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Conservation Service
Ecological site R028AY134UT
Desert Sand (Four-Wing Saltbush)
Last updated: 5/02/2025
Accessed: 08/14/2026
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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%), Nevada (16%), and Idaho (2%). 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. They generally are 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
MLRA 28A, LRU A, northern desert ecological zone
Ecological site concept
This site is typically dominated by four-wing saltbush. It is found on deep sandy soils on the low slopes of alluvial fans, fan remnants, lake terraces or dunes.
Associated sites
R028AY104UT Desert Alkali Bench (Bud Sagebrush)
This site occurs on benches above the Desert Sand site and is dominated by bud sagebrush.
R028AY119UT Desert Flat (Shadscale)
This site will occur on finer textured soils and is dominated by shadscale.
R028AY137UT Desert Sandy Loam (Shadscale)
This site is found on sandy loam soils and is dominated by shadscale.
Similar sites
R028AY011NV SODIC DUNE
Similar soil characteristics
R028AB110UT Desert Alkali Sand (Fourwing Saltbush)
This site is found on similar soils, however, this site is influenced by salts..
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Atriplex canescens
Herbaceous Not specified
Physiographic features
This site occurs on lake terraces and beach bars.
Figure 2.
Figure 3.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Lake terrace
(2) Beach
(3) Bar
Elevation 4200 – 5000 ft Slope 1 – 10 % Climatic features
The climate is cold and snowy in the winter and warm and dry in the summer. The average annual precipitation is 5 to 8 inches. Approximately 70 percent comes as rain from March through October. On the average, June through September are the driest months and March through May are the wettest months.
Climate data from PRISM model.
Mean Annual Air Temperature: 45-50
Mean Annual Soil Temperature: 50-53Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 120 days Freeze-free period (average) 130 days Precipitation total (average) 10 in BarLineFigure 4. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 7 Annual average temperature pattern
">Influencing water features
Soil features
The characteristic soils in this site are over 60 inches deep and excessively well drained.
They formed in alluvium and aeolian deposits derived mainly from mixed parent materials. The surface horizon is loamy sand textures and 5 inches thick. About 35 percent of the soil surface is covered by rock fragments. The volume of rock fragments in the soil profile is 0 to 5 percent.
Soils in this site have coarse textures throughout the profile including sands and loamy sand. Some soils have a layer of carbonate accumulation at a depth of 6 to 20 inches. The available water capacity is 3 to 5 inches. The permeability is rapid. Runoff is slow.
The water supplying capacity is 2 to 5 inches. Natural geologic erosion in potential is approximately 0.5 tons/acre/year.
This site is correlated to the following soil components (soil survey area, component, mapunit):
UT601: Lynndyl (49)
UT611: Yenrab (73, 74)
UT617: Lynndyl (35, 40, 41, 42)Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Loamy fine sand
(2) Fine sand
(3) Sand
Drainage class Well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class Rapid Soil depth 60 – 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 11 % Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)2 – 6.5 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)3 – 35 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 4 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 15 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.9 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 13 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)Not specified Ecological dynamics
As ecological condition deteriorates due to overgrazing, Indian ricegrass, needle and thread, galleta, and fourwing saltbush decrease while rabbitbrush, annual forbs, and annual grasses increase.
When the potential natural plant community is burned needle and thread and Indian ricegrass decrease while rabbitbrush and annuals increase.
Annual forbs are most likely to invade this site.
This site is similar to Nevada's 028AY011NV ecological site and the STM developed for 011NV is used below (Stringham et al. 2015).State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
SWAPAEHSWAPAEHSWAPAEHState 3 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateThe Reference State 1.0 is a representative of the natural range of variability under pristine conditions. The reference state has three general community phases; a shrub-grass dominant phase, a perennial grass dominant phase and a shrub dominant phase. State dynamics are maintained by interactions between climatic patterns and disturbance regimes. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Plant community phase changes are primarily driven by fire, periodic long term drought and/or insect or disease attack.
Community 1.1
Fourwing saltbush, Indian ricegrassThe dominant aspect of the plant community is fourwing saltbush and Indian ricegrass. The composition by air-dry weight is approximately 45 percent perennial grasses, 10 percent forbs, and 45 percent shrubs.
Figure 8. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 90 225 383 Shrub/Vine 90 225 383 Forb 20 50 85 Total 200 500 851 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 10-20% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 10-20% Forb foliar cover 0-10% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 0% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 0% Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – – – – >0.5 <= 1 – – – 0-10% >1 <= 2 – – 15-25% – >2 <= 4.5 – 15-25% – – >4.5 <= 13 – – – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT1341 , 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 25 50 10 0 0 5 5 0 0 Community 1.2
Perennial bunchgrasses, fourwing saltbushThis community phase is characteristic of a post-disturbance, early-seral community phase. Indian ricegrass, and other perennial bunchgrasses dominate. Fourwing saltbush may sprout after fire depending on ecotype. Black greasewood, spiny hopsage and other sprouting shrubs may increase.
