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Ecological site R028AY021ID
SANDY 8-12 ARTRT/PSSPS-ACHY
Last updated: 6/12/2025
Accessed: 07/06/2026
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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 North LRU exhibits dry summer with stronger xeric patterns than the Basin and Range South LRU. Ranges in the north LRU are about 50 percent Paleozoic sedimentary/metasedimentary (limestone/quartzite dominant) and about 10 percent Tertiary volcanics. The basin floors are between 4,200 and 5,100 feet (1280 to 1554 meters) in elevation. Pinyon and juniper sites have a greater percentage of Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) in the plant community than pinyon pine (Pinus edulis or monophylla). The Basin and Range North have few semidesert ecological sites with Utah juniper. Cool season grasses, such as bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), are dominant in the plant community, while warm season grasses are largely absent or a small component of the plant community.
Classification relationships
Similar to Artemisia tridentata/ Agropyron HT in “Hironaka, M., M.A. Fosberg, A. H. Winward. 1983. Sagebrush-Grass Habitat Types of Southern Idaho. University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho. Bulletin Number “35”.
Ecological site concept
The Sandy 8-12 ARTRT/PSSPS-ACHY site is found on lake terraces on gentle slopes (between 0 and 4 percent). The soil is well drained with a surface texture of fine sandy loam. The dominant plants are basin big sagebrush, bluebunch wheatgrass, and Indian ricegrass.
Associated sites
R028AY008ID GRAVELLY LOAM 12-16 ARTRT/PSSPS
This site is also found on lake terraces, but has more rock fragments.
R028AY024ID LOAMY 8-12 ARTRT/PSSPS
This site is also found on lake terraces, but has a loamy texture.
Similar sites
R028AY024ID LOAMY 8-12 ARTRT/PSSPS
This site has finer textured soil.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata
Herbaceous (1) Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata
(2) Achnatherum hymenoidesPhysiographic features
The Sandy 8-12 ARTRT/PSSPS-ACHY site occurs on hummocky intermediate lake terraces formed from Lake Bonneville. Slopes range from 0 to 4 percent on all aspects. Elevations range from 4,400 to 5,000 feet (1,341 to 1,524 meters).
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Lake terrace
Elevation 4400 – 5000 ft Slope 0 – 4 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The Great Salt Lake Area has elevations in the basins ranging from 3,950 to 6,560 feet above sea level with mountains ranging up to 11,150 feet. The average annual precipitation is 14 inches based on data collected from 5 long term climate stations located throughout the MLRA. The average annual low is 11 inches and the average annual high is 16 inches. The average annual temperature is 46 degrees Fahrenheit. The average annual low is 32 and the average annual high is 60 degrees F. The frost free period ranges from 100 to 125 days and the freeze free period ranges from 131 to 156 days.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 130 days Freeze-free period (average) 160 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in BarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
The Sandy 8-12 ARTRT/PSSPS-ACHY site is not influenced by adjacent wetlands, streams, or run on.
Soil features
The soils are very deep and well-drained soils formed in lacustrine and eolian material derived from mixed sources. Typically, the soil is a light brownish gray calcareous fine sandy loam and loamy fine sand to a depth of 60 inches (150 cm.) or more. The permeability of the soil is moderately rapid and the available water holding capacity (AWC) is moderate. Effective rooting depth is 60 inches (150 cm.) or more. Surface runoff is very slow, the hazard of water erosion is slight, and the hazard of wind erosion is high. The soils are characterized by an aridic or aridic bordering on xeric soil moisture regime. The soil temperature regime is mesic. .
Soil Series Correlated to this Ecological Site: EcurTable 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Loess – sedimentary rock
(2) Alluvium – sedimentary rock
Surface texture (1) Fine sandy loam
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderately rapid Soil depth 60 – 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 3 % Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)4.5 – 6.1 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)20 – 35 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 4 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 13 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.9 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 9 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)Not specified Ecological dynamics
The dominant visual aspect is basin big sagebrush in the overstory with bluebunch wheatgrass in the understory. Composition by weight is approximately 60 to 70 percent grasses, 5 to 15 percent forbs, and 20 to 30 percent shrubs.
During the last few thousand years, this site has evolved in a semi-arid climate characterized by dry summers and cold, moist winters. Herbivory has historically occurred on this site at low levels of utilization. Herbivores include mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, pronghorn antelope, lagomorphs, and small rodents.
Fire has historically occurred on the site at intervals of 20 to 50 years.
