Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R028AY024UT
Wet Saline Meadow (Saltgrass)
Last updated: 5/02/2025
Accessed: 05/29/2026
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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 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 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 Saline Meadow site occurs on lake plains, flood plains, and deltas. It is a low lying site that has a high water table. The water table is typically less than 24 inches deep and can be up to the soil surface and have ponding early in the spring. The Wet Saline Meadow site is often found with the Alkali Bottom site on the drier end and the Lakeshore Marsh on the wet end. The soil is typically poorly drained with high salinity. The plant community is dominated by inland saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) and other salt tolerant grasses and grass-likes.
Associated sites
R028AY131UT Desert Salty Silt (Pickleweed)
The Desert Salty Silt site will occur where more salts have accumulated.
R028AY001UT Alkali Bottom (Alkali Sacaton)
The Alkali Bottom site will often occur in drier areas with a water table greater than 18 inches deep.
R028AY004UT Alkali Flat (Black Greasewood)
The Alkali Flat site occurs in drier locations with the water table deeper than 60 inches.
R028AY025UT Lakeshore Marsh
The Lakeshore Marsh site occurs in standing water, typically near a larger waterbody. This site will have ponded water for longer during the growing season than the Wet Saline Meadow site.
R028AY132UT Desert Salty Silt (Iodinebush)
The Desert Salty Silt site will occur where more salts have accumulated.
Similar sites
R028AY001UT Alkali Bottom (Alkali Sacaton)
The Alkali Bottom site will have a deeper water table than the Wet Saline Meadow site and is more likely to be dominated by greasewood when disturbed because of the deeper water table.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Distichlis spicata
(2) Juncus arcticusPhysiographic features
The Wet Saline Meadow site is typically located on lake plains, lake terraces, flood plains, and depressional areas within lake terraces. It typically occupies the area just above Lakeshore Marsh and just below the Alkali Bottom ecological sites. Slopes typically range from 0 to 3 percent. Flooding frequency ranges from occasional to frequent during runoff periods. Runoff potential ranges from medium to very high. Ponding may occur to a depth of 1 to 3 inches (ocasionally 6 inches) during the spring months.
Figure 2.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Lake plain
(2) Lake terrace
(3) Flood plain
Flooding duration Brief (2 to 7 days) to very long (more than 30 days) Flooding frequency Occasional to frequent Ponding duration Long (7 to 30 days) Ponding frequency None to frequent Elevation 4190 – 6000 ft Slope 0 – 3 % Ponding depth 1 – 6 in Water table depth 0 – 24 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate is dry subhumid and semiarid. It is characterized by cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers. The average annual precipitation ranges from 8 to 12 inches. April and May are typically the wettest months with July and August being the driest. The most reliable sources of moisture for plant growth are the snow that accumulates over the winter, and spring rains. Summer thunderstorms are intermittent and sporadic in nature, and thus are not reliable sources of moisture to support vegetative growth on this site. The mean annual air temperature is 45 to 54 degrees. Mean Annual Soil Temperature is 50-55.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 70-90 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 90-130 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 10-20 in Frost-free period (actual range) 60-100 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 90-150 days Precipitation total (actual range) 10-20 in Frost-free period (average) 80 days Freeze-free period (average) 110 days Precipitation total (average) 10 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 4. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 5. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 6. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 7. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 8 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) BRIGHAM CITY WASTE PLT [USC00420928], Brigham City, UT
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(2) SNOWVILLE [USC00427931], Snowville, UT
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(3) VERNON [USC00429133], Vernon, UT
">Influencing water features
The Wet Saline Meadow site typically ponds for periods ranging from brief to very long during the months of March through July. Ponding depth is typically 1 to 3 inches. A water table is present during much of the year at a depth of 0 to 20 inches. Most of the soils correlated to this ecological site are considered hydric.
Soil features
Characteristic soils are very deep and very poorly to poorly drained. The soil moisture and temperature regimes are aquic and mesic, respectively. The dry surface color is typically a very dark gray. The soils formed in alluvium and/or lacustrine deposits derived mainly from mixed sources including limestone, sandstone, shale and sedimentry rock parent material. Soil textures are typically silty clay loams or silt loams but may occasionally include silty clays. They are moderately to strongly saline and moderately to strongly alkaline. Available water capacity is 0.40 to 7 inches.
This site has been used in the following soil surveys and has been correlated to the following components:
UT602 - Box Elder County, Eastern Part - Arave, Eimarsh, Gooch, Lakeshore, Logan, Woods Cross.
UT603 - Cache Valley Area - Cache, Greenson, Salt Lake.
