Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R028AY138UT
Desert Shallow Loam (Shadscale)
Last updated: 5/02/2025
Accessed: 08/11/2026
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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 dominated by shadscale in reference condition. It is typically found at moderate to steep slopes on mountainsides, hillsides or benches. This site occurs on gravelly to stony soils that are shallow.
Associated sites
R028AY104UT Desert Alkali Bench (Bud Sagebrush)
This site occurs on deep soils on benches and is dominated by bud sagebrush.
Similar sites
R028AY003NV LOAMY SLOPE 5-8 P.Z.
This is a similar site found in Nevada
R028AY124UT Desert Loam (Shadscale)
This site will occur on finer textured soils and is dominated by shadscale.
R028AY119UT Desert Flat (Shadscale)
This site will occur on finer textured soils and is dominated by shadscale.
R028AY120UT Desert Gravelly Loam (Shadscale)
This site occurs on soils with rock fragments.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Atriplex confertifolia
Herbaceous Not specified
Physiographic features
This site occurs on mountainsides, hillsides, benches, and fan terraces on moderate to steep slopes. It is typically found between 4300 to 5800 feet elevation. There is no flooding or ponding on this site.
Figure 2.
Figure 3.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountain slope
(2) Hill
(3) Fan
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 4800 – 5800 ft Slope 10 – 50 % Climatic features
The climate is cold and snowy in the winter and warm and dry in the summer. The average 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.
Mean Annual Air Temperature: 45-50
Mean Annual Soil Temperature: 50-53Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 100 days Freeze-free period (average) 120 days Precipitation total (average) 0 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
Climate stations used
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(1) WENDOVER AP AWOS [USW00024193], Wendover, UT
">Influencing water features
Soil features
Characteristic soils in this site are 8 to 20 inches deep over bedrock and are well drained.
They formed in colluvium and residuum derived mainly from basalt parent materials. The surface horizon is sandy loam or loam textures 2 inches thick. About 60 percent of the soil surface is covered by rock fragments. The volume of rock fragments in the soil profile is 15 to 35 percent.
These soils are moderately calcareous to strongly calcareous and are moderately alkaline to very strongly alkaline. Permeability is moderate. Runoff is medium or rapid. The hazard of erosion by water is slight to severe depending on percent slope. Available water capacity is 1.5 to 4.0 inches.
The water supplying capacity is 1 to 4 inches. Natural geologic erosion in potential is approximately 1.0 tons/acre/year.
This site has been correlated to the following soil components (soil survey area, component, mapunit):
UT611: Theriot (65A)
UT617: Crystal Springs (13), Petaca (4), Theon (11, 81), Yaki (89)Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Colluvium – limestone
(2) Residuum – limestone
Surface texture (1) Gravelly sandy loam
(2) Very stony sandy loam
(3) Gravelly loam
Drainage class Well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class Moderate Soil depth 10 – 20 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 12 – 28 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 29 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)0.9 – 1.4 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)10 – 50 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 4 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)0 – 10 Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.9 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)16 – 36 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 29 % Ecological dynamics
As ecological condition deteriorates due to overgrazing, galleta, Indian ricegrass, squirreltail, and needleandthread decrease while rabbitbrush, shadscale, and annuals increase.
When the potential natural plant community is burned, Indian ricegrass and needleandthread decrease while rabbitbrush and annuals increase.
Annual grasses and annual forbs are most likely to invade this site.
Nevada's site 028AY003NV is very similar to this site and the STM developed for 003NV is used in this ESD (Stringham et al. 2015). The soils of this site are shallow or very shallow to bedrock and well drained. Surface textures are loams to sandy loams and are typically very gravelly, cobbly, or stony. Production for site is typically 325 lbs/acre for a normal year. This site is less resilient to disturbance than the modal site (028AY012NV) and others within this disturbance response group (see Stringham et al. 2015 for disturbance response group information).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
SWAPAEHSWAPAEHSWAPAEHSWAPAEHState 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 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 two general community phases: a shrub-grass dominate 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. This site is very stable, with little variation in plant community composition. Plant community changes would be reflected in production response to long term drought or herbivory. Wet years will increase grass production, while drought years will reduce production. Shrub production will also increase during wet years; however, extreme growing season wet periods has been shown to cause shadscale death.