The Historic Climax Plant Community (HCPC), the Reference State (State 1), moves through many phases depending on the natural and man-made forces that impact the community over time. State 1, described later, indicates some of these phases. The Reference Plant Community Phase is Phase A. This plant community is dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass in the understory and basin big sagebrush in the overstory. Subdominant species include Indian ricegrass, western wheatgrass, arrowleaf balsamroot, antelope bitterbrush, and pricklypear cactus. There are a variety of other grasses, forbs, and shrubs that can occur in the plant community in minor amounts. The plant species composition of Phase A is listed later under “Reference Plant Community Phase Plant Species Composition”.
Total annual production is 650 pounds per acre (728 kilograms per hectare) in a normal year. Production in a favorable year is 900 pounds per acre (1008 kilograms per hectare). Production in an unfavorable year is 400 pounds per acre (448 kilograms per hectare). Structurally, cool season deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses are very dominant, followed by tall shrubs being more dominant than perennial forbs while shallow rooted perennial bunchgrasses are subdominant.
FUNCTION:
This site is suited for livestock grazing in spring, early summer, and fall. The site provides good winter habitat or mule deer and pronghorn antelope. It has low to fair value for recreation use.
This site is susceptible to degradation due to the gentle slopes, ease of access, and instability of sandy surface textures. Infiltration is good where the community is in mid to late seral status. The site has moderately low runoff potential.
Impacts on the Plant Community.
Influence of fire:
In the absence of normal fire frequency, antelope bitterbrush and basin big sagebrush can gradually increase. Juniper can invade if a seed source is in the proximity. Grasses and forbs decrease as shrubs increase. With the continued absence of fire, basin big sagebrush can displace most of the primary understory species. Fire has historically occurred on the site at intervals of 20 to 50 years.
When fires become more frequent than historic levels (20 to 50 years), basin big sagebrush is reduced significantly. Green rabbitbrush can increase slightly. Antelope bitterbrush will mostly be killed. With continued short fire frequency, basin big sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush can be completely eliminated along with many of the desirable understory species such as Indian ricegrass and needle and thread. These species may be replaced by western wheatgrass and bottlebrush squirreltail along with a variety of annual and perennial forbs including noxious and invasive species. Cheatgrass will invade the site. These fine fuels will increase the fire frequency. Continued fire can create a loss of vegetative cover and sand can become unstable resulting in active sand dunes.
Influence of improper grazing management:
Season-long grazing and/or excessive utilization can be very detrimental. This type of management leads to reduced vigor of the bunchgrasses and antelope bitterbrush. With reduced vigor, recruitment of these species declines. As these species decline, an increase in basin big sagebrush, green rabbitbrush, and pricklypear cactus will occur as well as noxious and invasive species. Also the plant community becomes susceptible to juniper invasion.
Continued improper grazing management influences fire frequency by increasing fine fuels. As cheatgrass increases and becomes co-dominant with other annuals, fires become more frequent. Forbs will increase. Continued improper grazing management can create a loss of vegetative cover and sand can become unstable resulting in active sand dunes.
Proper grazing management that addresses frequency, duration, and intensity of grazing can also keep fine fuels from developing, thereby reducing fire frequency. This can lead to gradual increases in basin big sagebrush. An increase in tall shrubs generally leads to an increase in juniper by providing bird perches and “nursery” sites for juniper establishment. A planned grazing system can be developed to intentionally accumulate fine fuels in preparation for a prescribed burn.
Weather influences:
Above normal precipitation in April, May, and June can dramatically increase total annual production of the plant community. These weather patterns can also increase viable seed production of desirable species to provide for recruitment. Likewise, below normal precipitation during these spring months can significantly reduce total annual production and be detrimental to viable seed production. Overall plant composition is normally not affected when perennials have good vigor.
Below normal temperatures in the spring can have an adverse impact on total production regardless of the precipitation. An early, hard freeze can occasionally kill some plants.
Prolonged drought adversely affects this plant community in several ways. Vigor, recruitment, and production are usually reduced. Mortality can occur. Prolonged drought can lead to a reduction in fire frequency.
Influence of Insects and disease:
Outbreaks can affect vegetation health. Antelope bitterbrush can be severely affected by the western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma fragilis). Two consecutive years of defoliation by the tent caterpillar can cause mortality in bitterbrush. Mormon cricket and grasshopper outbreaks occur periodically. Outbreaks seldom cause plant mortality since defoliation of the plant occurs only once during the year of the outbreak.
