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Ecological site R028AY310UT
Upland Loam (Bonneville Big Sagebrush) North
Last updated: 5/02/2025
Accessed: 07/15/2026
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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 2,000 meters) in the basins and from 6,560 to 11,150 feet (1,996 to 3,398 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 (1,280 to 1,554 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.
Ecological site concept
This site is located on lake terraces and alluvial fans that area associated with Pleistocene lakes. The site is visually dominated by Bonneville big sagebrush with snowberry and bluebunch wheatgrass. It is typically found in the zone between Wyoming big sagebrush (lower elevation, lower precipitation) and mountain big sagebrush (higher elevation and higher precipitation) and is a recognized hybrid between those species (Garrison et al. 2013).
Associated sites
R028AY312UT Upland Sand (Indian Ricegrass)
This site will be located in coarser textured soil.
R028AY325UT Upland Shallow Loam (Black Sagebrush)
This site is a completely different site Black sagebrush, shallow soil, much lower production, etc.
R028AY320UT Upland Shallow Hardpan (Pinyon-Utah Juniper)
This site will be located in shallower soils with a hardpan.
R028AY334UT Upland Stony Loam (Wyoming Big Sagebrush)
This site will be located in soils with a rock volume greater tha 65 percent and typically upslope.
R028AY338UT Upland Stony Loam (Pinyon-Utah Juniper)
This site will be located in soils with a rock volume greater than 65 percent and typically upslope.
R028AY306UT Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville Big Sagebrush)
The amount of gravel in the soil and the 100 to 300 pounds per acre are notable differences in these two sites. Also the difference in the amount of Antelope bitterbrush makes these two sites different.
R028AY307UT Upland Gravelly Loam (Wyoming Big Sagebrush)
This site is a Wyoming big sagebrush site. It will have fewer kinds and amounts of forbs than the Bonneville big sagebrush sites. Production will 300 to 500 pounds per acre less than the upland loam Bonneville big sagebrush site.
R028AY309UT Upland Loam (Wyoming Big Sagebrush)
This site will normally be located just below the Bonneville big sagebrush site. The notable differences are the sagebrush species, the fewer forb species and the smaller amount of forbs found in the plant community. Also there will be about 300 to 500 pounds less production in the Wyoming community.
Similar sites
R028AY066NV GRAVELLY LOAM 12-14 P.Z.
This site is located in the Nevada portion of 28A and is similar in community dynamics.
R028AY307UT Upland Gravelly Loam (Wyoming Big Sagebrush)
Dominant sagebrush is Wyoming and this site has more rock fragments.
R028AY309UT Upland Loam (Wyoming Big Sagebrush)
This site will normally be located just below the Bonneville big sagebrush site. The notable differences are the sagebrush species, the fewer forb species and the smaller amount of forbs found in the plant community. Also there will be about 300 to 500 pounds less production in the Wyoming community
R028AY306UT Upland Gravelly Loam (Bonneville Big Sagebrush)
The amount of gravel in the soil and the 100 to 300 pounds per acre are notable differences in these two sites. Also the difference in the amount of Antelope bitterbrush makes these two sites different.
R028AB310UT Upland Loam (Bonneville big sagebrush) South
This is a similar site that is located in the Basin and Range South LRU. It will have more summer precipitation and have more warm season species in the plant community.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Artemisia tridentata ssp. ×bonnevillensis
(2) Purshia tridentataHerbaceous (1) Pseudoroegneria spicata
Physiographic features
This site occurs on loamy lake terraces, alluvial fans and fan remnants. These are mainly Bonneville Lake formation terraces. This site is found on all aspects at elevations between 4,200 and 6,300 feet (1,280 to 1,920 meters). Slopes are gentle to slightly steep (0 to 10 percent) but it can occur on slopes up to 30 percent. Runoff is variable depending on slope, basal cover, and soil permeability. Much of this site has been developed for dry farming or residential housing.
Figure 2. Catena Drawing
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Alluvial fan
(2) Lake terrace
(3) Fan remnant
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 4200 – 6300 ft Slope 0 – 10 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate is characterized by warm, dry summers, cold, snowy winters and moist springs. October through May is the wettest part of the year and July to September is the driest. The effective moisture for plant growth is the 54 percent that falls during the plant dormant period, which wets the soil deeply in the spring and early summer. Warm season moisture is less effective for plant growth on this site because summer storms are short and undependable.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 90-120 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 130-160 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 20-20 in Frost-free period (actual range) 90-140 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 120-180 days Precipitation total (actual range) 10-20 in Frost-free period (average) 110 days Freeze-free period (average) 150 days Precipitation total (average) 20 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) TRENTON [USC00428828], Lewiston, UT
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(2) RICHMOND [USC00427271], Richmond, UT
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(3) LOGAN UTAH ST UNIV [USC00425186], Logan, UT
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(4) MANTI [USC00425402], Manti, UT
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(5) LEVAN [USC00425065], Nephi, UT
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(6) NEPHI [USC00426135], Nephi, UT
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(7) ALPINE [USC00420061], Alpine, UT
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(8) THIOKOL PROPULSION F S [USC00428668], Snowville, UT
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(9) FARMINGTON 3 NW [USC00422726], Kaysville, UT
">Influencing water features
Due to its landscape position, this site is not typically influenced by streams or wetlands. It can sometimes be influenced by overland flow during heavy thunder storms and/or during wetter Spring runoff periods.
Soil features
The soils of this site are deep and well drained. They are formed in lacustrine deposits and alluvium derived from various types of parent materials. Surface texture is typically silt loam or loam. Rock fragments usually make up less than 15 percent of the soil volume and may not be present on the soil surface. Permeability is slow to moderate and available water-holding capacity ranges from 5.1 to 7.1 inches of water in the upper 40 inches of soil. The soil moisture regime is xeric and the soil temperature regime is mesic or occasionally frigid.