UT607 - Davis-Weber - Abbott, Airport-shallow water table, Eimarsh, Ford, Gooch, Lakeshore, Logan, Magna, Warm Springs, Woods Cross.
UT611 - Tooele County Area - Eimarsh, Logan.
UT612 - Salt Lake Area - Eimarsh, Magna, Warm Springs.
UT617 - West Millard-Juab Area - Needle Peak.
UT618 - Millard County, East - Green River, Poganeab.
UT621 - Utah County, Utah, Eastern Part - Logan
UT627 - Sanpete Valley Area - Abcal, Cache, Kjar, Poganeab.
UT632 - Delta Area - Abbott, Cache, Kanosh, Pahranagat, Saltair.
NV779 - Logan
Typical Profile (Eimarsh):
Azg - 0-5 inches; silt loam; violently effervescent; moderately saline, strongly alkaline.
Bz1 - 5-10 inches; silty clay; strongly effervescent; strongly saline; moderately alkaline.
Bz2 - 10-15 inches; silty clay; violently effervescent; strongly saline; moderately alkaline.
Czg1 - 15-34 inches; silty clay; violently effervescent; strongly saline; moderately alkaline.
Czg2 - 34-45 inches; silty clay; violently effervescent; strongly saline; moderately alkaline.
Czg3 - 45-60 inches; silty clay; violently effervescent; strongly saline; moderately alkaline.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium – limestone, sandstone, and shale
(2) Lacustrine deposits – sandstone
Surface texture (1) Silty clay loam
(2) Silt loam
(3) Silty clay
Drainage class Very poorly drained to poorly drained Permeability class Very slow to moderately slow Soil depth 60 in Available water capacity
(0-40in)0.4 – 7.1 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 30 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)2 – 32 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 35 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.9 – 9 Ecological dynamics
The Wet Saline Meadow (Saltgrass) ecological site occurs in Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) D28A—The Great Salt Lake Area and was influenced by the natural disturbances typically associated with that MLRA. Modern disturbances such as improper livestock grazing, fluctuating water tables, herbicide applications, and the introduction of invasive species have impacted the resilience of this ecological site and its associated plant communities.
There is little evidence to indicate that the Wet Saline Meadow site historically maintained a short burn frequency. Therefore, this ecological site description will not include fire as a disturbance mechanism in the reference state.
During periods of low standing water, total site production often decreases, but will return to normal amounts during years with average or above average site ponding.
Much of the Wet Saline Meadow site occurs around the Great Salt Lake, this inland water body has no outlet and is thus highly affected by weather patterns that cause it the grow or shrink in size. As its shoreline moves up or down, ecological sites found along the Great Salt Lake shore must also migrate in their relationship to the shore. Human disturbances have caused additional changes to the ecology by developing a series of canals, dikes and diversions designed to control and manage the lakes incoming water. In spite of these natural and human caused impacts, distinct ecological sites can be found surrounding this body of water. The Wet Saline Meadow soils are moderately to strongly saline and normally typically have a water table within 20 inches of the surface. The sites often found with this site are the Lakeshore Marsh site that has nearly continuous ponding, Alkali Bottom site that has a water table deeper than 18 inches, and occasionally the Wet Fresh Meadow site where the water is not as salt influenced but still maintains a water table withing 20 inches of the soil surface.
The Wet Saline Meadow site can be grazed by cattle and sheep grazing during spring, summer, fall, or winter and grazing suitability is good. It has been grazed by domestic livestock since they were first introduced into the area around 1860. This livestock introduction, including the use of fencing, and the development of reliable water sources, has had a major influence on the historic disturbance regime. The Wet Saline Meadow site often served, and still serves as wintering pastures for sheep and cattle producers.
Improperly managed livestock grazing, (continuous season long grazing, heavy stocking rates, repeated early spring grazing, etc.) can cause this site to depart from its reference plant community. During periods of continuous winter grazing, tufted hairgrass, alkali bluegrass and other palatable perennial grasses will decrease and saltgrass and arctic rush will often increase.
As vegetative communities respond to changes in management or natural influences that move them from one state to another, a return to previous states may not be possible. The amount of energy needed to affect these vegetative shifts depends on present biotic and abiotic features and the desired results.