Community 1.3
Fourwing saltbush, rabbitbrush, perennial bunchgrassesFourwing saltbush and other shrubs increase in the absence of disturbance. Excessive herbivory may cause an increase in black greasewood and other unpalatable shrubs. Fourwing saltbush and other shrubs dominate the overstory and the deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses in the understory are reduced either from competition with shrubs and/or from herbivory.
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2Fire will decrease or eliminate the overstory of fourwing saltbush and allow for the perennial bunchgrasses to dominate the site. Fires will typically be low severity due to dispersed fuel loads. A fire following an unusually wet spring facilitating an increase in fine fuels may be more severe and reduce fourwing saltbush cover to trace amounts.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1Absence of disturbance over time allows fourwing saltbush and other shrubs to recover.
Pathway 1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.2A low severity fire, herbivory or combinations will reduce the fourwing saltbush overstory and create a fourwing saltbush/grass mosaic.
State 2
Current Potential StateThis state is similar to the Reference State 1.0. This state has the same three general community phases. Ecological function has not changed, however the resiliency of the state has been reduced by the presence of invasive weeds. Non-natives may increase in abundance but will not become dominant within this State. These non-natives can be highly flammable and can promote fire where historically fire had been infrequent. Negative feedbacks enhance ecosystem resilience and contribute to the stability of the state. These feedbacks include the presence of all structural and functional groups, low fine fuel loads, and retention of organic matter and nutrients. Positive feedbacks decrease ecosystem resilience and stability of the state. These include the non-natives’ high seed output, persistent seed bank, rapid growth rate, ability to cross pollinate, and adaptations for seed dispersal.
Community 2.1
Fourwing saltbush, Indian ricegrass, non-native annualsFourwing saltbush and Indian ricegrass dominate the site. Black greasewood, spiny hopsage and other shrubs are also common. Alkali sacaton, thickspike wheatgrass and bottlebrush squirreltail are also present in the understory. Forbs are present but not abundant. Non-native annual species are present.
Community 2.2
Perennial bunchgrasses, non-native annualsThis community phase is characteristic of a post-disturbance, early seral community phase. Indian ricegrass and other perennial grasses dominate. Fourwing saltbush may be killed by fire depending on ecotype, therefore it may decrease in the burned community. Depending on fire severity patches of intact fourwing saltbush may remain. Sprouting shrubs such as black greasewood, spiny hopsage and rabbitbrush may dominate the aspect for a number of years following fire. Annual non-native species generally respond well after fire and may be stable to increasing within the community.
Community 2.3
Fourwing saltbush, shrubs, non-native annualsFourwing saltbush increases in the community and may become the dominant with lack of disturbance. Inappropriate grazing may cause a decrease in fourwing saltbush and allow other shrubs such as black greasewood, spiny hopsage and shadscale to increase.
Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2Fire would decrease or eliminate the overstory of fourwing saltbush and allow for the perennial bunchgrasses to dominate the site. Fires would typically be small and patchy due to low fuel loads. A fire following an unusually wet spring or a change in management facilitating an increase in fuel loads may be more severe and reduce shrub cover to trace amounts. Annual non-native species generally respond well after fire and may be stable or increasing in within the community.
Pathway 2.1b
Community 2.1 to 2.3Time and lack of disturbance and/or chronic drought allows for fourwing saltbush to increase and dominate the site, causing a reduction in the perennial bunchgrasses. Inappropriate grazing may cause a decrease in perennial bunchgrasses and fourwing saltbush allowing other shrubs such as black greasewood and spiny hopsage to increase. However bottlebrush squirreltail and thickspike wheatgrass may increase in the understory depending on the grazing management.
Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.1Time and lack of disturbance may allow for fourwing saltbush and other shrubs to establish and increase in community.
Pathway 2.3a
Community 2.3 to 2.2Low severity fire, grazing management or combinations may decrease fourwing saltbush allowing for the perennial understory to increase. Late fall/winter grazing may cause mechanical damage to other shrubs such as black greasewood and spiny hopsage promoting the perennial bunchgrass understory.
State 3
Shrub StateThis state has two community phases and is a product of many years of heavy grazing during time periods harmful to perennial bunchgrasses. Black greasewood, spiny hopsage and rabbitbrush dominate the overstory. Shrub cover exceeds site concept and may be decadent, reflecting stand maturity and lack of seedling establishment due to competition with mature plants. The shrub overstory dominates site resources such that soil water, nutrient capture, nutrient cycling and soil organic matter are temporally and spatially redistributed. With a decrease in understory species the soils on these sites may become unstable and wind erosion may increase.
