs when long-term drought and/or extended periods without fire allows canopies of Utah juniper and two-needle or singleleaf pinyon to significantly increase. This closing canopy event causes understory vegetation to be reduced and eventually nearly eliminated from the site. Drought alone can also reduce native perennial grass production and eventually eliminate some species from the system. Improper livestock grazing during these periods can facilitate this process.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1This community pathway occurs when weather patterns return to within normal ranges and some level of fire reduces Utah juniper and two-needle or singleleaf pinyon, significantly opening the sites canopy. Insect damage on singleleaf pinyon can also cause its canopy to be reduced on this site. This more open canopy allows understory vegetation to recover and increase in production, and under some circumstances, flourish on the site. Proper livestock grazing during these periods can facilitate this process.
State 2
Current Potential StateThe Current Potential State is similar to the Reference Sate except that non-native species are now present. This state describes the plant communities that may or have become established on this ecological site under various successional sequences and disturbance conditions. This state typically has a well developed overstory canopy composed of either two-needle or singleleaf pinyon with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush often dominates the shrub layer. Black sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush, and Utah serviceberry are common shrub species. Bluebunch wheatgrass is the dominant herbaceous species with Indian ricegrass, Nevada bluegrass and other perennial grasses and forbs also commonly found in abundance. Cheatgrass, alyssum, various mustard species and other non-native species are present on the site and, under certain circumstances, may visually dominate the sites aspect.
The primary disturbance mechanisms are the tree and shrub layer densities; the amount and kinds of invasive species present; weather fluctuations; and fire. The current potential state is still self-sustaining but may be losing its resistance to change due to the impact of disturbances with less resilience following those disturbances.
Current Potential State: Plant communities influenced by tree and shrub canopy density, long term weather fluctuations, and periodic fire. Invasive species are present in various amounts.
Indicators: A community dominated by pinyon/ juniper, mountain big sagebrush and bluebunch wheatgrass. The density of the tree and shrub canopies determines the amount and composition of the other native and introduced grasses and forbs that may be present.
Feedbacks: Natural fluctuations in weather patterns that allow for a self sustaining shrub and native grass community. Prolonged drought, more frequent fires, and/or other disturbances that may allow for the increase of invasive species.
At-risk Community Phase: All communities are at risk when native plants are stressed and nutrients become available for invasive plants to increase.
Trigger: A reduction of perennial grass and forb species combined with an increase of invasive plant species.Community 2.1
Open Canopy - Pinyon/Juniper/Mountain Big Sagebrush/Bluebunch Wheatgrass Invasive WeedsThis community phase is characterized by an open overstory canopy of either singleleaf or two-needle pinyon along with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush is the dominant shrub. Antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush, and Utah serviceberry are common understory shrubs. Commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include bluebunch wheatgrass, Nevada bluegrass, Geyer sedge, and Indian ricegrass. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs are also often present. Non-native species including cheatgrass, Russian thistle, and various annual mustard species are now present in the all plant communities and are expected to remain a permanent part of these communities. This community phase is fairly early in its natural fire cycle and, over time, the canopy of trees and shrubs will slowly close, reducing the sites herbaceous vegetation as described in community phase 2.2. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 40 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs, 30 percent shrubs, and 20% trees. Bare ground is variable (2 to 50 percent) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1 to 25 percent) and surface rock fragments (2 to 70 percent). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces.
Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 11. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(kg/hectare)Representative value
(kg/hectare)High
(kg/hectare)Shrub/Vine 157 308 448 Grass/Grasslike 146 280 404 Tree 56 84 123 Forb 34 56 90 Total 393 728 1065 Table 12. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 10-10% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 20-30% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 10-30% Forb foliar cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 0% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 0% Table 13. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (m) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.15 – – – – >0.15 <= 0.3 – – – – >0.3 <= 0.6 – – 20-30% 0-5% >0.6 <= 1.4 – 25-35% – – >1.4 <= 4 5-15% – – – >4 <= 12 – – – – >12 <= 24 – – – – >24 <= 37 – – – – >37 – – – – Figure 8. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381 , 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 0 10 30 45 5 5 5 0 0 0 Community 2.2
Closed Canopy - Pinyon/Juniper/Mountain Big SagebrushThis community phase is characterized by a closed overstory canopy of either singleleaf or two-needle pinyon along with lesser amounts of Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush is the dominant shrub. Antelope bitterbrush, black sagebrush, and Utah serviceberry are common understory shrubs. Herbaceous species including bluebunch wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, Nevada bluegrass, and Indian ricegrass are typically much reduced. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs may or may not be present. Non-native species including cheatgrass, Russian thistle, and various annual mustard species are now present in the all plant communities and are expected to remain a permanent part of these communities. This community phase typically occurs late in the sites natural fire cycle. Over time, the canopy of trees and shrubs will continue to slowly close, further reducing the sites herbaceous vegetation. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 25 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs, 30 percent shrubs, and 45 percent trees. Bare ground is variable (2 to 50 percent) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1 to 25 percent) and surface rock fragments (2 to 70 percent). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces.
