Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R028AY020UT
Wet Fresh Meadow
Last updated: 5/02/2025
Accessed: 08/05/2026
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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.
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Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
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 2,000 meters) in the basins and from 6,560 to 11,150 feet (1,996 to 3,398 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 Salt Desert/Wetland LRU consists of all the run-in ecological sites. Run-in sites occur in landform positions that receive additional moisture either through overland flow or subsurface water flow. Typical landforms are basin floors, lake plains, low lake terraces, depressional areas, drainageways, and flood plains. Sites within this LRU typically have water table depths of less than 60 inches (152 cm). Wetland plants, pickleweed (Salicornia sp.) and/or greasewood (Sarcorbatus vermiculatus) are dominant in the plant communities.
Ecological site concept
The Wet Fresh Meadow site occurs on nearly level alluvial bottoms, flood plains, and lake terrace in depressional areas. The water table is typically at the soil surface to 30 inches below the soil surface through out the year. Soils on are poorly drained and are wet at shallow depths during the growing season. Plants, like sedges and rushes, adapted to year-round wet conditions are dominant.
Associated sites
R028AY012UT Semiwet Fresh Meadow
This site is also a similar site with soil, hydrology, and vegetation differentiae.
R028AY022UT Wet Fresh Streambank
This site occurs adjacent to stream channels.
R028AY025UT Lakeshore Marsh
This site occurs lower in the landscape around ponded water.
R028AY014UT Semiwet Fresh Streambank
This site occurs on drier soils on flood plain/floodplainsteps.
R028AY010UT Semiwet Saline Meadow
This site occurs in wet sites that are influenced by salts/alkalinity.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Carex nebrascensis
(2) Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralisPhysiographic features
The Wet Fresh Meadow site occurs on nearly level alluvial bottoms, floodplains, and lake terraces. It is found between 4,200 and 6,000 feet in elevation. The Wet Fresh Meadow site may experience flooding rarely to frequently very briefly to long periods of time. Ponding does not occur on this site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Lake terrace
(2) Flood plain
Flooding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to very long (more than 30 days) Flooding frequency None to frequent Elevation 4200 – 6000 ft Slope 0 – 3 % Water table depth 0 – 30 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
Approximately 90 percent of the precipitation occurs as run-in from March through October. On the average January, February, and June are the driest months and July and August are the wettest months.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 70-80 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 100-120 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 10-20 in Frost-free period (actual range) 60-90 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 90-130 days Precipitation total (actual range) 10-20 in Frost-free period (average) 70 days Freeze-free period (average) 110 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 7 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) LOGAN 5 SW EXP FARM [USC00425194], Wellsville, UT
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(2) SNOWVILLE [USC00427931], Snowville, UT
">Influencing water features
The Wet Fresh Meadow site is found in depressional areas where water is collected from the surrounding uplands as run-in. The total annual production and kinds of plants are most influenced by the fluctuating water table. The water table is near the surface most of the growing season.
Wetland description
Wetlands are:<br />
Freshwater emergent (various palustrine emergent persistent wetland types)<br />
Freshwater Forested/Shrub (various palustrine scrub-shrub wetland types)<br />
Freshwater Pond (various palustrine unconsolidated bottom/shore wetland types)<br />
Riverine (riverine lower perennial/intermittent unconsolidated bottom and streambed wetland types)<br />
Lake (lacustrine littoral wetland types)<br />
Herbaceous Riparian<br />
Forested/Scrub RiparianSoil features
The characteristic soils are deep and poorly drained. They formed in mixed alluvium and lacustrine sediments derived mainly from mixed parent materials. The soil surface texture is loam to silty clay loam. There are no rock fragments on the soil surface or in the subsurface. The surface is high in organic matter. The water table fluctuates during the growing season, generally above 30 inches. Water is available for year long plant growth. Salt accumulations are not a problem with these soils.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium
(2) Lacustrine deposits
Surface texture (1) Silt loam
(2) Silty clay loam
(3) Loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Poorly drained Permeability class Slow to moderate Soil depth 60 – 0 in Available water capacity
(Depth not specified)3.2 – 7.5 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(Depth not specified)0 – 80 % Electrical conductivity
(Depth not specified)0 – 16 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(Depth not specified)0 – 15 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(Depth not specified)7.4 – 9 Ecological dynamics
The dominant visual aspect of this site is sedges and rushes with scattered forbs. If shrubs are present, they occur in small amounts. The site usually occurs within a complex of wetland sites. The soil surface of the area where the site is found is typically slightly undulating causing small depressions and high spots with variable soil moisture characteristics. The plant communities found on these areas are sites within the complex. Characteristics of these sites are as follows:
1. Deep depressions with the water table at or near the surface or slightly above the surface for the entire growing season are co-dominated by cattails and Schoenoplectus spp. This is the Lakeshore Marsh site.