The following state and transition model diagram depicts some of the most commonly occurring plant communities found on the Wet Saline Meadow ecological site. These communities may not represent every possibility, but they are the most prevalent and repeatable. As more data are collected, some of these plant communities may be revised or removed, and new ones may be added. This model was developed using range data collected for publication of the Box Elder County, Eastern Part, Soil Survey and the recent Eastern Shores update. Both ocular and measured data was collected and utilized. Range data collected by the NRCS since 1983 was also used.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
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 and ecological dynamics of the Wet Saline Meadow site. This state includes the biotic communities that become established on the ecological site if all successional sequences are completed under the natural disturbance regime. The Reference State is generally dominated by saltgrass and arctic rush. The Reference State is self sustaining and resistant to change due to high resistance to natural disturbances and high resilience following natural disturbances. When natural disturbances occur, the rate of recovery is variable due to disturbance intensity. Once invasive plants establish, return to the Reference State may not be possible.
Reference State: Saltgrass/arctic rush state with natural fluctuations that form either a mixed grass meadow or a saltgrass dominated meadow depending on the sites natural disturbance history.
Indicators: A community dominated by saltgrass and arctic rush.
Feedbacks: Improper livestock grazing of perennial grasses and/or other disturbances that may allow for the establishment of invasive species.
At-risk Community Phase: This state is at risk when palatable native plants are stressed and nutrients become available for invasive plants to establish.
Trigger: The establishment of invasive plant species.Community 1.1
Saltgrass meadow with other Grasses & Grasslikes.
Figure 9. Community Phase 1.1
This community is characterized by an open grassland aspect with saltgrass, arctic rush, and foxtail barley dominating the herbaceous layer. Other commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include native Kentucky bluegrass, alkali bluegrass, spikerush, and tufted hairgrass. Other perennial grasses, shrubs, and forbs are also present. A stable water table is present at 20 inches or less, providing season long moisture for plant growth. Species composition by air-dry weight is approximately 85 percent perennial grasses, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Bare ground is variable (20 to 40 percent) depending on the amount of biological crust (0 to 15 percent), and plant cover.
Figure 10. 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 1200 2250 3200 Forb 150 250 350 Shrub/Vine 50 100 150 Total 1400 2600 3700 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 0-0% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 50-70% Forb foliar cover 10-10% 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 – – – – >1 <= 2 – 0-5% 65-75% 5-15% >2 <= 4.5 – – – – >4.5 <= 13 – – – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 11. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT0241 , 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 5 15 40 30 5 5 0 0 0 0 State 2
Current Potential CommunityThe Current Potential State is similar to the Rference State, however invasive grasses and/ or forbs are now present in all community phases. This state still has the visual aspect of a saltgrass meadow. Foxtail barley, arctic rush and alkali bluegrass are other primary perennial grass or grasslike species present. Fivehorn smotherweed, povertyweed, and other less palatable species now make up a large portion of the herbaceous layer.
Primary disturbance mechanisms include native herbivore and domestic livestock grazing. Timing of these disturbances dictates the ecological dynamics that occur. The current potential state is still self sustaining; but is losing resistance to change due to lower resilience following disturbances. When disturbances occur, the rate of recovery is variable depending on severity.
Current Potential State: Saltgrass meadow state with various other native and non-native grasses and forbs present.
Indicators: A community dominated by saltgrass and arctic rush where other native perennial grasses and forbs are also present. Invasive grasses and/or forbs are present.
Feedbacks: Frequent disturbances that may allow annual invasive species such as fivehorn smotherweed to dominate.
At-risk Community Phase: As increased disturbance frequency allows for the increase and/or dominance of annual grasses and forbs, this community is at greater risk.
Trigger: Reoccurring disturbance that results in a dominance of annual grasses and/or forbs in the herbaceous layer.Community 2.1
Saltgrass meadow with Invasive Species
Figure 12. Community Phase 2.1
This community is characterized by an open grassland aspect with saltgrass, arctic rush, and foxtail still dominating the herbaceous layer. Other commonly occurring grasses and grasslikes include native Kentucky bluegrass, alkali bluegrass, spikerush, and tufted hairgrass. Non-native species including fivehorn smotherweed, poverty weed, and/or salt cedar are also present. A stable water table is present at 20 inches or less, providing season long moisture for plant growth. Species composition by air-dry weight is approximately 85 percent perennial grasses, 10 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Bare ground is variable (20 to 50 percent) depending on the amount of biological crust (0 to 10 percent), and plant cover.