Community 1.1
Shadscale, Indian ricegrassThis community is dominated by shadscale, bud sagebrush and Indian ricegrass. Galleta grass and King’s desertgrass are minor components along with winterfat and bud sagebrush.
Community phase changes are primarily a function of chronic drought. Drought will favor shrubs over perennial bunchgrasses. However, long-term drought will result in an overall decline in plant community production, regardless of functional group. Extreme growing season wet periods may also reduce the shadscale component. Fire is very infrequent to non-existent.
The dominant aspect of the plant community is shadscale. The composition by air-dry weight is approximately 30 percent perennial grasses, 10 percent forbs, and 60 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)Shrub/Vine 30 90 180 Grass/Grasslike 15 45 90 Forb 5 15 30 Total 50 150 300 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 20-40% 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 – 35-45% 15-25% – >2 <= 4.5 – – – – >4.5 <= 13 – – – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 9. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). UT1381 , 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
ShadscaleShrubs such as shadscale and bud sagebrush increase in the community. Perennial bunchgrasses decrease with drought and may become a minor component.
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2Long-term drought, extreme wet periods and/or herbivory. Drought will favor shrubs over perennial bunchgrasses. Extreme wet periods will reduce the shadscale component.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1Release from drought and/or herbivory would allow the vegetation to increase and bare ground would eventually decrease. Extreme growing season wet period may reduce shadscale.
State 2
Current Potential StateThis state is similar to the Reference State 1.0. with the addition of a shadscale and sprouting shrub dominated community phase. 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
Shadscale, bud sagebrush, Indian ricegrassThis community is compositionally similar to the Reference State Community Phase 1.1 with the presence of non-native species in trace amounts. This community is dominated by shadscale and Indian ricegrass. Galleta grass, bud sagebrush and winterfat are also important species on this site. Community phase changes are primarily a function of chronic drought or extreme wet periods. Fire is infrequent and patchy due to low fuel loads.
Community 2.2
Shadscale, other shrubsShadscale and rabbitbrush increase while Indian ricegrass and bud sagebrush decline. Bare ground increases along with annual weeds. Prolonged drought may lead to an overall decline in the plant community. Galleta grass may increase. Wet periods will decrease the shadscale component.
Community 2.3
Shadscale, other shrubs, annual non-nativesShadscale and rabbitbrush dominates the overstory and perennial bunchgrasses, winterfat and bud sagebrush are reduced, either from competition with shrubs or from inappropriate grazing, chronic drought or both. Galleta may increase. Annual non-native species may be stable or increasing due to a lack of completion with perennial bunchgrasses. Bare ground may be significant. This community is at risk of crossing a threshold to either State 3.0 (shrub) or State
4.0 (annual).Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2Inappropriate growing season grazing favors unpalatable shrubs over bunchgrasses, winterfat and bud sagebrush. Long term drought will also decrease the perennial bunchgrasses in the understory.
Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.1Release from drought and/or appropriate grazing management that facilitates an increase in perennial grasses, winterfat and bud sagebrush. Extreme growing season wet period may reduce shadscale.
Pathway 2.2b
Community 2.2 to 2.3Long term drought and/or inappropriate grazing will significantly reduce perennial grasses, winterfat and bud sagebrush in favor of shadscale and rabbitbrush.
State 3
Shrub StateThis state has one community phase that is characterized by shadscale, bud sagebrush or a sprouting shrub overstory with very little to no understory. The site has crossed a biotic threshold and site processes are being controlled by shrubs. Shrub cover exceeds the 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. Bare ground has increased.
Community 3.1
Shadscale, other shrubs, annual non-nativesDecadent shadscale and bud sagebrush dominate the overstory. Rabbitbrush and/or other sprouting shrubs may be a significant component or dominant shrub. Deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses may be present in trace amounts or absent from the community. Annual nonnative species increase. Bare ground is significant.