Soil Survey Area: Soil Components (Map Units in parentheses);
Box Elder County, Eastern Part (UT602); Collinston (CwD, WmE); Dagor (DaB); Eccles (EcA, EcB, EcD); Forsgren (FgB, FgD, FgE); Gemson (GcD, GcE, GEE); Hansel (HaA, HaB, HaD); Kearns (KeD, KeE, PxE); Kidman (KlA, KlB, KmA, KmD, KmE); Mendon (MhB, MhD); Millville (MlA, MlB, MmB); Parleys (PbA, PdA, PeA, PeB, PeD, PeE, PlA, PmD, PmE, PnD, PyE, SuE); Pomat (PnD, PwD, PxE, PyE); Red Rock (RdA, ReA, ReB); Timpanogos (TmA, TmB, TnA, ToB, ToC); Windmill (WnB, WnD, WnE)
Cache Valley Area, Parts of Cache and Box Elder Counties (UT603): Avon (ArA, ArB, ArC, ArD, AsC, AsE); Battle Creek (BcA, BcD); Blackrock (BmB, BmC, BmD); Collinston (AsC, AsE, ClA, CmC, CmD, CmE2, MfB, MfE2), Crowshaw (CrB, CrC, CrD); Dagor (DaC, DaD); Hendricks (HdA, HdB, HdC); Hillfield (HgE2, HhE2, MdE2); Kidman (KdA, KdD, KfA, KfB, KfC); Lewiston (Ln); McMurdie (McA, McB, McC, MdE2); Mendon (MeA, MeB, MeC, MfB, MfE2); Millville (MlA, MlB), Parleys (PaA, PaB, PaC); Parlo (PlA, PlB, PaC); Ricks (RhA, RhB, RhC); Timpanogos (HhE2, TmA, TmB, TmC, TmD2, TnA)
Davis-Weber Area (UT607); Ackmen (AbB, AbC, AbD, AbE2); Hillfield (HMG2, HnD2, HnE2, HTF2, HTG2); Kidman (FKG2, KaA, KaB, KaC, KaD, KaE2); Parleys (1000, 8012, HTF2, HTG2, PaE2); Pleasant view (PvB, PvC, PvD, PvE, PvE2, Pwc, PwD); Timpanogos (HTF2, HTG2, TbA, TbB, TbC, TbD2, TbE2); Timpanogos variant (TcD, TcE, TDD)
Fairfield-Nephi area (UT608): Ashdown (AkA, AkB); Birdow (Bf,); Calita (CaB, CaC, CaD); Dagor (DaC); Deer Creek (DbD, DcD); Doyce (DfB, DfC, DgC, MrB); Dry Creek (8005, DhD); Genola (GcA, GcB, GcC); Hansel (HbA, HbB); Hillfield (8023, HeC); Juab (JbA, JbB, JbC, JcB, JcC, JdC); Justesen (JeD); Keigley (KaB); Kidman (8014, 8024); Modoc (MkC); Moroni (Mm); Musinia (MvB, MvC); Nephi (NaB); Parleys (8012, 8013); Taylorsville (TaA, TaB, TaC); Wales (WaB)
Tooele Area (UT611) Doyce (15); Erda (19)
Salt Lake Area (UT612) Bluffdale (BlB, BmB, BmC, BnB); Dry Creek (DPD, DRD); Hans (HaB, HaC); Hillfield (8015, 8023, HfC, HlA, HlB, HlC, HtF2); Kearns (KaB, KaC); Kidman (8014, 8024, KdA, KdB, KdC, KfA, KfB); Parleys (1000, PeA, PeB); Preston (KsF2, PrD, PrF, PsB); Red Rock (Re); Taylorsville (HtF2, TaA, TaB, TaC, TbB); Timpanogos (TtA, TtC, TuB); Trenton (Tv); Welby (WmA, WmB)
Millard County, Eastern Part (UT618): Bonolden (17, 18); Cessna (27); Church Springs (5, 29); Kidman (76, 86); Maple Hollow (34, 35); Probert (103)
Utah County (UT621); Dagor (Da, Db); Dry Creek (DCF); Hillfield (8015, 8023, HmE, HmF, HNG, HOF, HpF, WhD, WhE); Keigley (KeA, KeB, KgA); Kidman (8014, 8024, KmA, KmB, KmC); Parleys (1000, 8012, 8013, PbC, PcB); Pleasant Vale (PnA, PoA, PoC, PpB, PrD, PsB); Taylorsville (MtE2, TaA, TaB, TcA, TcB, TcC2); Timpanogos (TmB, TmC, ToB); Welby (HpF, WbA, WbB, WbC, WeA, WeB, WeC, WeD2, WhD, WhE)
Sanpete Valley Area, Utah – Parts of Utah and Sanpete Counties (UT627): Arapien (ArD); Birdow (BnB, BnC, BoB); Calita (ArD, CaB, CaC); Clegg (FOD); Doyce (BTC, DoB, DoC, PDC); Keigley (KcB); Moroni (MfC, MGD), Snake Hollow (StB) Wales (WAC)
Beaver County Area (UT628): Church Springs (109); Clegg (131, 166), Doyce (110, 178); Probert (167, 185)Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Alluvium – limestone and sandstone
(2) Lacustrine deposits – shale
Surface texture (1) Loam
(2) Silt loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Slow to moderate Soil depth 0 – 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 11 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)5.1 – 7.1 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 30 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)7.3 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 11 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 3 % Ecological dynamics
These plant communities may not represent every possibility, but they are the most prevalent and repeatable plant communities. As more data is collected, some of these plant communities may be revised or removed and new ones may be added. None of these plant communities should necessarily be thought of as the “desired plant community”. According to the USDA NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook, the desired plant community will be determined by the decision makers and will meet minimum quality criteria established by the NRCS. The main purpose for including any description of a plant community here is to capture the current knowledge and experience at the time of this revision.