Figure 9. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 14. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(kg/hectare)Representative value
(kg/hectare)High
(kg/hectare)Shrub/Vine 157 308 448 Grass/Grasslike 146 280 404 Tree 56 84 123 Forb 34 56 90 Total 393 728 1065 Table 15. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 10-10% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 20-30% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 10-30% Forb foliar cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 0% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 0% Table 16. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (m) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.15 – – – – >0.15 <= 0.3 – – – – >0.3 <= 0.6 – – 20-30% 0-5% >0.6 <= 1.4 – 25-35% – – >1.4 <= 4 5-15% – – – >4 <= 12 – – – – >12 <= 24 – – – – >24 <= 37 – – – – >37 – – – – Figure 10. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381 , 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 0 10 30 45 5 5 5 0 0 0 Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2This community pathway occurs when long-term drought and/or extended periods without fire allows canopies of Utah juniper and two-needle or singleleaf pinyon to significantly increase. This closing canopy event causes understory vegetation to be reduced and eventually nearly eliminated from the site. Drought alone can also reduce native perennial grass production and eventually eliminate some species from the system. Improper livestock grazing during these periods can facilitate this process.
Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.1This community pathway occurs when weather patterns return to within normal ranges and some level of fire reduces Utah juniper and two-needle or singleleaf pinyon, significantly opening the sites canopy. Insect damage on singleleaf pinyon can also cause its canopy to be reduced on this site. This more open canopy allows understory vegetation to recover and increase in production, and under some circumstances, flourish on the site. Proper livestock grazing during these periods can facilitate this process.
State 3
Disturbance StateThe Disturbance State describes the plant communities that may or have become established on this ecological site under various successional sequences and disturbance conditions. Two distinct community phases have been observed to date. The first describes the effects of recent crown fire, and the other describes communities where dense canopies of pinyon and juniper have been removed either by chaining, pushing or chainsaw cutting. Non-native species are normally present in all community phases. Vegetative communities are quite variable depending the disturbance mechanism and pre-disturbance conditions. Fire will normally also remove mountain big sage and other fire sensitive species while mechanical removal usually leaves these species. Bluebunch wheatgrass, Indian ricegrass, Nevada bluegrass, and other native perennial grass species are often abundant following fire but may also be reduced or missing following either disturbance. Western wheatgrass is usually still present on the site and along with invasive weedy species, including cheatgrass, alyssum, various mustard species, and other non-native species, may visually dominate the sites herbaceous layer.
The primary disturbance mechanisms include recent crown fire or the mechanical removal of the overstory of pinyon/juniper; a shrub layer comprised of various amounts of mountain big sagebrush; significant amounts of invasive herbaceous species present; weather fluctuations, and pre-disturbance conditions. This state may be losing its resistance to change due to the impact of these disturbances and may have less resilience following those disturbances.
Disturbance State: Plant communities impacted by the removal of overstory of pinyon/juniper; a shrub canopy that may or may not contain mountain big sagebrush; long term weather fluctuations; and periodic fire.
Indicators: The density of the remaining tree and shrub canopies following disturbance determines the amount and composition of the other native and introduced grasses and forbs that may be present.
Feedbacks: Natural fluctuations in weather patterns following the removal of pinyon/juniper that may impact the remaining native shrub and grass communities. Prolonged drought, improper livestock grazing and/or other disturbances that allow for the increase of invasive species.
At-risk Community Phase: All communities are at risk when native plants are stressed and nutrients become available for invasive plants to increase.
Trigger: A reduction of perennial grass and forb species combined with an increase of invasive plant species.Community 3.1
Recent Crown FireThis community phase is at the beginning of the sites natural fire cycle. It is created after a fire has recently (typically 1 to 5 years) removed most of the singleleaf or two-needle pinyon and Utah juniper from the site. Mountain big sagebrush, black sagebrush, and antelope bitterbrush have also been reduced but those species that are sprouters may be recovering. Commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include cheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, Nevada bluegrass, and Indian ricegrass. Non-native species are present in the all plant communities and are expected to remain a permanent part and potentially dominate these communities. Air dry composition of this site is approximately 65 percent grasses, 10 percent forbs, 20 percent shrubs, and 5 percent trees. Bare ground is variable (2 to 50 percent) depending on biological crust cover, which is also variable (1 to 25 percent) and surface rock fragments (10 to 70 percent). Biological crusts can vary from sites dominated by light cyanobacteria in the plant interspaces, with occasional moss and lichen pinnacles under shrub canopies, to those dominated by lichen and moss pinnacles as well as cyanobacteria in the site interspaces.