Figure 13. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 8. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 1200 2250 3200 Forb 150 250 350 Shrub/Vine 50 100 150 Total 1400 2600 3700 Table 9. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 0-0% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 50-70% Forb foliar cover 10-10% 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 10. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – – – – >0.5 <= 1 – – – – >1 <= 2 – 0-5% 65-75% 5-15% >2 <= 4.5 – – – – >4.5 <= 13 – – – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 14. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT0241 , 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 5 15 40 30 5 5 0 0 0 0 Community 2.2
Deteriorated Saltgrass meadow with Invasive Species
Figure 15. Community Phase 2.2
This community is characterized by an open grassland aspect with saltgrass, arctic rush, and foxtail still dominating the herbaceous layer. Palatable grasses and grasslikes including native Kentucky bluegrass, alkali bluegrass, spikerush, and tufted hairgrass are much reduced. Non-native species including fivehorn smotherweed, poverty weed, and/or salt cedar are also present and may dominate the site. Water table may be unstable and when deeper than 30 inches may allow annuals to out compete perennials. Species composition by air-dry weight is approximately 65 percent perennial grasses, 30 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Bare ground is variable (20 to 70 percent) depending on the amount of biological crust (0 to 5 percent), and plant cover.
Figure 16. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 11. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 1100 2150 3100 Forb 250 350 450 Shrub/Vine 50 100 150 Total 1400 2600 3700 Table 12. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 0-10% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 50-60% Forb foliar cover 10-20% 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 (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – – – – >0.5 <= 1 – – – – >1 <= 2 – 0-5% 65-75% 5-15% >2 <= 4.5 – – – – >4.5 <= 13 – – – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 17. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT0241 , 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 5 15 40 30 5 5 0 0 0 0 Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2
Saltgrass meadow with Invasive Species
Deteriorated Saltgrass meadow with Invasive SpeciesThis pathway occurs when events favor a decrease in palatable perennial grasses and grasslikes and an increase in less palatable species such as saltgrass and baltic rush. Non-native annuals including mustards and fivehorn smotherweed may eventually dominate the community. Events may include, improper livestock grazing, and a declining water table that may favor annuals and decrease desirable perennials.
Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.1
Deteriorated Saltgrass meadow with Invasive Species
Saltgrass meadow with Invasive SpeciesThis pathway occurs when events favor a increase in palatable perennial grasses and grasslikes and a decrease in less palatable species such as saltgrass and baltic rush. Non-native annuals including, mustards and fivehorn smotherweed, may eventually be reduced in the community. Events may include, carefully managed livestock grazing over long periods, and a stable water table that is within 20 inches of the soil surface. These conditions generally favor desirable perennials and decrease annual weeds.
State 3
Disturbed StateThe Disturbed State occurs when the site is burned or chemically treated to reduce saltgrass and other unwanted herbaceous species. The resulting plant communities can be highly variable ranging from the recovery of desired native species to the dominance of of invasive weeds such as salt cedar, fivehorn smotherweed, poverty weed, and various mustard species.
Invasive Forb State: Burned or chemically treated community phases influenced by livestock grazing practices and fluctuating water tables.
Indicators: Perennial, annual, invasive grasses, grasslikes, and forbs present in various amounts.
Feedbacks: Livestock grazing practices and fluctuating water tables that maintain or degrade or desirable species and increase non-native, weedy species present in the community.
Trigger: The further establishment of salt cedar, fivehorn smotherweed, and/or other weedy species decrease perennial production and increase bare ground.Community 3.1
Altered Community
Figure 18. Community Phase 3.1
This community phase occurs when the site is chemically treated and/or burned to remove unwanted species. Results can be highly variable ranging from a mixture of native, non-native and invasive species being present. Non-palatable species such as arctic rush, salt cedar, fivehorn smotherweed, and poverty weed may dominate. Kentucky bluegrass may occasionally be present. Water table may be unstable and when deeper than 30 inches may allow annuals to out compete perennials. Species composition by air-dry weight is approximately 65 percent perennial grasses, 30 percent forbs, and 5 percent shrubs. Bare ground is variable (20 to 70 percent) depending on the amount of biological crust (0 to 5 percent), and plant cover.
Figure 19. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 14. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 1200 2200 3200 Forb 150 275 400 Shrub/Vine 75 138 200 Total 1425 2613 3800 Table 15. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 0-0% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 50-70% Forb foliar cover 10-10% 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 16. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – – – – >0.5 <= 1 – – – – >1 <= 2 – 0-5% 65-75% 5-15% >2 <= 4.5 – – – – >4.5 <= 13 – – – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 20. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT0241 , 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 5 15 40 30 5 5 0 0 0 0 Transition T1A
State 1 to 2This transition is from the native perennial grass and grasslike community in the Reference State to a state that contains non-native, invasive species. Events typically include the establishment of invasive grasses and forbs, and an increase in saltgrass,arctic rush and other less palatable species. Factors that drive such events may include any combination of improper livestock grazing, a fluctuating water table, and the presence of a seed source for invasive species. Invasive species such as fivehorn smotherweed however have been known to invade intact perennial plant communities with little to no disturbance. Once invasive species are found in the plant community a threshold has been crossed.