This ecological site is dominated by perennial deep rooted cool season bunchgrasses and deep-rooted shrubs. Bonneville big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. Bonnevillensis [tridentata ssp. vaseyana x tridentata ssp. Wyomingensis], antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), and Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis) are the dominant shrubs. The perennial bunchgrasses that are co-dominant with the shrubs include bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudorogenaria spicata), slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus), western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), and Nevada bluegrass (Poa nevadensis syn. Poa secunda). These species generally have somewhat shallower root systems than the shrubs, but root densities are often as high as or higher than those of shrubs in the upper 0.5 m but taper off more rapidly than shrubs. General differences in root depth distributions between grasses and shrubs result in resource partitioning in these shrub/grass systems.
Bonneville big sagebrush is a hybrid between Wyoming big sagebrush and mountain big sagebrush (Garrison et al. 2013). It exhibits characteristics of both parent species and is found in the ecotone between the lower elevation Wyoming big sagebrush and higher elevation mountain big sagebrush. Bonneville big sagebrush occurs in moister areas and is often found growing with bitterbrush, serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and mountain snowberry (Symphoricarpos oreophilus). While it can be difficult to separate Wyoming big sagebrush from Bonneville big sagebrush, it is important to identify this site because of its high utilization by native ungulates and birds (Winward 2004). Bonneville big sagebrush is found in a recurring pattern that can be predicted based on temperature, moisture, and elevation (Rivera et al. 2011). It is often found on Lake Bonneville terraces above the Wyoming sagebrush zone.
This site is more productive and floristically diverse than the lower elevation Wyoming big sagebrush sites (Garrison 2006). This increase in productivity can be attributed to the increase in moisture availability due to the landscape position. Moisture used for plant growth is from water stored in the soil profile during the winter. Some precipitation may come in the summer months (June through August), it is however an unreliable source of moisture for plant growth.
Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) and singleleaf pinyon (Pinus monophylla) may be present on this site due to the proximity of the pinyon/juniper zone. This site is vulnerable to an increase in both pinyon and juniper trees without disturbances that keep the tree densities lower (i.e. fire). Singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper may dominate the site if there is time without disturbances and eventually out-compete mountain big sagebrush for water and sunlight, severely reducing both the shrub and herbaceous understory (Miller et al. 2000, Lett and Knapp 2005). Bluegrasses may remain underneath trees on north-facing slopes. The potential for soil erosion increases as the Utah juniper woodland matures and the understory plant community cover declines (Pierson et al. 2010).
This ecological site has moderate resilience to disturbance and moderately low resistance to invasion (Miller et al. 2015). Resilience increases with elevation, aspect, increased precipitation, and increased nutrient availability. Long-term disturbance response may be influenced by small differences in landscape topography. Concave areas receive run-in from adjacent landscapes and consequently retain more moisture to support the growth of deep-rooted perennial grasses (i.e. bluebunch wheatgrass) whereas convex areas where runoff occurs are slightly less resilient and may have more shallow-rooted perennial grasses (i.e. squirreltail (Elymus elmoides) and muttongrass (Poa fendleriana). North slopes are also more resilient than south slopes because lower soil surface temperatures operate to keep moisture content higher on northern exposures.
Fire Ecology:
Bonneville big sagebrush has not specifically been researched regarding fire tolerance, but it is likely similar to Wyoming and Mountain big sagebrush which are killed by fire and do not resprout (Miller et al. 2013). Plant community composition after a fire is influenced by what plants were present before the fire and their densities (Miller et al. 2013). Typically, plants that are tolerant to fire will return after the fire (this also will depend on the severity of the fire). Bluebunch wheatgrass is tolerant of fire and can reestablish to pre-fire densities within 3 years. If the density of deep-rooted perennial grasses is low before the fire, they will be low after the fire (Miller et al. 2013). Post-fire recovery of Bonneville big sagebrush sites has not been research, however, mountain and Wyoming big sagebrush have been extensively researched. These two species have different recovery potentials base on site characteristics, like available soil moisture. Mountain big sagebrush can return to a 20 to 30 percent canopy cover within 20 to 30 years while Wyoming big sagebrush may never recover to pre-burn canopy cover (Miller et al. 2013). Recovery of big sagebrush is limited in the presence of cheatgrass either before or after fire (Miller et al. 2013). Rabbitbrush, snowberry, serviceberry, and bitterbrush may increase after fire depending on the severity of the fire. (Miller et al. 2013). The sprouting ability of antelope bitterbrush is variable and depends on fire season, severity, and age of the plant (Zlatnik 1999). Plants younger than 5 years or older than 40 years do not sprout well (Zlatnik 1999).
The introduction of annual weedy species, like cheatgrass, may cause an increase in fire frequency and eventually lead to an annual dominated community (Miller et al. 2013). Infilling by singleleaf pinyon and Utah juniper may also occur with an extended fire return interval. Without fire or changes in management, pinyon and juniper will dominate the site and Bonneville big sagebrush will be severely reduced. The herbaceous understory will typically be reduced. The potential for soil erosion increases as the juniper woodland matures and the understory plant community cover declines. Catastrophic wildfire in juniper controlled sites may lead to an annual weed dominated site.