2. Slightly higher areas that have the water table at the end of the growing season at 20 to 40 inches are drier during the growing season. The plant community may have tufted hairgrass, Nebraska sedge and Baltic rush. This is the Semiwet Fresh Meadow site.
Composition by weight is 80 to 90 percent sedges and rushes, 5 to 15 percent forbs, and 0 to 5 percent shrubs.
In the last few thousand years, this site has evolved in an arid climate characterized by dry summers and cold, wet winters. The site has evolved on deep alluvial soils that are saturated to the surface in the beginning of the growing season to about 10 to 30 inches at the end of the growing season and seasonal flooding. Herbivory has historically occurred on this site at low levels of utilization. Herbivores include pronghorn antelope, mule deer and moose.
Fire has had little influence on the development of the site. Rare wildfires can occur following consecutive drought years.
The conditions for the plant community of this site are highly variable due to a wide variation of soils, flooding frequency and duration, water table fluctuations, air and soil temperatures and competition between plants that are mostly rhizomatous. These conditions can vary within the site at any given location. At any one point within the site, one species can occupy nearly 100 percent of a small area. Another point nearby, may have another species fully occupying that area. Due to these situations, the plant community in this ESD is written broadly.
The soils within any complex of meadow sites are highly variable. Factors that affect the determination of the site include depth to water table at end of growing season, micro-topography and drainage class. Depth to water table and micro-topography are measurable features. Determination of drainage class requires the use of soil interpretation tables. Other interpretive factors that may be used for site determination are ponding frequency, depth and duration and flooding frequency, timing and duration.
Micro-topography is a feature that has a dramatic effect on depth to water table and the resulting plant communities. A few inches of change in surface elevation changes species composition and/ or production. Slightly undulating topography is common in meadow complexes, therefore, more than one site should be expected.
An infinite number of combinations of factors that influence the ecology of potential plant communities exist. For practical purposes, four plant communities where the depth to the water table drives the vegetative composition have been described. They are:
Semiwet Fresh Meadow Water table at 20-40” at end of growing season
Wet Fresh Meadow Water table at 10-20” at end of growing season
Lakeshore Marsh Water at surface toState 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
SWAPAEHSWAPAEHState 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateThe Reference State represents the plant communities that are adapted to a high water table under a natural disturbance regime. There are two community phases in this state. Community Phase 1.1 is dominated by rhizomatous sedges, like Nebraska sedge (Carex nebracensis) or northwest territory sedge (Carex utriculata) and rushes, like Baltic rush (Juncus arcticus). The sedges in this community are tolerant to saturated soil conditions. Community Phase 1.2 is still dominated by sedges and rushes, but the species of sedge is shifted to a more grazing tolerant sedge, like Nebraska sedge. Northwest territory sedge is less tolerant to grazing pressure and Nebraska sedge often becomes dominant when wet meadows are grazed.