Figure 11. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 17. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(kg/hectare)Representative value
(kg/hectare)High
(kg/hectare)Shrub/Vine 157 308 448 Grass/Grasslike 146 280 404 Tree 56 84 123 Forb 34 56 90 Total 393 728 1065 Table 18. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 10-10% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 20-30% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 10-30% Forb foliar cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 0% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 0% Table 19. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (m) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.15 – – – – >0.15 <= 0.3 – – – – >0.3 <= 0.6 – – 20-30% 0-5% >0.6 <= 1.4 – 25-35% – – >1.4 <= 4 5-15% – – – >4 <= 12 – – – – >12 <= 24 – – – – >24 <= 37 – – – – >37 – – – – Figure 12. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381 , 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 0 10 30 45 5 5 5 0 0 0 Community 3.2
Recent Chaining/PushingThe site has been chain-sawed, mechanically chained or pushed to remove the overstory singleleaf or two-needle pinyon and Utah juniper. Mountain big sagebrush, antelope bitterbrush, and other shrubs may or may not be present. Native perennial grasses are typically much reduced or missing from the herbaceous layer. The site is occasionally seeded to smooth brome or intermediate wheatgrass. Various amounts of native grasses and forbs may still be present but often at reduced levels. Non-native species are present on the site and will be present in the seeded community. Some pinyon and juniper seedlings are also typically present in the community. The sites vegetative composition by air-dry weight is approximately 65 percent grasses and introduced weedy species, 10 percent forbs, 20 percent shrubs, and 5 percent trees.
Figure 13. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 20. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(kg/hectare)Representative value
(kg/hectare)High
(kg/hectare)Shrub/Vine 157 308 448 Grass/Grasslike 146 280 404 Tree 56 84 123 Forb 34 56 90 Total 393 728 1065 Table 21. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 10-10% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 20-30% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 10-30% Forb foliar cover 0-0% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 0% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 0% Table 22. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (m) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.15 – – – – >0.15 <= 0.3 – – – – >0.3 <= 0.6 – – 20-30% 0-5% >0.6 <= 1.4 – 25-35% – – >1.4 <= 4 5-15% – – – >4 <= 12 – – – – >12 <= 24 – – – – >24 <= 37 – – – – >37 – – – – Figure 14. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT3381 , 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 0 10 30 45 5 5 5 0 0 0 Transition T1A
State 1 to 2This transitional pathway occurs when any combination of improper livestock grazing, prolonged drought or other disturbance causes the perennial herbaceous community to become significantly reduced allowing non-native species such as cheatgrass, alyssum, Russian thistle, and other invasive weeds to become established. Broom snakeweed may also increase during this time. Once invasive species occupy the site, a threshold has been crossed. Cheatgrass, however, has been known to become established in healthy communities on this site.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3This transitional pathway occurs when a major fire or mechanical treatment removes nearly all the Utah juniper and any pinyon present from the site. A combination of improper livestock grazing, prolonged drought or other disturbance can slow the expected recovery of the perennial herbaceous community, allowing non-native species such as cheatgrass, alyssum, russian thistle and other invasive weeds to flourish. Broom snakeweed may also increase during this time. Fire tolerant shrubs will often recover quickly during these periods.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2This restoration pathway occurs when the site is well managed and fire is excluded for long periods of time. The natural fire cycle will be expected to occur but not for many years. The site will normally have a mix of native and introduced species including perennial grasses and annual and perennial grasses. Mountain big sagebrush will normally increase until it again dominates the shrub layer. Pinyon and Utah juniper will also return to normal, pre-disturbance levels during this time.