Livestock/Wildlife Grazing Interpretations:
Overgrazing leads to an increase in sagebrush and a decline in understory plants like bluebunch wheatgrass. Squirreltail will increase temporarily with further degradation. Invasion of annual weedy forbs and cheatgrass could occur with further grazing degradation, leading to a decline in squirreltail and an increase in bare ground. Wetter sites are more resistant to degradation and may end up having sagebrush and Sandberg bluegrass dominate the site. A combination of overgrazing and prolonged drought may lead to soil redistribution, increased bare ground and a loss in plant production. Bonneville big sagebrush can be utilized by native ungulates and birds (Winward 2004). Bluebunch wheatgrass is moderately grazing tolerant but is very sensitive to defoliation during the active growth period (Blaisdell and Pechanec 1949, Laycock 1967, Anderson and Scherzinger 1975). Sandberg bluegrass may slow reestablishment of deeper rooted bunchgrass, increase under grazing pressure (Tisdale and Hironaka 1981) and is capable of co-existing with cheatgrass. Reduced bunchgrass vigor or density provides an opportunity for Sandberg bluegrass expansion and/or cheatgrass and other invasive species to occupy interspaces, leading to increased fire frequency and potentially an annual plant community. Depending on the season of use, the grazer and site conditions, either Sandberg bluegrass or cheatgrass may become the dominant understory with inappropriate grazing management. For example, Daubenmire (1970) found that heavy sheep grazing favors Sandberg bluegrass, while heavy cattle grazing favors cheatgrass.
Five possible alternative stable states have been identified for this ecological site. The Reference State contains three community phases, shrub/grass dominated, shrub dominated, and grass dominated. The primary drivers in this state are fire, drought, and/or insect of disease. The Current Potential State is like the Reference State; however, non-native species have been introduced in the system which alters the resilience and resistance of the state. The Shrub State/Tree State occurs with time and lack of disturbance and/or inappropriate grazing management. The Annual State occurs after large fires or multiple fires that promote annual invasive species dominance over native shrubs and grasses. The Seeded State occurs with management with seeding of deep rooted perennial bunchgrasses. Specific community phases and transitions will be described in the narratives below.State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 9. 28A310 State and Transition Model
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
SWAPAEHSWAPAEHSWAPAEHSWAPAEHStates 2 and 5 (additional transitions)
SWAPAEHSWAPAEHState 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateThe Reference State includes the plant communities that were best adapted to the unique combination of factors associated with this ecological site prior to European settlement. It was in a natural dynamic equilibrium with the historic biotic, abiotic, climatic factors on its ecological site in North America at the time of European immigration and settlement. There are three community phases: grass and sagebrush dominated, sagebrush dominated, and grass dominated. Plant community phase changes are driven by fire, drought, and/or insect or disease.
Characteristics and indicators. This state will not contain any non-native species in the plant community.
Community 1.1
Bonneville big sagebrush / Perennial cool season grasses / Forbs / Other native shrubsCommunity Phase 1.1 is represented with 60 percent grasses, 25 percent forbs, and 15 percent shrubs. The dominant shrub visually and in production is Bonneville big sagebrush. The dominant grass is bluebunch wheatgrass and the dominant forb visually is arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata).
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 540 900 1320 Forb 225 375 550 Shrub/Vine 135 225 330 Total 900 1500 2200 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 10-20% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 40-50% Forb foliar cover 20-30% 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% 1-2% 3-9% 5-10% >0.5 <= 1 0% 1-2% 12-23% 10-15% >1 <= 2 0% 0-1% 35-45% 5-10% >2 <= 4.5 0% 10-20% 1-3% 5-10% >4.5 <= 13 0% 5-10% 1-3% 0% >13 <= 40 0% 0% 0% 0% >40 <= 80 0% 0% 0% 0% >80 <= 120 0% 0% 0% 0% >120 0% 0% 0% 0% Community 1.2
Bonneville big sagebrush / Other native shrubs / Perennial cool season grasses = ForbsBonneville big sagebrush has increased in the community from lack of disturbance. The sagebrush utilizes more resources causing grasses and forbs to decrease in the understory. The community composition is 40 percent grasses, 25 percent forbs, and 35 percent shrubs. This community will have between 10 to 20 percent bare ground.
Community 1.3
Perennial cool season grasses / Forbs / Fire tolerant shrubsLocalized hot fires reduce the shrub canopy allowing the grasses and forbs to increase in the burned patches. Aroga moth infestations may also reduce the sagebrush canopy. The plant community composition is 70 percent grasses, 20 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. This community will have between 15 to 20 percent bare ground.
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2Time without disturbance event that removes the shrub canopy.
Pathway 1.1b
Community 1.1 to 1.3Normally mid-summer fire, insects, prolonged drought and pathogens that kill and/or reduces the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.3Normally a mid-summer fire. A fire that is hot enough and fast moving enough to kill sagebrush and stimulate the perennial cool season grasses, insects, prolonged drought and pathogens that kill and/or reduces the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
Pathway 1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.1Time without catastrophic event. This was probably dependent on a specific chain of climatic events.
State 2
Current Potential StateThe Current Potential State (CPS) includes the biotic communities that would become established on the ecological site if all successional sequences were completed without interferences by humans under the present environmental conditions. Natural disturbances are inherent in its development. The CPS state may include acclimatized, naturalized or invasive nonnative species. There is no known way to effectively remove these plants from the site once they have become established. The level of occurrence of these plants in the CPS is such that careful management can prevent their domination of the site. This site is irreversibly changed. Plant communities within the CPS state may be managed and used for various purposes by man without significant alteration in plant community composition or production. It includes all the plant communities that exist in the Reference State with the inclusion of species that are non-native.
Characteristics and indicators. This state will be similar to the Reference State, except it will have non-native species in the plant community.