Key drivers
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Nonnative plant species presence and/or establishment
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3This transition is from the Current Potential State to an altered state created by chemical treatment or fire. Results can vary widely from little site production to a healthy mixed perennial grass and grasslike community. Non-native, invasive species may also dominate the site. Factors that drive such events include, improper livestock grazing of palatable perennial grasses, fluctuating water tables, and the availability of invasive weeds. Once site is converted, a threshold has been crossed.
Additional community tables
Table 17. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike0 Primary Grasses 1500–2500 1 Seconary Grasses 100–150 Nebraska sedge CANE2 Carex nebrascensis 30–90 – common spikerush ELPA3 Eleocharis palustris 30–90 – beardless wildrye LETR5 Leymus triticoides 30–90 – common reed PHAU7 Phragmites australis 30–90 – annual rabbitsfoot grass POMO5 Polypogon monspeliensis 30–90 – alkali cordgrass SPGR Spartina gracilis 30–90 – prairie wedgescale SPOB Sphenopholis obtusata 30–90 – Forb2 Forbs 300–450 silverweed cinquefoil ARAN7 Argentina anserina 30–90 – meadow milkvetch ASDI5 Astragalus diversifolius 30–90 – showy milkweed ASSP Asclepias speciosa 30–90 – spear saltbush ATPA4 Atriplex patula 30–90 – cutleaf waterparsnip BEER Berula erecta 30–90 – nodding beggartick BICE Bidens cernua 30–90 – giant red Indian paintbrush CAMI12 Castilleja miniata 30–90 – red goosefoot CHRU Chenopodium rubrum 30–90 – meadow thistle CISC2 Cirsium scariosum 30–90 – fiddleleaf hawksbeard CRRUG Crepis runcinata ssp. glauca 30–90 – spreading alkaliweed CRTR5 Cressa truxillensis 30–90 – darkthroat shootingstar DOPU Dodecatheon pulchellum 30–90 – American licorice GLLE3 Glycyrrhiza lepidota 30–90 – sea milkwort GLMA Glaux maritima 30–90 – Nuttall's sunflower HENU Helianthus nuttallii 30–90 – alkali mallow MALE3 Malvella leprosa 30–90 – seep monkeyflower MIGU Mimulus guttatus 30–90 – boraxweed NIOC2 Nitrophila occidentalis 30–90 – finebranched popcornflower PLLE Plagiobothrys leptocladus 30–90 – lanceleaf goldenweed PYLAL Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata 30–90 – alkali buttercup RACY Ranunculus cymbalaria 30–90 – slender grasswort SAMA11 Salicornia maritima 30–90 – stiff blue-eyed grass SIDE4 Sisyrinchium demissum 30–90 – Shrub/Vine3 Shrubs 150–300 iodinebush ALOC2 Allenrolfea occidentalis 30–90 – whiteflower rabbitbrush CHAL9 Chrysothamnus albidus 30–90 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 30–90 – rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 30–90 – Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 30–90 – greasewood SAVE4 Sarcobatus vermiculatus 30–90 – Table 18. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike0 Primary Grasses 1500–2500 1 Seconary Grasses 100–150 common spikerush ELPA3 Eleocharis palustris 30–90 – beardless wildrye LETR5 Leymus triticoides 30–90 – common reed PHAU7 Phragmites australis 30–90 – annual rabbitsfoot grass POMO5 Polypogon monspeliensis 30–90 – alkali cordgrass SPGR Spartina gracilis 30–90 – prairie wedgescale SPOB Sphenopholis obtusata 30–90 – Forb2 Forbs 300–450 silverweed cinquefoil ARAN7 Argentina anserina 30–90 – meadow milkvetch ASDI5 Astragalus diversifolius 30–90 – showy milkweed ASSP Asclepias speciosa 30–90 – spear saltbush ATPA4 Atriplex patula 30–90 – fivehorn smotherweed BAHY Bassia hyssopifolia 30–90 – cutleaf waterparsnip BEER Berula erecta 30–90 – nodding beggartick BICE Bidens cernua 30–90 – giant red Indian paintbrush CAMI12 Castilleja miniata 30–90 – lambsquarters CHAL7 Chenopodium album 30–90 – red goosefoot CHRU Chenopodium rubrum 30–90 – meadow thistle CISC2 Cirsium scariosum 30–90 – fiddleleaf hawksbeard CRRUG Crepis runcinata ssp. glauca 30–90 – spreading alkaliweed CRTR5 Cressa truxillensis 30–90 – herb sophia DESO2 Descurainia sophia 30–90 – slender grasswort SAMA11 Salicornia maritima 30–90 – tall tumblemustard SIAL2 Sisymbrium altissimum 30–90 – stiff blue-eyed grass SIDE4 Sisyrinchium demissum 