Additional community tables
Table 23. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Grasses 224–392 bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 140–196 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 67–101 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 34–67 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 34–67 – 4 Secondary Grasses 67–101 James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 22–34 – Geyer's sedge CAGE2 Carex geyeri 22–34 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 11–22 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 11–22 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 11–22 – saline wildrye LESAS Leymus salinus ssp. salinus 11–22 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 11–22 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 11–22 – Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 11–22 – Letterman's needlegrass ACLE9 Achnatherum lettermanii 11–22 – Columbia needlegrass ACNE9 Achnatherum nelsonii 11–22 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 11–22 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 11–22 – Forb2 34–67 tapertip hawksbeard CRAC2 Crepis acuminata 22–45 – fiddleleaf hawksbeard CRRU3 Crepis runcinata 11–22 – cushion buckwheat EROV Eriogonum ovalifolium 11–22 – shaggy fleabane ERPU2 Erigeron pumilus 11–22 – northern bedstraw GABO2 Galium boreale 11–22 – ballhead ipomopsis IPCOC3 Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta 11–22 – blue flax LIPE2 Linum perenne 11–22 – tailcup lupine LUCA Lupinus caudatus 11–22 – hoary tansyaster MACA2 Machaeranthera canescens 11–22 – lobeleaf groundsel PAMU11 Packera multilobata 11–22 – low beardtongue PEHU Penstemon humilis 11–22 – rock goldenrod PEPU7 Petradoria pumila 11–22 – Chambers' twinpod PHCH2 Physaria chambersii 11–22 – spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 11–22 – longleaf phlox PHLO2 Phlox longifolia 11–22 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 11–22 – Pacific aster SYCHC Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense 11–22 – yellow salsify TRDU Tragopogon dubius 11–22 – salsify TRPO Tragopogon porrifolius 11–22 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 11–22 – Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 11–22 – low pussytoes ANDI2 Antennaria dimorpha 11–22 – Utah milkvetch ASUT Astragalus utahensis 11–22 – Wyoming Indian paintbrush CALI4 Castilleja linariifolia 11–22 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 11–22 – maiden blue eyed Mary COPA3 Collinsia parviflora 11–22 – bastard toadflax COUM Comandra umbellata 11–22 – Shrub/Vine3 Primary Shrubs 280–420 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 168–224 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 78–112 – black sagebrush ARNO4 Artemisia nova 34–67 – Utah serviceberry AMUT Amelanchier utahensis 22–45 – Nevada jointfir EPNE Ephedra nevadensis 22–45 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 45–90 Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 11–22 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 11–22 – alderleaf mountain mahogany CEMO2 Cercocarpus montanus 11–22 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 11–22 – mormon tea EPVI Ephedra viridis 11–22 – slender buckwheat ERMI4 Eriogonum microthecum 11–22 – rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 11–22 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 11–22 – creeping barberry MARE11 Mahonia repens 11–22 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 11–22 – rock goldenrod PEPU7 Petradoria pumila 11–22 – Mexican cliffrose PUME Purshia mexicana 11–22 – Gambel oak QUGA Quercus gambelii 11–22 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 11–22 – mountain snowberry SYOR2 Symphoricarpos oreophilus 11–22 – spineless horsebrush TECA2 Tetradymia canescens 11–22 – Tree6 Trees 135–179 twoneedle pinyon PIED Pinus edulis 90–112 – singleleaf pinyon PIMO Pinus monophylla 90–112 – Utah juniper JUOS Juniperus osteosperma 22–45 – Table 24. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Grasses 112–224 Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 34–67 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 34–67 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 34–67 – bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 34–67 – 4 Secondary Grasses 67–101 James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 22–34 – Geyer's sedge CAGE2 Carex geyeri 22–34 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 11–22 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 11–22 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 11–22 – saline wildrye LESAS Leymus salinus ssp. salinus 11–22 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 11–22 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 11–22 – Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 11–22 – Letterman's needlegrass ACLE9 Achnatherum lettermanii 11–22 – Columbia needlegrass ACNE9 Achnatherum nelsonii 11–22 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 11–22 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 11–22 – Forb2 Secondary Forbs 34–67 tapertip hawksbeard CRAC2 Crepis acuminata 22–45 – fiddleleaf hawksbeard CRRU3 Crepis runcinata 11–22 – cushion buckwheat EROV Eriogonum ovalifolium 11–22 – shaggy fleabane ERPU2 Erigeron pumilus 11–22 – northern bedstraw GABO2 Galium boreale 11–22 – ballhead ipomopsis IPCOC3 Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta 11–22 – blue flax LIPE2 Linum perenne 11–22 – tailcup lupine