Influence of noxious and invasive plants:
Many of these species add to the fine-fuel component and lead to increased fire frequency. Many of the annual and perennial invasive species compete with desirable plants for moisture and nutrients. The result is reduced production and change in composition of the understory. See “Influence of juniper invasion” below.
Influence of wildlife:
Big game animals use this site in the spring, summer, and fall and in moderate winters. Their numbers are seldom high enough to adversely affect the plant community. Herbivory can be detrimental to bitterbrush when livestock grazing and browsing by big game occurs at the same time and season. This will occur when both kinds of animal are using the plant in the late summer or fall. The adverse impact is excessive use of the current year’s leader growth. The deer mouse is beneficial to this site as it is the principal vector for planting bitterbrush seed.
Watershed:
Degradation can occur when overstory shrubs and desired understory species are reduced. This composition change can affect nutrient and water cycles. Loss of vegetative cover can result in unstable sand and lead to active sand dunes. Abnormally short fire frequency also gives the same results, but to a lesser degree. The long-term effect is a transition to a different state.
Influence of juniper invasion:
The following discussion deals with juniper.
In plant communities that are invaded by juniper, the species has a competitive advantage for the following reasons:
-Juniper is very drought tolerant.
-It has the ability to extract soil moisture from a wide range of soil depths.
-Juniper has high evapo-transpiration rates.
-The species intercepts rain and snow before it reaches the soil surface.
-It has the ability to grow as long as there is soil moisture and the temperature is above freezing.
-Juniper has a relatively rapid growth rate and is long-lived. It can readily over-top shade intolerant species which leads to mortality.
-Nutrient cycling is reduced.
-As the canopy closes, juniper gains control of energy capture.
As juniper extracts water, other plants are unable to acquire sufficient water and nutrients to sustain growth and reproduction, thus reducing cover and biomass in the interspaces. After the canopy closes, there is sufficient soil moisture available for shallow-rooted, shade tolerant species to persist directly under the tree.
The following hydrological impacts occur on sites invaded by juniper:
-Infiltration in the interspaces is reduced.
-Run-off increases resulting in increased sheet and rill erosion with elevated sediment loads.
-Soil temperatures increase in the interspaces which results in accelerated drying of the soil surface.
-Increased bare ground in the interspaces.
-Soil moisture storage is reduced.
As bare ground and connectivity of bare ground increases, flow rates are accelerated (reduction of flow sinuosity) and run-off out of the area increases.
Degradation of these systems can result in the formation of a feedback cycle in which greater juniper cover and density results in greater plant and soil disturbance between the canopies.
In summary, a closed juniper community takes control of the following ecological processes: hydrology, energy capture and nutrient cycling. The changes are primarily driven by the hydrological processes. The development of a closed juniper canopy always results in a transition across the threshold to a different state. Generally, when juniper canopy cover nears 20 percent, the plant community is approaching the threshold.
Plant Community and Sequence:
Transition pathways between common vegetation states and phases:
State 1.
1.1a Develops with fire (approximately every 20-50 years). Fire only occurs in above normal precipitation (favorable) years.
1.1b Develops under improper grazing management and no fire and juniper invasion.
1.1c Develops under improper grazing management and no fire.
1.2a Develops with prescribed grazing and no fire.
1.2b Develops with improper grazing management and no fire.
1.3a Develops with prescribed grazing and prescribed burning or brush management.
1.3b Develops with fire or brush management.
1.4a Develops with prescribed grazing.
1.4b Develops with prescribed grazing and fire or brush management.
T1A 1.2 to State 2. Phase B or C to State 2. Develops with frequent fire and/or improper grazing management.
T1C. 1.3 to State 3. Develops with continued improper grazing management and no fire.
T1C. 1.4 to State 2. Develops with continued improper grazing management and fire.
T2.1A. Develops with improper grazing management and fire or no fire.
T3.1A. Develops with improper grazing management and no fire.
Practice Limitations:
Extreme caution must be used in reseeding. Soil disturbance presents severe limitations due to wind erosion hazards. Slight to moderate limitations exist on this site for brush management practices. Careful planning and implementation is needed to prevent wind erosion. Slight limitations exist on this site for implementing vegetative management and facilitating practices.
State 1, Reference State.
State 1, Phase A, Reference Plant Community Phase. This plant community is dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass in the understory and basin big sagebrush in the overstory. Subdominant species include Indian ricegrass, western wheatgrass, arrowleaf balsamroot, antelope bitterbrush and pricklypear cactus. There are a variety of other grasses, forbs and shrubs that can occur in the plant community in minor amounts. Natural fire frequency is 20 to 50 years.