Community 1.1
Northwest territory sedge/Nebraska sedge/rushThe general view of this site is Nortwest territory sedge, Nebraska sedge and arctic rush. These will occur in variable amounts at any one location due to variations in soil and water conditions as stated above. A variety of forbs also occur in the plant community in minor amounts. Willows and shrubby cinquefoil may occur in small amounts. Northwest territory sedge (Carex utriculata), also known as beaked sedge, and Nebraska sedge are common riparian plants and is considered one of the wettest plant associations (Crowe et al. 2004; Hoag and Zierke 1998). Both sedges are capable of growing in areas with a fluctuating water table and tolerant of flooding (Hultgren 1988). They are both a rhizomatous, sod forming sedge (Ewing 1996, Hoag and Zierke 1998). These sedges can be found growing together or dominating the site individually. Shoots from their rhizomes are produced throughout the growing season into late fall. Both sedge shoots can live on average for two growing seasons (Bernard 1976; Bernard 1990, Ratliff 1983; Ratliff 1992). Shoots may remain vegetative or they may develop reproductive structures (Ratliff 1992). The primary mechanism for reproduction in sedges is through vegetative growth in rhizomes (Ratliff 1983; van der Valk et al. 1999). Disturbance is often needed for seedlings to establish in the clonal plant communities (Eriksson 1989). Nebraska sedge is rarely found where the water table drops more than 1 meter below the rooting zone and can tolerate inundation up to 3 months (Carex nebrascensis Wetland Plant Sheet). The composition by air-dry weight is approximately 90 percent perennial graminoids, 5 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs.
Figure 8. 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 900 2475 7650 Forb 45 138 425 Shrub/Vine 45 138 425 Total 990 2751 8500 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 0% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 70-80% Forb foliar cover 0-10% 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 (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – – – – >0.5 <= 1 – – – 0-10% >1 <= 2 – – 75-85% – >2 <= 4.5 – 0-5% – – >4.5 <= 13 – – – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT0201 , PNC. Excellent.
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 5 15 40 30 5 5 0 0 0 0 Community 1.2
Nebraska sedge/RushesAs the sedge community is disturbed, either through grazing or a lower water table, Nebraska sedge and Baltic rush dominate the site while Northwest territory sedge decreases. Baltic rush is adapted to both flooding and drought and is also tolerant of a range of soil conditions, including mild to moderate salinity and alkaline to calcareous soils.
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2Develops with improper grazing management.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1Results from prescribed grazing or no grazing.
State 2
Current Potential StateThe Current Potential State is similar to the Reference State except the plant communities have non-native species present. The presence of non-native species, especially those that are invasive, lowers the resistance and resiliency of the state. Invasive/non-native plants that can come in with a high water table are meadow foxtail (Alopecurus arundinaceus), quackgrass (Elymus repens), reed canarygrass (Phlaris arundinacea), and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). These species are also more tolerant of grazing and can increase and may become dominant.
Community 2.1
Northwest territory sedge/Nebraska sedge/rushes/non-native speciesCommunity phase 2.1 is similar to Community Phase 1.1 with the exception of non-native species present in the community.
Community 2.2
Nebraska sedge/Rushes/non-native speciesCommunity phase 2.2 is similar to Community Phase 1.2 with the exception of non-native plant species present.
Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2Improper grazing decreases Northwest territory sedge, while non-native plants, Nebraska sedge, and Baltic rush increase.
Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.1Lack of disturbance, such as grazing, or prescribed grazing applied.
State 3
Degraded/Lowered water table StateThe Degraded/Lower water table State develops after a permanent lowering of the water table. This can occur from excessive grazing that can cause meadow downcutting or through artificial meadow drainage to decrease soil saturation. State 1 and State 2 can transition to this state, however State 2 is more likely to transition to State 3 through improper grazing management. This state can be similar to the Semiwet Fresh Meadow site in early seral status. The site has crossed the threshold. This state cannot be returned to State 1 without raising the water table.