State 4
Annual StateThis state has one community phase. In this state, a biotic threshold has been crossed and state dynamics are driven by the dominance and persistence of the annual plant community which is perpetuated by a shortened fire return interval. The herbaceous understory is dominated by annual non-native species such as cheatgrass and halogeton. Bare ground may be abundant. Resiliency has declined and further degradation from fire facilitates a cheatgrass and sprouting shrub plant community. The fire return interval has shortened due to the dominance of cheatgrass in the understory and is a driver in site dynamics.
Community 4.1
Halogeton, cheatgrassThis community is dominated by annual non-native species. Halogeton most commonly invades these sites. Trace amounts of shadscale and other shrubs may be present, but are not contributing to site function. Bare ground may be abundant, especially during low precipitation years. Soil erosion from wind and soil temperature are driving factors in site function.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Trigger: This transition is caused by the introduction of non-native annual plants, such as halogeton, mustards and cheatgrass. 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: Long-term inappropriate grazing and/or long-term drought will decrease or eliminate deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses and favor shrub growth and establishment. Slow variables: Long term decrease in deep-rooted perennial grass density. Threshold: Loss of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses changes nutrient cycling, nutrient redistribution, and reduces soil organic matter.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4Trigger: Fire and/or soil disturbing treatments such as drill seeding and plowing. An unusually wet spring may facilitate the increased germination and production of cheatgrass leading to its dominance within the community. Slow variables: Increased production and cover of non-native annual species. Threshold: Loss of deep-rooted perennial bunchgrasses and shrubs truncates, spatially and temporally, nutrient capture and cycling within the community. Increased, continuous fine fuels from annual non-native plants modify the fire regime by changing intensity, size and spatial variability of fires.
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4Trigger: Fire and/or soil disturbing treatments such as drill seeding and plowing. Slow variables: Increased production and cover of non-native annual species. Threshold: Increased, continuous fine fuels modify the fire regime by changing intensity, size and spatial variability of fires. Changes in plant community composition and spatial variability of vegetation due to the loss of perennial bunchgrasses and sagebrush truncate energy capture spatially and temporally thus impacting nutrient cycling and distribution.
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 72–110 shadscale saltbush ATCO Atriplex confertifolia 50–70 – bud sagebrush PIDE4 Picrothamnus desertorum 10–20 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 6–10 – winterfat KRLA2 Krascheninnikovia lanata 6–10 – 3 Secondary Shrubs 10–20 black sagebrush ARNO4 Artemisia nova 2–6 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 2–6 – Nevada jointfir EPNE Ephedra nevadensis 2–6 – spiny hopsage GRSP Grayia spinosa 2–6 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 2–6 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 2–6 – shortspine horsebrush TESP2 Tetradymia spinosa 2–6 – Grass/Grasslike0 Primary Grasses 34–60 James' galleta PLJA Pleuraphis jamesii 20–30 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 10–20 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 4–10 – 1 Secondary Grasses 10–20 purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 2–6 – blue grama BOGR2 Bouteloua gracilis 2–6 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 2–6 – Sandberg bluegrass POSE Poa secunda 2–6 – Forb2 Forbs 10–20 Utah milkvetch ASUT Astragalus utahensis 2–6 – roundspike cryptantha CRHU2 Cryptantha humilis 2–6 – spiny phlox PHHO Phlox hoodii 2–6 – gooseberryleaf globemallow SPGR2 Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia 2–6 – desert princesplume STPI Stanleya pinnata 2–6 – Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 2.3 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 (%) Interpretations
Animal community
This site is suited for sheep and cattle grazing during fall, 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
Soils are in hydrologic group D with runoff curves ranging from 80 to 89 depending on hydrologic condition.
Recreational uses
Hiking and hunting.
Wood products
None
Other information
Threatened and endangered species include plants and animals.
Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Millard County, UT General legal description Warm Springs Soil Survey West of Pruess Lake, South of Garrison, Utah 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 01/15/2009 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
Slight rill development will be evident in the reference community on slopes <15%. Rill development on these slopes will be relatively short (<6’) and widely spaced (8 to 10 feet). Steeper slopes (15% to 50% plus) will exhibit increased rill lengths (15 to 20 feet) with more narrow spacings (2 to 8 feet). Rill development may be more apparent where run-on from adjacent upland sites or exposed bedrock concentrate flows. Evidence of rills will decrease in the months following major weather events. Potential rill development may be affected by significant concentrations (20% - 60%, typically 35%) of coarse fragments on the soil surface. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Some evidence of water flow is evident throughout the reference community. Flow patterns increase in both size and development as slope increases. Flow patterns are normally <20 feet long, follow natural contours, and are typically spaced 10 to 15 feet apart. Steeper slopes may show minor root exposure around perennial grass clumps and surface coarse fragments show some evidence of movement or redistribution. Increased flow activity will be observed following significant weather events. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Minor evidence of pedestals or terracettes caused by water erosion will typically be evident in the reference community and may increase as slope steepens. 1 – 3 inches of depositional mounding in perennial grass clumps, Shadscale canopies and biological soil crusts are normal and may not be erosion caused. -
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 – 35% to 60%; plant canopy – 20% to 30%; litter – 10% to 20%, and biological soil crusts – 2% to 5%. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
Developed gully channels are a normal component of desert environments. Gullies associated with reference areas on this site will typically have stable, partially vegetated sides and bottoms with little evidence of head-cutting. Evidence of disturbance will be more significant as slopes increase or following major weather events. Gullies conveying runoff from higher elevation rocky or naturally eroding areas exhibit erosion characteristics consistent with the condition of those areas. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
No evidence of wind generated soil movement is present in reference communities. Slight mounding around Indian ricegrass bunches, James galleta clumps, Shadscale canopies and biological soil crusts is a normal characteristic of this site. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Some litter movement down slope from source of origin is common in reference communities but most litter resides in place within or under plant canopies. Movement of fine materials (< ½ “) may move (3’ – 6’) on slope <20%, movement of larger materials (1/2” to 1”) is normal on slopes > 20%. Some litter accumulation is observed behind obstructions. -
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 4 to 5. Surface textures are typically very stony loams containing 35 to 60% coarse fragments. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
Soil surface is 2 – 3 inches deep and structure is weak fine granular. The A-horizon color is typically 10YR 5/3. Soils have an Ochric epipedon that extends 2 inches into the soil profile. It 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:
Soil surface is 2 – 3 inches deep and structure is weak fine granular. The A-horizon color is typically 10YR 5/3. Soils have an Ochric epipedon that extends 2 inches into the soil profile. It is normally deeper and better developed under plant canopies. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
None. Bedrock occurs at 17 inches. -
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: Non-sprouting shrubs (e.g. Shadscale and Bud sage) 30 – 40%, >> warm season perennial grasses (e.g. James galleta and Blue grama) 10 – 20%, > cool season grasses (e.g. Indian ricegrass and Bottlebrush squirreltail) 5 – 15%.Sub-dominant:
Sub-dominant: Sprouting shrubs (e.g. Nevada jointfir and Winterfat) 3 - 5% > Cool season grasses (e.g. Sandberg and Nevada bluegrasses) 3 - 5%.Other:
Others: Shrubs (e.g. Low rabbitbrush and Four-wing saltbush) 1-3%, perennial forbs (e.g. Gooseberryleaf globemallow and Carpet phlox) 3-5%, biological 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. During severe (multi-year) drought or insect infestations up to 80% of the shadscale may die. There may be partial mortality of individual bunchgrasses and other shrubs during severe drought. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
Litter cover ranges from 10 to 15% with a spike when Bud Sage drops its leaves. Depth varies from ¼ - ½ inch with depth increasing near plant canopies. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
100 – 200 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:
Annual bromes and Halogeton are likely to 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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