Community 3.1
Shrub dominated, non-native annualsBlack greasewood dominates the overstory. Rabbitbrush and spiny hopsage may be significant components. Fourwing saltbush is still present but declining. Deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses may be present in trace amounts or absent from the community. Annual non-native species increase. Bare ground is significant.
Community 3.2
Shrub and non-native annual dominatedBlack greasewood, rabbitbrush and spiny hopsage dominate the site. Fourwing saltbush may be found in trace amounts or may be absent from the site. Annual non-native species dominate the understory. Perennial bunchgrasses make up a minor component.
Pathway 3.1a
Community 3.1 to 3.2Heavy grazing in winter and early spring decreases fourwing saltbush and perennial bunchgrasses, and may promote other shrubs such as rabbitbrush and black greasewood.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Trigger: This transition is caused by the introduction of non-native annual weeds, such as cheatgrass, mustards, and Russian thistle. Slow variables: Over time the annual non-native species will increase within the community. Threshold: Any amount of introduced non-native species causes an immediate decrease in the resilience of the site. Annual non-native species cannot be easily removed from the system and have the potential to significantly alter disturbance regimes from their historic range of variation.
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3Trigger: To Community Phase 3.1: Inappropriate cattle/horse grazing will decrease or eliminate deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses and fourwing saltbush and favor other shrub growth and establishment. Soil disturbing brush treatments will reduce fourwing saltbush and possibly increase non-native annual species and rabbitbrush. Slow variables: Long term decrease in deep-rooted perennial grass density and/or fourwing saltbush. Threshold: Loss of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses changes nutrient cycling, nutrient redistribution, and reduces soil organic matter. Loss of long-lived, fourwing saltbush changes the temporal and depending on the replacement shrub, the spatial distribution of nutrient cycling.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Shrub/Vine0 Primary Shrubs 138–220 fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 83–110 – spiny hopsage GRSP Grayia spinosa 28–55 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 28–55 – 3 Secondary Shrubs 28–55 shadscale saltbush ATCO Atriplex confertifolia 6–17 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVIS5 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus ssp. viscidiflorus var. stenophyllus 6–17 – mormon tea EPVI Ephedra viridis 6–17 – rubber rabbitbrush ERNAN5 Ericameria nauseosa ssp. nauseosa var. nauseosa 6–17 – granite prickly phlox LIPU11 Linanthus pungens 6–17 – bud sagebrush PIDE4 Picrothamnus desertorum 6–17 – littleleaf horsebrush TEGL Tetradymia glabrata 6–17 – Grass/Grasslike0 Primary Grasses 154–238 Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 83–110 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 28–55 – James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 28–55 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 17–28 – 1 Secondary Grasses 17–28 purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 6–17 – mat sandbur CELO3 Cenchrus longispinus 6–17 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 6–17 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 6–17 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 6–17 – spike dropseed SPCO4 Sporobolus contractus 6–17 – Forb2 Forbs 28–55 Utah milkvetch ASUT Astragalus utahensis 6–17 – Booth's evening primrose CABO7 Camissonia boothii 6–17 – cushion cryptantha CRCI2 Cryptantha circumscissa 6–17 – cushion buckwheat EROV Eriogonum ovalifolium 6–17 – Great Basin woollystar ERSP3 Eriastrum sparsiflorum 6–17 – shortstem lupine LUBR2 Lupinus brevicaulis 6–17 – whitestem blazingstar MEAL6 Mentzelia albicaulis 6–17 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 6–17 – showy Townsend daisy TOFL5 Townsendia florifer 6–17 – Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 2.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 15. Community 3.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
This site is suited for sheep and cattle grazing during winter and spring.
Wildlife using this site include rabbit, coyote, fox, pronghorn antelope, and mule deer (seasonal).
This is a short list of the more common species found. Many other species are present as well and migratory birds are present at times.Hydrological functions
The soils are in hydrologic group A with runoff curves ranging from 39 to 69 depending on hydrologic condition.
Recreational uses
Hiking and Camping
Wood products
None
Other information
Threatened and endangered species include plants and animals.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Box Elder County, UT Township/Range/Section T7N R18W S1 General legal description East of Lucin, Box Elder County, Utah, 1500 ft West, 500 ft North of SE Corner of Section 1, Township 7N, Range 18W Other references
Stringham, T.K., P. Novak-Echenique, P. Blackburn, C. Coombs, D. Snyder, and A. Wartgow. 2015. Final Report for USDA Ecological Site Description State-and Transition Models, Major Land Resource Area 28A and 28B Nevada. University of Nevada Reno, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Research Report 2015-01. p. 1524.