Community 3.1
Sedges/Rushes/non-native speciesThe plant community is dominated by Nebraska sedge and Baltic rush, but the overall production potential of the site is much lower than State 1. There is an increase in forbs and grasses that require less soil moisture. Kentucky bluegrass, redtop bentgrass and meadow foxtail may have invaded the community.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2This transition occurs after the introduction of non-native species.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3This transition can occur with artificial drainage of the site.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3This transition develops through permanently lowering the late growing season water table to 20-40 inches. This can occur with continued improper grazing management. It may also occur with proper grazing on the site, but channel erosion may continue if poor off-site conditions cause more frequent and/or severe flooding.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike0 Primary Grasses 1890–2550 1 Seconary Grasses 90–150 common spikerush ELPA3 Eleocharis palustris 30–90 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 30–90 – meadow barley HOBR2 Hordeum brachyantherum 30–90 – prairie wedgescale SPOB Sphenopholis obtusata 30–90 – Forb2 Forbs 150–300 silverweed cinquefoil ARAN7 Argentina anserina 30–90 – meadow milkvetch ASDI5 Astragalus diversifolius 30–90 – nodding beggartick BICE Bidens cernua 30–90 – field horsetail EQAR Equisetum arvense 30–90 – wild mint MEAR4 Mentha arvensis 30–90 – seep monkeyflower MIGU Mimulus guttatus 30–90 – yellow evening primrose OEFL Oenothera flava 30–90 – elephanthead lousewort PEGR2 Pedicularis groenlandica 30–90 – alkali buttercup RACY Ranunculus cymbalaria 30–90 – Shrub/Vine3 Shrubs 90–150 Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 30–90 – narrowleaf willow SAEX Salix exigua 30–90 – Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
The Wet Fresh Meadow site is one of Utah’s highest yielding ecological sites. The plants are predominantly grasses and grasslike plants with a few forbs and practically no shrubs. To control soil erosion and degradation of the plant community, this site may be properly grazed early with animals being removed early to allow key plants to go ungrazed during the last part of the growing season. A stubble height of 4 to 6 inches should be adhered to.
Wildlife using this site include rabbit, coyote, birds, pronghorn antelope, and mule deer.
Many species of birds are present as well and migratory birds.Hydrological functions
The soil is in hydrologic group D. The hydrologic curve number is 80 when the vegetation is in good condition.
Recreational uses
Recreation activities are hiking and hunting. Natural beauty exists in the more favorable plant growth environment on this site when compared to adjacent sites.
Wood products
None
Supporting information
Other references
Bernard, J.M. 1976. The life history and population dynamics of shoots of Carex rostrata. The Journal of Ecology 64(3): 1045-1048.
Bernard J.M. 1990. Life history and vegetative reproduction in Carex. Canadian Journal of Botany 68: 1441-1448.
Crowe, E.A., B.L. Kovalchik, and M.J. Kerr. 2004. Riparian and Wetland Vegetation of Central and Eastern Oregon. Oregon State University, Portland, OR. 473 pp.
Eriksson, O. 1989. Seedling dynamics and life histories in clonal plants. Oikos June (1): 231-238.
Ewing K. 1996. Tolerance of four wetland plant species to flooding and sediment deposition. Environmental and Experimental Botany 36(2): 131-146.
Hoag, J.C. and M. Zierke. 1998. A reference guide for the collections and use of ten common wetland plants of the Great Basin and Intermountain West. Aberdeen (ID): USDA NRCS, Plant Materials Center. Riparian/Wetland Project Information Series #13. 13 p.
Hultgren, A.B.C. 1988. A demographic study of aerial shoots of Carex rostrata in relation to water level. Aquatic Botany 30: 81-93.
Ratliff, R. 1983. Nebraska sedge (Carex nebraskensis Dewey): Observations on shoot life history and management. Journal of Range Management 36(4): 429-430.
Ratliff, R.D. and S.E. Westfall. 1992. Nebraska sedge (Carex nebraskensis Dewey): Phenology and life history at Tule Meadow, Sierra National Forest, California. Journal of Range Management 45: 210-215.
van der Valk, A.G., T.L. Bremholm, and E. Gordon. 1999. The restoration of sedge meadows: seed viability, seed germination requirements, and seedling growth of Carex species. Wetlands 19(4): 756-764.