LUCA Lupinus caudatus 11–22 – hoary tansyaster MACA2 Machaeranthera canescens 11–22 – lobeleaf groundsel PAMU11 Packera multilobata 11–22 – low beardtongue PEHU Penstemon humilis 11–22 – elephant grass PEPU2 Pennisetum purpureum 11–22 – Chambers' twinpod PHCH2 Physaria chambersii 11–22 – spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 11–22 – longleaf phlox PHLO2 Phlox longifolia 11–22 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 11–22 – Pacific aster SYCHC Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense 11–22 – yellow salsify TRDU Tragopogon dubius 11–22 – salsify TRPO Tragopogon porrifolius 11–22 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 11–22 – Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 11–22 – low pussytoes ANDI2 Antennaria dimorpha 11–22 – Utah milkvetch ASUT Astragalus utahensis 11–22 – Wyoming Indian paintbrush CALI4 Castilleja linariifolia 11–22 – naked mariposa lily CANU2 Calochortus nudus 11–22 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 11–22 – maiden blue eyed Mary COPA3 Collinsia parviflora 11–22 – bastard toadflax COUM Comandra umbellata 11–22 – Shrub/Vine3 Primary Shrubs 392–504 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 224–336 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 78–112 – black sagebrush ARNO4 Artemisia nova 34–67 – Utah serviceberry AMUT Amelanchier utahensis 22–45 – Nevada jointfir EPNE Ephedra nevadensis 22–45 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 45–90 Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 11–22 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 11–22 – alderleaf mountain mahogany CEMO2 Cercocarpus montanus 11–22 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 11–22 – mormon tea EPVI Ephedra viridis 11–22 – slender buckwheat ERMI4 Eriogonum microthecum 11–22 – rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 11–22 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 11–22 – creeping barberry MARE11 Mahonia repens 11–22 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 11–22 – rock goldenrod PEPU7 Petradoria pumila 11–22 – Mexican cliffrose PUME Purshia mexicana 11–22 – Gambel oak QUGA Quercus gambelii 11–22 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 11–22 – mountain snowberry SYOR2 Symphoricarpos oreophilus 11–22 – spineless horsebrush TECA2 Tetradymia canescens 11–22 – Tree6 Trees 247–291 twoneedle pinyon PIED Pinus edulis 135–179 – singleleaf pinyon PIMO Pinus monophylla 135–179 – Utah juniper JUOS Juniperus osteosperma 90–135 – Table 25. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Grasses 224–392 bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 140–196 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 67–101 – cheatgrass BRTE Bromus tectorum 34–67 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 34–67 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 34–67 – 4 Secondary Grasses 67–101 James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 22–34 – Geyer's sedge CAGE2 Carex geyeri 22–34 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 11–22 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 11–22 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 11–22 – saline wildrye LESAS Leymus salinus ssp. salinus 11–22 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 11–22 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 11–22 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 11–22 – bulbous bluegrass POBU Poa bulbosa 11–22 – Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 11–22 – Letterman's needlegrass ACLE9 Achnatherum lettermanii 11–22 – Columbia needlegrass ACNE9 Achnatherum nelsonii 11–22 – crested wheatgrass AGCR Agropyron cristatum 11–22 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 11–22 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 11–22 – red brome BRRU2 Bromus rubens 11–22 – Forb2 Secondary Forbs 34–67 tapertip hawksbeard CRAC2 Crepis acuminata 22–45 – fiddleleaf hawksbeard CRRU3 Crepis runcinata 11–22 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 11–22 – herb sophia DESO2 Descurainia sophia 11–22 – cushion buckwheat EROV Eriogonum ovalifolium 11–22 – shaggy fleabane ERPU2 Erigeron pumilus 11–22 – northern bedstraw GABO2 Galium boreale 11–22 – saltlover HAGL Halogeton glomeratus 11–22 – common sunflower HEAN3 Helianthus annuus 11–22 – ballhead ipomopsis IPCOC3 Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta 11–22 – prickly lettuce LASE Lactuca serriola 11–22 – blue flax LIPE2 Linum perenne 11–22 – tailcup lupine LUCA Lupinus caudatus 11–22 – hoary tansyaster MACA2 Machaeranthera canescens 11–22 – lobeleaf groundsel PAMU11 Packera multilobata 11–22 – low beardtongue PEHU Penstemon humilis 11–22 – elephant grass PEPU2 Pennisetum purpureum 11–22 – Chambers' twinpod PHCH2 Physaria chambersii 11–22 – spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 11–22 – longleaf phlox PHLO2 Phlox longifolia 11–22 – Russian thistle SAKA Salsola kali 11–22 – tall tumblemustard SIAL2 Sisymbrium altissimum 11–22 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 11–22 – Pacific aster SYCHC Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense 11–22 – yellow salsify TRDU Tragopogon dubius 11–22 – salsify TRPO Tragopogon porrifolius 11–22 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 11–22 – Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 11–22 – desert madwort ALDE Alyssum desertorum 11–22 – low pussytoes ANDI2 Antennaria dimorpha 11–22 – Utah milkvetch ASUT Astragalus utahensis 11–22 – Wyoming