Contributors
David J. Somorville
DJS
Patti Novak Echenique
Tamzen StringhamApproval
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) V. Keith Wadman (NRCS Ret.), Shane A. Green (NRCS) Contact for lead author shane.green@ut.usda.gov Date 01/19/2009 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
Minor rill development may be evident in the reference community only following a recent significant storm or snow melt events. Rill presents may be more evident where run-on from adjacent upland sites or exposed bedrock concentrate flows. Any rill development will be short (< 5’) and spaced 6’ – 8’. Evidence of rills will decrease in the months following major weather events due to the affects of wind on this sites very coarse textured surface soil. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Slight evidence of water flow may be evident in the reference community following significant storm events. Flow patterns affect < 5% of the site. Flow patterns are normally <20 feet long, follow natural contours, and are typically spaced 10 to 15 feet apart. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Very minor pedestal development caused by wind erosion is evident in the reference community, but there should be no exposed roots. 1 – 3 inches of depositional mounding in Indian ricegrass bunches, and under Four-wing saltbush canopies are normal. Some evidence of wind generated soil movement is evident; any unstable areas present have mostly healed over. -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
Bare ground ranges from 20% - 40% in the reference community. Ground cover (the inverse of bare ground) typically includes: coarse fragments – 2% to 5%; plant canopy – 20% to 30%; litter – 20% to 30%. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Developed gully channels are a normal component of desert environments. Gullies associated with the reference state will typically have stable, partially vegetated sides and bottoms with no evidence of head-cutting. Some evidence of disturbance may be evident following significant weather events or when gullies convey runoff from higher elevation rocky or naturally eroding areas. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
Some evidence of wind generated soil movement is normal in reference communities on this site. Evidence of small (100 sq feet) wind generated blowouts may also be present; any blowout areas present appear stable and are being stabilized with perennial vegetation. Some depositional mounding around Indian ricegrass bunches, and under fouwing saltbush canopies is a normal characteristic of this site. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Most litter resides in place within or under plant canopies. Some movement of fine material (< ¼”) may move (2’ – 4’) in the direction of prevailing winds or down slope if being transported by water. Some accumulation is observed behind obstructions. Larger woody litter (> ½”) is mostly found under or near shrubs. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
This site should have a soil stability rating of 2 to 4. Surface textures are typically coarse loamy sands containing 0% to 5% coarse fragments. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Soil surface ranges from 5 to 12 inches deep and structure is very weak to weak, thin platy. The A-horizon color range from 10YR 6/3 to 10YR7/3. Soils have an Ochric epipedon that extends 5 to12 inches into the soil profile. The A horizon is normally deeper and better developed under plant canopies. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
The presence of rhizomatous grasses such as James galleta or Western wheatgrass combined with healthy perennial bunchgrasses and Four-wing saltbush in the reference community provides for the best infiltration and least runoff from storm events and snow melt. As perennial vegetation decreases and bare ground increases, runoff increases and soil loss is accelerated. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None. Soils are deep to very deep. -
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:
Dominant: cool season grasses (e.g. Indian ricegrass and Needleandthread) 30 – 40%, > Sprouting shrubs (e.g. Four-wing saltbush and Winterfat) 20 – 30%.Sub-dominant:
Sub-dominant: Sprouting shrubs (e.g. Spiny hopsage and Rubber rabbitbrush) 5 – 15%, > warm season grasses (e.g. Galleta) 5 – 10%, > Cool season grasses (e.g. Western wheatgrass and Bottlebrush squirreltail) 1-3%.Other:
Others: Shrubs (e.g. Shadscale and Bud sage 1-3%), perennial forbs (e.g. Scarlet globemallow and Cushion wild buckwheat) 3-5%, biological soil crusts (e.g. lichens, mosses, cyanobacteria) trace%.Additional:
Moss and lichen communities will normally be found under plant canopies while the cyanobacteria will be found throughout the site. Functional/structural groups may appropriately contain non-native species if their ecological function is the same as the native species in the reference state. Perennial and annual 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. There may be partial (<30%) mortality of individual bunchgrasses and other shrubs during severe drought. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter cover ranges from 20 to 30% with a spike when shrubs drop their leaves. Depth varies from ¾ to 1/2 inch with depth increasing near plant canopies. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
450 - 550 pounds on an average year. -
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:
Broom snakeweed, Russian thistle, Redstem storksbill, annual bromes and Halogeton are likely to increase in or invade this site. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All perennial plant species have the ability to reproduce in most years except drought years.
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