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Ecological site R028AY046NV

WET SODIC BOTTOM

Accessed: 09/17/2026

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General information

Draft. A draft ecological site description is either incomplete or has not undergone quality control and quality assurance review.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 028A–Ancient Lake Bonneville

MLRA 28A occurs in Utah (82%), Nevada (16%), and Idaho (2%). It makes up about 36,775 square miles. 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. They are not well dissected because of low rainfall in the MLRA. Most of the valleys are closed basins containing sinks or playa lakes. Elevation ranges from 3,950 to 6,560 ft. in the basins and from 6,560 to 11,150 ft. in the mountains. Most of this area has alluvial valley fill and playa lakebed deposits at the surface. Great Salt Lake is all that remains of glacial Lake Bonneville. A level line on some mountain slopes indicates the former extent of this glacial lake. Most of the mountains in the interior of this area consist of tilted blocks of marine sediments from Cambrian to Mississippian age. Scattered outcrops of Tertiary continental sediments and volcanic rocks are throughout the area. The average annual precipitation is 5 to 12 ins. in the valleys and is as much as 49 ins. in the mountains. Most of the rainfall occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms during the growing season. The driest period is from midsummer to early autumn. Precipitation in winter typically occurs as snow. The average annual temperature is 39 to 53 °F. The freeze-free period averages 165 days and ranges from 110 to 215 days, decreasing in length with elevation. The dominant soil orders in this MLRA are Aridisols, Entisols, and Mollisols. The soils in the area dominantly have a mesic or frigid soil temperature regime, an aridic or xeric soil moisture regime, and mixed mineralogy. They generally are well drained, loamy or loamy-skeletal, and very deep.

Ecological site concept

This site occurs on lake plains. Slope gradients are 0 to 2 percent. Elevations are 4200 to 4800 feet.

Average annual precipitation is 4 to 8 inches. Mean annual air temperature is 45 to 50 degrees F. The average growing season is about 120 to 170 days.

The soils associate with this site are very deep and somewhat poorly drained. The soils are saturated to within 10 inches of the surface during the growing season. Soils are severely saline-alkali affected.

The plant community is dominated by inland saltgrass. The plant community is dominated by inland saltgrass.
Potential vegetative composition is about 95% grasses, 2% forbs and 3% shrubs.
Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 60 to 80 percent.

Associated sites

R028AY009NV	SALINE FLAT
R028AY045NV	SODIC FLAT

R028AY009NV

SALINE FLAT

R028AY045NV

SODIC FLAT

Similar sites

R028BY012NV	WET SALINE MEADOW More productive site; CAREX, LECI4, SPAI, & PASM important species
R028BY050NV	WET SODIC BOTTOM Less productive site
R028BY002NV	SALINE MEADOW More productive site; CAREX, LECI4, SPAI, & PASM important species
R028AY104NV	DRY SALINE MEADOW Less productive site; SPGR & PUCCI codominant grasses
R028BY001NV	WET MEADOW 10-14 P.Z. More productive site; POA-CAREX dominant plants
R028AY106NV	SALINE BOTTOM Less productive site; SPAI dominant plant; SPGR important species

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	(1) Distichlis spicata
Herbaceous	Not specified

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Physiographic features

This site occurs on lake plains. Slope gradients are 0 to 2 percent. Elevations are 4200 to 4800 feet.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Lake plain
Ponding duration	Brief (2 to 7 days)
Ponding frequency	None to frequent
Elevation	4200 – 4800 ft
Slope	0 – 2 %
Water table depth	14 – 39 in
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