30–90 – darkthroat shootingstar DOPU Dodecatheon pulchellum 30–90 – American licorice GLLE3 Glycyrrhiza lepidota 30–90 – sea milkwort GLMA Glaux maritima 30–90 – curlycup gumweed GRSQ Grindelia squarrosa 30–90 – Nuttall's sunflower HENU Helianthus nuttallii 30–90 – povertyweed IVAX Iva axillaris 30–90 – prickly lettuce LASE Lactuca serriola 30–90 – alkali mallow MALE3 Malvella leprosa 30–90 – seep monkeyflower MIGU Mimulus guttatus 30–90 – boraxweed NIOC2 Nitrophila occidentalis 30–90 – finebranched popcornflower PLLE Plagiobothrys leptocladus 30–90 – lanceleaf goldenweed PYLAL Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata 30–90 – alkali buttercup RACY Ranunculus cymbalaria 30–90 – Shrub/Vine3 Shrubs 150–300 rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 30–90 – Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 30–90 – greasewood SAVE4 Sarcobatus vermiculatus 30–90 – saltcedar TARA Tamarix ramosissima 30–90 – iodinebush ALOC2 Allenrolfea occidentalis 30–90 – whiteflower rabbitbrush CHAL9 Chrysothamnus albidus 30–90 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 30–90 – Russian olive ELAN Elaeagnus angustifolia 30–90 – Table 19. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike0 Primary Grasses 1500–2500 1 Seconary Grasses 100–150 common spikerush ELPA3 Eleocharis palustris 30–90 – beardless wildrye LETR5 Leymus triticoides 30–90 – common reed PHAU7 Phragmites australis 30–90 – annual rabbitsfoot grass POMO5 Polypogon monspeliensis 30–90 – alkali cordgrass SPGR Spartina gracilis 30–90 – prairie wedgescale SPOB Sphenopholis obtusata 30–90 – Forb2 Forbs 300–450 fivehorn smotherweed BAHY Bassia hyssopifolia 60–200 – povertyweed IVAX Iva axillaris 60–200 – prickly lettuce LASE Lactuca serriola 30–90 – alkali mallow MALE3 Malvella leprosa 30–90 – seep monkeyflower MIGU Mimulus guttatus 30–90 – boraxweed NIOC2 Nitrophila occidentalis 30–90 – finebranched popcornflower PLLE Plagiobothrys leptocladus 30–90 – lanceleaf goldenweed PYLAL Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata 30–90 – alkali buttercup RACY Ranunculus cymbalaria 30–90 – slender grasswort SAMA11 Salicornia maritima 30–90 – meadow thistle CISC2 Cirsium scariosum 30–90 – fiddleleaf hawksbeard CRRUG Crepis runcinata ssp. glauca 30–90 – tall tumblemustard SIAL2 Sisymbrium altissimum 30–90 – stiff blue-eyed grass SIDE4 Sisyrinchium demissum 30–90 – cutleaf waterparsnip BEER Berula erecta 30–90 – nodding beggartick BICE Bidens cernua 30–90 – giant red Indian paintbrush CAMI12 Castilleja miniata 30–90 – lambsquarters CHAL7 Chenopodium album 30–90 – spreading alkaliweed CRTR5 Cressa truxillensis 30–90 – herb sophia DESO2 Descurainia sophia 30–90 – darkthroat shootingstar DOPU Dodecatheon pulchellum 30–90 – American licorice GLLE3 Glycyrrhiza lepidota 30–90 – sea milkwort GLMA Glaux maritima 30–90 – curlycup gumweed GRSQ Grindelia squarrosa 30–90 – Nuttall's sunflower HENU Helianthus nuttallii 30–90 – silverweed cinquefoil ARAN7 Argentina anserina 30–90 – meadow milkvetch ASDI5 Astragalus diversifolius 30–90 – showy milkweed ASSP Asclepias speciosa 30–90 – spear saltbush ATPA4 Atriplex patula 30–90 – red goosefoot CHRU Chenopodium rubrum 30–90 – Shrub/Vine3 Shrubs 150–300 Russian olive ELAN Elaeagnus angustifolia 60–200 – saltcedar TARA Tamarix ramosissima 60–200 – rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 30–90 – Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 30–90 – greasewood SAVE4 Sarcobatus vermiculatus 30–90 – iodinebush ALOC2 Allenrolfea occidentalis 30–90 – whiteflower rabbitbrush CHAL9 Chrysothamnus albidus 30–90 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 30–90 – Table 20. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike0 Primary Grasses 1560–2550 1 Seconary Grasses 90–150 common spikerush ELPA3 Eleocharis palustris 30–90 – beardless wildrye LETR5 Leymus triticoides 30–90 – common reed PHAU7 Phragmites australis 30–90 – annual rabbitsfoot grass POMO5 Polypogon monspeliensis 30–90 – alkali cordgrass SPGR Spartina gracilis 30–90 – prairie wedgescale SPOB Sphenopholis obtusata 30–90 – Forb2 Forbs 300–450 silverweed cinquefoil ARAN7 Argentina anserina 30–90 – meadow milkvetch ASDI5 Astragalus diversifolius 30–90 – showy milkweed ASSP Asclepias speciosa 30–90 – spear saltbush ATPA4 Atriplex patula 30–90 – cutleaf waterparsnip BEER Berula erecta 30–90 – nodding beggartick BICE Bidens cernua 30–90 – giant red Indian paintbrush CAMI12 Castilleja miniata 30–90 – red goosefoot CHRU Chenopodium rubrum 30–90 – meadow thistle CISC2 Cirsium scariosum 30–90 – fiddleleaf hawksbeard CRRUG Crepis runcinata ssp. glauca 30–90 – spreading alkaliweed CRTR5 Cressa truxillensis 30–90 – darkthroat shootingstar DOPU Dodecatheon pulchellum 30–90 – American licorice GLLE3 Glycyrrhiza lepidota 30–90 – sea milkwort GLMA Glaux maritima 30–90 – Nuttall's sunflower HENU Helianthus nuttallii 30–90 – alkali mallow MALE3 Malvella leprosa 30–90 – seep monkeyflower MIGU Mimulus guttatus 30–90 – boraxweed NIOC2 Nitrophila occidentalis 30–90 – finebranched popcornflower PLLE Plagiobothrys leptocladus 30–90 – lanceleaf goldenweed PYLAL Pyrrocoma lanceolata var. lanceolata 30–90 – alkali buttercup RACY Ranunculus cymbalaria 30–90 – slender grasswort SAMA11 Salicornia maritima 30–90 – stiff blue-eyed grass SIDE4 Sisyrinchium demissum 30–90 – Shrub/Vine3 Shrubs 150–300 iodinebush ALOC2 Allenrolfea occidentalis 30–90 – whiteflower rabbitbrush CHAL9 Chrysothamnus albidus 30–90 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 30–90 – rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 30–90 – Woods' rose ROWO Rosa woodsii 30–90 – greasewood SAVE4 Sarcobatus vermiculatus 30–90 – Interpretations
Animal community
--Threatened and Endangered Species--
This section will be populated as more information becomes available.
--Wildlife Interpretation--
The Wet Saline Meadow (Saltgrass) ecological site, in reference condition, produces large amounts of nutritious forage that can be utilized by native herbivores including deer and antelope who lived here along their associated predators. Although much of this site is presently different from the reference state, it is still very important as wildlife habitat. Other wildlife commonly observed using this site include rabbit, coyote, badger, fox, and various waterfowl species.
In many locations, the Wet Saline Meadow ecological site and its associated wetland ecological sites provide critical habitat for migrating birds from both the Pacific and Central Flyways of North America. These areas contain abundant food for birds.
The following statistics were provided by the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge where much of this ecological site is located:
1. Breeding colonies of white-faced ibis contain as many as 18,000 birds.
2. Up to 10,000 American avocets breed at the Refuge annually.
3. One of North America’s three largest American white pelican breeding colonies, containing in excess of 50,000 birds, is found on Gunnison Island in Great Salt Lake.
4. Northern Utah marshes host up to 60 percent of the continental breeding population of cinnamon teal.
5. The Great Salt Lake boasts the largest fall staging concentration of Wilson’s phalaropes in the world, at approximately 500,000 birds. Red-necked phalaropes number nearly 100,000.
6. The Great Salt Lake area hosts greater than 50 percent of the continental breeding population of snowy plovers.
7. The Great Salt Lake area hosts 26 percent of the global population of marbled godwits during migration.
8. Bear River Refuge may attract over 65,000 black-necked stilts in the fall, more than anywhere else in the country.
--Grazing Interpretations--
The Wet Saline Meadow is one of Utah’s highest yielding range sites. The plants are predominantly grasses and grasslike plants with a few forbs and practically no shrubs. This site provides good spring, fall, and winter grazing conditions for domestic livestock due to its accessibility and its supply of nutritious forage. The plant community is primarily composed of grasses with saltgrass, alkali bluegrass, foxtail barley most dominant. Improper livestock grazing can cause the more palatable species to decrease while saltgrass, arctic rush, and other less palatable to increase.