Community 2.1
Bonneville sagebrush / perennial cool season grass / forb other native shrub / non-native speciesThis community is represented with 60 percent grasses, 25 percent forbs, and 15 percent shrubs. The dominant shrub visually and in production is Bonneville big sagebrush. The dominant grass is bluebunch wheatgrass and the dominant forb visually is arrowleaf balsamroot. This community will have between 10 to 15 percent bare ground. This community will have notable amounts of non-native species.
Community 2.2
Bonneville sagebrush / other native shrub / perennial cool season grass = forb / non-native speciesBonneville sagebrush has increased in the community which has reduced the understory grasses and forbs. Other shrubs (notably) mountain snowberry, antelope bitterbrush and Utah serviceberry also often increase with lack of shrub removing disturbance. The community composition is 40 percent grasses, 25 percent forbs, and 35 percent shrubs. This community typically has bare ground between 10 to 20 percent. This community will have notable amounts of non-native species.
Community 2.3
Perennial Cool Season Grass / Forb / Fire Tolerant Shrub / Non-Native SpeciesLocalized hot fires remove the shrub canopy allowing the grasses and forbs to increase in the burned patches. Aroga moth infestation can also remove patches of sagebrush. The plant community is represented with 70 percent grasses, 20 percent forbs, and 10 percent shrubs. This community will likely have around 15 to 20 percent bare ground. This community will have notable amounts of non-native species.
Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2Time without disturbance event that removes the shrub canopy. This was probably dependent on a specific chain of climatic events.
Pathway 2.1b
Community 2.1 to 2.3Normally a mid-summer fire, insects, prolonged drought and pathogens that kill and/or reduces the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.3Normally a mid-summer fire. A fire that is hot enough and fast moving enough to kill sagebrush and stimulate the perennial cool season grasses, insects, prolonged drought and pathogens that kill and/or reduces the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
Key drivers
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Fire
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Defoliation by insect
Pathway 2.3a
Community 2.3 to 2.1Time without disturbance event that removes the shrub canopy. This was probably dependent on a specific chain of climatic events.
State 3
Tree StateThe Tree State has only two described plant community phases, but many variations of the represented ones are present. The site will move to this state when there is a lack of fire (over exuberant fire control) and there is a source of Utah Juniper and/or pinyon seed. Movement from community phase to community phase can and often is accelerated by overgrazing. Cheatgrass will often be the dominant understory plant in this state. This state can persist for a long time until extreme conditions needed for a wildfire occur or some other management treatment is implemented.
Characteristics and indicators. This state will have noticeable cover of Utah junipers or pinyon.
Community 3.1
Utah Juniper / Bonneville big sagebrush / Native Perennials / Invasive AnnualsThis community has a overstory of Utah juniper and singleleaf pinyon but still has an understory like community 2.1. This community will have around 20 to 35 percent bare ground. Introducing fire back to the site may return this site to State 2. Mechanical removal of juniper and pinyon can be used to reduce cover.
Community 3.2
Utah Juniper / Invasive AnnualsThis community is present when 99 percent of the native plants have been removed from the plant community and only pinyon and juniper with a sparse understory of invasive annuals are left on the site. This community will have around 35 to 85 percent bare ground. The bare ground in this phase may accelerate soil erosion as there are few species to protect the soil surface.
Pathway 3.1a
Community 3.1 to 3.2Overgrazing with or without drought over a prolonged period of time.
Pathway 3.2a
Community 3.2 to 3.1Fire, insects, prolonged drought and pathogens that kill and/or reduces the dominant shrub overstory. Fire is the most effective of these disturbances.
State 4
Yellow rabbitbrush / Invasive AnnualsThis state occurs when this site is overgrazed for an extended time. This state may also occur with the combination of drought and over grazing or drought and fire with either no seeding following the fire or a failed seeding. The dominant aspect of the plant community is cheatgrass brome, yellow rabbitbrush, and a small amount of Bonneville big sagebrush.
Characteristics and indicators. This state is dominated by shrubs other than big sagebrush and annual grasses.
Community 4.1
Yellow rabbitbrush / invasive annuals = native perennialsThis plant community occurs when the site is overgrazed for a prolonged period. Drought, fire, mechanical disturbance, and other like disturbances will speed up the process. The plant community composition is about 40 percent yellow rabbitbrush, 50 percent non-native/invasive annuals, and 10 percent native perennials. This community will have between 20 to 35 percent bare ground.
Community 4.2
Invasive annualsThis plant community has lost the Bonneville big sagebrush and the invasive annuals have taken space away from the Sandburg bluegrass. The plant community composition is about 88 percent non-native/invasive annuals and 12 percent native perennials. This community will have around 20 to 40 percent bare ground.
Pathway 4.1a
Community 4.1 to 4.2Increased fire frequency (from 10 to 15 years to 3 to 5 years) and intensity without follow-up management. Overgrazing can move this change along faster.
Pathway 4.2a
Community 4.2 to 4.1Time and management of grazing alone or along with other disturbances where human and/or naturalized introduction of native and/or introduced perennial plant species takes place.
State 5
Seeded Range StateThe Seede State exists when the site is cultivated and/or burned and planted to Introduced perennial plants and/or in some situations a mix of native grasses and forbs.
Characteristics and indicators. This state will be dominated by seeded grass and forbs in the plant community.
Community 5.1
Introduced perennial plantsThe plant community consists of introduced and in some situations native grasses, forbs and sometimes native and/or introduced half-shrubs and/or shrubs. Community Phase 5.1 is often as productive as the Current Potential State.
Community 5.2
Native shrubs = Introduced perennial plantsThis phase occurs when weather conditions create the kind of episodic situation that allows Bonneville big sagebrush to move back onto the site.
Pathway 5.1a
Community 5.1 to 5.2Time without catastrophic event. This was probably dependent on a specific chain of climatic events. Also heavy prolonged cattle grazing can cause this to happen.