Indian paintbrush CALI4 Castilleja linariifolia 11–22 – naked mariposa lily CANU2 Calochortus nudus 11–22 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 11–22 – lambsquarters CHAL7 Chenopodium album 11–22 – crossflower CHTE2 Chorispora tenella 11–22 – maiden blue eyed Mary COPA3 Collinsia parviflora 11–22 – bastard toadflax COUM Comandra umbellata 11–22 – Shrub/Vine3 Primary Shrubs 280–420 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 168–224 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 78–112 – black sagebrush ARNO4 Artemisia nova 34–67 – Utah serviceberry AMUT Amelanchier utahensis 22–45 – Nevada jointfir EPNE Ephedra nevadensis 22–45 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 45–90 Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 11–22 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 11–22 – alderleaf mountain mahogany CEMO2 Cercocarpus montanus 11–22 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 11–22 – mormon tea EPVI Ephedra viridis 11–22 – slender buckwheat ERMI4 Eriogonum microthecum 11–22 – rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 11–22 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 11–22 – creeping barberry MARE11 Mahonia repens 11–22 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 11–22 – rock goldenrod PEPU7 Petradoria pumila 11–22 – Mexican cliffrose PUME Purshia mexicana 11–22 – Gambel oak QUGA Quercus gambelii 11–22 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 11–22 – mountain snowberry SYOR2 Symphoricarpos oreophilus 11–22 – spineless horsebrush TECA2 Tetradymia canescens 11–22 – Tree6 Trees 135–179 twoneedle pinyon PIED Pinus edulis 90–112 – singleleaf pinyon PIMO Pinus monophylla 90–112 – Utah juniper JUOS Juniperus osteosperma 22–45 – Table 26. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Grasses 112–224 cheatgrass BRTE Bromus tectorum 67–101 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 34–67 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 34–67 – bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 34–67 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 34–67 – 4 Secondary Grasses 67–101 sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 22–34 – James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 22–34 – bulbous bluegrass POBU Poa bulbosa 22–34 – red brome BRRU2 Bromus rubens 22–34 – Geyer's sedge CAGE2 Carex geyeri 22–34 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 11–22 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 11–22 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 11–22 – saline wildrye LESAS Leymus salinus ssp. salinus 11–22 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 11–22 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 11–22 – Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 11–22 – Letterman's needlegrass ACLE9 Achnatherum lettermanii 11–22 – Columbia needlegrass ACNE9 Achnatherum nelsonii 11–22 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 11–22 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 11–22 – Forb2 Secondary Forbs 34–67 tapertip hawksbeard CRAC2 Crepis acuminata 22–45 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 22–34 – herb sophia DESO2 Descurainia sophia 22–34 – desert madwort ALDE Alyssum desertorum 22–34 – lambsquarters CHAL7 Chenopodium album 22–34 – crossflower CHTE2 Chorispora tenella 22–34 – prickly lettuce LASE Lactuca serriola 22–34 – saltlover HAGL Halogeton glomeratus 22–34 – common sunflower HEAN3 Helianthus annuus 22–34 – Russian thistle SAKA Salsola kali 22–34 – tall tumblemustard SIAL2 Sisymbrium altissimum 22–34 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 11–22 – Pacific aster SYCHC Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense 11–22 – yellow salsify TRDU Tragopogon dubius 11–22 – salsify TRPO Tragopogon porrifolius 11–22 – ballhead ipomopsis IPCOC3 Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta 11–22 – blue flax LIPE2 Linum perenne 11–22 – tailcup lupine LUCA Lupinus caudatus 11–22 – hoary tansyaster MACA2 Machaeranthera canescens 11–22 – lobeleaf groundsel PAMU11 Packera multilobata 11–22 – low beardtongue PEHU Penstemon humilis 11–22 – elephant grass PEPU2 Pennisetum purpureum 11–22 – Chambers' twinpod PHCH2 Physaria chambersii 11–22 – spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 11–22 – longleaf phlox PHLO2 Phlox longifolia 11–22 – maiden blue eyed Mary COPA3 Collinsia parviflora 11–22 – bastard toadflax COUM Comandra umbellata 11–22 – low pussytoes ANDI2 Antennaria dimorpha 11–22 – Utah milkvetch ASUT Astragalus utahensis 11–22 – Wyoming Indian paintbrush CALI4 Castilleja linariifolia 11–22 – naked mariposa lily CANU2 Calochortus nudus 11–22 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 11–22 – cushion buckwheat EROV Eriogonum ovalifolium 11–22 – shaggy fleabane ERPU2 Erigeron pumilus 11–22 – northern bedstraw GABO2 Galium boreale 11–22 – fiddleleaf hawksbeard CRRU3 Crepis runcinata 11–22 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 11–22 – Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 11–22 – Shrub/Vine3 Primary Shrubs 392–504 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 224–336 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 78–112 – black sagebrush ARNO4 Artemisia nova 34–67 – Utah serviceberry AMUT Amelanchier utahensis 22–45 – Nevada jointfir EPNE Ephedra nevadensis 22–45 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 45–90 Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 11–22 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 