State 1, Phase B. This plant community has developed after a fairly recent fire. Fire intolerant shrubs such as basin big sagebrush and antelope bitterbrush have been significantly reduced or eliminated. Green rabbitbrush has re-sprouted. Bluebunch wheatgrass and basin wildrye are maintained in the stand. Bottlebrush squirreltail and western wheatgrass have increased. Other deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses have been reduced and some have been killed by the fire. This includes Indian ricegrass and needle and thread. Some cheatgrass may have invaded.
State 1, Phase C. Due to improper grazing management, bluebunch wheatgrass and other deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses have been significantly reduced in amounts and are in low vigor. Bottlebrush squirreltail, western wheatgrass and pricklypear cactus have increased as well as basin big sagebrush. . Antelope bitterbrush is reduced and low in vigor and may be hedged. Forbs have increased and cheatgrass has invaded the site.
State 2. The Sandy 8-12 ARTRT/PSSPS-ACHY site has degraded into a plant community dominated by annual grasses and forbs. Fine fuels are adequate to carry a fire in most years. Frequent fires and/or improper grazing management have caused the degradation. Excessive soil loss has not occurred at this point but the site has crossed the threshold. It is not economical to return this plant community to State 1 with accelerating practices.
State 3. State 3 is dominated by seeded introduced species or native species that have been planted to mimic the Reference Plant Community.
Unknown new site. This plant community has gone over the threshold to a new site. Site potential has been reduced. Significant soil loss has occurred. Infiltration has been reduced and run-off has become more rapid. This community has developed due to continued improper grazing management and/or fire.State and transition model
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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
State 1Community 1.1
State 1 Phase AReference Plant Community Phase. This plant community is dominated by bluebunch wheatgrass in the understory and basin big sagebrush in the overstory. Subdominant species include Indian ricegrass, western wheatgrass, arrowleaf balsamroot, antelope bitterbrush, and pricklypear cactus. There are a variety of other grasses, forbs, and shrubs that can occur in the plant community in minor amounts. Natural fire frequency is 20 to 50 years.
Figure 3. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 260 420 585 Shrub/Vine 100 165 225 Forb 40 65 90 Total 400 650 900 Figure 4. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ID1005 , ARTRT-PSSP-ACHY. State 1.
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 25 35 30 5 0 0 5 0 0 State 2
State 2Community 2.1
State 2The site has degraded into a plant community dominated by annual grasses and forbs. Fine fuels are adequate to carry a fire in most years. Frequent fires and/or improper grazing management from either Phase B or Phase C has caused the degradation. Excessive soil loss has not occurred at this point but the site has crossed the threshold. It is not economical to return this plant community to State 1 with accelerating practices.
Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). ID1002 , ARTRT Early Seral. State 2.
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 30 40 20 5 0 0 5 0 0 State 3
State 3Community 3.1
State 3Community Phase 3.1 is dominated by an overstory of juniper with annual grasses and forbs and Sandberg bluegrass. Excessive soil loss has not occurred at this point but the site has crossed the threshold. It is not economical to return this plant community to State 1 with accelerating practices.
State 4
State 4Community 4.1
State 4This plant community has gone over the threshold to a new site. Site potential has been reduced. Significant soil loss has occurred. Infiltration has been reduced and run-off has become more rapid. This community has developed due to continued improper grazing management and/or frequent fire.
Transition T
State 1 to 2Transition T
State 2 to 3Transition T
State 2 to 4Additional community tables
Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 – bluebunch wheatgrass PSSPS Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata 190–425 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 100–225 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 40–90 – needle and thread HECOC8 Hesperostipa comata ssp. comata 12–27 – basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 12–27 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 12–27 – Forb2 – arrowleaf balsamroot BASA3 Balsamorhiza sagittata 30–67 – phlox PHLOX Phlox 12–27 – onion ALLIU Allium 1–27 – Shrub/Vine3 – basin big sagebrush ARTRT Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata 60–135 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 18–40 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 12–27 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 12–27 – buckwheat ERIOG Eriogonum 12–27 – Table 7. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife Interpretations.
The Sandy 8-12 ARTRT/PSSPS-ACHY site provides good winter habitat for mule deer and pronghorn antelope. It provides year around habitat for rabbits, coyotes, rodents, lizards, raptors, songbirds, and snakes.
Grazing Interpretations.
The Sandy 8-12 ARTRT/PSSPS-ACHY site is suited for livestock grazing in spring, early summer, and fall and in some winters. Extreme care must be exercised in grazing this site due to extreme vulnerability to erosion by wind once cover is degraded.