Pathway 5.2a
Community 5.2 to 5.1Time and management of grazing alone or along with other disturbances where human intervention takes place to move the community back.
Transition T1a
State 1 to 2Introduction of non-native species into the ecosystem.
Transition T2a
State 2 to 3Prolonged drought, overgrazing, extreme lengthening of the fire interval frequency. This takes place when the sagebrush canopy gets so dense that it destroys the perennial grass and forb understory and the fire frequency is increased from 20 to 40 years to 60 to 90 years and there is an introduction of Utah Juniper.
Transition T2b
State 2 to 4Prolonged drought and/or prolonged overgrazing. Most often it is a combination of the two conditions that bring this condition into existence. Continued overgrazing and increase of the fire frequency over a very prolonged period of time i.e. 3 to 5 year fire frequency interval.
Transition T3b
State 3 to 4Continued overgrazing and increase of fire frequency over a very prolonged period of time i.e. 3 to 5 year fire frequency interval.
Transition T3a
State 3 to 5Human caused disturbance i.e. mechanical treatment and seeding; chemical treatment and seeding etc.
Transition T4a
State 4 to 5Human caused disturbance i.e. mechanical treatment and seeding; chemical treatment and seeding etc.
Restoration pathway R5a
State 5 to 2Time with proper management that favors the native plants as they move back onto the site.
Transition T5a
State 5 to 3Prolonged drought, overgrazing, extreme lengthening of the fire interval frequency. This takes place when the sagebrush canopy gets so heavy that it destroys the perennial grass and forb understory and the fire frequency is increased from 20 to 40 years to 60 to 90 years and there is an introduction of Utah Juniper.
Transition T5b
State 5 to 4Continued overgrazing and increase of fire frequency over a very prolonged period of time i.e. 8 to 12 year fire frequency interval.
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 450–720 Bonneville big sagebrush ARTRB3 Artemisia tridentata ssp. ×bonnevillensis 270–450 – mountain snowberry SYOR2 Symphoricarpos oreophilus 180–270 – 3 Secondary shrubs 180–540 Utah serviceberry AMUT Amelanchier utahensis 90–180 – antelope bitterbrush PUTR2 Purshia tridentata 90–180 – spineless horsebrush TECA2 Tetradymia canescens 18–54 – Nevada jointfir EPNE Ephedra nevadensis 18–54 – slender buckwheat ERMI4 Eriogonum microthecum 18–54 – granite prickly phlox LIPU11 Linanthus pungens 18–36 – creeping barberry MARE11 Mahonia repens 18–36 – yellow rabbitbrush CHVI8 Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus 18–36 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 0–18 – broom snakeweed GUSA2 Gutierrezia sarothrae 0–18 – fourwing saltbush ATCA2 Atriplex canescens 0–18 – Woods' rose ROWOU Rosa woodsii var. ultramontana 0–18 – Grass/Grasslike0 Primary Grasses 810–1260 bluebunch wheatgrass PSSP6 Pseudoroegneria spicata 270–450 – Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 180–270 – slender wheatgrass ELTR7 Elymus trachycaulus 180–270 – 1 Secondary Grasses 270–540 Grass, perennial 2GP Grass, perennial 180–270 – Grass, annual 2GA Grass, annual 90–180 – squirreltail ELEL5 Elymus elymoides 54–90 – thickspike wheatgrass ELLA3 Elymus lanceolatus 18–90 – western wheatgrass PASM Pascopyrum smithii 18–90 – muttongrass POFE Poa fendleriana 54–90 – beardless wheatgrass PSSPI Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. inermis 18–54 – Geyer's sedge CAGE2 Carex geyeri 18–54 – Idaho fescue FEID Festuca idahoensis 18–54 – needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 18–54 – prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha 18–54 – basin wildrye LECI4 Leymus cinereus 18–54 – oniongrass MEBU Melica bulbosa 18–54 – purple threeawn ARPU9 Aristida purpurea 0–36 – Forb0 Primary Forb 180–450 white sagebrush ARLUC8 Artemisia ludoviciana ssp. candicans 54–90 – arrowleaf balsamroot BASA3 Balsamorhiza sagittata 54–90 – tapertip hawksbeard CRAC2 Crepis acuminata 54–90 – 2 Secondary Forbs 90–270 Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 180–450 – Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 90–180 – common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium 18–90 – nettleleaf giant hyssop AGUR Agastache urticifolia 18–54 – Indian paintbrush CASTI2 Castilleja 18–54 – purple milkvetch ASAG2 Astragalus agrestis 18–54 – silverleaf milkvetch ASAR4 Astragalus argophyllus 18–54 – Torrey's milkvetch ASCA9 Astragalus calycosus 18–54 – painted milkvetch ASCE Astragalus ceramicus 18–54 – freckled milkvetch ASLE8 Astragalus lentiginosus 18–54 – woollypod milkvetch ASPU9 Astragalus purshii 18–54 – longstalk springparsley CYLO Cymopterus longipes 18–54 – Anderson's larkspur DEAN Delphinium andersonii 18–54 – twolobe larkspur DENU2 Delphinium nuttallianum 18–54 – Utah milkvetch ASUT Astragalus utahensis 18–54 – matted buckwheat ERCA8 Eriogonum caespitosum 18–54 – cushion daisy ERCO3 Erigeron compactus 18–54 – cutleaf daisy ERCO4 Erigeron compositus 18–54 – shaggy fleabane ERPU2 Erigeron pumilus 18–54 – longleaf phlox PHLO2 Phlox longifolia 18–54 – scarlet globemallow SPCO Sphaeralcea coccinea 18–54 – sticky purple geranium GEVI2 Geranium viscosissimum 18–54 – Lewis flax LILE3 Linum lewisii 18–54 – prairie flax LILEL2 Linum lewisii var. lewisii 