11–22 – alderleaf mountain mahogany CEMO2 Cercocarpus montanus 11–22 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 11–22 – mormon tea EPVI Ephedra viridis 11–22 – slender buckwheat ERMI4 Eriogonum microthecum 11–22 – rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 11–22 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 11–22 – creeping barberry MARE11 Mahonia repens 11–22 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 11–22 – rock goldenrod PEPU7 Petradoria pumila 11–22 – Mexican cliffrose PUME Purshia mexicana 11–22 – Gambel oak QUGA Quercus gambelii 11–22 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 11–22 – mountain snowberry SYOR2 Symphoricarpos oreophilus 11–22 – spineless horsebrush TECA2 Tetradymia canescens 11–22 – Tree6 Trees 247–291 twoneedle pinyon PIED Pinus edulis 135–179 – singleleaf pinyon PIMO Pinus monophylla 135–179 – Utah juniper JUOS Juniperus osteosperma 90–135 – Table 27. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Grasses 224–392 bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 140–196 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 67–101 – cheatgrass BRTE Bromus tectorum 34–67 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 34–67 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 34–67 – 4 Secondary Grasses 67–101 James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 22–34 – Geyer's sedge CAGE2 Carex geyeri 22–34 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 11–22 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 11–22 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 11–22 – saline wildrye LESAS Leymus salinus ssp. salinus 11–22 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 11–22 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 11–22 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 11–22 – bulbous bluegrass POBU Poa bulbosa 11–22 – Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 11–22 – Letterman's needlegrass ACLE9 Achnatherum lettermanii 11–22 – Columbia needlegrass ACNE9 Achnatherum nelsonii 11–22 – crested wheatgrass AGCR Agropyron cristatum 11–22 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 11–22 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 11–22 – red brome BRRU2 Bromus rubens 11–22 – Forb2 Secondary Forbs 34–67 tapertip hawksbeard CRAC2 Crepis acuminata 22–45 – fiddleleaf hawksbeard CRRU3 Crepis runcinata 11–22 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 11–22 – herb sophia DESO2 Descurainia sophia 11–22 – cushion buckwheat EROV Eriogonum ovalifolium 11–22 – shaggy fleabane ERPU2 Erigeron pumilus 11–22 – northern bedstraw GABO2 Galium boreale 11–22 – saltlover HAGL Halogeton glomeratus 11–22 – common sunflower HEAN3 Helianthus annuus 11–22 – ballhead ipomopsis IPCOC3 Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta 11–22 – prickly lettuce LASE Lactuca serriola 11–22 – blue flax LIPE2 Linum perenne 11–22 – tailcup lupine LUCA Lupinus caudatus 11–22 – hoary tansyaster MACA2 Machaeranthera canescens 11–22 – lobeleaf groundsel PAMU11 Packera multilobata 11–22 – low beardtongue PEHU Penstemon humilis 11–22 – elephant grass PEPU2 Pennisetum purpureum 11–22 – Chambers' twinpod PHCH2 Physaria chambersii 11–22 – spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 11–22 – longleaf phlox PHLO2 Phlox longifolia 11–22 – Russian thistle SAKA Salsola kali 11–22 – tall tumblemustard SIAL2 Sisymbrium altissimum 11–22 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 11–22 – Pacific aster SYCHC Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense 11–22 – yellow salsify TRDU Tragopogon dubius 11–22 – salsify TRPO Tragopogon porrifolius 11–22 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 11–22 – Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 11–22 – desert madwort ALDE Alyssum desertorum 11–22 – low pussytoes ANDI2 Antennaria dimorpha 11–22 – Utah milkvetch ASUT Astragalus utahensis 11–22 – Wyoming Indian paintbrush CALI4 Castilleja linariifolia 11–22 – naked mariposa lily CANU2 Calochortus nudus 11–22 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 11–22 – lambsquarters CHAL7 Chenopodium album 11–22 – crossflower CHTE2 Chorispora tenella 11–22 – maiden blue eyed Mary COPA3 Collinsia parviflora 11–22 – bastard toadflax COUM Comandra umbellata 11–22 – Shrub/Vine3 Primary Shrubs 112–168 antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 78–112 – black sagebrush ARNO4 Artemisia nova 34–67 – mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 34–67 – Nevada jointfir EPNE Ephedra nevadensis 22–45 – Utah serviceberry AMUT Amelanchier utahensis 22–45 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 45–90 Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 11–22 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 11–22 – alderleaf mountain mahogany CEMO2 Cercocarpus montanus 11–22 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 11–22 – mormon tea EPVI Ephedra viridis 11–22 – slender buckwheat ERMI4 Eriogonum microthecum 11–22 – rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 11–22 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 11–22 – creeping barberry MARE11 Mahonia repens 11–22 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 11–22 – rock goldenrod PEPU7 Petradoria pumila 11–22 – Mexican cliffrose PUME Purshia mexicana 11–22 – Gambel oak QUGA Quercus gambelii 11–22 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 11–22 – mountain snowberry SYOR2 Symphoricarpos oreophilus 11–22 – spineless horsebrush TECA2 Tetradymia canescens 11–22 – Tree6 Trees 67–101 Utah juniper JUOS Juniperus osteosperma 22–45 – twoneedle pinyon PIED Pinus edulis 22–45 – singleleaf pinyon PIMO Pinus monophylla 22–45 – Table 28. Community 3.