Estimated initial stocking rate will be determined with the landowner or decision-maker. They will be based on the inventory which includes species, composition, similarity index, production, past use history, season of use, and seasonal preference. Calculations used to determine estimated initial stocking rate will be based on forage preference ratings.Hydrological functions
The soils in this site are in hydrologic group B. They have low runoff potential.
Recreational uses
This site has good values for aesthetics and natural beauty. The vegetation usually blooms in June providing a colorful array of wild flowers. Hunting for coyotes, rabbits, dove, mule deer, and other game is fair.
Wood products
None.
Other products
None.
Other information
Field Offices
Burley, ID
Malad City, ID
Preston, IDSupporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented here has been derived from NRCS clipping and other inventory data. Also, field knowledge of range-trained personnel was used. Those involved in developing this site description include: Dave Franzen, co-owner, Intermountain Rangeland Consultants, LLC Jacy Gibbs, co-owner, Intermountain Rangeland Consultants, LLC Jim Cornwell, Range Management Specialist, IASCD Brendan Brazee, State Rangeland Management Specialist, NRCS, Idaho Kristen May, Resource Soil Scientist, NRCS, Idaho Lee Brooks, Range Management Specialist, IASCD
Type locality
Location 1: Oneida County, ID Township/Range/Section T15S R30E S33 General legal description Type location is a juniper invaded state. Other references
Hironaka, M., M.A. Fosberg, A. H. Winward. 1983. Sagebrush-Grass Habitat Types of Southern Idaho. University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho. Bulletin Number “35”.
Petersen, S.L., 2004. A Landscape-Scale Assessment of Plant Communities, Hydrologic Processes, and State-and-Transition Theory in a Western Juniper Dominated Ecosystem. PhD Dissertation. Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 2004. Restoring Western Ranges and Wildlands. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-136-vols. 1-3.
USDA, NRCS.2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1 (http://plants.usda.gov.). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
USDA, Forest Service, Fire Effects Information Database. 2004. www.fs.fed.us/database/feis
USDI Bureau of Land Management, US Geological Survey; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agricultural Research Service; Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health. Technical Reference 1734-6; Version 4-2005.
Approval
Kendra Moseley, 6/12/2025
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Dave Franzen and Jacy Gibbs Intermountain Range Consultants 17700 Fargo Rd. Wilder, ID 83676 Contact for lead author Brendan Brazee, State Rangeland Management Specialist USDA-NRCS 9173 W. Barnes Drive, Suite C, Boise, ID 83709 Date 05/11/2009 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
rills do not occur. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
water-flow patterns do not occur. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
when pedestals occur they are the result of wind erosion. Terracettes do not occur. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
data is not available for this site. On sites in mid-seral status, bare ground is expected to be about 50-60 percent. This site is naturally unstable due to sandy surface textures following a wildfire. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
none. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
wind scour and depositional areas can occur on this site, particularly following a wildfire. Old deposition will be noticeable in the crowns of bunchgrasses and at the base of shrubs. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
fine litter in the interspaces may move up to 5 feet with wind. Coarse litter generally does not move. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
values average 4 TO 6 but needs to be tested. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Structure ranges from single grain to weak and moderate fine granular.. Soil organic matter (SOM) ranges from 0.5 to 2 percent. Surface color is dark brown to dark grayish brown. The A or A1 horizon is typically 3 to 7 inches thick. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
bunchgrasses, especially deep-rooted perennials, slow run-off and increase infiltration. Tall shrubs catch snow in the interspaces. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
is not present. -
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:
cool season deep-rooted perennial bunchgrassesSub-dominant:
tall shrubsOther:
perennial forbsAdditional:
shallow rooted bunchgrasses -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Antelope bitterbrush and basin big sagebrush will become decadent near the end of the fire cycle. Grass and forb mortality will occur as tall shrubs increase. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
additional litter cover data is needed but is expected to be 5-10 percent to a depth of <0.1 inches. Under mature shrubs litter is >0.5 inches deep and is 90-100 percent ground cover. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
is 650 pounds per acre (730 kilograms per hectare) in a year with normal temperatures and precipitation. Perennial grasses produce 60-70 percent of the total production, forbs 5-15 percent and shrubs 20-30 percent. -
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:
includes cheatgrass, dalmatian toadflax, rush skeletonweed, musk and scotch thistle, Russian thistle and mustard. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
all functional groups have the potential to reproduce in most years.
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