Wetland Plant Fact Sheet: Nebraska sedge (Carex nebrascensis). Aberdeen (ID): USDA NRCS, Plant Materials Center. Riparian/Wetland Project. 3 p.Contributors
DJS
David J. SomorvilleApproval
Jamin Johanson, 5/02/2025
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) Jack Alexander, Range Specialist, Synergy Resource Solutions, Inc. Julia Kluck, Soil Scientist, Synergy Resource Solutions, Inc. Shane Green, State Range Specialist, Utah NRCS Contact for lead author Shane Green, Shane.Green@ut.usda.gov Date 02/08/2010 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
No rills present. Very minor rill development may occur in sparsely vegetated areas. If rills are present, they should be widely spaced and not connected. Rill development may increase following large storm events, but should begin to heal during the following growing season. Frost heaving will accelerate recovery. Rill development may increase when run inflow enters site from adjacent sites that produce large amounts of runoff (i.e. steeper sites, slickrock, rock outcrop). Site is essentially level and rills do not form. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Essentially none. Site is essentially level, water flow patterns are not expected to form. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Plants may have small pedestals (1-3”) where they are adjacent to water flow patterns, but without exposed roots. Terracettes should be few and stable. Terracettes should be small (1-3”) and show little sign of active erosion. Some plants may appear to have a pedestal but rather than be formed by erosion, the only place litter accumulates and soil collects is at plant bases forming the appearance of a pedestal. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Essentially none. Litter or other ground cover fills all plant interspaces. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
No gullies present. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Very minor evidence of active wind-generated soil movement. Wind scoured (blowouts) and depositional areas are rarely present. If present they have muted features and are mostly stabilized with vegetation and/or biological crust. Gravel or desert pavement protects the site from wind scour. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Most litter resides in place with some redistribution caused by water and wind movement. Very minor litter removal may occur in flow patterns and rills with deposition occurring at points of obstruction. The majority of litter accumulates at the base of plants. Some leaves, stems, and small twigs may accumulate in soil depressions adjacent to plants. Woody stems are not likely to move. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface is moderately stable (average soil stability score of 3.5 -5). -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
This description is based on the modal soil (Logan, soil survey area: 601, West Box Elder), the only soil correlated with this site. Soil surface horizon is typically 10 to 16 inches deep. Structure is typically medium granular. Color is typically very dark gray (10YR 3/1), black (10YR 2/1) moist. Mollic epipedon is common. Use the specific information for the soil you are assessing found in the published soil survey to supplement this description. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Vascular plants and any well-developed biological soil crusts (where present) will break raindrop impact and splash erosion. Spatial distribution of vascular plants and interspaces between well-developed biological soil crusts (where present) provide detention storage and surface roughness that slows runoff allowing time for infiltration. Since site is level and well covered, infiltration is very high and runoff very low. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None. Naturally occurring soil horizons may be harder than the surface because of an accumulation of calcium carbonate and should not be considered as compaction layers. -
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:
Nebraska sedgeSub-dominant:
clustered field sedgeOther:
rushes> perennial grasses = forbs = shrubsAdditional:
Functional/structural groups may appropriately contain non-native species if their ecological function is the same as the native species in the reference state (e.g. crested wheatgrass and Russian wildrye may substitute for mid stature cool season perennial native bunchgrasses.). Biological soil crust is variable in its expression on this site and is measured as a component of ground cover. Forbs can be expected to vary widely in their expression in the plant community based upon departures from average growing conditions. -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
During years with average to above average precipitation, there should be very little recent mortality or decadence apparent in either the shrubs or grasses. Some mortality of bunchgrass and other shrubs may occur during very severe (long-term) droughts. There may be partial mortality of individual bunchgrasses and shrubs during less severe drought. Long-lived species dominate site. Open spaces from disturbance are quickly filled by new plants through seedlings and reproductive reproduction (tillering). -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter cover includes litter under plants. Most litter will be fine litter. Depth should be 1-2 leaf thickness in the interspaces and up to 1/2” under canopies. Litter cover may increase to 25-30% following years with favorable growing conditions. Excess litter may accumulate in absence of disturbance. Vegetative production may be reduced if litter cover exceeds 40%. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
2750#/acre. Even the most stable communities exhibit a range of production values. Production will vary between communities and across the MRLA. Refer to the community descriptions in the ESD. Production will differ across the MLRA due to the naturally occurring variability in weather, soils, and aspect. The biological processes on this site are complex; therefore, representative values are presented in a land management context. -
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:
Arrowgrass, foxtail barley, and rubber rabbitbrush -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All perennial plants should have the ability to reproduce sexually or asexually, except in drought years. Density of plants indicates that plants reproduce at level sufficient to fill available resource. Within capability of site there are no restrictions on seed or vegetative reproductive capacity.
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