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.Hydrological functions
The soil is in hydrologic group C. The hydrologic curve number is 74 when the vegetation is in good condition.
Recreational uses
Recreation activities are bird watching, hiking and hunting. Natural beauty exists in the more favorable plant growth condition on the Wet Saline Meadow site when compared to adjacent sites.
Wood products
None
Other information
--Poisonous/Toxic Plant Species--
The toxic plant associated with the Wet Saline Meadow site is mainly Russian thistle.
Russian thistle can cause nitrate and to a lesser extent oxalate poisoning, which affects all classes of livestock. The buildup of nitrates in these plants is highly dependent upon environmental factors, such as after a rain storm during a drought, cool/cloudy days, and soils high in nitrogen and low in sulfur and phosphorus, all which cause increased nitrate accumulation. Nitrate collects in the stems and can persist throughout the growing season. Clinical signs of nitrate poisoning include drowsiness, weakness, muscular tremors, increased heart and respiratory rates, staggering gait, and death. Conversely, oxalate poisoning causes kidney failure; clinical signs include muscle tremors, tetany, weakness, and depression. Poisoning generally occurs when livestock consume and are not accustomed to grazing oxalate-containing plants. Animals with prior exposure to oxalates have increased numbers of oxalate-degrading rumen microflora and thus are able to degrade the toxin before clinical poisoning can occur (Knight and Walter, 2001)
--Invasive Plant Communities--
Generally, as ecological conditions deteriorate and perennial vegetation decreases due to disturbance (fire, over grazing, drought, off road vehicle overuse, erosion, etc.) annual forbs and grasses will invade the site. Of particular concern in this site are fivehorn smotherweed, Russian thistle, kochia, Halogeton, and annual mustards. The presence of these species depends on soil properties and moisture availability; however, these invaders are highly adaptive and can flourish in many locations. Once established, complete removal is difficult but suppression may possible.
--Fire Ecology--
The ability for an ecological site to carry fire depends primarily on the present fuel load and plant moisture content. Fire was a typical disturbance in the historic climax plant community for this ecological site. The natural fire return interval is 30 to100 years, where fires typically occur in the fall. When the site is degraded by the presence of invasive plants, the fire return interval may be shortened due to increased flashy fuels. The shortened fire return interval in the presence of invasive annual species is often sufficient to suppress the native plant community.Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Juab County, UT General legal description Type Location: Fish Springs Wildlife Refuge. Northwest Juab County Other references
US Fish and Wildlife Service; Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge; BearRiver@fws.gov
Knight, A.P. and R.G. Walter. 2001. A guide to plant poisoning of animals in North America. Teton NewMedia. Jackson, WY.
National Engineering Handbook. US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Available: http://www.info.usda.gov/CED/Default.cfm#National%20Engineering%20Handbook. Accessed February 25, 2008.
NRCS Grazing Lands Technology Institute. 2003. National Range and Pasture Handbook. Fort Worth, TX, USA: US Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 190-VI-NRPH.
NPS.gov. 2008. Canyonlands National Park. Nature and Science. Available: http://www.nps.gov/cany/naturescience/. Accessed on January 4, 2008.
Utah Climate Summaries. 2009. Available: http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/summary/climsmut.html. Accessed on February 25, 2008.
Plant.USDA.gov, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Plants Database, accessed at various times.
United States Department of Agriculture Handbook 296, Land resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin, Issued 2006.Contributors
N/A
Unknown
V. Keith Wadman, Brock BensonApproval
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 (Bramwell SiL, soil survey area: 611, Tooele). This site has 3 correlated soils, resulting in variation of each of these attributes. Unless working on a location with the modal soil, it is critical to supplement this description with the soil-specific information from the published soil survey. Soil surface horizon is typically 10 inches deep. Structure is typically moderate thin platy. Color is typically light gray (10YR 6/1), dark gray (10YR 4/1) moist. An ochric horizon extends to a depth of 10 inches. An ochric horizon typically extends to a depth of 2 to 10 inches. The ochric horizon is a surface horizon lacking fine stratification and which is either light colored, or thin, or has an low organic carbon content, or is massive and (very) hard when dry. The A horizon would be expected to be more strongly developed under plant canopies. It is important if you are sampling to observe the A horizon under plant canopies as well as the interspaces. -
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 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:
Perennial Grasses and Grass-likes (sedges, rushes, alakaligrass, saltgrass, scratchgrass).Sub-dominant:
Perennial ForbsOther:
other grasses, 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. 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):
2600#/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:
Halogeton, kochia, smotherweed, whitetop, and salt cedar -
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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