18–54 – western stoneseed LIRU4 Lithospermum ruderale 18–54 – Macdougal's biscuitroot LOFOM Lomatium foeniculaceum ssp. macdougalii 18–54 – Gray's biscuitroot LOGR Lomatium grayi 18–54 – Nevada biscuitroot LONE Lomatium nevadense 18–54 – Great Basin desertparsley LOSIS Lomatium simplex var. simplex 18–54 – lobeleaf groundsel PAMU11 Packera multilobata 18–54 – low beardtongue PEHU Penstemon humilis 18–54 – carpet phlox PHHOC Phlox hoodii ssp. canescens 18–36 – smoothstem blazingstar MELA2 Mentzelia laevicaulis 18–36 – tufted evening primrose OECA10 Oenothera caespitosa 18–36 – yellow owl's-clover ORLU2 Orthocarpus luteus 18–36 – tailcup lupine LUCAC3 Lupinus caudatus ssp. caudatus 12–36 – stoneseed LITHO3 Lithospermum 18–36 – manyflower stickseed HAFL2 Hackelia floribunda 18–36 – common sunflower HEAN3 Helianthus annuus 18–36 – scarlet gilia IPAGA3 Ipomopsis aggregata ssp. aggregata 18–36 – Utah buttercup RAJO Ranunculus jovis 18–36 – lambstongue ragwort SEIN2 Senecio integerrimus 18–36 – yellow fritillary FRPU2 Fritillaria pudica 18–36 – yellow avalanche-lily ERGR9 Erythronium grandiflorum 18–36 – sanddune wallflower ERCAC Erysimum capitatum var. capitatum 18–36 – white mariposa lily CAEU Calochortus eurycarpus 18–36 – sego lily CANU3 Calochortus nuttallii 18–36 – western tansymustard DEPI Descurainia pinnata 18–36 – tall annual willowherb EPBR3 Epilobium brachycarpum 18–36 – Brandegee's woollystar ERBR3 Eriastrum brandegeeae 18–36 – showy milkweed ASSP Asclepias speciosa 0–36 – wavyleaf thistle CIUNU Cirsium undulatum var. undulatum 18–36 – yellow spiderflower CLLUL Cleome lutea var. lutea 18–36 – miner's lettuce CLPEP Claytonia perfoliata ssp. perfoliata 18–36 – Rocky Mountain beeplant CLSE Cleome serrulata 18–36 – maiden blue eyed Mary COPA3 Collinsia parviflora 18–36 – cushion cryptantha CRCI2 Cryptantha circumscissa 18–36 – roundspike cryptantha CRHU2 Cryptantha humilis 18–36 – tapertip onion ALAC4 Allium acuminatum 18–36 – Nevada onion ALNE Allium nevadense 18–36 – textile onion ALTE Allium textile 18–36 – foothill deathcamas ZIPA2 Zigadenus paniculatus 18–36 – flatbud pricklypoppy ARMUR Argemone munita ssp. rotundata 0–18 – hookedspur violet VIADA Viola adunca var. adunca 0–18 – upland yellow violet VIPRL Viola praemorsa ssp. linguifolia 0–18 – goosefoot violet VIPUV2 Viola purpurea ssp. venosa 0–18 – mountain tarweed MAGL2 Madia glomerata 0–18 – 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 (%) Table 16. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 17. Community 4.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 18. Community 5.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 19. Community 5.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
This site is suited for grazing by cattle and sheep during spring, summer, and fall.
Wildlife using this site include rabbit, coyote, sage grouse, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and elk.
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 B with runoff curves ranging from 61 to 79 depending on hydrologic condition.
Recreational uses
Resources that have special aesthetic and landscape values are grassland aesthetics. Some recreation uses of this site are camping, hiking and hunting.
Wood products
There will be some oppertunity to harvest firewood and fence posts on this site when one needle pinyon and Utah juniper have invaded the site.
Other information
Threatened and endangered species include plants and animals.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
This site was first written back in 1994. When it was written and revised in 2014 it was done with the 26 ECS-417s and 2 UT-Range-2 completed in the 1900s and 4 UT-Range-2 done from 2009 to 2014 along with personal knowledge collected by Brock Benson Rangeland Management Specialist working in the D28A MLRA for 30 years.
Other references
Type Location: West Hills located West of Tremonton, Utah and the Wasatch Mountains East of Provo, Utah
Anderson, E. W. and R. J. Scherzinger. 1975. Improving quality of winter forage for elk by cattle grazing. Journal of Range Management:120-125.
Blaisdell, J.P. and J.F. Pechanec. 1949. Effects of herbage removal at various dates on vigor of bluebunch wheatgrass and arrowleaf balsamroot. Ecology 30(3):298-305.
Daubenmire, R. 1970. Steppe Vegetation of Washington. 131 pp.
Garrison, H. 2006. Study of a putative hybrid taxon in the Artemisia tridentata complex. Master’s thesis, College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
Garrison, H. D., L. M. Shultz, and E. D. McArthur. 2013. Studies of a new hybrid taxon in the Artemisia tridentata (Asteraceae: Anthemideae) complex. Western North American Naturalist 73(1):1-19.
Laycock, W. A. 1967. How heavy grazing and protection affect sagebrush-grass ranges. Journal of Range Management:206-213.
Lett, M. S., and A. K. Knapp. 2005. Woody plant encroachment and removal in mesic grassland: Production and composition responses of herbaceous vegetation. American Midland Naturalist 153:217-231.
Miller, R.F., J.C. Chambers, D.A. Pyke, F.B. Pierson, and C.J. Williams. 2013. A review of fire effects on vegetation and soils in the Great Basin Region: response and ecological site characteristics. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-308. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 126 p.