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Primary Grasses 224–392 bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 140–196 – intermediate wheatgrass THIN6 Thinopyrum intermedium 67–101 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 67–101 – smooth brome BRIN2 Bromus inermis 67–101 – cheatgrass BRTE Bromus tectorum 34–67 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 34–67 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 34–67 – 4 Secondary Grasses 67–101 James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 22–34 – Geyer's sedge CAGE2 Carex geyeri 22–34 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 11–22 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 11–22 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 11–22 – saline wildrye LESAS Leymus salinus ssp. salinus 11–22 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 11–22 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 11–22 – sixweeks fescue VUOC Vulpia octoflora 11–22 – bulbous bluegrass POBU Poa bulbosa 11–22 – Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 11–22 – Letterman's needlegrass ACLE9 Achnatherum lettermanii 11–22 – Columbia needlegrass ACNE9 Achnatherum nelsonii 11–22 – crested wheatgrass AGCR Agropyron cristatum 11–22 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 11–22 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 11–22 – red brome BRRU2 Bromus rubens 11–22 – Forb2 Secondary Forbs 34–67 tapertip hawksbeard CRAC2 Crepis acuminata 22–45 – fiddleleaf hawksbeard CRRU3 Crepis runcinata 11–22 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 11–22 – herb sophia DESO2 Descurainia sophia 11–22 – cushion buckwheat EROV Eriogonum ovalifolium 11–22 – shaggy fleabane ERPU2 Erigeron pumilus 11–22 – northern bedstraw GABO2 Galium boreale 11–22 – saltlover HAGL Halogeton glomeratus 11–22 – common sunflower HEAN3 Helianthus annuus 11–22 – ballhead ipomopsis IPCOC3 Ipomopsis congesta ssp. congesta 11–22 – prickly lettuce LASE Lactuca serriola 11–22 – blue flax LIPE2 Linum perenne 11–22 – tailcup lupine LUCA Lupinus caudatus 11–22 – hoary tansyaster MACA2 Machaeranthera canescens 11–22 – lobeleaf groundsel PAMU11 Packera multilobata 11–22 – low beardtongue PEHU Penstemon humilis 11–22 – elephant grass PEPU2 Pennisetum purpureum 11–22 – Chambers' twinpod PHCH2 Physaria chambersii 11–22 – spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 11–22 – longleaf phlox PHLO2 Phlox longifolia 11–22 – Russian thistle SAKA Salsola kali 11–22 – tall tumblemustard SIAL2 Sisymbrium altissimum 11–22 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 11–22 – Pacific aster SYCHC Symphyotrichum chilense var. chilense 11–22 – yellow salsify TRDU Tragopogon dubius 11–22 – salsify TRPO Tragopogon porrifolius 11–22 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 11–22 – Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 11–22 – desert madwort ALDE Alyssum desertorum 11–22 – low pussytoes ANDI2 Antennaria dimorpha 11–22 – Utah milkvetch ASUT Astragalus utahensis 11–22 – Wyoming Indian paintbrush CALI4 Castilleja linariifolia 11–22 – naked mariposa lily CANU2 Calochortus nudus 11–22 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 11–22 – lambsquarters CHAL7 Chenopodium album 11–22 – crossflower CHTE2 Chorispora tenella 11–22 – maiden blue eyed Mary COPA3 Collinsia parviflora 11–22 – bastard toadflax COUM Comandra umbellata 11–22 – Shrub/Vine3 Primary Shrubs 280–420 mountain big sagebrush ARTRV Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana 168–224 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 78–112 – black sagebrush ARNO4 Artemisia nova 34–67 – Utah serviceberry AMUT Amelanchier utahensis 22–45 – Nevada jointfir EPNE Ephedra nevadensis 22–45 – 5 Secondary Shrubs 45–90 Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) 11–22 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 11–22 – alderleaf mountain mahogany CEMO2 Cercocarpus montanus 11–22 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 11–22 – mormon tea EPVI Ephedra viridis 11–22 – slender buckwheat ERMI4 Eriogonum microthecum 11–22 – rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 11–22 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 11–22 – creeping barberry MARE11 Mahonia repens 11–22 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 11–22 – rock goldenrod PEPU7 Petradoria pumila 11–22 – Mexican cliffrose PUME Purshia mexicana 11–22 – Gambel oak QUGA Quercus gambelii 11–22 – skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 11–22 – mountain snowberry SYOR2 Symphoricarpos oreophilus 11–22 – spineless horsebrush TECA2 Tetradymia canescens 11–22 – Tree6 Trees 67–90 Utah juniper JUOS Juniperus osteosperma 22–45 – twoneedle pinyon PIED Pinus edulis 22–45 – singleleaf pinyon PIMO Pinus monophylla 22–45 – Interpretations
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Iron County, UT Township/Range/Section T14N R16W S3 General legal description 1500ft north 500ft east of SW corner of Section 3, Township 14N, Range 16W, Indian Peak, Iron County, Utah. Other references
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David J. Somorville
DJS
V. Keith WadmanApproval
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 09/23/2026 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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