Nevada’s climate is predominantly arid, with large daily ranges of temperature, infrequent severe storms, heavy snowfall in the higher mountains, and great location variations with elevation. Three basic geographical factors largely influence Nevada’s climate: continentality, latitude, and elevation. Continentality is the most important factor. The strong continental effect is expressed in the form of both dryness and large temperature variations. Nevada lies on the eastern, lee side of the Sierra Nevada Range, a massive mountain barrier that markedly influences the climate of the State. The prevailing winds are from the west, and as the warm moist air from the Pacific Ocean ascend the western slopes of the Sierra Range, the air cools, condensation occurs and most of the moisture falls as precipitation. As the air descends the eastern slope, it is warmed by compression, and very little precipitation occurs. The effects of this mountain barrier are felt not only in the West but throughout the state, with the result that the lowlands of Nevada are largely desert or steppes. The temperature regime is also affected by the blocking of the inland-moving maritime air. Nevada sheltered from maritime winds, has a continental climate with well-developed seasons and the terrain responds quickly to changes in solar heating.
Nevada lies within the mid-latitude belt of prevailing westerly winds which occur most of the year. These winds bring frequent changes in weather during the late fall, winter and spring months, when most of the precipitation occurs. To the south of the mid-latitude westerlies, lies a zone of high pressure in subtropical latitudes, with a center over the Pacific Ocean. In the summer, this high-pressure belt shifts northward over the latitudes of Nevada, blocking storms from the ocean. The resulting weather is mostly clear and dry during the summer and early fall, with scattered thundershowers. The eastern portion of the state receives significant summer thunderstorms generated from monsoonal moisture pushed up from the Gulf of California, known as the North American monsoon. The monsoon system peaks in August and by October the monsoon high over the Western U.S. begins to weaken and the precipitation retreats southward towards the tropics (NOAA 2004).

Average annual precipitation is 4 to 8 inches. Mean annual air temperature is 45 to 50 degrees F. The average growing season is about 120 to 170 days.

Mean annual precipitation at BEOWAWE, NEVADA
Climate Station (260795) is 7.53 inches.

Monthly mean precipitation is:
January 0.78, February 0.62, March 0.64,
April 0.77, May 1.02, June 0.71, July 0.29,
August 0.33, September 0.38, October 0.55,
November 0.7, December 0.75.

Table 3 Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (average)	150 days
Freeze-free period (average)	0 days
Precipitation total (average)	10 in

Bar

Line

Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range

Bar

Line

Figure 2. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 3. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 4 Annual average temperature pattern

Soil features

The soils associate with this site are very deep and somewhat poorly drained. The soils are saturated to within 10 inches of the surface during the growing season. Soils are severely saline-alkali affected. The soil series associated with this site include: Typic Halaquepts.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Surface texture	(1) Silty clay loam (2) Silt loam (3) Very fine sandy loam
Family particle size	(1) Loamy
Drainage class	Somewhat poorly drained
Permeability class	Moderately slow
Soil depth	72 – 84 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	7.8 – 7.9 in
Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-40in)	5 – 15 %
Electrical conductivity (0-40in)	16 – 32 mmhos/cm
Sodium adsorption ratio (0-40in)	1 – 99
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	7.9 – 9.6
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	Not specified
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified)	Not specified

Ecological dynamics

Where management results in a lowering of the natural water table, black greasewood and other halophytic shrubs increase, while inland saltgrass and other perennial grasses decrease.

Fire Ecology:
Saltgrass rhizomes occur deep in the soil where they are insulated from the heat of most fires. Saltgrass survives fire by sending up new growth from rhizomes.

State and transition model

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

State 1
Reference State

Community 1.1
Community Phase

The plant community is dominated by inland saltgrass. The plant community is dominated by inland saltgrass.
Potential vegetative composition is about 95% grasses, 2% forbs and 3% shrubs.
Approximate ground cover (basal and crown) is 60 to 80 percent.