Miller, R.F., J.C. Chambers, and M. Pellant. 2015. A field guide for rapid assessment of post-wildfire recovery potential in sagebrush and pinon-juniper ecosystems in the Great Basin: Evaluating resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasive annual grasses and predicting vegetation response. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-338. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 70 p.
Miller, R. F., T. J. Svejcar, and J. A. Rose. 2000. Impacts of western juniper on plant community composition and structure. Journal of Range Management:574-585.
Pierson, F. B., C. J. Williams, P. R. Kormos, S. P. Hardegree, P. E. Clark, and B. M. Rau. 2010. Hydrologic vulnerability of sagebrush steppe following pinyon and juniper encroachment. Rangeland Ecology & Management 63:614-629.
Rivera, S., L. Schultz, A.J. Hernandez, and R.D. Ramsey. 2011. GIS ordination approach to model distribution of shrub species in northern Utah. Natural Resources and Environmental Issues 17(25):1-12.
Tisdale, E. W. and M. Hironaka. 1981. The sagebrush-grass region: A review of the ecological literature. University of Idaho, Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station.
Winward, A.H. 2004. Sagebrush of Colorado: taxonomy, distribution, ecology and management. Colorado Division of Wildlife, Denver, CO.
Zlatnik, Elena. 1999. Purshia tridentata. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/purtri/all.html [2018, May 10].Contributors
David J. Somorville
DJS
GBBApproval
Marji Patz, 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 Sarah Quistberg, Ecological Site Specialist, NRCS Dustin Ford, Rangeland Specialist, NRCS Matt Phillippi, State Wildlife Biologist, NRCS Kevin Williams, Rangeland Specialist, NRCS Contact for lead author Utah State Rangeland Specialist Date 01/29/2020 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
None. Very few would be expected on slopes greater than 20%. Any rills present should be short in length (less than 1.5 feet long), widely spaced (>30'), and not connected. A slight increase in rill formation may be caused by major disturbance events such as severe thunderstorms. -
Presence of water flow patterns:
Flow patterns are extremely sinuous around perennial plant bases. They are 3 to 5 feet long, not connected, and look stable. They are widely spaced (approx. 15 feet apart). As slopes increase water flow patterns will tend to increase and get longer. A slight increase in water flow patterns may be caused by major disturbance events such as severe thunderstorms. -
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
Up to 20% bunchgrass plants may show slight (no more than 1/4 in.) pedestaling. Pedestaling on the down slope side of plants may appear to be greater than this and will be more visible as slopes increase. Terracettes should be absent until slopes are greater than 20%. Terracettes should be no greater than one square foot. A slight increase in pedestals and terracettes may be caused by disturbance events such as severe thunderstorms and during spring snowmelt, . -
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
There will be 10 to 20% bare ground. There should be very few if any spaces greater than one foot square. Bare spaces are scattered and not connected. Bare ground could increase up to 5 to 10% during a prolonged drought. -
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
No active gullies present. Any gullies present should have perennial plants throughout the area with no active erosion. Disturbance such as wild fire followed by extreme rain events could result in active gully formation. -
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
No blowout or wind scoured areas. Slight deposition of sediment under shrubs (2-4 inches high) may be present. -
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
Herbaceous litter is expected to move only in small amounts due to wind action or water. flow. Woody litter will show no movement in areas with 0 to 20% slopes. On areas with greater than 20% slopes, an increase in herbaceous litter movement and some woody litter movement may be caused by major disturbance events such as severe thunderstorms. -
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
Soil Stability Index rating with cover is 6 and Soil Stability Index rating with no cover should range between 5 and 6. -
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
The A horizon varies from 10 to 16 inches thick. Color is a grayish brown loam (typical mollic colors). Structure should be granular. -
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
All functional groups are providing cover and protection from rain drop impact that will facilitate infiltration from rainfall events. Perennial grasses facilitate infiltration during spring snowmelt by increasing the sinuosity of runoff and reducing the velocity of runoff. The perennial plant community provides deep root systems and large pores that promote infiltration. -
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
There should be no compaction layer. -
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:
Community 1.1: Perennial Cool Season Bunchgrasses > Non-Sprouting Shrubs > Sprouting Shrubs > Forbs > Rhizomatous > Other Community 1.2: Non-Sprouting Shrubs = Perennial Cool Season Bunchgrasses > Sprouting Shrubs > Forbs > Rhizomatous > Other Community 1.3: Perennial Cool Season Bunchgrasses >> Forbs > Sprouting Shrubs = Rhizomatous Grasses > Non-Sprouting Shrubs.Sub-dominant:
Annual Grasses, Tree's, Warm Season GrassesOther:
5 Functional Structural GroupsAdditional:
Cool Season Bunchgrasses 6 Non-Sprouting Shrubs 3 Forbs 15 Sprouting Shrubs 3 -
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
The percent of decadent and/or dead plants should not exceed 5 % in any functional group. This may increase during long-term drought periods. -
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
15 to 30% of the ground surface should have litter cover, including under plant canopies. Litter is typically deepest and is concentrated under plant canopies. Woody litter is more prevalent in plant communities 1.1 and 1.2. -
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
Expected annual production is: Low, 900 lbs./ac.; Representative, 1500 lbs./ac/, and High, 2200 lbs./ac. -
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 weeds such cheatgrass, medusahead, ventenata, mustards, kochia, halogeton, alyssum, flixweed, lambsquarter, and Russian thistle are common species to invade disturbed sites. As ecological condition deteriorates, perennial bunch grasses and non-sprouting shrubs decrease while less desirable plants like rabbitbrush, prickly pear, broom snakeweed, and juniper will increase. -
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
All perennial plants should have the ability to reproduce either by seed and/or vegetative tillers in all years, except after prolonged extreme drought years.
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