Figure 5. 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	950	2375	3325
Shrub/Vine	30	75	105
Forb	20	50	70
Total	1000	2500	3500

Community 1.2
Community Phase

Community 1.3
Community Phase

Pathway a
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Pathway b
Community 1.1 to 1.3

Pathway a
Community 1.2 to 1.1

Pathway a
Community 1.3 to 1.1

Pathway b
Community 1.3 to 1.2

State 2
Current Potential State

Community 2.1
Community Phase

Community 2.2
Community Phase

Community 2.3
Community Phase (At Risk)

Community 2.4
Community Phase (At Risk)

Pathway a
Community 2.1 to 2.2

Pathway b
Community 2.1 to 2.3

Pathway a
Community 2.2 to 2.1

Pathway b
Community 2.2 to 2.4

Pathway a
Community 2.3 to 2.1

Pathway b
Community 2.3 to 2.2

State 3
Shrub State

Community 3.1
Community Phase (At Risk)

State 4
Annual State

Community 4.1
Community Phase

Community 4.2
Community Phase

State 5
Tree State

Community 5.1
Community Phase

Community 5.2
Community Phase

State 6
Seeded State

Community 6.1
Community Phase

Community 6.2
Community Phase

Community 6.3
Community Phase (At Risk)

Transition A
State 1 to 2

Transition A
State 2 to 3

Transition B
State 2 to 4

Additional community tables

Table 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)
Grass/Grasslike
1	Primary Perennial Grasses			1875–2375
	saltgrass	DISP	Distichlis spicata	1875–2375	–
2	Secondary Perennial Grasses			50–125
	scratchgrass	MUAS	Muhlenbergia asperifolia	13–75	–
	alkaligrass	PUCCI	Puccinellia	13–75	–
	alkali sacaton	SPAI	Sporobolus airoides	13–75	–
Forb
3	Perennial			0–125
Shrub/Vine
4	Secondary Shrubs			0–125
	iodinebush	ALOC2	Allenrolfea occidentalis	25–75	–
	red swampfire	SARU	Salicornia rubra	25–75	–
	greasewood	SAVE4	Sarcobatus vermiculatus	25–75	–
	seepweed	SUAED	Suaeda	25–75	–

Table 7. Community 1.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 8. Community 1.3 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 9. Community 2.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 10. Community 2.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 11. Community 2.3 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 12. Community 2.4 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 13. Community 3.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 14. Community 4.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 15. Community 4.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 16. Community 5.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 17. Community 5.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 18. Community 6.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 19. Community 6.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 20. Community 6.3 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Interpretations

Animal community

Livestock Interpretations. This site is suited for livestock production. Grazing management should be keyed to saltgrass production. Saltgrass's value as forage depends primarily on the relative availability of other grasses of higher nutritional value and palatability. It can be an especially important late summer grass in arid environments after other forage grasses have deceased. Saltgrass is rated as a fair to good forage species only because it stays green after most other grasses dry. Livestock generally avoid saltgrass due to its coarse foliage. Saltgrass is described as an “increaser” under grazing pressure.

Stocking rates vary over time depending upon season of use, climate variations, site, and previous and current management goals. A safe starting stocking rate is an estimated stocking rate that is fine tuned by the client by adaptive management through the year and from year to year.

Wildlife Interpretations:
Saltgrass provides cover for a variety of bird species, small mammals, and arthropods and is on occasion used as forage for several big game species.

Hydrological functions

Runoff is high. Permeability is moderately slow.

Recreational uses

Aesthetic value is derived from the floral and faunal composition. This site offers rewarding opportunities to photographers and for nature study. This site is used for camping and hiking and has potential for upland and big game hunting.

Other information

Given its extensive system of rhizomes and roots which form a dense sod, saltgrass is considered a suitable species for controlling wind and water erosion.

Supporting information

Type locality

Location 1: Elko County, NV

Other references

Fire Effects Information System (Online; http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/).

Houghton, J.G., C.M. Sakamoto, and R.O. Gifford. 1975. Nevada’s Weather and Climate, Special Publication 2. Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada, Reno, NV.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 2004. The North American Monsoon. Reports to the Nation. National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center. Available online: http://www.weather.gov/

USDA-NRCS Plants Database (Online; http://www.plants.usda.gov).

Contributors

GKB

Rangeland health reference sheet

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Author(s)/participant(s)
Contact for lead author
Date
Approved by
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production

Indicators

Number and extent of rills:
Presence of water flow patterns:
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):

Dominant:

Sub-dominant:

Other:

Additional:
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
Perennial plant reproductive capability:

Download reference sheet

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